Cherokee bear zoos need to be shut down
To the Editor: How many times do the roadside zoos in Cherokee have to be cited for violations of federal…
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Planning board needs to be controlled
To the Editor: One of the most memorable days of my life was Jan. 19, 2001. Macon County had tried…
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Can Macon County make a decision?
To the Editor: At times when difficult decisions are being considered, leaders may seek the counsel of community-minded, experienced individuals…
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Earning the right to indulge myself
I was recently among a group of friends who were discussing habits — what they are and why we have…
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Shuler’s ‘no’ ends successful run in politics
No. It’s the biggest word in politics, often setting off a firestorm when delivered at a crucial moment. Gov. Beverly…
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Newspaper criticism was just off the mark
To the Editor: I had to read “Shame on you, SMN, for poking fun” (Smoky Mountain News, Feb. 1 edition)…
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An old friend comes for what I hope is a short visit
A good friend of old came to stay last week. A great respecter of proper etiquette, she provided ample warning…
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A citizens’ scroll should replace library plaque
To the Editor: In a recent article in The Smoky Mountain News, Jackson County Commissioner Jack Debnam was quoted as…
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Who does Sen. Jim Davis really represent?
To the Editor: State Sen. Jim Davis had an excellent idea. He suggested that anyone who wondered about contributions to…
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Counties don’t need to be in the banking business
In this country built on capitalism, it’s a constant source of antagonism among politicians and citizens. I’m talking about the…
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We need to stop the Great Outdoor Giveaway
Over 100 years ago, Republican President Theodore Roosevelt said to the American people: Of all the questions which can come…
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Protesting against war remains important
To the Editor: Thanks for the kind words you have for me and our peace vigilers in last week’s issue…
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WNC Alliance also a Needmore partner
To the Editor: As Quintin Ellison notes in her article, “By Land and By Water— (Jan. 18 Smoky Mountain News)…
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Joe Paterno’s fall from grace has Oedipus-like storyline
When the legendary — and former — Penn State University football coach Joe Paterno died on Sunday morning, the first…
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Selfish Me and Harried Woman
“Why didn’t you tell me?” the woman — wild-eyed, disbelieving and somewhat hysterically — called over to where I was…
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New LTLT an important voice for the region
Western North Carolina residents will be well served by the merger of the Land Trust for the Little Tennessee and…
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The time is ripe for garden planning
January is a time for new beginnings; nowhere is that more true than in the garden. A difficult task for…
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A reminder of the inhumanity that is war
It was pouring last Wednesday as I drove home, the cold rain painting the winter landscape a dull grey. Standing…
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NCAE needs to work for schools, not Democrats
In spite of Scott McLeod’s assertion that “it would be hard to argue otherwise” in his column (“Vote on NCAE…
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Locke Foundation critical of tactics
To the Editor: It’s unclear where Justin Conley (“Vindictive measure should send message,” The Smoky Mountain News, Jan. 11 issue)…
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Unexpected pleasures from a trip across the state
Sometimes what we expect to happen doesn’t: On vacation this week, I stopped in Raleigh and viewed the “Rembrandt in…
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Bothwell would be better than Shuler
To the Editor: Cecil Bothwell is running for U.S. Congress in Western Northern Carolina. He is looking to unseat the…
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Whole tax system needs an overhaul
To the Editor: We have been hearing much about taxing the rich more in order to help our debt problem,…
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Vindictive measure should send message
To the Editor: My grandmother always told me that, “nothing good happens after midnight.” I never quite grasped why until…
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Vote on NCAE dues like a slap in the face to teachers
When the state House voted to override Gov. Beverly Perdue’s veto and stop letting teachers use payroll deductions to pay…
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Warm weather brings unseasonable activity
Cutting collards this past weekend, I was surprised to find colonies of purplish-colored aphids under many of the leaves. That…
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Court ruling promises sleazy campaign season
To the Editor: Are you sickened by the millions of dollars spent to elect politicians at a time when too…
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Medwest affiliation will benefit patients
By Kate Queen • Guest Columnist At the beginning of December, Mountain Medical Associates, an established, multi-specialty internal medicine practice…
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A good time to get back to the beginning
I’ve put my keyboard-soft finger on what is probably the most common flaw of the human species: the unnerving tendency…
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Building community protects against calamity
While reading the article “Getting ready: Growing number of preppers work to ensure survival in case of societal collapse” (Dec.…
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Does the right practice what it preaches?
To the Editor: We find ourselves during the holidays celebrating the birth of a man whose teaching greatly affected our…
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99 percenters better pay attention to GOP
To the Editor: To all 99 percenters. You had better be paying attention to what Newt Gingrich and his cronies…
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Why spend money moving art during tough times?
To the Editor: As I bounce merrily along the potholes on the way into town, I often wonder if the…
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Cutting Russ Avenue trees was bad move
To the Editor: I think that clear-cutting the slope on Russ Avenue across the road from Kmart was ridiculous. I…
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Staring down a blank computer on deadline
It happens to writers much better than me. I know this, because I need only to open a book and…
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Navel oranges bring back memories of Dad, Christmas
On Christmas Eve, my dad would always bring home a huge box of navel oranges and bags of pecans, walnuts,…
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The story of the Christmas tree and the wife
Another Christmas tragedy appeared on the horizon with the arrival of our Christmas tree. I have often thought the holiday…
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The sage gardener won’t put off these chores
If you haven’t covered your greens yet — and I’m among those who have not — it’s time. We’ve been…
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Marketing success depends on cooperation
To the Editor: With reference to Quintin Ellison’s and Becky Johnson’s excellent reporting on the tourism marketing program for Jackson…
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Think before making a taxpayer-backed loan
To the Editor: “When asked about the likelihood of the AM radio station surviving in today’s advertising landscape, Jackson County…
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Gingrich’s rise a sad indictment on GOP field
For Newt Gingrich to have floated to the top of the Republican presidential slough tells what a dismal swamp it…
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Read it here – the truth about how the world will end
I normally veer from airing my opinion as a columnist in the editorial pages on issues that I cover as…
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People too gullible about Occupy movement
To the Editor: After reading Carol Larivee’s letter noting the differences between the Tea Party and the Occupy movement, it…
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Tea Party faithful are decent Americans
To the Editor: In the Nov. 23-29 issue of The Smoky Mountain News, Carole Larivee wrote a letter comparing the…
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Remember that it’s Democrats raising taxes
To the Editor: So the Democrat North Carolina state senators have waived off the chance to cap the automatic 4…
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Backhanded compliments all a part of turning 50
When I turned 50 last week, I did not feel any older and certainly no wiser, but I did realize…
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Poppies beneficial to VFW projects
To the Editor: On behalf of Veterans Of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 5202 in Waynesville, I would like to thank…
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Serving up a heaping helping of internal turmoil
I helped raise three turkeys this year. They were named Thanksgiving, Christmas and Extras. These turkeys were intended as the…
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With rights come responsibilities
To the Editor: I believe I can answer the question used as a headline for Quintin Ellison’s story in the…
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Why the deficit supercommittee failed
To the Editor: The deficit reduction supercommittee failed for two reasons. A deficit results when expenditures exceed revenues. The Republicans…
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