To shoot or not to shoot?
To the Editor: Every two or three years I read in the newspaper that a homeowner shot an intruder. Typically,…
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In Rep. Presnell’s view, it’s local leaders be damned
Some teacher a long time ago explained to my class of intro to political science undergrads the difference between a…
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Politics does make strange bedfellows
To the Editor: Politics does indeed make strange bedfellows. The recent edition of The Smoky Mountain news said this: “Carla…
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Robinson will support education, teachers
To the Editor: As I discuss the upcoming District 50 senatorial campaign with my neighbors, it is becoming clear to…
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Dealing with those who are just ‘wrong’
By Doug Wingeier • Columnist Recently my wife and I attended the showing of a documentary film on animal rights.…
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Spring beckons, but don’t forget the moment
By John Beckman • Columnist After the hard winter of sub-zero temperatures, heavy snows and power outages our region and much…
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It’s not really about Obamacare
To the Editor: The drumbeat of complaints about the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) from the political right wing leave me…
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Elect Robinson to replace Sen. Davis
To the Editor: I’m writing as a citizen and resident of Jackson County to voice my support for Ron Robinson…
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Government is always less efficient
To the Editor: I was having an otherwise intelligent conversation with one of my more liberal acquaintances the other day…
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This state’s GOP has violated the Voting Rights Act
By Martin Dyckman • Guest Columnist Even authoritarian regimes like Russia’s pretend to respect the right to vote. The contrast with…
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Ron Robinson supports education for all
To the Editor: Ron Robinson, a Democrat and Sylva businessman, has launched his campaign to become the next senator from…
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Do not encroach on our freedoms
To the Editor: Our basic freedoms in the Bill of Rights are encroached on almost daily by some branch of…
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N.C. 107 is a plain disaster
To the Editor: Jackson County's main business corridor, Highway 107 South, is a disaster. By allowing all the main…
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Local tourism leaders aren’t qualified
To the Editor: In response to Mr. Robert Jumper's letter in the Feb. 19 edition and the Jackson County TDA,…
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Ridgetop houses are too common
To the Editor: Regarding Clark Lipkin's guest opinion column in the Feb. 26 opinion, I find it incredulous that he…
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Tools to help cope with an uncertain future
“The less you know, the more you believe.” – Bono Quality journalism is a powerful force. I’ve been fortunate to…
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We are doomed to repeat history
To the Editor: We repeat our mistakes because we never seem to learn the lessons of history and, in our…
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Just look at what the Tea Party is doing
To the Editor: The letter saying the Tea Party is making changes is correct, but let’s look at the changes…
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Foundation should aid Good Samaritan Clinic
To the Editor: The Haywood Regional Hospital Foundation need look no further than The Good Samaritan Clinic. The support of…
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Everyone wants to protect the mountains
To the Editor: Everyone in Jackson County needs to know there was an overflow crowd at the public hearing on…
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Our schools deserve better than this
To the Editor: Sixty-nine school boards across this state joined with the State Board of Education in challenging the constitutionality…
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Reasonable people can disagree on development ordinance
By Clark Lipkin • Guest Columnist I am the vice chairman of the Jackson County Planning Board. I presided over…
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My family will miss the Shoney’s on the hill
If someone had told me 30 years ago that someday I’d be sentimental about a Shoney’s restaurant closing down, I…
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Jackson TDA working hard for the county
Letter to the Editor: While I currently serve as chairperson of the Jackson County Tourism Development Authority, I wish to…
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Haywood room tax hike just a bad idea
To the Editor: I see the notion to hike the Haywood County bed tax by 50 percent has risen again.…
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The TEA Party is who is making change
To the Editor: Recent elections in Haywood County have seen Republicans getting elected. Some of this activity is due in…
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Fracking firms don’t care about rights
To the Editor: Here are just a couple thoughts about fracking. My home water supply is spring fed, and I’ve…
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Pat the polluter is helping old friends
To the Editor: The old cliché of follow the money continues to be true, and now it’s close to home.…
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GOP pulls a fast one on ‘tax cuts’
To the Editor: I hate paying taxes. So when someone promises to lower my taxes, they have my attention. Most…
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Don’t fix what isn’t broken
To the Editor: We have heard much from GOP Gov. Pat McCrory and some leaders in the state legislature about…
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Nothing wrong with teacher pay plan
To the Editor: Regarding the plan to give some teaches a pay raise: I cannot for the life of me…
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Visualizing the options for growth
By Ben Brown • Guest Columnist Think of it as a starter kit for a comprehensive business plan for North Carolina’s…
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Democratic whining ignores progress
To the Editor: Some parts of Western North Carolina are loaded with socialist agenda people, especially in Asheville and Cullowhee. …
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Article misstated my views on slope rewrite
To the Editor: I want to thank The Smoky Mountain News for the article in the Feb 5 edition (www.smokymountainnews.com/news/item/12419)…
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Moral March is not a moment, but a movement
By Doug Wingeier • Columnist As I write this, I have just returned from a tiring but exhilarating day participating in the Moral…
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Background checks are government overreach
To the Editor: The Jackson County commissioners recently made a mistake — an honest, well-meaning, well-intentioned error, yet a mistake…
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How did county finance not catch on?
To the Editor: The alleged embezzlement of around $50,000 from Macon County taxpayers by a county employee highlights incompetency within…
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Teachers, public education get raw deal
To the Editor: If you have been following the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, you have recently learned that…
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Public Art Commission needs to speak up
To the Editor: I served on the Waynesville Public Art Commission from 2006 until March of 2011. Public art was a…
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Vouchers are just bad education policy
The Smoky Mountain News published an excellent analysis of the controversy centered on the current legislation called the “Opportunity Scholarship…
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Climate change still an important issue
To the Editor: A critical skill for magicians is to be able to misdirect your attention while executing the deception.…
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We need to oppose fracking in WNC
To the Editor: James Womack, Chairman of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources Mining and Energy Commission, would…
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Support Sen. Hagan, not Koch brothers
To the Editor: The billionaire brothers David and Charles Koch don’t live in North Carolina. One resides in New York…
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Wildlife officers did a good job for us
To the Editor: Thanks to the wildlife officers for catching the poacher who shot the mother bear on our private…
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Low-wage workers deserve a better deal
By Doug Wingeier • Columnist Debate is picking up these days on help for the unemployed and low-wage workers. Congress is…
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GOP leaders should provide emails
To the Editor: Everybody wants transparency in government — everybody except our Republican legislators in Raleigh. Last year, they passed…
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Keystone Pipeline could help economy
To the Editor: Are you concerned if you are in your 50s or late 40s that the Social Security fund…
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On the way to an imperial presidency
To the Editor: This is what President Barack Obama said this week: “Where I can act on my own without…
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Weaker slope law could lead to lawsuits
To the Editor: After reading the Jan. 15 edition and seeing continued plans to weaken the present Steep Slope Ordinance…
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Awards deserve a little more comment
To the Editor: I always look forward to the “Awards” issue of The Smoky Mountain News. May I make three short…
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