|
|
Letters to the editor: 05/11/00 |
|
Community support makes for successful walk-a-thon
To the Editor: The Pisgah Division of the March of Dimes thanks the community of Jackson County for its outstanding support of the Jackson County WalkAmerica 2000 held April 15. It was a real pleasure to work with you. The first people we need to mention are the ones on the committee who put months into organizing this event. Working under the leadership of Joe Smith, as chairman, were Connie Brooks, Tammy Cook, Lisa and Joey Elliot, Brandy Green, Frances Hess, Janice McMichael, Lee and Lee Ann Slagle, Tami Watson and Deanna Wright. We give them a round of applause for a job well done. Major sponsors were Fairview Elementary ($2,162.25!), the Smith/Elliott team, Macon Bank and the Jackson County Department of Public Health. This group raised $5,600 of the $13,000 total raised! A big bravo for them. The presence of officers from the Sylva Police Department and First Response Unit was greatly appreciated by us all. Thanks also to First Union National Bank for use of their space on Bank and Walk Days. The Sylva Herald gave us great coverage leading up to and including the event. WRGC Country Radio was on location Walk Day and added to the festive atmosphere. It is essential to have that level of support for a walk to be successful. In all, 39 teams and 11 other companies gave support through either monetary or in-kind donations. Thank you, one and all. Last, but certainly not least, we want to thank our Ambassador Family, Joey and Lisa Elliot and their delightful son, Justin. His grandfather is our chair, Joe Smith. Their support and presence truly portrayed what we are working for - saving babies... together. Sincerely, Bunny Wilson Community Director March of Dimes ETJ is an exercise in tyranny To the Editor: Tyranny must be opposed by a free society, no matter what the time or where the place. Citizens of every age and gender, no matter their station, recognize the injustice of the law permitting establishment of ETJs. This law allows the imposition of extraterritorial jurisdiction over areas lying outside an incorporated area without the consent of those taken under the jurisdiction. Good and true citizens must oppose such controls. This is a bad law! It is unacceptable that the law as written permits subjugation by decree. The council of Forest Hills, representing a small group, can use this law to impose its will on a larger outlying population. Regardless of whatever safeguards are purported to exist, this law gives control without consent, representation or franchise. No matter how convenient and with what ease municipalities may better their prospects under the law, it inevitably tramples the rights and privileges of those taken against their will. This law must be repealed. With a sincere desire to avoid turmoil, I ask the current leadership of Forest Hills to heed the overwhelming protests of their neighbors. ETJ is a bad and unjust law. It would be immoral to use it, especially in light of current community sentiment. I also ask our county commissioners to pass a resolution repudiating ETJ and requesting our legislators to repeal the statute. Sincerely, Charles D. Stallings Speedwell community Arrogance, hypocrisy, tyranny To the Editor: That the planning board of the Village of Forest Hills should say that they will educate the people of Cullowhee in how to use their land is utter arrogance. Many of the people of Cullowhee have lived on their land for generations. That the planning board of the Village of Forest Hills should seek to impose their will on several hundred people outside of Forest Hills who have no voice or vote in this matter is simply tyranny. I wish all of the residents of Forest Hills the very best in every aspect of their lives. I ask only one thing in return: That they do not seek to impose their will on people outside of Forest Hills. John T. Overbey Cullowhee Teacher assistants deserve supplement To the Editor: We are sure everyone is aware of the recent plea to give teachers and teacher assistants a supplement. At the April 27 school board meeting, the decision was announced to include in the budget to the county commissioners a 5 percent supplement for teachers but nothing for teacher assistants. In the recent weeks, there has been much discussion about teachers' salaries and the need for raises and supplements to attract and keep quality employees in the school system. There has never been a more deserving group of individuals. Even this supplement would not be enough to pay them for all they do for our children. It is great news to hear that the board is supporting a supplement for them. Teacher assistants do not have a pay scale, which would take into consideration the years of experience in the school system. We do have a professional development plan, but the most anyone could ever advance would be $70 per month. With a sum total of 230 years of teacher assistant experience at Cullowhee Valley School, advancement should be more timely and attainable. The N.C. Association of Educators is working to put assistants on a pay scale. If the plan passes, we would receive 56 percent of a teacher's salary with the same years of experience. We greatly appreciate their efforts. As it is now, a beginning teacher assistant starts at $13,028.51. Those who have been in the system for 10, 15, 20 years are still hovering only slightly above this, and the average salary of a veteran assistant is around $15,000 per year. New assistants are hired making almost as much as those with many years of experience and training. All we are asking for, what we each deserve, is a way to advance and to be able to earn a livable wage. Assistants work side-by-side with teachers. The goal is for each child to get the attention and thus, the best education possible. With today's extreme pressure to achieve on test scores and the growing number of special needs children in each classroom, don't you want the best for your child? Those of you who would like to support NCAE's 56 percent plan for assistants may write or e-mail our state representatives. Joy Queen Shirley Pressley Conchita Kelly Johnnie Nell Bishop Susan Clampitt and 11 others "Mutt" becomes best friend To the Editor: Last May I adopted a 3-month-old "mutt" from ARF while they were set up in front of Wal-Mart. This puppy, whom I named "Eddy Muttster," was a very frightened, timid, little baby who was afraid of everything and everybody. However, within a couple of weeks, he began to realize that people he met were good to him and that there was nothing to be afraid of anymore. Eddy has been with me for about a year now, and he is one of the best things that has ever happened to me. Everyone who has ever met Eddy will tell you that he is one of the sweetest, happiest and best behaved dogs they have ever met. Somehow, Eddy never went through the "mischievous puppy" stage. He lives indoors with me, yet he has never used the bathroom in the house nor chewed on anything other than his toys. He is welcome in all of my friends' and relatives' houses because they know how well behaved he is. No matter how bad my day is going, all I have to do is see my Eddy and I am the happiest woman in the world. He is a bundle of love, loyalty and affection. I am writing this letter to encourage people to adopt a mutt from ARF or any other pet adoption organization. These animals have never had anything and are so grateful for everything you do for them. Please, please consider adopting your next best friend. You will be saving a life and greatly increasing the quality of your own. Alyssa G. Bauman Whittier |
Back to Archive: 05/11/00. |