Letters to the editor: 05/17/01

Sponsors make Senior Games a success

To the Editor:

Dora Caldwell

Jackson County

Recreation and Parks

Department

Moratorium presents opportunity

To the Editor:

I certainly wish to thank each of the commissioners, and all of the people who supported our effort, including those who came to the meeting, those who signed our petition, and all those who have been working in many different ways to help find a way to protect the quality of life in our area.

What we received from the commissioners was simply a little time and an opportunity to participate in trying to find a way that our area, and our county, can continue to grow and prosper without losing the qualities we all value so greatly. Any new ordinance which is created to help plan how "polluting industries˛ or "high-impact industries˛ can be located and operated within our county will need the input and support of people throughout the county.

It is my hope that people throughout Jackson County will share in our excitement and appreciation for what our recent efforts have accomplished. I know many people, including myself, have at one time or another given up on the idea that individual citizens can influence county government, or any level of government.

But things are changing, very rapidly. At least two of our present commissioners got into politics because of potentially harmful development proposed in their community. Many of the people who live in the Qualla area are finding their quality of life adversely affected by increased traffic, tourist helicopter noise, the racetrack noise, or other "high impact˛ activities. What is happening in Qualla can happen in other neighborhoods at any time, and eventually will likely happen, to all areas of our county unless we can join together to make some plans to protect our quality of life. I hope that Mr. Fortner will recognize that our actions were not really directed at him, personally. In fact, I continue to believe that he has acted with more integrity and with more honorable intentions than most of the other "high impact˛ businesses in our area.

In many ways, it may be true that Mr. Fortner's proposed asphalt plant was simply "the straw that broke our community's back.˛ I can only hope that we may remain united in finding a long-term solution to this problem of locating "high-impact˛ businesses where they do not destroy the peacefulness of our residential areas.

In an area already suffering from dangerous levels of air pollution, with asthma and respiratory disease on the rise, how can any additional pollution sources be said to be safe, especially so close to a school and major recreation area? Surely we ought to look very carefully at locating any new "polluting industries˛ as well as looking at how to minimize the pollution we already generate.

The commissioners have given us that opportunity. We are very thankful for the support we received from all over the county, and from people in neighboring counties, as well. But we'll need much more help and support from the whole county to actually accomplish anything that will really protect our schools, parks, and residential areas for the future. The local press has done an excellent job of reporting our efforts, and I urge everyone to try to keep informed, so that when opportunities arise to influence our future, we can take advantage of them.

I have recently seen many indications that Jackson County is prepared to take a serious look at how some sort of planning might help preserve our quality of life here in the mountains. I am thankful to find hope.

Robert Franz

Whittier

Setting the record straight

To the Editor:

How do I know this? I gave a bid that was $787 a month cheaper. Where Country Collections will save Sylva close to $30,000 a year, my company would have saved Sylva an additional $9,444 a year.

I also gave a bid on commercial recycling for the town of Sylva. When the current commercial recycling contract is up, my company would have saved Sylva an additional $18,000 a year.

I mailed my bids to each member of the town board. I also spoke to Mr. (Tommy) Thompson and Mrs. (Audrey) Tritt. I told them this was something I did not take lightly, and that I knew I could provide great service for Sylva. I have helped run this route before. When I was younger, I helped my dad before GDS had anything to do with it.

During my talks, I was told "thank you, but we haven't actually asked for bids. We may just carry over GDS's current contract for another year. This way we can see where we will be able to save the most money, and study all aspects of a change." I was also told that they were glad there was competition for the contract.

I thought I was being taken seriously. I was wrong.

I respect the board's decision. It was theirs to make. I disagree with how it was presented to the public. This is the only way I could let folks know that a local boy had the ability to save us money, but is completely overlooked or not taken seriously. I do want to congratulate Gregg, and wish him the best of luck on his latest accomplishment.

Thank you,

Bobby and Sandy Gunter

Owners

Gunter Family Trash

and Recycling

Editor's note: Bobby Gunter's father, Robert, was employed by Hyder when that company contracted to collect trash in the town of Sylva.

Back to Archive: 05/17/01.