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Iraq help dwindling in face of 'hard work'
To the Editor:
After hearing the presidential debates, I am now more concerned than ever about the help we are receiving in Iraq. The lack of help provided by other countries is a reflection that they believe there isn't merit and necessity in invading and rebuilding Iraq.
When Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry commented on not going into Iraq with a coalition, President George W. Bush was quick to state "there are 30 nations involved." I was aware that several countries had joined us in the reconstruction effort once the invasion was over, but I don't believe the information Sen. Kerry brought forward has been repeated enough.
Sen. Kerry stated, "When we went there, there were three countries ... But (currently) you can't tell me when four (nations) are below 4,000 (troops), and below that nobody is out of the hundreds, that we have a genuine coalition."
President Bush was quick to correct and mention Poland was also in the initial invading force. Well, as of Sunday, Poland is pulling out. The remaining troops don't account for more than 10 percent of the coalition. The percentage of troops involved seems to be about the percentage of support for our current foreign policy.
I recommend that the United States take a more humble stance and seek assistance to help relieve the huge burden placed almost solely on the United States to rebuild Iraq.
The president mentioned several times that his job is "hard work." I am afraid that the troops' job, as well as the president's, may only be getting harder as support continues to dwindle.
Charles Douthitt
Tuckasegee
Place candles in windows to show support for troops
To the Editor:
I was driving down Main Street the other day. I realized that the yellow ribbons were long since gone and have been replaced by the lighted snowflakes for the season. They look much nicer than the old, faded ribbons that were so painstakingly attached to each light post, but I miss the community holding a symbolic vigil for our troops overseas. I realize that none of us have forgotten they are gone, but this time of year we miss them even more. We set a table at the holidays and there is an empty place there, in our hearts, and most certainly in our communities.
With so many of our troops and civilian personnel still overseas, I would like to ask the people of Jackson County to join me in a simple sign of support by placing an electric candle in our windows-at home and in our businesses-to shine continuously. As those who have served in past wars can well attest, this simple but meaningful symbol lets our community and our troops know that the flame will remain in our hearts until their safe return.
I ask that people reach out during this time in the quiet of our homes to those who have lost a friend or family member and reassure them through this symbol that we, as a community, will never forget.
Ziggy Ziegler
Sylva
Suggestions offered for library project
To the Editor:
I would like to offer a few suggestions that you might consider for the library building project.
1) In the past, the State of North Carolina has made matching funds available to build libraries. You may contact your legislators and ask them to introduce a bill to recreate that program. If not, your legislators should be able to introduce a bill to help fund a new Jackson County Library. Even if it is only planning money, it can help to get the ball rolling.
2) The Kresgee Foundation funds brick-and-mortar projects with matching funds. Their awards are usually $300,000 or more. The Doris Duke Foundation is also a tremendous contributor to the arts. If you are able to combine performing arts with your project – music, theater, etc. – that could be a promising avenue. There are many other possibilities for private funding.
3) From what I have read, the Friends of the Jackson County Library are demonstrating great fiscal responsibility and integrity in their distribution of funds. From the viewpoint of foundations, this is very good thing. If the Friends do not want to spearhead a library building fund, another 501(c)3 must be incorporated for that specific purpose. Many grantmakers will not offer cash awards to government agencies.
4) A bond from Jackson County for the new library would create the basis for matching funds. Having a defined financial commitment from the community shows intent and creates the starting point for leveraging private funding.
These four items are, of course, the cart before the horse. The first thing to do is to put together a good library building program. The building program is the tool you use to form the basis for all grant applications. The program must be realistic with an eye towards long-term efficiency – especially staff.
The county may not be able to come up with all of the money that it wants to do everything that it wants at one time. However, if the project is properly phased – things like furnishings and additional stacks, landscaping and other items that are not required to start – can be funded over time.
Robert Balliot
Middletown, R.I.
(Editor's Note: Balliot is director of the Middletown Public Library)
Time to put aside differences and work together for library
To the Editor:
I had the pleasure of attending the Jackson County Library Board meeting on Nov. 16. Before I go on, I need to say two things. First I think the staff of the Library does an excellent job when it comes to serving the patrons. They have always been very helpful and deserve a round of applause. Second, I donate books and shop at the Friends of the Library bookstore. Having dealt with and currently deal with several volunteer organizations, I know what they go through.
Now, as to the meeting, I did not hear quite what some people in the room heard. Yes, someone is going to have to raise about $3 million to have the new library in Jackson Plaza. That is going to be tough. (Librarian) Michael Cartwright is correct in painting a dismal picture. That kind of money will be very hard to come by. Then I heard some issues about letters, phone calls, etc. Not being aware of what was going on, I can empathize with some words being said back and forth and some issues that could have been cleared up with better communications. Then I thought I heard agreement on having both the Friends of the Library and the Library Board go before county commissioners and try to iron out what the commissioners' expectations are.
After that both groups would then work to a common solution. Vance Davidson seems to have a good grasp on getting everyone in the same room and trying to work out the problem. The two members of the Cashiers' Friends of the Library spoke on the issue of what that group sees their role to be and suggested that the Sylva group had the same role.
Finally, everyone went home. As with all meetings, there was the usual talk afterwards and I got the impression it was a productive meeting and everyone was pretty satisfied. No one seemed upset or felt the meeting was a waste of time.
Then I read the letters in the Dec. 2 Sylva Herald. My goal is not to point the finger anywhere. I learned in my first career that problem solving is hard work, and everyone need to get behind the goal and put personal differences aside, however hard that is. As a disinterested person, yes, there seems to be fault on both sides. Yes, there seems to be issues on both sides. However, as long as there is an adversarial relationship between the Friends of the Library and the Library itself, the new library ain't going forward, folks. If everyone wants to fight, nothing will happen.
So everyone does need to get in the same room with the county commissioners and find out how to solve the problem of where the library is going to go and how we are going to get there. Then we need to work towards getting the job done and sometimes someone is going to step on our toes.
Personally, as a user of the library, I want a new library, with lots and lots of books. I want it in the best location for the money and for the folks of Jackson County. I want the two groups that have the most interest in this to work on getting together. Then, maybe, we will have a Library we all can be proud of.
Otherwise, all we are going to have is a mess.
Chris Behre
Tuckasegee
Warning to those being annexed
To the Editor:
My recent appearance before the Town Board of Sylva on Nov. 4, 2004, seems to have lost something in translation. My purpose there was "To petition the government for a redress of grievances," to quote the Constitution.
After my presentation of grievances, I watched "democracy in action." Danny Allen expressed his desire to vote later. Vice-Chair Maurice Moody said, "You know we have already discussed this, so let's vote on giving this money to Jackson County." The rest of the board said their "me too's" and rolled right over Allen.
Moody commented to The Sylva Herald that it pays to speak up, in reference to the citizens of Bartlett Street and Storybook Lane objecting to moving businesses into their neighborhood. The citizens won a round there, but the Sylva board may be back later.
The plan of the board is obvious: Annex all you can afford to get into the town to bear the burden of double taxation. The people don't want to come into Sylva and many have made that clear. They don't need Sylva, but Sylva needs them and wants their money.
While I was listening to Denise O'Connor express the concerns of her neighborhood (Harold Street and Skyland Drive area), which is being forced to accept commercial businesses, I thought, "I've been forced to accept the same." I've been there and am doing that now.
I wanted to speak out and tell the real truth about what happens. I decided to do it through The Sylva Herald so more people can decide, "Is this good for me?"
Sylva Zoning Administrator Jim Aust gave a real "soft-sell" to Denise O'Connor. He said, "Oh, it will be a quiet business that will close around five o'clock." Very quiet, none of those noisy, nighttime service stations, etc.
Mrs. O'Connor, this is the real truth. The Town of Sylva placed a low-rent housing project in our face; I can look out my backyard at it. For a long time the police visited it frequently. Now it has been cleaned up and this isn't happening to an "in-your-face" degree. We also have one of those quiet businesses with very nice owners. The problem is, there are strangers in my face and on top of our property. If I walk a few feet up either street strangers are coming and going. My sense of security is gone. My door stays locked inside. If I go next door to my daughter's or my neighbor's, I lock all outer doors. Not to do so would be the mark of a fool, because I do not know who these strangers are.
Moody said it paid to speak up, but it depends on who is speaking. But I'll try, so here goes.
During the recent heavy rains (Maple Street has no working storm drains or catch basins), I started up the street. A large expanse of the street was inundated up to my ankles. I had to go over to a crumbling bank (opposite side of the street) to be able to walk to town. I called the town office and asked for help. Town Manager Richard McHargue sent the town crew and they scraped some mud on the side of the street and then cut a drainage ditch to drain the water down on my neighbor's property. They have had to come back and do it again. The town workers and county workers can only do what the boards give them money to do.
The Sylva Town Board gave $105,000 of our tax money to Jackson County and Jackson County is very generously allowing Sylva five years to pay it. Do you suppose the town will have to pay interest? Town board, is your site selection worth this? And what happens at the Jackson Plaza?
A mother of a 12- and a 14-year old told Barbara Jones, owner of the Drifter Beauty Salon, of a recent happening at the Plaza. When the mother picked the girls up after they had been bowling, the girls said an old man was in view vomiting while they were waiting and another old man tried to pick them up. Police Chief Jeff Jamison did his job and warned about this site. I read to the Jackson County Board some of the crimes committed there and left a copy for the town board. I obtained this information under the Freedom of Information Act.
The attitude of many seems to be, "Who cares? We know best!"
Marie Leatherwood
Sylva
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