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Letters to the editor: 04/13/00 |
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ETJ is misguided
To the Editor: We attended the meeting of the Forest Hills Village Council on Monday, April 3. We are dismayed by the proposal under consideration by the council regarding extra-territorial jurisdiction. We could support certain parts of ETJ. What we object to is forcing our friends in the broader community to be controlled by Forest Hills officials. In our opinion, the area that needs to be controlled and that should have been included in the incorporated limits is the territory within the Forest Hills valley, going to the tops of the ridges on either side. That is sufficient for our village - we don't need, or want, to be a little city. In our opinion, the plan is misguided. The people who make up the Forest Hills Planning Board undoubtedly have put hours of work into this issue, and for that dedication we should all be grateful. But what they failed to do was to ascertain the wishes of the residents of Forest Hills, as well as the residents to be affected by ETJ. We understand that they plan to carry out an extensive education program. We believe there needs to be education on both sides of the issue. We understand what ETJ is and the benefits it could provide, but the planning board and the council don't seem to understand that many folks react strongly to being forced into something simply because it is "legal." We object, too, to the university's being portrayed as the villain in this situation. When we moved to Forest Hills, the university was projecting an institution of 10,000 students within the foreseeable future. It is now 35 years later, and the university enrollment has never exceeded 7,000 students. Many of the residents of Forest Hills accept their paychecks from WCU; have they never heard of biting the hand that feeds them? We want to address the following question to all the homeowners of Forest Hills: Do you approve of the ETJ proposal of the council and its planning board? If you do, that is your prerogative. Just don't try to force it down the throats of others who have no vote in Forest Hills affairs. If you don't approve, make sure the village council knows your opinion. After all, the council is elected to represent all the residents of the village. But these questions are the most important of all: Are you going to attend the council meeting Thursday, May 4, and every first Monday thereafter to monitor the actions of your elected council members? Are you willing to demand that these council members be responsive to concerns of all the village residents? Are you willing to vote and, if necessary, run for office to ensure that the village stays just that: a village, not a microcosm of some big city? Not only is it time for the council to represent all the residents of the village, it's time that the residents who elected them assume our responsibility of participating in our village governance. Sincerely, Roy and Ruth Shuler Cullowhee Don't let your dog roam To the Editor: To the Editor: This is an open letter to the residents of the Cowan Valley Estates area, especially those with pets. There has been yet another dog-poisoning incident in our neighborhood. The latest victim, apparently a stray, lay helplessly in our yard most of Friday afternoon and expired nearby during the night. This was not an aggressive or menacing animal; in fact, it was somewhat shy and wary of humans. It had been around for a month or so, usually with one or two of the neighborhood dogs. But is hanging around where there are other animals, maybe barking at a moving lawn mower, or being lost or abandoned just causes for a death sentence, especially if imposed by a property owner acting alone? There have been similar incidents near my home as recently as last summer, when two dogs belonging to neighbors were also poisoned. And I have heard of other poisonings over the years. I have seen enough of this by now fo feel certain that the recent incidents were deliberate rather than accidental poisonings. Therefore, I wanted pet owners to know that it is not safe to let your animals roam freely in the lower end of the valley. I would appreciate hearing from neighbors who share concerns about the safety of our animals. Maybe by talking and "comparing notes," we can do something to make the area safer for some of our best friends. Lee H. Minor Cowan Valley Your assistance To the Editor: I am an eighth-grade student from San Leandro, Calif. I have chosen your fine state to do a "travel project." I would greatly appreciate any help your readers can give me. Postcards, pamphlets, and other memorabilia would be great. This assignment is due toward the end of April. Thanks for your help. Sincerely, Ryan Joseph Gordillo c/o John McLens 1170 Fargo Ave. San Leandro, Calif. 94579 ETJ is end run around democracy To the Editor: The discussion of land use regulations is a source of strong emotions. The Sylva Herald makes this assertion at the beginning of its article on the Village of Forest Hills' proposal to establish extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ) over portions of Speedwell. This issue does raise strong emotions, but it is not about land use regulation. At its most basic level this is an argument over whether one community can exercise control and jurisdiction over another community without that community's agreement. The statute allowing for the establishment of an ETJ is simply a bad law that goes against our most fundamental rights of property ownership. Any law that permits a governmental body to exercise control and jurisdiction over people without giving those people the right to vote is simply wrong. The case of Forest Hills and Speedwell is a particularly grievous example of this. Forest Hills offers nothing to the residents of Speedwell. Forest Hills offers no services or benefits as a result of this relationship. Forest Hills is simply an overbearing neighbor who, not being content to control his own property, seeks - no demands - to control his neighbor's property as well. At his presentation to the Forest Hills Village board, John Adams is quoted by The Herald as saying that his charge is "to protect the quiet residential character of Forest Hills." I can't argue with that, but I can argue with Mr. Adams' methods of protection. If Forest Hills needs protection from itself, then let Forest Hills zone and regulate itself to its heart's content. Despite the ETJ statute, Forest Hills' attempt to protect itself from its neighbors by asserting control over its neighbors is morally wrong. Mr. Adams, if you feel the need to protect yourself from neighboring communities, then build a fence around Forest Hills. More appropriately, approach the neighbor who threatens you and seek relief there. You are quoted as saying that Forest Hills' need for protection stems from the potential growth of WCU. Why not approach WCU and ask it to manage its growth? Why burden property owners in Speedwell who are overwhelmingly against this intrusion with your regulation? Mr. Adams is also quoted as saying that Forest Hills must take this initiative since "the county has washed its hands of providing any land-use guidelines." Sir, perhaps the county has not provided these guidelines because it is not the will of the people. Forest Hills' attempt to assert ETJ authority is an end run around the principles of democracy. What Mr. Adams and the Village of Forest Hills would have us believe is that their vision for growth management is the appropriate vision countywide. If we do not subscribe to their vision, then we will become "victims" of growth. They are entitled to their opinion and vision, but they have been elected only to manage Forest Hills. If Mr. Adams and the board of Forest Hills wish to impose their vision on those outside Forest Hills, then let them stand for countywide office. Finally, let's call Forest Hills growth management plan exactly what it is - an elitist attempt to exclude affordable housing otherwise known as trailers. If the people of Forest Hills want to do this within their borders, then let them. However those who have not chosen to be a part of Forest Hills should be governed by existing county regulations with respect to building codes and sanitary regulation. This is not just an issue between Speedwell and Forest Hills. This is a countywide issue regarding the rights of individuals and communities to regulate and not regulate as they see fit. The community of Forest Hills has seen fit to organize and impose regulations on itself. That is as it should be, but Forest Hills or any community is not within its moral right to impose regulations on residents of surrounding communities. The imposition of an ETJ subverts democracy plain and simple. Mark Jamison Cullowhee Save Sugar Loaf To the Editor: I would like to encourage the people of Jackson County to support efforts to preserve the Sugar Loaf/Dark Ridge track for public use and not private development. As we are all aware, our treasured mountain land is quickly being developed. If we are not careful, there will be very few places left for us to hike, bike, hunt or simply enjoy the beauty we have here. There will be more private drives, more locked gates, more "No Trespassing" signs and little habitat for our wildlife. We have a golden opportunity to try to preserve a pristine watershed and lovely vistas within this 4,000 acre tract formerly owned by Champion International. Please take time to write a letter to your political representatives regarding this matter. You can make a difference. Thank you, Melissa Smith Sylva March of Dimes WalkAmerica to be Saturday To the Editor: During those 30 years grantees established that drinking alcohol during pregnancy causes birth defects; "Babies and You" worksite prenatal health promotion programs were launched; and the March of Dimes "Think Ahead" campaign has urged women to take folic acid (a B vitamin) to help prevent neural tube birth defects. Other medical developments include the PKU testing (all babies born in America now have this "heel prick" to determine the presence of mental retardation), surfactant therapy (given to all pre-mature babies to help their lungs work) and establishing the life saving NlCUS (Intensive care units for babies with the most serious health problems.) So even though you may not think that your family has been touched by the March of Dimes, the chances are it has been affected many times and in many ways. March of Dimes researchers are now working in numerous fields of hereditary diseases that may affect your next branch of the family tree. WalkAmerica is a National tradition that draws hundreds of thousands of participants to help the March of Dimes in the successful fight to save babies. For the year 2000, our Western Carolina Chapter granted $336,875 to community hospitals, health departments, Cooperative Extensions, school districts, ministries outreach, family service and county social service. The money supports education, advocacy, community service and research. The March of Dimes mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects and infant mortality. Please join us Saturday, April 9, at 10 a.m. at the Sylva First Union Bank on Main Street for Jackson County's WalkAmerica 2000. It's easy and fun! Please call the March of Dimes office at 665-4031 for more information. Sincerely, Connie Brooks Jackson County Department of Public Health Animal control is pet owners' responsibility To the Editor: I am writing in response to a letter last week concerning the animal shelter. The person who wrote it seems to think there is a lack of concern by the employees at the animal shelter because they will not come and pick up every stray dog. Our shelter does not have the funding to provide pick up for all the strays in Jackson County. Even if they could pick up the strays, where would they put them all? There are only 15 runs and 15 cages. When they are full, what are they to do with the excess animals? The three employees of the shelter do the best they can with what they have to work with. They are always being criticized. The public does not realize how hard and depressing their jobs are. Many people who work at the shelter love animals and have devoted their lives to helping care for strays or pets that have been given up for one reason or another and trying to find good homes for as many as possible. I know that Chris (Tyson) has adopted many animals for his family that he became attached to at the shelter. There is no leash law, so they cannot respond to every loose dog or cat roaming around. They do respond to attacks and nuisance animals if a complaint is filed. They get hundreds of calls per week. If anyone thinks the problem lies with the employees of the shelter, they are wrong. The problem lies with irresponsible pet owners who allow their pets to roam and to breed. Neutering a dog or cat is not that expensive. The number of unwanted puppies, kittens, strays and injured dogs and cats in this area is staggering. I know so many people who have taken on the burden and expense of someone else's pet thrown out of a car, left at a Dumpster or taken out into the woods to starve. Our shelter must euthanize animals every week to make room for the new ones coming in and also to relieve the suffering of sick and injured animals. They have no other options. If anyone has a solution, why not step forward? The one to blame is any pet owner who has let their animal breed and then dumped off the puppies or kittens and often even the pregnant dog or cat. The shelter environment is no place for a mother to have her precious babies (which there aren't enough homes for in Jackson County) anyway. So the most humane thing to do is to euthanize them. It is not a pleasant job that anyone wants to do. There is no solution until pet owners take full responsibility for their own pets. Carolyn Schmidt Sylva Harold Sims Glenville |
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