To the Editor:

Recent election cycles have demonstrated that our country remains deeply divided, with economic factors often determining presidential outcomes. Since President Trump took office, we have seen extreme levels of national hostility, fear and suspicion not experienced since the Civil War. While responsibility for this climate is shared, the current administration’s actions and policies are particularly concerning. 

Failures in the federal response to Hurricane Helene are still rippling into Haywood County’s bottom line, forcing the county — like most of its municipalities — to build a budget around uncertainty and delay rather than recovery. 

County Manager Bryant Morehead’s March 16 presentation made clear that millions in storm-related costs remain unreimbursed, leaving the county to carry the financial burden 18 months after the disaster. 

After multiple rounds of public opposition to proposed changes to Sylva’s panhandling ordinance, the board decided to dismiss the changes and leave the ordinance as it is written.