Letters to the editor: 05/16/02

God led pastors to Cullowhee church

To the Editor:

Being mission minded and taking the Great Commission seriously, members of Cullowhee Baptist helped to start many other churches in the county. Over the years it has continued to send people out to tell the Good News, both in Jackson County as well as throughout the world.

In 1914 my parents, along with about 12 other church members, left Cullowhee Baptist for a period of time. They joined with the residents of Little Savannah to constitute the Baptist church there. In 1829, Cullowhee was among the seven churches to form the Tuckaseigee Baptist Association. Through the years, Cullowhee Baptist has been a faithful supporter. The association was begun long before the state or the Southern Baptist conventions were organized.

The Baptist concept that each church is independent in power is stated in the history recorded in the association's Constitution. But since churches are not independent in communion, a union was desirable "to promote concord and brotherly love by endeavoring to keep up the unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace."

As a member of Cullowhee Baptist Church, a deacon, Sunday school teacher and past chairman of the deacon body, I resent those who say that Cullowhee Baptist is misinterpreting the Bible. I'm speaking for myself and for most members when I say we believe in the Priesthood of the Believer.

With the help of the Holy Spirit, each individual has the responsibility of reading, interpreting and applying the Scriptures to his or her life. No one is to come between the person and his/her Creator. The Priesthood of the Believers is one of the most basic beliefs of the Baptist faith!

It has been reported that one person said, "Cullowhee Baptist should not have brought the Vickerys to be their pastors." I say, "We didn't bring them; the Lord did!"

I served as chairman of the 10-member Pastor Search Committee. We, along with our congregation, followed God's leading in choosing a pastor. More than 140 resumes were received from throughout the U.S.; one even came from France. After months of prayer, consultation, patience and listening to our congregation, God led the Revs. Jeffrey and Tonya Vickery to Cullowhee Baptist to be our pastors.

Let us respect all people, regardless of their denomination, their race or how they choose to worship. My prayer is that all church congregations will respect each other, strive to work together and so live to honor our Creator.

Irene Hooper

Forest Hills

Asphalt ordinance is unnecessary

To the Editor:

At this time we have federal regulations governing odors, smoke and chemicals that can be emitted by a plant or factory. Why do we have non-experienced county commissioners attempting to waste our tax dollars with local ordinances duplicating federal regulations? Commissioners need to visit the new asphalt plant on Highway 64 just east of Franklin. That plant is cleaner than the property of many of the loud-mouth gripers.

You claim to be receptive to new business. Your meeting May 9 plainly advertised you will not welcome any new business unless it can change its equipment and operation to comply with an ordinance written by a bunch of amateur politicians.

We will need more asphalt as our population increases. Commissioners' unnecessary setback restrictions are a waste of capital needed to start a business. This type of waste will increase the cost of paving, which will increase the cost of building roads, which will increase our taxes. What have you gained? You have killed progress with stupidity.

We do not need another layer of taxation. Please call a halt to this unnecessary zoning. As small businesses continue to look at Jackson County, the less interference they find, the quicker they will consider locating here.

Remember, Dallas, Texas, grew to more than a million population without zoning or small-time, petty restrictions.

Commissioners should abandon this unnecessary ordinance now.

Frank Young

Cullowhee

Perception or deception?

To the Editor:

With one of his employees so very much involved, he was the elected "keeper" of the operation of the department at the time just as he is the "keeper" of the jail now.

This is made more especially important in that during the same time period Cruzan was asked about being a resident of the county during a Canada community meeting. He would only say that he was living in "the Cashiers area."

Sheriff Cruzan has said repeatedly that the children of Jackson County are his "Number One" priority. Do you think the parents and community leaders associated with Blue Ridge School would agree? And why has he refused to work with the SBI on this or any other case of this magnitude?

If Sheriff Cruzan's statement about the children and the "wake up call" in the aftermath of the Mitchell County tragedy were his heartfelt feelings, I would applaud his rhetoric. But to those who know him, his so-called perception is cloaked with deception.

It being an election year, he is trying to use someone else's tragedy for his own political gain. Expect more of this from him as we are soon going into the marijuana gathering time of year. I heard an old bootlegger comment many years ago that he had to be a lot more careful during an election year.

Carroll Buchanan

Sylva

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