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Editorials - 03/08/01Sylva leaders are making good decisions |
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When it comes to the hard decisions and painful steps necessary to improve the general welfare, Sylva leaders have proven they are up to the task. On more than one occasion, we have seen them forge ahead toward their vision for the town, often in spite of very vocal opposition.
Over and over at the twice-monthly Smart Growth meetings we hear it. Speakers use different words maybe, or put a different color dot by it, but the message is clear: Preserve the beauty of our mountains. Maintain the purity of our air and water. Let's hold on to the quality of life we all enjoy. Sylva's town board is already acting on many of those suggestions through its zoning and recycling ordinances, its support of greenways, its protection of the Fisher Creek watershed, its backing of the Pinnacle Park Foundation and its funding of downtown renewal initiatives through SPIR. Most recently, town officials have gotten serious about cleaning up their town. By having town employees spend time each week picking up litter, board members hope to inspire community groups to wage war on trash in their individual neighborhoods. Sylva leaders are also stepping up efforts to clean up health and safety hazards within town limits. Led by zoning administrator Jim Aust, the town board is taking a tough stance against those whose property harbors abandoned, unsafe buildings or dumps. If property owners will not or cannot eliminate the hazards, board members have not hesitated to foreclose and proceed with demolition and cleanup either with town labor or hired contractors. "Without a doubt we will lose some money. But if we're going to clean up, the town will have to absorb these costs and go on," said board member Maurice Moody of the board's decision. "We'll sell (foreclosed property) if we can, but we have no choice except to live with an eyesore, which cuts our credibility. I'm in favor of limiting our losses and going ahead." Despite their commitment to eliminating eyesores, town board members have maintained a spirit of cooperation with property owners. Even though foreclosure was proceeding and bids received for work on the George Bryson property on Chipper Curve Road, Sylva leaders halted the process when a request for more time came in from an heir who lives out of state. Because she showed good faith by making arrangements to pay back taxes, town officials were willing to give her an opportunity to address the problem. "It's to everyone's advantage," Moody said. We agree. It's to everyone's advantage to have a clean, progressive Sylva, and we appreciate our town board's efforts toward that goal. Editorial policyThe opinions expressed on this page are those of the Sylva Herald Editorial Committee. Opinions are derived independently and owe no allegiance to any group, organization or political party. We welcome opposing views. |
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