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Editorials - 09/19/02Community has lost dedicated public servant |
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A true public servant is someone who works tirelessly and selflessly for the greater good. Our community is saddened this week by the sudden loss of a man who embodied that ideal.
Steve Eller, longtime development specialist with Southwestern Commission, never sought the spotlight. He just quietly went about his business of helping Western North Carolina town and county governments make improvements to benefit their citizens. A local boy with the education and skills to be successful anywhere, Steve, a Cullowhee High and Western Carolina University graduate, chose to live and work in the mountains he loved. He was always available to assist municipal leaders in grant writing or with community development ideas. Steve left his footprint on several major projects. His commitment to the region went above and beyond the call of duty and extended long past traditional office hours. Steve's passion was hiking the hills and valleys. He didn't just talk about protecting the environment, he wrote the grants that secured funding for the Whittier Sanitary District and the Scotts Creek sewer line, which eliminated straight-piping of raw sewage into Scotts Creek. A man of faith, Steve assisted with the youth group at Cullowhee Methodist Church and chaired the board of United Christian Ministries. Steve Eller did what he could to improve the quality of life in WNC, and he will be missed.
County test scores are positive signSuperintendent Mack McCary is pleased with the grades on Jackson County's state report card. The local district had its highest percentage of Schools of Distinction ever - three of seven - in a year when the state increased the standard necessary to receive that commendation. In addition, five of seven schools met or exceeded their expected levels of growth, up from four last year. Local students and teachers deserve a lot of credit for their hard work, McCary said, and for the fact that they continue to present a balanced curriculum instead of ignoring subjects in which students are not tested. Jackson CountyŚs results are encouraging and indicate the school system is on the right track. We think he's right. We're proud of all our students and teachers and recognize the diligence and commitment required to achieve this degree of success. We applaud this year's scores and the effort that went into them.
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