Newfound Gap Road (U.S. 441) through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is expected to be repaired and open by May 15 in time for the busy summer travel season.

The Federal Highways Administration has just awarded a nearly $4 million contract to Phillips & Jordan Inc. of Robbinsville. The contract has a May 15 completion date.

Last week, the company prepped to begin work on phase two of the reconstruction project, which will include rebuilding the paved roadway and filling the area washed away during the landslide with crushed stone. The design will allow for the drainage of water, which will protect the road and park resources from future damage.

The contract stipulates the company could earn bonus money of up to $18,000 per day for each day the project is finished before the May 15 deadline, up to a maximum of $500,000. This was offered jointly by the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indian and the National Park Service. Likewise, the contractor will be charged $18,000 per day past May 15

Newfound Gap Road will remain closed to thru traffic during the construction, but visitors are still able to access the park to Newfound Gap from the Tennessee side and to Collins Creek Picnic Area from the Cherokee entrance.  

The third annual Assault on Black Rock will test the strength and stamina of trail runners as they try to make it to the top of Pinnacle Park outside Sylva on Saturday, March 16, in Sylva.

A guided hike in the Deep Creek area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will be held on Tuesday, March 19, by Friends of the Smokies.

An event called “Climbin’ the Chimney” from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on March 2 is an opportunity to for participants to scale Chimney Rock with regional climbing education organization, Fox Mountain Guides. Chimney Rock is located in Chimney Rock State Park, about 25 miles southeast of Asheville.

Beginners will have the opportunity to climb on Vista Rock and rappel off a rock slab, while experienced climbers can try two difficult routes up the iconic Chimney. Two to four climbs and rappels are offered for $20 plus the cost of admission to the park. 

All equipment is provided and no experience is necessary. In addition to guided rock climbing, there will be climbing tactics and gear talks, climbing equipment demos and recreational climbing information. There will also be a guided group hike.

www.chimneyrockpark.com.

Duke Energy is helping to fund new educational and environmental projects as part of its hydropower relicensing agreement in the Nantahala region.

Projects include a new high school agri-science program, a youth environmental summer camp, and other educational programs and equipment that enhance soil and water conservation. Duke awarded more than $93,600 in conservation grants to local soil and water conservation districts. 

Funded projects include:

• Jackson and Swain counties Soil and Water Conservation Districts: $34,000 to fund a natural resources youth summer camp (partnering with Swain County).

• Macon County Soil and Water Conservation District: $10,950 to purchase equipment that reduces invasive plant species, promote awareness of invasive plant species along the Little Tennessee River Greenway, and host a landowner workshop for road construction.

Around 30 daring souls splashed and jumped into Lake Junaluska last Saturday for the first annual “Polar Plunge” to raise money for Haywood Waterways Kids in the Creek program.

Western Carolina University’s new trail system is open and ready for bikers, hikers and runners. About 100 people turned out Saturday, Feb. 23, for an outdoor campus celebration to mark the trail’s formal opening.

To the Editor:

Scott McLeod (Feb. 6 SMN) pays tribute to the value of a liberal arts education. Even though I never earned a B.A. degree, my college and high school background in literature, philosophy, music and religion has greatly enriched my life.

Bill Sullivan

Raleigh

To the Editor:

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if the building boom of million dollar homes in Jackson County supported this county’s people?

Hiring local contractors and skilled laborers, as well as employing the abundant resource of manual labor in the area would do much to alleviate the cost of social services and lift the spirits and quality of life of those whose people have lived here for centuries. Many of them are descendants of the ones who created the “mountain culture” that so enriches our lives and yours. Many of them perform and create works of art and craft themselves. These are the folks who live locally and will spend their incomes locally, improving the town and countryside.

Hiring outside contractors may be alluring as to the initial bid (which, by the way, can be often overrun). Outsiders aren’t familiar with the local building codes and steep slope ordinance codes that in the long run will make your homes more valuable. No one wants a home that slides off the mountain, into the river, or has a mudslide on top of it.

The paychecks of laborers from out of state will barely make a dent in the local economy, as they will most likely be spent in chain motels, stores, and restaurants. The bulk of these monies go out of the state, as will the proceeds.

Please help to preserve and protect the beauty that you have come here seeking, and you will in turn be respected and well served.

Martha Thomas

Sylva

To the Editor:

The claim of Frank Parrish and others over the past few years that Dillsboro is a ghost town is highly exaggerated. By all accounts, most Dillsboro merchants had a very good 2012. My retail store broke even its first year and posted a profit the second year (2012). These are the facts people. It’s not the boom times for anybody in the region, but far from the doom and gloom you have been reading about.

David Marker

Secretary, Dillsboro Merchants Association

To the Editor:

Little has changed in Cherokee since a 1989 Parade Magazine cover story, “Are Our Zoos Humane?” named a Cherokee bear exhibit as one of the 10 worst zoos in America. Thus, I was very pleased to read your story, “Cherokee entertains idea of bear sanctuary,” and learn that there is finally some talk about improving conditions for these magnificent animals currently languishing in pits and cages. Imagine if you (or your dog) were kept in a cramped cage or concrete pit, unable to express the simplest of natural behaviors, and forced to beg for food from tourists. 

Cherokee zoos have been repeatedly cited by the USDA for inadequate housing, injury hazards such as protruding nails and structurally unsound shelters, inadequate veterinary care for sick and dying animals, lack of sufficient space, lack of adequate foods, etc. And USDA standards are quite minimal. 

Several years ago, Bob Barker wrote the following to Chief Michell Hicks: “The pacing, begging and moaning evident in the bear displays in Cherokee are signs that their most basic needs are not being met … the archaic caging and public feeding must go.” At the time, Chief Hicks reacted with anger and denial. I commend him for finally acknowledging the need for change, although I am sorry to read that he opposes removing the bears from the reservation. 

I think the best answer is for these animals to be sent to bona fide sanctuaries to live out the rest of their natural lives in peace, and for the reservation to say no to captive animal exhibits.

Stewart David

Asheville

To the Editor:

A recent letter writer makes a number of unsubstantiated and flat out erroneous claims about Obamacare, otherwise known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA). These sound like talking points from some right-wing propaganda organ.

First, the writer claims that Obamacare will cause the decline in the quality of medical care. There is absolutely no evidence for this. 

Second is the common theme that the ACA comes between the patient and doctor relationship. This too is bogus. Private insurance that denied payment for preexisting conditions certainly came between the doctor-patient relationship. Refusals by private insurance to pay for certain conditions have doomed many to death just as being uninsured has resulted in many deaths.

Third, the writer brings up costs. Private insurance takes up to 30 percent of the premiums you pay for profit, advertising, multimillion dollar executive salaries, and other “overhead.” 

The writer also criticized the coverage of contraception as driving up taxes. Availability of contraception actually saves money. It is more expensive to cover pregnancy and birth than funding contraceptives.

Finally, the writer claims that Congress passed ACA because of “bribes to fund state wish lists” without giving any examples or evidence for this. Again, propaganda without facts.

People should start looking at the facts instead of propaganda. For example, the overhead (proportion of money not available for direct care) for Medicare is under 5 percent. The overhead for private insurance ranges from around 20 percent to more than 30 percent. Now tell me which is the more efficient system.

If we are to have a discussion, at least cite facts, not phony propaganda.

Norman Hoffman

Waynesville

To the Editor:

Our founding fathers, framing our Constitution, created a representative democracy. They formed a republic, a government where the people vote for representatives to govern for them who reflect their views. This is an indirect democracy, a government by majority rule of the voters. The founding fathers also created a three-branch government. The executive, legislative and judicial branches are independent of each other assuring that no one branch seizes too much power. These founding principles of our government are under attack in the state of North Carolina.

Throughout our history the right to vote has been expanding to include African-American men, women and the nation’s youth (by reducing the voting age to 18). Today their basic right is under threat. If our state legislature passes a law requiring voter IDs almost half a million registered voters, mainly our youth, the elderly, the poor and minorities, would be denied their voting right. Supporters of voter ID argue this law will combat voter fraud. Voter fraud is almost nonexistent in North Carolina.

After the election of 2010, state legislatures redrew their congressional districts reflecting population changes resulting from the census. The Republican-dominated state legislature redrew N.C. legislative districts, manipulating them to favor Republican candidates. A majority of North Carolina voters cast their votes as Democrats in the 2012 election. As a result of gerrymandered districts, Republican legislators hold over 70 percent of the seats. Some gerrymandering was practiced by past state legislatures. “Two wrongs don’t make a right.”

When elections are manipulated to favor one political party and not the will of the people, democracy is lost. There are currently court challenges to these gerrymandered districts that are not yet settled.

House Bill 10, recently passed in the N.C. state Senate, would allow Gov. Pat McCrory to eliminate 12 special Superior Court judges and change the makeup of the state Board of Elections. These unnecessary changes would serve to consolidate political power in the hands of the governor and the Republican Party. Altering the structure of our state judiciary is a serious threat to the principle of separation of powers that is so basic to our democracy. Replacing members of the Board of Elections with political appointees would place greater power and influence in the hands of one party: Republicans.

The above developments threaten to undermine the very foundations of our republic, a government representing the will of the people. Concentrating power in the executive branch endangers democracy. The state of North Carolina appears to be moving toward oligarchy, government by the few. History provides an example of possible disastrous consequences when one political party, dominated by a powerful executive, gains control over a government. “Evil triumphs when good men (and women) do nothing.” Citizens need to email, write or call elected officials. Speak up for democracy!

Margery Abel

Franklin

To the Editor:

Contrary to articles recently published in our local papers, there is much opposition to the proposed law to increase the Haywood County Tourism Development Authority occupancy tax by an additional 2 percent, raising the taxes to an unprecedented 13 percent for people who stay in Haywood County lodgings. 

At a special called meeting of the Maggie Valley Area Lodging Association on Friday, Feb. 22, our membership had a chance to voice their opinions and concerns. Members who were not able to attend this meeting sent in emails that overwhelmingly indicated their opposition to this proposal. 

The Maggie Valley Area Lodging Association presented a position at a special Maggie Valley Town Board meeting on Monday, Feb. 25, at town hall in Maggie. A motion was made at our meeting that states: “We as an organization oppose the proposed legislation, as written.” This motion has unanimous approval. In addition, we feel that the bill, as proposed, is being “fast-tracked” without adequate research as to its implementation and impact. 

Sue Koziol

Secretary/Treasurer

Maggie Valley Area Lodging Association

The annual “Empty Bowl” fundraiser will be held from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at The Open Door Soup Kitchen in Waynesville.

Local potters donate handcrafted bowls, which guests can then buy — filled with soup — for a $20 donation to the Open Door.

In addition to the handcrafted bowl by a local potter, the donation includes a simple meal of soup, cornbread, dessert and refreshments. Patrons are asked to keep their bowl as a reminder of all the empty bowls around the world.

Jim and Karen Doyle have been attending the Empty Bowl fundraiser for years and have amassed a proud collection of the handcrafted bowls from the event.

“We praise all the local potters that offer to make bowls, free of charge, and give them to the Open Door for this project,” Karen Doyle said.

All proceeds from the dinner will go towards the effort to end hunger.

828.452.3846.

The exhibit “Torqued & Twisted: Bentwood Today” will be running through March 22 at Western Carolina University’s Fine Art Museum.

Country group Little Big Town will perform at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, March 2, at Harrah’s Cherokee Event Center.

Multimedia artist and teacher Mark Menendez will demonstrate oil portrait painting techniques for the Art League of the Smokies at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, March 5, at Swain County Center for the Arts in Bryson City.

The Land Trust for the Little Tennessee recently helped the town of Andrews protect and conserve its 930-acre watershed in Cherokee County.

The Great Smoky Mountains Association is launching a membership drive in honor of its 60th anniversary this year.

Wade, dash, splash or take the full plunge into Lake Junaluska from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 23 to help raise money for Haywood Waterways Association.

The Polar Plunge will benefit the annual Kids on the Creek program, which exposes every sixth-grader in Haywood County to an aquatic biology field day in a local stream or river.

Participants will dash from the shore into Lake Junaluska as deep as they can muster. Costumes are encouraged. Prizes will be awarded to top fundraisers and best costumes.

The suggested donation for plunging is $20 or $5 for students, but plungers are encouraged to solicit donations from others to support their daring deed. Haywood Waterways already surpassed is initial goal of $4,000, raising $4,375 from 106 donors as of Monday.

A hot chili lunch will cost $5 with proceeds benefiting Lake Junaluska Assembly and their work to preserve the lake.

haywoodwaterways.org or 828.476.4667 or crowdrise.com/polarplungeforkidsinthecreek.

A boat ramp on Bear Creek Lake in the Tuckasegee area of Jackson County has been renovated by the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission. A new floating dock with handicapped-accessible handrails was also installed.

Bear Lake is small — but is the “biggest” in the chain of “small” lakes that dot the upper Tuckasegee River.

The new access includes a 14-foot wide, 90-foot long ramps. The bottom elevation of the ramps is 88 feet, so boaters can launch even when the lake levels are low in the winter. It is the only public access on Bear Lake.

“The lake is quite deep, and offers anglers bass, bluegill, trout and other species,” said Jeff Ferguson, an engineer with the Commission.

The Commission manages the lake as hatchery-supported trout waters, and stocks it with catchable-size rainbow trout, with a total of 6,000 planned for this spring and fall.

Duke Energy and the Wildlife Commission jointly own the access area, and the Commission maintains it. The renovation was funded using Sportfish Restoration Federal Grant Funds and vessel registration receipts. Duke Energy plans to pave the parking area, install a toilet and build an accessible fishing pier.

Cooks of all things chocolate will square off at the “Sixth Annual Chocolate Cook-Off” from 2:30 to 4 p.m. Feb. 23, at the Bryson City Presbyterian Church. Don’t miss the chance to weigh in on the “People’s Choice Award.”

The Friends of the Marianna Black Library will host this tasty event to help raise money for the library. Proceeds have gone to help pay for the Summer Reading Program, new equipment, better children’s programming and new books and DVDs.

Admission is $6 for adults, $5 for children ages 4 to 16 and Friend’s Members.

www.fontanalib.org/brysoncity or 828.488.0580 or 828.488.0480.

Whimzik will be having a DVD release performance at 5:30 p.m. Feb. 27 at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva.

Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation has launched its annual pet photography contest.

• The 56th annual “Pancake Day” will be from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 26, at the First United Methodist Church in Waynesville. Volunteers will be serving unlimited buttermilk/buckwheat pancakes alongside prize-winning sausage, bacon and freshly brewed coffee. Tickets are $7 for adults and $3 for children under 12. Sponsorships are available for $100 to $500.

828.452.2628.

• The Sylva Rotary Club will be hosting the “Charles McConnell Memorial Rotary Pancake Breakfast” from 7:30 to 10 a.m. Friday, March 15, at the First United Methodist Church in Sylva. With the recent passing of Rotary Club member Charlie McConnell, all monies raised will be in his memory, going to an endowed scholarship at Southwestern Community College in his name. All you can eat pancakes, sausage and hot and cold beverages will be served. Take out for businesses will be available. Tickets are $5 for the event and donations will be accepted.

www.sylvarotaryclub.org or 828.339.4600.

Several festivals around Western North Carolina are encouraging local artists and vendors to sign up for celebrations and events throughout 2013.

• The 16th Annual Greening Up the Mountains festival will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 27, in downtown Sylva. Applications are now being accepted for vendors, demonstrators, crafters, and environmental groups. The event centers around the theme of supporting local businesses, providers and residents as the best way to create a sustainable economy, and invites demonstrations, booths and educational displays from environmental groups, “green” initiatives and those focused on learning and sustaining traditional mountain crafts and arts. Applications will be accepted through April 15, but space is limited and early registration offers a reduced application fee.

www.townofsylva.org or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 828.506.3419.

• Haywood County Arts Council is seeking Blue Ridge National Heritage area artists with a passion for the traditional aspects of pottery and clay making for an exhibit to coincide with the Appalachian Lifestyle Celebration on June 8 in downtown Waynesville. The celebration commemorates all things local from crafts to food to music and dance. It’s a heritage themed event demonstrating various historical and cultural educational and entertainment opportunities. Interested artists should e-mail photograph samples of their work for jurying to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Feb. 25 and be of work created in the last 12 months. Selected artists will be asked to create up to three art pieces for the June 2013 exhibition. Work must be for sale.

www.visitncsmokies.com/events.

• Regional fine artists are being recruited to show and demonstrate their art form at the 5th Annual ColorFest “Art & Taste of Appalachia” this fall. The selected artists artwork will be displayed in a shop in Dillsboro from Sept. 5 until the culminating art festival on Oct. 5, and also featured on www.colorfestartblog.com. The festival is produced by Catch the Spirit of Appalachia in partnership with the Dillsboro Merchants Association and Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, with support from the Jackson County Arts Council and North Carolina Arts Council.

www.spiritofappalachia.org or 828.293.2239.

To the Editor:

Well over a half century ago, the infringements, abridgments and usurpations of government against our liberties ordained in the Bill of Rights began. Recently, this has accelerated to an intolerable assault on our Constitution, individual freedoms, and personal prosperity. Reasonable, freedom-loving individuals see the dangers posed by the centralization of government power and realize the power-mania and greed of the few that chart this course must be reined in. Unfortunately, the seeming ignorance and apathy of millions of Americans may not make this possible in our immediate future.

The authoritarian government, and opportunistic demagogues, are currently taking advantage of the emotions created by the heinous events perpetuated by seeming mentally ill individuals. Claiming ‘the interest of [so-called] safety,’ these demagogues have accelerated their assault on the 2nd Amendment, which states “the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.” Why? The 2nd Amendment answers that question as it also states “A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free state.” Thomas Jefferson once said, “The natural progress of things is for liberty to yield and government to gain ground.” The 2nd Amendment was established as a safeguard against tyranny.

All citizens’ natural rghts, which predate any government, cannot, nor should not be taken away by any human agency. However, these liberties must be constantly defended. Which side are you on? Are you on the side of collectivism and tyranny or on the side of individual freedom and liberty? What about your neighbors — find out where they stand. 

Most importantly, contact the sheriff, peace officers and public servants of your county/municipality and ask them “where do you stand?” Will they obey their oaths of office to which they swore to protect and defend the Constitution? Will they refuse to obey unconstitutional and unlawful orders that affect one or more of the first 10 amendments to the Constitution? Demand honesty and accountability.

Despite any shortcomings, the constitutional republicanism that we have in America has made us the best and brightest secular hope for all the peoples of the earth. Let us always “breathe free” and keep the “golden door” of opportunity open. Our republic will endure so long as the Creator of all things wills it, and the people have the courage and faith to defend it. 

Carl Iobst

Cullowhee

To the Editor:

Why on earth tap the tourism development funds in Haywood County for a ballpark that won’t result in increased revenues in the tourism marketing pot? Cherokee has tried with their expensive sport complex in Whittier and, as I recall, there’s not much revenue being generated for the tribe as a result although it was sold on the basis of softball and baseball tournaments coming there.

Tourism leaders can speak all they want, but where are the statistics to confirm increased revenues will be reality? This is grasping at the proverbial “straw” to find business for the tourism entities in the county.

Sounds like a happy day for local baseball fans, but a strikeout for the tourism folks.

On another issue, if I owned a business in Cherokee my insurance policy would include a rider for loss of revenues due to a “act of God.” During my years at Marineland of Florida this was one of the most important aspects of our annual insurance policy. It came to bear fruit many times with tidal programs along A1A, hurricanes forcing closing of the business, etc.

This is a “safe rather than sorry” part of doing business, and while I appreciate the rush to get Newfound Gap Road open again, I can’t feel sorry for the businesses who have taken this measure to protect their investment.

David Redman

Sylva

To the Editor:

This is an open letter to the Jackson County Planning Board and county commissioners. Things to consider: 

• We have an existing steep slope ordinance.

• Mudslides are not covered by insurance in N.C.

• Changes being considered to make the present ordinance more “user friendly” could weaken it.

 • Finally, we live in an increasingly litigious society.

 If someone loses his/her home to a mudslide in Jackson County that might not have occurred except for a weakened steep slope ordinance, will our county tax dollars be used to defend present planning board members and county commissioners, or will these individuals be responsible for their own defense? This issue has become even more personal to me as I pay thousands of dollars to clean up a mudslide on my property that is not covered by homeowner’s insurance.

Craig N. Green

Sylva

To the Editor:

It is hard to believe it was a month ago that our little house in Waynesville burned. Through the shock, sadness, transition and confusion, two things have remained consistent in our minds. First, how very blessed we are to live in a community so caring and responsive, with friends, family, and neighbors’ support. Second, how very important it is to tell everyone how to avoid the simple, innocent act that caused the fire. Please know that I would not bother writing this if it did not seem it could help others.

Our home caught on fire from a plastic power strip, the type you plug in several devices to keep things safe. It has been explained to us that unfortunately those plastic devices, most often made in China, are not subject to the same safety regulations as those made here in the U.S. Furthermore, it is more a question of “when” it may cause a fire rather than if. The recommendation from several trained sources, both fire personnel and investigators alike, is to discard plastic strips and replace them with metal ones made in the U.S. It is a precaution well worth the extra expense.

We wish to express our deep gratitude and respect for the brave people, both staff and volunteers, that responded to the fire at our home, as well as those who tried reviving our elder kitty taken in his sleep by the smoke. You truly are a blessing to this community. We also want to thank our amazing neighbors for responding quickly, and then opening their homes and hearts to us. Thank you all for making Waynesville such a unique and special place to call home! Our house will be restored, our lifestyle simplified, and our hearts and souls left open by the grace we have received. We are grateful to be part of this community, and hope to ‘give back’ in the ways we can to support it.

Starr T. and David Hogan

Waynesville

To the Editor:

As a gun owner, parent, teacher and American, I believe that there is no legitimate reason for civilians (such as myself) to own weapons capable of firing more than 10 shots before reloading. A 30-round mag (typical of AR15 or AK47-type assault rifles) can do as much or more damage as a hand grenade.

Also:

• Hunters don’t need 11 shots in a row, unless they’re hunting wild hogs, and a couple guys with 10 rounds each will do the job.

• There are already too many assault weapons in circulation. We need to stop adding to the problem. I am not advocating the confiscation of legally owned weapons. Instead I am advocating that a finite amount of them are in circulation, as opposed to an infinite amount, growing every year.

• As for pistols, 10-shot max mag as well. Self-defense seldom requires a shoot-out.

• Civilians have no rational reason to own or use armor-piercing, incendiary and tracer ammo.

• As for the 2nd Amendment, it was written at a time when you couldn’t fire more than two bullets per minute from a muzzle-loading rifle. Our technology has far outpaced our laws.

• The NRA is a lobby for the paranoid and U.S. gun corporations. When Congress banned assault rifles some years ago, all it did was ban the import of foreign weapons, while U.S.-made assault rifles continued to flood the streets with the NRA’s blessing.

• Finally, the president needs to make it clear, that he will not go after legitimate hunting rifles, shotguns that hold six or fewer rounds, etc. Americans do have a legitimate concern about a slippery slope of once you ban some things, it’s easier to ban more things. 

I understand big boys and their toys, but these “toys” are inherently too dangerous. Weapons designed for mass killing can be and have been used for just that. It’s time to end the insanity.

Some people are stockpiling guns and ammo, and rather than “prepare” for civil war, we should be spending our time, money and energy to prevent such a catastrophe.

Look at Iraq, Syria, Libya and Afghanistan. Once a war begins, every child, every family in every neighborhood is at risk, and forgiveness is something we are all too short on. Prevention is the key to peace and stability. We need to come together as a community for our common good, not be divided for the profit of some and the paranoia of others.

 Fear can drive us insane. Yes, I want to protect my family, but taking on the sheriff’s department, the state or the feds never ends well for trigger-pullers. Prevention. Sanity.

We need to pull together as a community for the good of all our children.

Dan Kowal

Franklin

To the Editor:

I believe Macon County’s commissioners need to closely analyze and thoroughly discuss the results and proposals made in the recent compensation and classification study before any changes are made to the county’s compensation plan.

I suggest that county commissioners obtain a second opinion from another consultant on classification and compensation, prior to committing to the significant increases in employee compensation proposed by the Springsted study. Those increases could result in an annual cost estimated at between $613,000 and $1.13 million for taxpayers. Would those additional expenditures be appropriate when the U.S. economy could be headed for another recession this year?

Without question, county employees deserve competitive compensation for their services in order to maintain a stable and productive workforce. That compensation includes both salaries and benefits that should be considered together in a compensation package. Instead, Springsted has split salaries from benefits in its analysis.

As well as providing county employees with competitive compensation, it is also important to protect the interests of taxpayers by getting the best value for taxpayers’ money by not overcompensating county employees. I am not convinced Springsted’s study meets the dual goals of equity for county employees and for taxpayers.

I believe a major flaw of the study was the poor selection of the market used for establishing a new pay scale. Three of the ten North Carolina counties/cities used in the “market” are more than 200 miles away. Meanwhile local towns, nearby counties, and local private sector companies were ignored.

I am not a compensation consultant. However, I have made my own analysis of 42 Macon County jobs using salary data obtained independently. My “amateur” analysis shows some salary adjustments may be appropriate for county employees, but does not indicate the need for the massive overhaul Springsted recommends. Thus, my suggestion for a second opinion from professionals.

The announcement by Springsted that 55 percent of employees are paid below the minimum salary rate of the proposed pay grade schedule has certainly put Macon County commissioners in a difficult position. Most county employees are now wondering if they are among the 55 percent that are being underpaid based solely on Springsted’s study. I hope county commissioners take the time necessary to assure themselves the proposed increase in the county’s payroll is proper.

Vic Drummond

Franklin

To the Editor:

Recently, after a serious falling accident, I experienced medical treatment from our local health care system at Highlands-Cashiers Hospital and at Asheville’s Mission Hospital. Doctors and nurses at Highlands-Cashiers Hospital saved my life and I spent 10 days in Mission’s ICU getting well.

My treatment and care at both hospitals was, in my opinion, the best there is. Highly qualified doctors, nurses, staff and specialists in both hospitals exhibited the utmost in professionalism and impeccable care.

It saddens me to think that our children and grandchildren will never know this quality of health care. As Obamacare unfolds, we are seeing how, with this onerous law, the federal government dominates the system and we will watch as the quality of medical care declines. Government is inserted into what should be strictly a patient/doctor system. As bureaucrats in government agencies dictate how doctors and hospitals treat us, good doctors will leave the primary care profession and hospitals, especially emergency rooms, will be overrun with more patients than they are equipped to handle.  

Obamacare requires continuing higher taxes to support the increase in commitment to such things as free access to contraception, sterilization and the abortion drug Ella. As Obamacare expenses kicks in, either Medicare spending will be cut or deficits will rise. Because of Obamacare’s unrealistic mandates, businesses are opting out of providing employer-based insurance and insurance companies are raising premiums. It is estimated that families will pay an average of $20,000 annually for medical insurance under Obamacare. So there you have it for families — higher taxes and health care expense, a decline in health care quality, and the federal government dominating one-fifth of our economy.

It angers me that our Congress passed Obamacare under backroom pressure pushed on faltering members and even bribes to fund state wish lists were granted to those who continued to hold out their vote. The U.S House of Representatives voted in favor of the bill after being told by Speaker Nancy Pelosi that “we have to pass the bill to find out what is in it!” Would you sign on to any legal document, contract or even your child’s permission slip for a school trip without knowing what is in it? I don’t think so. Yet members of Congress did just that. They passed the bill and now agency bureaucrats throughout government like the Department of Health and Human Services and the IRS are writing the details of the “law” we have to follow.

It encourages me that individual states are refusing to be bullied by the federal government. Many, including North Carolina, have rejected the state-based insurance exchanges that require funding states do not have. We can hope that these sovereign states and voters will demand that Congress delay, repeal or reform Obamacare and replace it with a patient/doctor centered, non-federally dominated, market-based plan.

Carol Adams

Glenville

To the Editor:

Tourism, tourism and tourism are the three most important words to line the struggling businessmen’s pockets and the county tax collector coffers. One must ask, who were the folks in Dillsboro responsible for tar and feathering plus running the single most important revenue producing train out of the city in the first place?

Sure, there is the downturn in the economy a few years back that can be blamed for the lack of the all-illustrious tourist. However, after taking a leisurely stroll in downtown Sylva yesterday one word came to mind to describe the town: shabby. We are not talking shabby chic here, just plain and simply shabby. There was not a window that I looked in that did not need cleaning. Let’s put it plain and simple again: the windows in every shop were dirty.

So now we have shabby and dirty to describe our little town. We can now move on to the peeling paint on some very nice mill/woodwork on a few historic looking buildings, the peeling window film on a few windows, and the peeling plaster in one restaurant’s outside seating area. The window displays? What can one say other than cluttered, dusty, and lacking creativity. Nothing says I want to shop here like junky, cluttered, dusty and tacky window displays.

Once you make the mistake of entering a few shops and one restaurant, you walk out with another descriptive word: dingy. I understand times are hard; however, a few gallons of paint and creative lighting will make considerable improvements. I feel like some of these business owners have lost that pride of ownership that they surely had when they started their business.

I feel the town and the county are more interested lending money to start-up or once-failed businesses then lending money to improving the appearance of the downtown or for that matter making improvements to the downtown. They would rather spend money on a study to attract tourism than spend money on completing the paving of bricks on the sidewalks. They need a comprehensive color scheme for downtown; they need a volunteer day or two to sandblast, pressure wash, tear down (like worn out awnings and decayed wood), and paint and clean the downtown shops. This town needs a coming together, a happening, something like an old-fashioned barn rising, and leadership.

I won’t waste your time or mine in describing Mill Street. Anyone who has ever driven or had the unfortunate experience of walking down Mill Street knows exactly how to describe that place. We have the most beautiful library/courthouse in the state. Once a tourist takes a few pictures of the steps leading to the library, it is time to leave and head for the N.C. 107 fastfood alley. Harsh but true.

I’m sorry, but I don’t have time or the energy to start on the Jackson County Ghost Town of Dillsboro. Well, other than to say they got what they deserved from their greedy elected leadership. I’m all for the train returning to Dillsboro. However, I’m totally against using taxpayer dollars in bringing it back.

Frank Parrish

Sylva

Several boards and bodies will formally vote in coming weeks on whether Lake Junaluska should become part of Waynesville, form its own town or continue as a sophisticated homeowner’s association. Here’s a look at who will be weighing in and when.

SEE ALSO: Ongoing coverage

February 22: Public hearing by Waynesville leaders. 11 a.m. at new town hall.

February 26: Waynesville Board of Alderman votes. 7 p.m. at town hall. Alternate date first week of each month.

February 28: Property owner survey results announced. 7 p.m. at Harrell Center at Lake Junaluska.

February 28: Lake Junaluska task force votes. 7 p.m. at the Harrell Center at Lake Junaluska.

March 5: Lake Junaluska Community Council votes. 4 p.m. at Junaluska Welcome Center

March 8: Lake Junaluska Board of Directors votes. No time specified.

March 13: General Assembly deadline for bill to be introduced. Vote by state lawmakers by late summer.

Jackson County is no longer a banner-less government. County commissioners selected an official county flag this week from a pool of a dozen designs submitted by high school, community college and university students. The chosen design is by Southwestern Community College graphic design student Jessica Waldron.

The Wildlife Club at Haywood Community College is hosting a wild game dinner at 6 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22, at the Haywood County Fairgrounds.

There will also be a wild animal calling competition for both game and non-game species.

There will be live music, door prize drawings, a silent auction and a live auction. The grand prize drawing will be a lifetime hunting and fishing license.

The dinner is a to provide the financial assistance for students to attend a southeastern wildlife conference, scholarship funds, and other opportunities. Bring a wild game dish, vegetables, or dessert. Bread and drinks will be provided. Admission is $10, or $5 with a dish, and children under 12 years old eat free.

828.627.4560.

Parkway Superintendent Phil Francis has announced that he will retire on April 1 after 41 years in the National Park Service. During his eight years at the Parkway, he faced continuous budget cuts, which reduced the number of full-time employees at the Parkway from more than 240 to 160.

The Parkway, which receives more visitors than Yellowstone, Yosemite and the Grand Canyon combined, currently runs on a budget of approximately $1 per visitor per year.

Francis was credited with keeping the parkway functioning during those times and working with local communities and the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation to do more with less.

Francis came to the Parkway from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, where he was the long-time assistant superintendent.

The gravel road leading into Cataloochee Valley in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was washed out by recent heavy rains and has been closed just past Palmer Chapel.

Vandals hit an area of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park known as “the Sinks” — a popular roadside waterfall located on Little River Road on the Tennessee side of the park. They spray painted pictures and profanity along the walkways, stone walls and natural rock throughout the area.

A regional trails map showing hiking trails, greenways, public lands, rivers and other outdoor recreation landmarks in the seven western counties has recently been completed by the Southwestern Commission — marking one of the first such publications for Western North Carolina.

While there’s a slew of trail maps for every occasion — national forests, national parks, wildlife game lands, privately conserved tracts, county greenways — there was no single source that amassed all the paths in one place.

The trail mapping project also had a secondary goal in mind: identifying where new trails or connections may be needed.

“There are so many opportunities to build new trails and greenways throughout the mountains,” said Don Kostelec, project manager for the plan. “Balancing the needs and interests of hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians and other users —along with finding  money to implement the plan — will always be a challenge but I think we have represented those interests well.”

Ideas from the public included everything from new paddle trails, long-distance trail connections and intown greenway expansions.

The maps can help tourism entities market recreational opportunities in their area more easily and promote the outdoors as an economic development tool.

“Say the chamber of commerce wanted to create a hiking map,” said Kostelec. “We now have compiled all the files to make that done more easily.”

The project was funded through a grant from the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.

To gather public input on that front, the Southwestern Commission is hosting an open house from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21, at the Jackson County Public Library in downtown Sylva for people to review and comment on the maps or point out any features omitted.

The maps can be viewed at: www.regiona.org. Comments can also be submitted online through Friday, March 1.

To the Editor:

It’s about time that the USDA finally suspended operations at Chief Saunooke’s antiquated concrete pit in Cherokee. Now is the time for Chief Michell Hicks and tribal council members to make this permanent.

Anyone who continues to cage wild animals in cheap sideshows for profit should be shut down. It is simply cruel, inhumane and totally disrespectful to the animals. Black bears in the wild require up to 50 square miles of territory, not 50 feet of concrete! 

Cherokee has changed so much from when I was a kid, and I am so proud of all the progress that has taken place. But how can a such a disgraceful practice be allowed to continue? My blood is not full Cherokee, but I was taught to respect all of God’s creatures, and the bear spirit is among the most sacred. It is to be revered, not caged up for tourists to snap pictures of while it paces back and forth in misery. 

Please do the right thing and shut down all of these horrible zoos. We should not need PETA to point this out.

Mylan Sessions

Clyde

To the Editor:

The article about the upcoming decision regarding possible annexation of Lake Junaluska by Waynesville in the Feb. 6 issue of The Smoky Mountain News included a statement that “... Lake Junaluska property owners have had ample opportunity to voice their opinion at public meetings ....”

While there have been public meetings at the lake, it would not be accurate to conclude that many property owners have had a chance to voice opinions. Most, if not all, of the meetings have been after Labor Day when many property owners are no longer at the lake. My guess would be that no meeting had even 100 of the almost 800 property owners in attendance.

When the property owner survey comes out, we will be voting “no” on annexation for the following reasons:

Ï• Lack of complete information as to why this is a good move for Junaluska. The minutes of meetings do not provide enough information. In addition, I sent four questions to the executive director last November. One question called for numbers/dollars. To this date, my question has not been properly answered. The information sought is information that a property owner should be provided upon request.

• If we go with annexation now and it turns out to be a mistake, then we are more or less stuck with that choice. There is little if any chance of undoing annexation once it occurs.

• If we retain the status quo and it turns out to be a mistake, then we still have all of the options before us that exist now.

• The important thing is to make a good decision, not a fast decision. If the decision will truly affect the lake for the next 100 years, then waiting another two years should not be a problem.

• Finally, the overriding question remains: why? We have never heard a good reason for annexation. Just because a committee comes to that conclusion does not make it so.

Thanks for your coverage of the annexation question. We have heard very little information from the city side. It will be interesting to see the commissioned report once it becomes available. It may convince property owners that annexation is in the best interest of the lake if indeed that question is addressed. If the study is only on feasibility and not best interest, then the study might not be of much use to us property owners.

Walt Logan

St. Petersburg, Fla.

To the Editor:

Thanks for standing up to the governor in your column about our state universities (“Majoring in philosophy? More power to you,” SMN, Feb. 6). Even those of us who earned technical degrees appreciate our universities as more than just factories to produce employees. In the U.S., we cherish diversity.

One point overlooked in your editorial was that no school — university or trade — can fill jobs that don’t exist. In the robust 1950s and 1960s, manufacturing represented 28 percent of our gross domestic income; today, it is under 12 percent. What is left for U.S. workers is mostly financial and service jobs. So, governor, it wasn’t the universities that failed us, it was the leadership of American manufacturing that sold out for a boost in stock value.

I propose that we turn the tables on the governor and judge his performance by the same yardstick. He talked a lot about jobs in his campaign. If he can bring the textile industry back to North Carolina as it was years ago, he will be a hero. We might even make him governor-in-perpetuity. But if he can’t, he’s just another talking head.

So what will it be, governor? Are you up to leading us back to full employment?

Frederick (Rick) Bryson

Bryson City

Life Share of the Carolina’s and a local organ donation recipient are hosting a Transplant Party to celebrate the lives saved through organ donation from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 16, at Main Street Perks in downtown Waynesville.

Waynesville resident Rachel Tucker received her heart transplant 11 years ago on Feb. 13 after being diagnosed with a condition known as viral cardiomyopathy. The event aims to raise awareness for the need of organ donation and encourage people to become donors as well as raise funds for Life Shares through a silent are auction. Battle Victorious, Michael Pilgrim, Kryss Dulla, Cyndy Tippett, and JANSML will provide live music. It is free and open to the public.

The Fine Art Museum will host a “Third Thursday” reception for a new exhibit, “Critology,” at 5 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21, at Western Carolina University.