Opinion
This is not what Waynesville needs
Editor’s note
As Tony Dillard notes in this guest column, we’ve printed two other opinion pieces over the last two weeks by Waynesville aldermen Chuck Dickson and Jon Feichter regarding this annexation and the issue of whether these housing developments fit into the character of Waynesville. It’s unusual for The Smoky Mountain News to then give this much space to a third opinion piece, but given the importance of this issue — how will we grow — we decided to give Mr. Dillard the opportunity to voice his concerns. To note, Dillard is a private citizen in Waynesville.
— Scott McLeod, SMN Editor
Who has the moxie to challenge Trump?
To the Editor:
Viktor Orban, oppressive dictator and former Hungarian Prime Minister, made one colossal mistake — he allowed an election to take place. Ergo, he was tossed from office in a landslide.
Our own president (a thirsting wannabe dictator himself) knows he faces a similar fate, possible impeachment, conviction and imprisonment if he loses control of Congress.
Thank you for the REACH articles
To the Editor:
Thank you, thank you, thank you for your focus on sexual violence (REACH special section, www.smokymountainnews.com), for the column by Dr. Sara Vogel, for the article about the middle school prevention program.
I haven’t even finished reading it all, but this is important and I wanted you to know how much it is appreciated.
Growth is inevitable, how we grow is a choice
I appreciate my colleague taking the time to explain his vote (“Why I voted to annex Queen’s Farm,” April 22 SMN) to annex Queen’s Farm. These are the kinds of decisions that deserve a full and open discussion.
We agree on many of the challenges facing our community. Growth is happening. Affordable housing is scarce. And we have a responsibility to provide services without placing an unnecessary burden on taxpayers.
Where we differ is on what this decision represents.
Moving up the scale toward enlightenment
The older and wiser I become, the more I appreciate people who vibrate at a high frequency, not because they make everyone around them feel better (although that is part of it), but because vibrating at a high frequency requires openness, honesty and authenticity, traits I highly respect and admire in others.
In previous columns, I referenced a book by Dr. David Hawkins called “Power vs. Force,” and I’ve noticed myself referring to his teachings on several recent occasions, especially when it comes to parenting. This book is an impactful resource.
Community vision lacking in current plan
To the Editor:
In light of the shortcomings in the Town of Waynesville Development Plan surfaced by Queen’s Farm phases 1 and 2, it might be a good time to look back to the 1990s when the Old Asheville Highway was slated for improvement — from where Lowe’s is now to Downtown Waynesville.
That windy two-lane road into town was scheduled to be straightened and widened. NCDOT spent an enormous amount of time and effort to engage the community in order to learn of concerns and needs before drawing up a plan.
Trump’s pardons are a farce
To the Editor:
“The prior administration failed in its duty to protect the American people by refusing to pursue and carry out the ultimate punishment against the most dangerous criminals, including terrorists, child murderers and cop killers,” Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche said in a statement. “Under President Trump’s leadership, the Department of Justice is once again enforcing the law and standing with victims.”
Why I Voted to Annex Queen’s Farm
On April 14, the Waynesville Town Council voted 4-1 to annex the Queen’s Farm/Valleywood Farms Phase 2 property into the town limits. As part of the Town of Waynesville, an annexed property receives services, is subject to zoning and other town regulations and pays property taxes.
I voted to annex Phase 2 of Valleywood Farms, and I want to tell you why.
Tax wealth as income
To the Editor:
There’s no better time than tax season to take a hard look at our absurd federal tax code — the single biggest reason the so-called “1%,” and the wealthy more broadly, have been pulling away from the rest of us for the past 50 years. Consider this: tech founders like Mark Zuckerberg famously take a $1 annual salary. They pay no income tax on that salary.
