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Letters to the editor: 02/07/02

County should pass laws to protect environment

To the Editor:

Three cheers for Michael Pritchett, who is leading the demand to have that awful junkyard cleaned up at the corner of Skyland Drive and Parris Branch. As a recent property owner in the area, I must say that the proliferation of junk cars tossed and thrown all over that property is an embarrassment to all of Sylva.

I, too, have wondered how the local officials could allow such a mess. All of us who enjoy the beauty of the mountains should be appalled by Mr. Tessin's disregard for our area.

Mr. Tessin, to suggest that because you donate a couple of junk cars to local students is a justification for your trashing the entire area is a joke, but we are not laughing. You should be ashamed.

Commissioners, please don't push this issue off to a committee. Take action that will benefit the majority. Pass the laws that we need to protect our environment; protect the beauty of the area; and rid our public roadways of blight and junk.

James W. Piersol

Sylva

Junkyards are unwanted land use

To the Editor:

I could not agree more with the statements made by Michael Pritchett regarding the junkyards along Skyland Drive. These junkyards are much more than just an eyesore, they are physical and environmental hazards, as well as locally-unwanted land use.

As a student majoring in natural resources management at Western Carolina University, I have taken numerous classes with emphasis on man's effect on the environment. It is only logical to conclude that when you place a junkyard on the banks of a stream, fluids from the engines will inherently seep into the water table and into the streams.

Fred Tessin claims otherwise. I ask that he back up such statements with scientific proof by taking a soil sample and having it analyzed.

It is time that we, as citizens of Sylva, speak up and act for the protection of our environment.

Bryan J. Piersol

Sylva

Air polluters can be reported

To the Editor:

Air pollution is a major health and environmental problem in Jackson County. Right after reading The Sylva Herald article "DENR Launches Burning Investigation" (Jan. 31), I saw big fires burning behind the Park Place trailer park in Cullowhee. Like the person who reported the burning described in the paper, I thought of calling 911.

I have reported illegal burning to the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources on three occasions. DENR officials have been very receptive and followed through with investigations, but the outcome has always been frustrating. They told me it is cheaper for land developers to burn massive quantities of trees and pay the fines than to dispose of brush legally. DENR investigations take time, and the damage is often done by the time they can stop it.

The Sylva Herald would do a service for the public and the air we breathe by publicizing the North Carolina open burning regulations. People should know what's legal and what's not and who to call to report illegal burning.

One law say that fires have to be, "... at least 1,000 feet away from occupied buildings. Lesser distances may be allowed if all property owners in the area sign written waivers and prior approval is obtained from the DAQ Regional Supervisor." One thousand feet is about the size of three football fields. The complete DENR regulations are listed on the website at: http://daq.state.nc.us/news/brochures/openbur.shtml.

When the Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority cleared land on the Old Cullowhee Road property to prepare it for building the water plant, the residents of the Gudger Hill community and the surrounding area suffered for weeks from the smoke created by acres of burning trees and brush. When DENR contacted TWSA, they said the property was not in a residential neighborhood, clearly not the truth. The damage was done by the time DENR officials came out and saw the homes surrounding the burning area - well within the 1,000 foot limit.

If you see suspicious burning, you can call the DENR Division of Air Quality at (828) 251-6208. If you want to get involved in cleaning up the air, contact the Canary Coalition, a grassroots clean air movement, at 828-631-3447; or see the website at http://www.canarycoalition.org.

Sincerely,

Mary Jean R. Herzog

Cullowhee

Cullowhee Valley needs a new mascot

To the Editor:

I recently visited an exhibit at the Western Carolina University library depicting the use of Native American names, symbols and imagery in sports team mascots. This was a very interesting and thought-provoking experience for me. I never realized these seemingly-innocent and even positive icons on a deeper level can be very degrading and damaging to the culture from which they are taken.

I then started to think about my own school's mascot - the Rebels. I have attended Cullowhee Valley School my whole life (formerly Camp Lab School). I am now in the eighth grade, president of the Student Council, and a cheerleader. I have therefore been closely associated with our mascot: I have worn the image on my clothes, drawn it on my notebooks, and so forth.

But I have now started to wonder if it is really an appropriate symbol for our school in the year 2002 and beyond. The Rebel image is one of a sassy-looking Confederate officer, sporting a long moustache and an old-South gentleman's style of dress. People say it represents our "heritage," and we should honor and respect it.

I am a native Southerner myself, as are both my parents and all of their parents, and I do love much about the Southern culture - its openness and friendliness, its appreciation for the outdoors and natural resources.

But there is much about our heritage I am not at all proud of. My dad tells me of the 1950s, within his own lifetime, when African-Americans were required to sit at the back of the bus, to drink from different water fountains, to use "colored" restrooms at public facilities. This long period of racial segregation in our culture followed, of course, a long period of actual slavery, which, from a historical perspective, was not that long ago.

People say the Civil War was fought over states' rights. In all honesty, though, the main "states' right" that triggered the war was the right to own slaves. Thus, a big part of the "heritage" the Confederate Rebel represents is a terrible part of our history, where our laws and cultural patterns were inhumane and just morally wrong.

Although many of my friends are not racists and "mean no harm" by their support of our mascot, I have discovered that the Rebel is deeply troubling and offensive to all our African-American students and their families, and this group includes some of my very closest friends.

It is time for us to shed this unfortunate image of the past and to select a new mascot with positive imagery and associations. The plan to initiate this project is within the Student Council at CVS, but we will need the support of the community in order to be successful in achieving this positive change.

Annie McCord

Eighth-grader

Cullowhee Valley School

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