With title, Nikwasi Initiative can move forward

The volunteer board members of the nonprofit Nikwasi Initiative are appreciative of the public’s interest in our mission and role…
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We’ve got the nicest house in the campground

We are not a camping family. It’s probably my fault, if there is a need to assign blame. I joined…
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Medicaid work mandate a bad idea
 

Medicaid work mandate a bad idea

To the Editor: State legislators have proposed a bill they misname “N.C. Health Care for Working Families,” a Medicaid expansion…
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Where has Trump’s leadership led?
 

Where has Trump’s leadership led?

To the Editor: Here’s a brief analysis of Donald Trump’s leadership using Joe Bryson’s characteristics:  • Vision — Yes, Trump…
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Nikwasi Initiative can proceed without deed

By Bob Scott • Guest columnist As mayor of Franklin, my duty and loyalty is to the town. With that…
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A bucket list full of dreams

Late in life, my mom created a bucket list. It wasn’t in response to her cancer diagnosis, but once she…
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Tax on guns helps wildlife, public lands
 

Tax on guns helps wildlife, public lands

To the Editor: In the early 1900s, sporting organizations and state wildlife agencies, concerned with declining wildlife populations in the…
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REAL ID required by Oct. 1, 2020
 

REAL ID required by Oct. 1, 2020

To the Editor: Do you know that by Oct. 1, 2020, you must have a REAL ID driver license in…
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Is a ‘responsible media’ a fading memory?

It’s one of those anniversaries most would rather forget: April 20, 1999, the Columbine High School shooting. Two high school…
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Golf’s prodigal son gets some redemption

Twenty years ago, a friend and I would get together on the weekends of the major golf tournaments and bet…
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Make redistricting an important issue
 

Make redistricting an important issue

To the Editor The U.S. Supreme Court met March 26 to hear arguments on redistricting in three states, including North…
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Home is far way, but also here with me

By Hannah McLeod • Guest columnist I arrived in Costa Rica at the beginning of February. After floundering for a…
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You can’t please them all

I’ve learned it’s impossible to make everyone happy.  This column has been a part of my life for a number…
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GOP has no health care plan
 

GOP has no health care plan

To the Editor: President Trump abruptly announced that he supports the court’s efforts to eliminate Obama Care. This would fulfill…
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It’s the right time for the Nikwasi Initiative

From the outside looking in, the current Nikwasi Mound disagreement in Franklin seems almost contrived. I mean, do serious people…
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The popcorn crisis: film at 11

When you’re young and in love, you feel invincible, like nothing can ever possibly contaminate the perfect union you have…
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Believing just does not make it true

I recently saw people interviewed at the CPAC meeting stating how pleased they were with Trump’s accomplishments. That got me…
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Our job is to earn trust and keep it

A little more than two weeks ago I was part of a public radio panel that was discussing the “state…
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A time of waiting and yearning

I’m sick of looking at a pair of stylish winter boots sitting beside my bedroom door. I have other cold-weather…
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Town can keep mound and support initiative

By Bob Scott • Guest Columnist Five years ago, as mayor, I was placed in the position of defending the…
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Please support Medicaid expansion
 

Please support Medicaid expansion

To the Editor: More than one million North Carolinians have no health insurance. Many fall in what is known as…
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Trump haters overplay their hand
 

Trump haters overplay their hand

To the Editor: In the news story “Constituents of color: Meadows defense of Trump angers many,” published in the SMN…
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Let’s all embrace God’s healing
 

Let’s all embrace God’s healing

To the Editor: A recent columnist claimed that their church embraces LGBTQ members. Well, my church welcomes LGBTQ as well.…
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Let’s keep people out of watershed
 

Let’s keep people out of watershed

To the Editor: The town of Waynesville has passed an ordinance making defecation and urination on the ground a public…
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A hit piece without facts
 

A hit piece without facts

To the Editor: The hate trump crowd that includes the media ringleaders keeps trying to denigrate President Donald Trump any…
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Let’s fire Sen. Tillis next election
 

Let’s fire Sen. Tillis next election

To the Editor: Last week both our Senators, Richard Burr and Thom Tillis, had two opportunities to demonstrate that they…
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Economics and the tilt to socialism

My son was home from college for spring break. As we ate dinner one night, he described to my wife…
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This cruel, lingering illness just won’t let go

When you’ve been sick long enough, your perception of reality begins to change. A couple of days may be no…
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Changing primaries could help system

By Martin Dyckman • Guest Columnist Every member of Congress is required to swear loyalty to the Constitution, not to…
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Learning to live with intention

Ever had a life-changing book fall into your literal hands? This happened to me recently.  I order my favorite rare,…
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A little knowledge can go a long way

To the Editor:  If you haven’t researched or assisted a foreigner in easing through the maze of the Immigration and…
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Where is Willie’s scooter?

To the Editor: Willie is a graduate of WCU and has a degree in sociology. He was told by his…
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Young people want tolerance

To the Editor: In America today we are experiencing tremendous growing pains and challenges to the way things have been,…
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My church embraces LGBTQ members

By Nina Dove • Guest Columnist When I walked into a Reconciling Ministries meeting at my church (First United Methodist Church…
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An aging Walter still rules the roost

When Walter comes trundling down the driveway, he always reminds me of what a camera tripod might look like if…
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Medicaid expansion needed in N.C.

To the Editor: North Carolina is one of 14 states that has chosen not to expand Medicaid, which provides health…
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Meadows’ action is unconscionable

To the Editor: Unbelievable that Rep. Mark Meadows (R-Brevard) chose to use a black female HUD employee as a token,…
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We must do better, for our children

To the Editor: Like Andrew Morgan (see Mountaineer, Feb. 25, Guest Columnist), I too am alarmed by the rhetoric from…
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Open government is part of who we are

Whereas the public bodies that administer the legislative, policy-making, quasi-judicial, administrative, and advisory functions of North Carolina and its political…
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Great schools, staff are community assets

Both my parents were teachers. My earliest memories are of my dad sitting at our dining room table grading papers…
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The socialists are coming!
 

The socialists are coming!

To the Editor The socialists are coming, the socialists are coming! Hide your cows and pickup trucks! The green new…
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