To the Editor:

This is a critical time for our community and all North Carolinians. Decisions being made right now by lawmakers in Raleigh could have an impact on our communities, customers’ pocketbooks and the safe management of coal ash for years to come.

Fortunately, elected officials in the North Carolina General Assembly are considering common-sense legislation that would strengthen the 2014 Coal Ash Management Act. Those revisions would help make sure decisions to close ash basins throughout the state protect the environment, people’s water supply, our economy and household budgets.

 There is broad, bipartisan support in the General Assembly, as well as from community leaders, neighbors, businesses and many environmental advocates. The proposed legislation would reestablish the Coal Ash Management Commission, which has a vital role in making sure closure decisions are based on the full range of considerations, including sound science and engineering, potential impacts to customers’ bills and disruptive truck and train traffic.

Since 2014, Duke Energy has made significant progress, moving millions of tons of ash to safe, lined disposal sites. We have a lot more work ahead of us in the months and years ahead.

There is much at stake. It is important that we get it right. We hope lawmakers and the governor will continue down a smart path for North Carolina when it comes to deciding how ash basins will be closed and how those plans affect our community and others throughout the state.

Jason Walls

District Manager, Duke Energy’s Asheville Region

Editor’s note: Gov. Pat McCrory vetoed the measure passed by both the state House and Senate that Walls is referencing. Legislators are currently said to be considering a vote to override the governor’s veto.

To the Editor:

I am seeing and hearing various opinions about the need for a new animal shelter in Haywood County. It is certainly understandable for there to be misunderstanding, even resentment, about an expenditure of this magnitude, supposedly for the benefit of homeless dogs and cats. Please consider, though, that many of our citizens find animal welfare a very worthy cause, and are proud of the advancements made over the past few years in this county. 

However, it isn’t just the animals in need of Animal Services’ protection, but also the general public. This county department also investigates potential rabies cases, investigates cruelty cases, deals with vicious animals, rescues stray animals and returns them to their owners, and houses privately owned animals in bite quarantine. A facility is needed that can accomplish these goals efficiently and effectively. The current shelter cannot. Perhaps some folks just are not “animal people”, and they may not realize how much the services of this department benefit them. 

It is a waste of time and  money to build a barely adequate new shelter — if we’re going to do it, let’s make it state of the art and a building our county can be proud of. Most importantly, let’s give this county department the tools they need to do their jobs.

Nancy Bulluck

Canton

To the Editor:

For one who has never held an elected office, Donald Trump is a brilliant politician. His TV persona and his high profile media ventures have served him well. No one should be surprised, it was all laid out in his best seller, The Art of the Deal.

But, make no mistake, what he is selling is why he may be our next president. Historians call this view of the world “nativism.” Its core message is simple: America first. But the America he is referring to is very limited. That America belongs to those who consider themselves here first, and whose culture is dominant. Every other race, ethnicity, sexual preference, or religion is considered inferior. This is a powerful message to those of the dominant culture. Many of them feel economically left out; threatened by cultural changes, or betrayed by our government and our political system.

Dictators and totalitarian leaders throughout history have used this message to consolidate their power. Putin with his desire to bring back the glory of old “Mother Russia” is a classic example of the power of nativism.

Many politicians and public figures throughout U.S. history have railed against immigrants, and those that are different. The Catholics, the Jews, and now the Muslims; all whom, at one time or another, have been labeled as a threat to our “American way of life.” The Blacks, the Asians, and now the Mexicans have all been seen as a danger to the purity of the dominant culture. And now the LGBT community is in the bull’s eye simply because their very existence calls into question some of the most sacred religious beliefs of the dominant culture.

All these “others” are convenient diversions from the real challenges we face today. But as any good politician knows, it’s not your policy positions that really score votes, it’s the emotional appeal that drives people to the poles. Those in the dominant culture are deeply troubled by the future they see. Mr. Trump has tapped into that fear and anger.

I doubt that Donald Trump has any idea of the historical context for the movement he now leads. I doubt that he is a racist or he even cares about these issues. As he has said many times, it is all about winning. If he wins, all the “others” may lose.   

Louis Vitale

Franklin

The Lake Logan Multisport Festival will bring in athletes galore for the 11th year running with its lineup of events Aug. 6-7.

While it may not be an immediate need in the upcoming budget, the swimming pool at the Swain County Recreation Center will need some extensive repairs in the coming years.

Celebrating the lore and legend of the “Boojum,” the inaugural Boojum Festival & Hunt will be June 10-12 in Canton.

The Jackson County Visual Arts Association (JCVAA) will hold its “Grand Opening” gallery show from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 10, at Gallery 1 at 604 West Main Street in Sylva.

To the Editor:

If you value honesty as an important trait for a Supreme Court justice, it should interest you to know that Justice Bob Edmunds — who is running for re-election on the June 7 primary ballot — has made false claims on his campaign website about his endorsements. He claims to have endorsements from sheriffs “all across the state,” including Haywood County Sheriff Greg Christopher and Jackson County Sheriff Chip Hall. 

In addition, an ad that ran in The Smoky Mountain News last week, paid for by local Republicans, listed Christopher and Hall as having made endorsements. Both Christopher and Hall have been contacted and they have no recall of making an endorsement. My speculation is that there are other false claims about endorsements on the candidate’s website since it appears that just about every sheriff in North Carolina is listed.

Wake County Superior Court Judge Mike Morgan is perhaps Edmunds’ strongest challenger. Judge Morgan pledges to “promote society’s well being through a fair and impartial administration of justice.” 

With 11 current years of trial bench experience as a Superior Court judge, combined with ten previous years of trial bench experience as a District Court judge and five prior years of experience conducting hearings as a State Administrative Law Judge, he is unusually seasoned and qualified to capably address the variety of legal matters which come before the Supreme Court.

For honesty in government, I urge you to cast your vote for Judge Mike Morgan.

Myrna Campbell

Hawyood County Democratic Party Chair

Waynesville

Dietetic Internship: In early June of 1996 I completed my nine month dietetic internship from Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington DC. As an officer and dietetic intern I had spent the previous months doing a variety of rotations to learn about the various aspects of being a Registered Dietitian.

By David Belcher • Guest Columnist

Voters in Jackson County will have the opportunity on Tuesday, June 7, to take an important step toward addressing some significant infrastructure problems being faced by Southwestern Community College and Jackson County Public Schools.

Every year, America’s hiking trails get their moment to shine with the American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day. This year’s celebration is June 4, and on that day opportunities to explore Western North Carolina on foot will abound.

The Jackson County Genealogical Society, City Lights Bookstore, the Jackson County Museum, and the Jackson County Public Library plan to recognize WCU’s Director of Special Collections and Jackson County native George Frizzell.

The Cherokee Bluegrass Festival will run from June 2-4 at the Happy Holiday RV Village & Campground, located at 1553 Wolfetown Road in Cherokee.

The third annual “Mountain Youth Talent Contest” was held at the Stecoah Valley Bluegrass Festival in Robbinsville on Saturday, May 21.

A coalition of organizations led by the Jackson County Branch of the NAACP are coordinating a Moral Monday gathering to be held at 5 p.m. Monday, June 13, at Bridge Park in downtown Sylva.

The Haywood County Tourism Development Authority will celebrate the grand opening of its new visitor center with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, June 15. What remains to be seen, however, is whether visitors to Haywood County will follow them.

Voters hoping to cast their ballots in advance of the Tuesday, June 7, Primary Election have just a few more days to make it to one of several polling locations in Haywood, Jackson, Macon or Swain counties.

To the Editor:   

Rick Bryson is running as a Democrat for the congressional seat currently held by Republican Mark Meadows. Rick is a native of Swain County who like many people had to move away from his beloved mountains years ago for employment. Upon retirement, Rick returned to Bryson City and became involved in the community serving as a town alderman among other things.  

Rick wants to bring about change in Congress to improve its current 7 percent approval rating by the American people. Rick has a plan to bring new industry to the mountains called WNC Generation Now. Rick has four daughters and is a firm believer in women’s rights, including equal pay for women. Rick believes in a stronger voice for our veterans and that we should have a voice in our government.  

Rick knows the mountain and Cherokee people and understands the needs here far better than his Republican opponent. He has worked hard to get his message out in the 11th Congressional District.  

Due to a court case and redistricting, there will be a special election on June 7 for members of Congress in our district. If you voted for Rick in the May 15 North Carolina Primary, you need to vote for him again on June 7.  

If you did not vote for Rick on May 15, you are encouraged to vote for him on June 7. We need a voice in Washington to speak for us and our needs, not someone who shut down the government several years ago costing our district an estimated $23 million in lost wages and tourism revenue and great inconvenience for many.  

Mary A. Herr

Cherokee 

To the Editor:

On June 7 citizens of the 11th Congressional District will be asked to vote again. Because of redistricting, Rick Bryson from Swain County and Tom Hill from Zirconia are your Democratic  choices against Rep. Mark Meadows, R-Cashiers.

I’ve known Rick Bryson for 20 years. He has the knowledge, passion and vision that it will take to lead Western North Carolina into a successful future.

He wants to put North Carolina back on top in education, bring back jobs to WNC with a Research Triangle West. He has had this innovative idea for five years. 

He sees that we are losing our best and brightest teachers to other states because of the actions of our government in Raleigh and Rep. Meadows.

He supports our veterans and not only their health care but everyone’s right to affordable health care. He will make sure Social Security stays secure!

Rick has an unexplainable love for WNC; it is part of his heart and soul. He loves the very dirt. So I know he will work hard to protect our environment and infrastructure. At the same time he will fight for the settlement money from the North Shore Road agreement.

So I urge you to vote for Rick Bryson for Congress on June 7.

Barbara Robinson 

Bryson City

ViolettesbyBecky.com, a music-themed gift company, held its third annual Youth Composition and Songwriter Competition for ages 10 through 18, with scores and recordings submitted online. 

The ceremonial Cherokee bonfires will kickoff the summer season on Friday, May 27, at Oconaluftee Island Park in Cherokee. The bonfires run from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday from May 27 through Oct. 1.

The Unto These Hills outdoor drama will run at 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday from May 28 to Aug. 13 at the Mountainside Theater in Cherokee.

Haywood County’s young artists got some recognition for the T-shirt designs they dreamed up to celebrate Kids in the Creek, an annual feet-in-the-water education experience for eighth-graders.

Runners from up and down the East Coast converged on Waynesville this month to try their stride at the Gateway to the Smokies Half Marathon, but local runners came out on top once all 110 runners crossed the finish line May 14. 

A new home for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park’s collection of artifacts and archives recently opened its doors in Townsend, Tennessee. 

A new farmers market will launch in Cashiers this week, providing a weekly supply of local foods from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesdays through the end of the growing season at the Village Green of Cashiers.

An up-close glimpse of creatures such as the Eastern screech owl and Northern bald eagle will show birds of prey in their full glory at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 26, at the Oconaluftee Visitor Center in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

See old-time remedies in action with a demonstration by Smokies naturalist Ila Hatter, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, May 28, behind the historic courthouse in Bryson City. 

Delayed-harvest trout waters will open for the summer on Saturday, June 4, giving anglers the chance to catch a dinner from the state’s 34 streams and two lakes falling under the designation.

Western Carolina University came in on top in an online magazine poll looking for the region’s premiere outdoor adventure college.

Ingles Markets, 575 New Leceister Hwy. Asheville. Thurs. May 26 • 3-6 p.m.

To the Editor:

Recent letters have provided more smoke than light regarding HB2, also known as House Bill 2, which concerns itself with bathroom use, unfunded mandates, setting wages, hours or working conditions, micromanagement from the state, discrimination in employment and housing, and lack of ability to sue in cases of discrimination.

For the record, this was an overwhelmingly Republican-passed bill, signed by the Republican governor.

The introduction states that the General Assembly finds that consistent statewide laws “will improve intrastate commerce” and “attract(s) new business” to North Carolina.  A cursory view of national headlines reveals that the impact of HB2 has been just the opposite — large companies are leaving North Carolina  in droves.

One reason for the exodus is in Part I, the bathroom clause. While common sense and decency would suggest that we not put males and females together in showers, etc, the devil is in the details.

The key is how the Assembly defines ‘biological sex,’ which they order be determined by what is on one’s birth certificate.  Enforcement is all but impossible as the Assembly provided no money to hire people to guard all the public restrooms and check birth certificates. 

Also, not everyone has the same genitalia that they were born with. HB2 mandates that someone with female genitalia but has male on her birth certificate to use the boys shower. Either the Republicans didn’t think this through, or they consciously ignored the reality on the ground to punish, humiliate and endanger people. 

Part II prevents local governments from setting their own (higher) minimum wage.  The worst part is that this states that private profit (business and industry) is more important than “the general welfare of the people.”

Part III allows discrimination against LGBTQ citizens in employment, housing, and other public accommodations. When an amendment was added to protect these and veteran residents, the Republicans voted it down.

It also prevents a civil suit against those who illegally discriminate, but instead mandates using a state agency whose purpose is to “effect an amicable resolution,” not seek justice.

For these reasons, HB2 can also be called Hate Bill 2.

Dan Kowal

Franklin

To the Editor:

For one who has never held an elected office, Donald Trump is a brilliant politician. His TV persona and his high profile media ventures have served him well. No one should be surprised, it was all laid out in his best seller, The Art of the Deal.

But, make no mistake, what he is selling is why he may be our next President. Historians call this view of the world “nativism.” Its core message is simple: America first. But the America he is referring to is very limited. That America belongs to those who consider themselves here first, and whose  culture is dominant. Every other race, ethnicity, sexual preference, or religion is considered inferior. This is a powerful message to those of the dominant culture. Many of them feel  economically left out; threatened  by cultural changes, or betrayed by our government and our political system.

Dictators and totalitarian leaders  throughout  history  have used this message to consolidate their power. Putin with his desire to bring back the glory of old “Mother Russia” is a classic example of the power of nativism.

Many politicians and public figures throughout U.S. history have railed against immigrants, and those that are different. The Catholics, the Jews, and now the Muslims; all whom, at one time or another, have been labeled as a threat to our “American way of life.” The Blacks, the Asians, and now the Mexicans have all been seen as a danger to the purity of the dominant culture. And now the LGBT community is in the bull’s eye simply because their very existence calls into question some of the most sacred religious beliefs of the dominant culture.

All these “others” are convenient diversions  from the real challenges we face today. But as any good politician knows, it’s not your policy positions that really score votes, it’s the emotional appeal that drives people to the poles. Those in the dominant culture are deeply troubled by the future they see. Mr. Trump has tapped into that fear and anger.

I doubt that Donald Trump has any idea of the historical context for the movement he now leads. I doubt that he is a racist or he even cares about these issues. As he has said many times, it is all about winning. If he wins, all the “others” may lose. 

Louis Vitale

Franklin 

When Team U.S.A. marches into the Olympic stadium this summer in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, at the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympic Games, Michal Smolen will become Nantahala Outdoor Center’s 23rd Olympian in the sport of Whitewater Canoe Slalom, entering in the kayak category — but it will be his first time competing in the Olympics.

A nature-based sculpture project launched by Western Carolina University’s Fine Art Museum aims to feature outdoors art while promoting discussion of sustainability and aesthetics on campus.

Rod Harkleroad has been named as the new chief executive officer of Haywood Regional Medical Center.

A celebration will be held May 22 to mark the 60th birthday of the World Methodist Museum, which is located on the grounds of Lake Junaluska Assembly.

Haywood County commissioners were greeted with silence at their meeting Monday night when they asked if anyone in the audience wanted to speak during a public hearing on the county’s $72 million proposed budget.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is terming an incident that left a Las Vegas man with a puncture wound in his leg a predatory bear attack, but Bill Lea, a renowned wildlife photographer who’s spent years observing bears in the wild, says he’s not buying it.

We are probably all guilty of buying fruit or vegetables and forgetting them in the back of the fridge or on our countertop until they are brown, mushy or covered with mold and then end up throwing them out. Here are some tips to help you reduce wasted produce.

To the Editor:

Former President Ronald Reagan once said, “The republic is a dream. If we stop dreaming, we will lose the republic.” There is a Bible phrase, “Without dreams and visions, people will perish.” Our better future is a dream for ourselves, for our families and our community. This is about the hopes and dreams of a little girl, Maggie.

Maggie’s dream started in 1970 with a report, “Gateway to the Smokies.” Since then, there have been four publications. “Driving Miss Maggie,” “Maggie Valley Land Use Plan” and “Moving Maggie Forward.” Now, we have the Town Center Master Plan. Four publications in the last 13 years. 

The obvious question is why this small town spends $20,000, $30,000 every few years for these reports. So I searched these reports on the Internet, printed them out, and put them in a binder and studied them. Each report is actually a chapter of the original book “Gateway to Smokies.” Each chapter describes a different aspect of Maggie’s dream. “Driving Miss Maggie” is a socio-economic study, describing housing, population, employment and educational challenges of Maggie. It also sets the background for the Land Use Plan, which is, or should be, the north star of our planning and zoning regulations. “Moving Maggie Forward” is a business plan. It talks about Maggie’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. I suggest every business owner should have a copy of this business plan.

And now the Town Center Master Plan. This is a 93-page long comprehensive report, explaining different ingredients of how to create a live, walkable town center. Unfortunately, it seems to me that we could not pass the cover page for the last couple of months. I tend to blame the image on the cover. That rendering is the reason why we have not been able to move to the next page. The image is so strong, so powerful that it does not allow us to read the rest of the report. I suggest that we should get rid of that image, not the concept, not the location, just that image that divides us.

Now, we can read the rest of the report and dream our town center. And we should be able to describe our dream to others such that a blind person can say, “Yes, I can see it, I can feel it because you described it so well in every detail.” A well-described dream is more powerful than an image because it allows us to share it with others. It allows others to engage in our dreams. A dream can unite people, move people towards a common goal. At that point, a dream becomes a promise. If the promise is clear, people can find a way to make it happen.

Here is an example. Most of us have kids. And, we always tell our kids to go to school, stay in school; go to college; go to a grad school. Why? We, all know that college is expensive, $50,000 or $60,000 on average. A single mom takes a second job so that her kid can go to college. A dad works overtime so he can set aside money for the college fund. Why do we do all these sacrifices without knowing if our child will ever finish college and get her degree? Why do we encourage our kids to go to college without knowing whether they will stay in college or not; whether they will keep changing majors every few years?  

We do it because the promise is clear. Because the promise is a better future for our children. When a child says, “Dad, when I grow up, I want to be a doctor,” do we give our child a list of reasons why she cannot be a doctor? No! We encourage her as much as possible. We find a way to make it happen for the future of our child. But when it comes to this little girl, Maggie, well, we got the list. Let’s put the list away and work towards a better future for Maggie.

Kivanc Senocak

Maggie Valley

To the Editor:

There you are, governor of North Carolina, and somebody pushes a stack of papers in front of you that says who can go into which bathroom. And it says that a certain group of people can’t sue for discrimination. And it also says that cities can’t write more generous rules than these.

There’s a blank line at the bottom of the page, awaiting your signature.

At this point, an ordinary person with just the tiniest sense of caution would consider what he was about to sign. They would ask themselves a sequence of well-reasoned questions.

“Is there a problem with bathrooms in North Carolina?” Answer: Never heard of any.

“Have women and children been assaulted by men pretending to be women?” Answer: No.

“Is this law in conflict with any federal law?” Answer: Absolutely.

“Will this law make us the laughing stock of the nation?” Answer: Beyond a shadow of a doubt.

“Will this law harm business in North Carolina?” Answer: By the billions of dollars.

“Will this law cost the state jobs?” Answer: Thousands.  

“Will this law cause foreign countries to shun North Carolina?” Answer: Almost instantly.

“Will this law harm this state in any other way?” Answer: Loss of federal funds for schools.

“Will this law make me look like an idiot?” Answer: You got it.

“Will this law cost me the next election?”  Answer: Very likely.

Now, if you are the governor, having asked yourself these questions, do you put your signature on the blank line at the bottom of the page?  

Rick Bryson

Bryson City

To the Editor:

Sorry Dad, but in your column in last week’s edition of The Smoky Mountain News (www.smokymountainnews.com/opinion/item/17607), you said “the difference between heartfelt honesty and underlying racism is sometimes in the eye of the beholder.”

I think not. On the contrary, racism is the construct of dishonest stereotypes and prejudices. When we delve into ourselves and face the challenge of being brutally honest, this is when we find we are able to break down the barriers built by centuries of inegalitarian mindsets and rediscover our primal and obvious equality. It is by being brutally honest that we realize and acknowledge the still pervasive racism plaguing popular culture and the capitalist system in our country. It is by being brutally honest that we find the resolve and the dedication to attack this issue head on. 

And although this movement does have access to social media and the anonymity that can come with it, if it is moving too fast for your “comfort,” all there is to be said about that is your comfort doesn’t matter. It doesn’t count because this isn’t about the feelings of white people, and for the sake of the millions of black lives affected by institutional racism you may as well keep it to yourself. The movement is rightfully entitled #BlackLivesMatter because they are the only focus, and after hundreds of years of terrible oppression that whites can’t begin to comprehend your “comfort” is of little to no relevance. 

I understand I am nitpicking language here and veering from the overall intent of your column, but when criticizing the #BlackLivesMatter movement it is of the utmost importance to recognize the insinuations one makes and use mindful jargon. 

Otherwise, it was a great article. In an age and generation that tends towards the instantaneous satisfaction of social media, the importance of face-to-face, open, and meaningful discussion is what will ultimately make a difference in this movement — not anonymous yaks. 

Hannah McLeod

Alicante, Spain 

(Hannah is the daughter of SMN Editor Scott McLeod. She attends Appalachian State and is studying abroad this semeseter in Spain. She can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..)

The verdict is in on a fire that had been blazing for two weeks near Hot Springs — after burning 5,964 acres, the fire was declared fully contained on May 4.

After two years of closure, Hanging Dog Campground in Cherokee County has reopened through a collaborative effort between the county and the Tusquitee Ranger District of the Nantahala National Forest. 

Growing season has arrived in Western North Carolina, and the new Local Food Guide from the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project is out to guide you toward the best sources of local food. 

A Cherokee woman received recognition from the environmental organization Wild South for her tireless work with a project to map original Cherokee trails and ensure that the land is preserved for future generations.

Closure of some trails will soon take effect in DuPont State Recreational Forest to protect the blue ghost firefly, a unique insect whose mating season is coming up.

The Smoky Mountain Roller Girls will be hosting their second double header of the season on Saturday, May 14, at the Swain County Recreation Center located on Deep Creek Road in Bryson City.

Old-time music fans and friends of the Junior Appalachian Musicians (JAM) program are invited come together for a concert honoring the late Trevor Stuart, founder and instructor in the JAM program in Haywood County, at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 14, at the Haywood Arts Regional Theatre in Waynesville.