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Letters to the editor: 02/28/02

Let's find a win-win solution to junkyards

To the Editor:

I've been reading in The Sylva Herald the controversy concerning the junkyards.

Car salvaging is probably one of the most profitable and necessary forms of recycling we have. I buy used parts whenever I can. With a couple of my vehicles it's more often than I like. However, it seems I end up getting most of my parts from Schulhofer's salvage yard in Waynesville.

A few months ago I needed parts for my old truck. Since I drive by two junkyards nearly everyday, I gave them a call. I don't know if I talked to the owners or not, but whoever I talked to at both places didn't seem to know if they had the parts and didn't seem real interested in checking to see if they had them.

So I called Schulhofer's. I don't know if they looked on a computer or what, but in a minute or so they told me that they did have the parts and when I could pick them up. They seemed to be a lot more organized and efficient. I'm not sure how controversial the Schulhofer's junkyard is in Haywood County. It may be located in the city limits, I don't know. It is located near Russ Avenue, one of the busiest strips in Haywood County. It's been there for years, but it is mostly out of sight.

It seems what we need to do here in Jackson County is to work together for better solutions. Yes, it is a shame that the students of the Scotts Creek Elementary School have to drive through a junkyard to get to their new school. I'm disappointed that our elected officials did not deal with this problem before the school was built and still have not dealt with it.

But there has to be a way the junkyards can be dealt with where it could be a win-win solution for everyone. I don't guess the state or federal governments have salvage yards listed in a solid waste category. If not, they should be. There should be grant money, organizations or individuals willing to give financial support for such a worthy and important cause. There should be a way to help set these businesses up where they are EPA approved, pleasing to the eye and more efficient and more profitable for the owners and at the same time possibly providing more jobs.

Weekly on NBC-TV I see reports where millions and sometimes billions of dollars are wasted on "pork-barrel" projects throughout the country. Surely with some work, maybe through grant writing, money can be found for a very important cause and a very important business.

There are many people moving to this area with apparently ample resources who might also be willing to help. Maybe someone could write a few of the former Enron executives. Their consciences have got to start hurting them one of these days. They might what to try and act like they care about a good cause and send a little donation.

Sincerely,

J. Keith Shuler

Sylva

Leaving a light on

To the Editor:

I had the neatest thing happen to me Tuesday evening, Feb. 19.

I was riding my bike home and it was getting a little dark. As I headed up a hill on the four-lane, I noticed a truck had pulled off at the top. It sat there for a moment and then put a flare on the road and took off.

I thought this was rather odd, until I got close to it and realized that they had turned on a little 3-inch flashlight and stood it on the shoulder. I rode by it at first, but then I realized they must have left it there for me. I thought that was so cute.

This just proves that there are really nice drivers out there.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Petosa

Barkers Creek

Newspaper is doing a good job covering the issues

To the Editor:

I feel I must respond to Mark Jamison's letter criticizing The Sylva Herald for sensationalizing the junkyard debate. I can sympathize with Mr. Pritchett, not only for the loss of property values brought on by the close proximity of the junkyard to Marion Forest, but also because like him I also received threats for my letters to the editor that were critical of Sylva's town government. I received three phone calls from the same person warning me not to walk along the road or I might end up injured or killed in a ditch. I did not take my caller seriously because I realize that he was expressing his views anonymously because he lacked the courage to write a letter he would have to sign.

Anyway, I find that The Sylva Herald is always very fair to both sides in their articles and editorials and has been very courageous in sometimes expressing views that no one else had the courage to express.

I wrote a letter recently asking Sylva's mayor and town board members to do something differently than they had planned. When they did change things prior to The Sylva Herald printing my letter, the editor called and informed me that the mayor was going to do what I suggested. The editor gave me the choice of withdrawing my letter, which would have unfairly confused the issue.

Mr. Jamison in his letter to the editor is doing almost the same thing he accused The Sylva Herald of doing. Mr. Jamison, did you call Mr. Pritchett and ask him about the phone calls? Do you have any proof that he did not receive them? Did you call the sheriff and interview him? Do you know for a fact that someone did not deny services to Mr. Pritchett? If you were threatened by someone, wouldn't you also want protection in case they followed through on the threats?

It's also very easy for someone living in Cullowhee whose property value has not been decreased by these junked cars to come to the defense of the junkyard business. If this junkyard was in close proximity to your property in Cullowhee and it decreased your property value and made it difficult to sell, wouldn't you also feel like Mr. Pritchett.

Finally, let me make one more point. Prior to Jackson County announcing that they were going to purchase the Parris Branch property for the new Scotts Creek School there were no junk cars on the road corner opposite the main junkyard. They were put there shortly after Jackson County's announcement that they had purchased this property.

I believe (and I have no proof to back up this personal opinion) that the cars were put on the corner at that time in order to show that corner was part of the junkyard and was done so to insure that Jackson County could not enact any zoning to keep that corner looking pristine. By doing this the junkyard owners insured that it would have to be grandfathered in if zoning was enacted at a later date and it would also insure the property had more value as a part of the junkyard in case it had to be acquired by the county to widen the road corner for school bus traffic.

I agree with Mr. Pritchett that something should be done to solve this problem. I do not think a screening fence is the answer. I think the county should purchase this corner lot and landscape and beautify it so that the value of Scotts Creek School and all the houses located in Marion Forest and the nearby subdivisions are protected. It may seem to be a costly decision up front, but it will pay off in the near future by insuring the appraised value of all the residential property located in the vicinity of Parris Branch Road is enhanced rather than decreased.

To the eEditor and staff at the Sylva Herald: Keep up the good work with your unbiased reporting and your courageous editorials on issues that concern us all. I think you have been very fair to everyone and have never sensationalized a story to either upset the balance or sell more papers.

This is my personal opinion; others may not agree with my opinions, but thank God we in America are allowed to express them.

Thank you,

Herb Zachmann

Sylva

Defending daughter's position

To the Editor:

To the Editor: My 14-year-old daughter, Annie, wrote a letter (Feb. 7) describing her concerns about the appropriateness of her school mascot, the Rebels, at Cullowhee Valley School. In the minds of some, traditional images of the Confederacy have strong negative connotations of slavery, segregation and racism. Annie's wish is for a school mascot that can be celebrated with enthusiasm by all students.

A response to her letter was included in the Feb. 21 issue of the newspaper from a reader in Charlotte who attended Cullowhee High School in the 1960s. He was very critical of the fact that Annie has chosen to become involved in what he describes as a trivial issue. He noted that people are starving all over the world, that the world is fraught with wars, and that people in our own community need help. His concluding point to Annie was that it is "simple minded" to make an issue of something as silly as a little, old school mascot.

I feel the need to defend my daughter from this unfair and misguided attack. Although the writer never said so directly, reading between the lines, my guess is that he is in support of keeping the Rebel mascot and thus disagrees with Annie's position. That's fine. He has every right to that opinion, and there are certainly lots of folks who agree with him.

However, instead of stating his opinion in a direct and honest manner, providing his thoughts and reasons, he criticizes my 14-year-old for becoming involved in an issue that is less important than global starvation!

This is an utterly illogical position. First of all, most of us spend most our time doing things that are much less important than solving the world's problems of starvation and warfare. We do our jobs, teach our classes, manufacture, sell, or deliver products, coach youth sports, serve on our community planning board, organize "clean the river" projects, and more. Just because our various activities are not of global significance does not mean that we shouldn't pursue them.

Secondly, the images and symbols our culture presents are more important modes of communication of ideals and values, and nowhere is this more important than in our children's schools. In fact, school mascots are not trivial issues.

My wife and I are very proud that we have a daughter who cares enough about the world around her, and the people in it, to become aware of a symbol she sees as socially and culturally inappropriate, and to put some energy into doing something about it. As adults, we need to support this kind of civic-mindedness and social involvement in our children, not criticize their efforts as silly and trivial.

Elementary school children who take the initiative to eliminate racist icons in their local communities are likely to become, with some support and encouragement, the kinds of adults who can address the world's large problems.

David McCord

Cullowhee

Supports mascot change at CVS

To the Editor:

I read with sadness and disdain the rebuttal letter from Camp Lab graduate Stephen Moore of Charlotte on the subject of the Camp Lab and now Cullowhee Valley School's mascot - "The Rebel."

In Annie McCord's letter she clearly and graciously pointed out "good" Southern qualities, and then made the point that at the present time it is important to be politically correct and not offensive to all people. The historical symbolism of "The Rebel" is not "trivial," as Mr. Moore said, and it is offensive to many people.

The Webster Dictionary defines a mascot as any animal, person or thing suppose to bring good luck by being present. Additionally, the impression is that the symbol should be uplifting to the spirit in striving towards the qualities that "it" represents.

Mr. Moore's diversion of the mascot issue to a completely different subject shows his lack of sensitivity to the core issue and his own "trivial" attitude. "Simple minded" is his "bunk" attitude of not moving forward into the present day and age. Yes, our society has many difficulties to attend, and we do not need to promote adversity in our symbolism.

I personally support the movement to select a new mascot that all students - of all races and backgrounds - and the community can truly and honestly be proud of.

I challenge our community to take a hard look at this and move forward in making a positive change. In this support of change, my husband, Roger, is willing to do the repainting when CVS commits to changes this outdated mascot.

Sincerely dedicated,

Wanda Stephens

Cullowhee

Manager, employee cooperation is inspiring

To the Editor:

To the Editor: One morning this week, while meditating, I heard a "tap, tap, tapping" sound outside. The cats stopped purring, and we all went to the window to see what caused the noise.

A town of Sylva truck was on the street, followed by two men who were shoveling something from the back and tamping it into the areas that needed it. Along side the one familiar face of a long-time town employee was the newest one, our town manager, Richard McHargue.

I first thought to myself that it was improper for him to not be doing his "management job," but then as I watched the men working cooperatively, I reflected that his job is just that.

I felt very proud to have the street I live on personally attended to by these men. I am grateful for the example it provided. To make an effort to fit in and to get goals accomplished takes more than words or thoughts in our heads or from behind a desk. It takes using a shovel.

I returned to my meditation grateful for that roadwork scene I'd just witnessed. It gave me an example of the importance of working together. And even if it takes awhile for the road to get a fresh layer of black top, I can use that time to reflect on my good fortune to be a citizen of this great little town, which offers such inspiring examples of good people doing good things together.

Thank you, town of Sylva employees.

Dottie Hoche

Owner

Worldly Possessions

to Lift the Spirit

Sylva

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