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Editorials - 07/27/00

Commissioners take first step
In passing a sediment control ordinance, our commissioners have taken an important first step towards controlling erosion and sedimentation in Jackson County.

Dirt is deserting our mountainsides and landing in our streams at an alarming rate. When the new law takes effect, county officials will have an important tool to encourage property owners to keep their soil at home.

But it will take more than an ordinance to stop the flow of mud down the Tuckaseigee. As Commissioners' Chairman Jay Denton said, it will require educating our citizens to the harm sediment causes in our once-clear mountain streams.

Many folks don't regard dirt as a pollutant. When they pick up a rock out of a streambed, they say, what they find is dirt. What people have to understand is that too much dirt suspended in the water can destroy aquatic life.

With development continuing to soar, our county leaders did the right thing by passing an ordinance that encourages good stewardship of the land.

While we would prefer stricter controls, we applaud commissioners for passing the ordinance and making a start down the road to healthier streams.

It's a good first step. We hope it won't be the last.

Workplace changes

The world is changing rapidly, and so is the workplace. Jackson County needs to adapt or be left behind.

Department of Social Services employees, seeing the wave of the future, are ready to experiment with telecommuting, or working via computer from home.

We say more power to them.

Flexible schedules and teleworking are a success in many parts of the country. Studies have shown that working at home can improve both productivity and employee morale.

In these days of competition for skilled labor, it's a benefit the county should offer.

It's time to rid ourselves of the notion that work can only be accomplished under the eyes of others. County employees deserve the same options available to workers in the private sector.

County leaders should demonstrate that they value and trust their employees by allowing the DSS to experiment with teleworking.

Editorial policy

The 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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