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Class-less society?
To the Editor:
Congress is trying to push financial cuts on important services to the poor and middle class, while giving large tax breaks to the rich – but in the U.S., are there more citizens who fit into the “poor” and “middle class” categories, or the “rich” category? I teach a diversity class in Cherokee, and one of the points we look at is how other cultures view Americans. One view is that we’re supposed to be a class-less society, because we’re supposed to dislike the idea of the rich ruling the poor. But my students always laugh at that. My students have all seen more of the darker side of American culture than most people I know, and the one thing they all agree about is you have to have money to get the power in the United States. I, for one, do not much care for this system, and I really don’t like the idea of the rich getting richer and the poor getting poorer.
My father was a university professor, but I would not have been able to get a college degree without work study programs and scholarships. And many people thought I got special tuition cuts because I was the daughter of a professor – I didn’t. I want my children to have the opportunity to go to college, too, even if I can’t pay for it. I want people to eventually be able to say, yes, this is a relatively class-less society, and even if you don’t have a lot of money, the government still cares about you. But that’s just a dream right now, and will become an even more distant dream if Congress approves these budget cuts.
Teresa Eberly
Cullowhee
Dillsboro clerk replies to candidate’s comments
To the Editor:
In The Sylva Herald issue of Oct. 13, the candidates for mayor of Dillsboro were interviewed regarding their proposals and aims for the town if elected. Veiled in the comments of T.J. Walker were indications that I, as town clerk, required more supervision. After giving this comment much thought, I feel it needs a reply.
Some 20-plus years ago, my name was placed by others to be the town clerk for the town of Dillsboro. At that time the position required little time or knowledge. Since Dillsboro’s budget is extremely small, over the years the position grew to include many outdoor tasks, such as mowing the grass in the parks and sweeping the streets, as well as assisting the mayor in keeping the sewers unclogged. After attending the municipal clerks’ school conducted by the state, it became apparent that the town needed to update its operational ordinances to protect the governing board and citizens from liability.
An opportunity to develop the picnic park on the Tuckaseigee River developed and a grant from the N.C. and Recreation Department was obtained to assist in this endeavor. During the project’s construction, Mr. Walker inquired if a gate could be installed between the park and his personal property. Upon investigation, the Parks and Recreation Department denied this request. Later, as the fence was contracted, the town agreed to the added expense of ordering a green-coated fence, as Mr. Walker felt a standard cyclone fence would affect his business. Regulations (as posted on the sign in the park required by the Parks and Recreation Department) specify no animals are allowed in the park. Mr. Walker consistently allowed his dogs and those of his guests to utilize the park as a “dog walk” area. Letters to Mr. Walker indicating the regulations as dictated by the state were ignored. During the summer of 2005, he even removed the last section of the fence on the river end and a path was created as his guests entered the park from his bed and breakfast. It does appear that Mr. Walker does not have much regard for laws, even those of the state.
Now, as to his claim that the clerk’s position requires more supervision, I cannot totally disagree, as the hours devoted to maintaining the records expected of a clerk have increased considerably over the years. Requests for information from state offices have muliplied many times over. Information to keep board members and their committee members informed has become a major function of the office of clerk, who must filter e-mails and other correspondence to provide such information. Filing the reports that are needed for various state departments, those necessary for the board so they are aware of finances, as well as correspondence with any number of persons with whom the board and mayor maintain contact, all have increased as the town has grown and undertaken more responsibilities. If the mayor is returned to office, she has agreed to a second part-time person to do some work to reduce these responsibilities.
Mr. Walker’s comments regarding my position have come from a very distant observation, since he has only attended meetings when he had personal business to approach the board about, and has never been in my office for any length of time and has no real understanding of the work done therein.
I have had the responsibility of “enforcement” of the ordinances of the town, and when Mr. Walker failed to observe the rules or regulations and it was called to his attention, it was often my task to sign the letters so informing him. It is most unfortunate that one who fails to follow the rules now sets himself up as one qualified to be the chief operations officer of the community. It should make one and all concerned about what rules he might decide to enforce; those of the community and state, or those he personally wishes to obey or ignore as he so wishes.
I have served with pride these 22 years and have made every effort to serve all citizens equally, and with integrity, honesty and fairness.
I can assure everyone that, should Mr. Walker gain the office of mayor, I could not serve under his direction, and I will resign.
Herb Nolan
Dillsboro
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