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News of Miller’s departure was ‘bombshell’
To the Editor:
Today is Saturday, May 28, 2005. I have just returned home from another end-of-the-year school function. Though the day started out gloomy and rainy, by afternoon the sun was shining and the air was warm. What a perfect afternoon for a picnic down by the creek. Everyone in attendance was having a nice time. Good food, good conversation, and good friends were in abundance.
But I, for one, was not prepared for the bombshell that came at the beginning of the awards ceremony. This announcement caught me by surprise, as I am sure it did many others who had not yet heard about it. Don Miller, whom Smoky Mountain High School was so fortunate to have in their ranks of teachers, will not be with us next year.
Under the direction of Mr. Miller and Mr. (Bob) Reid, SMHS has a band to be proud of. From the marching band in the fall, to the jazz band, concert band, wind ensemble, plus the newest addition, the steel drum band, the students fortunate enough, and talented enough to be members of these groups, have been blessed. If you have never had the priviledge of hearing these young musicians play, you have lost out on something really special.
Of all the things our children could be involved in these days, this group has chosen something they will be able to enjoy for the rest of their lives. When my granddaughter joined the band at Scotts Creek Elementary School in sixth grade, there were just two members. Now, at the end of seventh grade, there are 15. In addition, the sixth grade band has 20 members. So, the word is out. Learning to play a musical instrument is educational and fun.
But for some reason, the school board has elected not to renew directors at SMHS, and what a list it is – seven directors in seven years. The old saying, “something’s rotten in Denmark,” seems to apply here. What in the world could the school board be thinking. How can you improve on perfection – Mr. Reid and Mr. Miller. I wonder if money is on their mind. Mr. Miller, a former Navy band director with years of experience, or a brand-new graduate with no experience at all.
The SMHS band attended many band competitions last fall, and held their own in each of them. This band out performed two 2-A bands even though they are only a 1-A band. My granddaughter was excited about band camps and a new show this coming fall, and now Mr. Reid has to go it alone? I think the word should be out in this case too. If you plan on applying for a teaching job in Jackson County, beware!
And let this word be out as well. School board members, this old granny will be attending the school board meetings in the future to see what you do to earn your spot. I respectfully encourage all parents and grandparents to join me. Maybe we can determine what the “rotten smell” is, and we all know what to do about it.
Mary Hreha
Sylva
Appalled at Senate’s budget cuts
To the Editor:
We are appalled at the budget cuts that were proposed in the Senate budget that were announced last month. It so obviously supports the wealthy and cuts and eliminates services for the poor, aged, blind, and disabled. Additionally, it cuts programs in the least expensive and most preferred health care programs: home and hospice care. The budget proposes changing in eligibility requirements, and reduced hours of care for patients receiving home health care services including Personal Care Services. These changes would actually force thousands of patients now cared for in their own homes, (and where they are close to family and friends,) to move to institutional facilities at a much higher cost to taxpayers. Not to mention the increase in unemployment rates of the hands on caregivers that are currently employed by agencies like ours across the county and state. As well as family members who would quit their jobs and care for their loved ones in their homes, where the patients would rather be.
The average cost for home health care services is $751 a month. But the cost averages $969 a month in a rest home and over $3,200 in a nursing home. Home care programs represent only 12% of the total Medicaid budget while institutional programs represent 37% of that same health care budget and cost 2-5 times more per patient. Our legislators in Raleigh continue to show their institutional bias in favor of rest and nursing homes. These cuts are not fiscally or morally responsible.
In our combined 33 years in home care, we have been able to assist patients with their wish to stay in their homes and, with help of their loved ones, receive the care that a facility otherwise would provide. While nursing and rest homes are indeed appropriate and needed for many situations, it is a proven fact that most individuals prefer to remain in their own homes for care.
On behalf of our 110 patients, who have their services funded through Medicaid, and the many potential patients who, in the future, will need and desire care in their homes, we urge out fellow citizens to your representatives. Please ask them to correct these mistakes and poor public policy incorporated into the current Senate budget.
Genia Parris, RN
Sandra Buchanan, BSWCAP/DA
Pamela Middleton, BSW-CAP/DA
Amy Sellers, RN
(All WestCare employees)
Student upset that band director won’t be back next year
To the Editor:
My name is Stormy DeLucia and I am a rising eighth-grader at Scotts Creek Elementary. Band is basically my life. During the fall season I would go to the high school three out of five school days each week for marching band. During the rest of the year I would return to play my trombone in the jazz band and to play the steel drums. It was the delight of my day to go to the high school after regular school and play music.
I have danced since I was 3 and gave it up with most of my sports to play in the band because I enjoy it so much.
I am very upset that the band director, Mr. (Don) Miller, will not be with us next year. I think that it was a very poor decision on the school board’s behalf. If it were not for Mr. Miller, we would have no steel drums that separate us from other high schools.
Under the direction of Mr. Miller and Mr. (Bob) Ried the band has noticably improved. This year the marching band has received many awards and donations. We are gaining members and getting better. Why stop a good thing?
Last year I was in the sixth-grade band. It was only my friend Kelli and me. The only two instruments we had were a trombone and a drum. Now the sixth-grade band is booming. There are now trumpets, clarinets, flutes and other instruments.
In the upcoming year our marching band half-time show was to include the steel drums. Mr. Miller was teaching students to play these fascinating instruments, and I was fortunate enough to learn from him. I was so excited to play and continue learning with him.
Mr. Miller came to us as a band director with lots of experience. He was the director of the Navy band and played the saxophone along with other instruments. He contributed a lot to the band and will truly be missed.
Each year there has been a new head band director and I am just wondering why. When you are fortunate enough to have a good experienced teacher, why not try to keep him? I am just happy that Mr. Reid hasn’t left us yet.
Stormy DeLucia
Sylva
Nearby residents should ‘stand up’ to Sylva; fight annexation
To the Editor:
First of all, the people in the “suggested areas of annexation” need to stand up to Sylva and let it be known whether they are for/against the proposed idea.
From my point of view, Sylva has nothing to offer Fisher Creek residents that we don’t have. We have our “own” water, fire and police protection and take our own trash off. So what more does Sylva have to offer?
All Sylva wants these areas for is “more money and extra tax revenue.” Stand up, people, and let your voices be heard.
Kathy Wilson
Sylva
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