Letters to the editor: 06/14/01

Newcomers deserve our support

To the Editor:

Just look at the headlines in that very issue. It is time to get away from the "good old days" and "the good old boys." It is time to hire people for their qualifications, not for who they are or who they know, and to bring Jackson County into the 21st century.

I am glad Dr. (Mack) McCary (school system superintendent) doesn't know the "local ways" and is free to make decisions based on what is best for our children and for our schools. I am glad he hasn't studied family trees, and I hope he doesn't start listening to gossip on the streets.

Changes have to be made and the leadership has to change if our children are going to have a fair chance in the real world. The people in Jackson County need to take a good look at the needs we have and realize that changes sometimes take sacrifices.

We need to support the people we hire, instead of suggesting that "they not forget how they got here, because they may need to take the same trail back."

We need to support Dr. McCary and the new county manager and anyone else we bring in to this county to make a difference. We need qualified individuals, not puppets. We need change. Sincerely,

Laura Sellers

Sylva

Reader questions 'warm' welcome

To the Editor:

Hopefully, when some of the kids that are educated in Jackson County move away to seek better opportunities they won't get the same welcome that is extended to newcomers in Jackson County.

Wonder how many newcomers subscribe to your newspaper. Thank goodness all of my neighbors are newcomers, or I might get shot at dawn for staying.

Fran Woods

Sylva

No need to pit 'us' against 'them'

To the Editor:

The makeup of this group is multi-ethnic, multi-cultural and many are from diverse backgrounds. Many are also originally from somewhere outside of Jackson County. Our community works together in a spirit of cooperation, a spirit of acceptance. This is what makes Jackson County as progressive as it is. This is what makes us as strong as we are. This is why we have heart.

Having said this, we must recognize that there is a small group of naysayers in our community that work to undermine all the good that is done. These are the rumor-spreaders, the pessimists, and those that persist in pitting "us" against "them." These people are sour types who never have constructive ideas... they simply work against any forward progress. They think they have all the answers. They see new ideas and new visions for our institutions as a threat. They seek to criticize, not improve.

Dr. Mack McCary, our school superintendent, is a member of the former group. I have found Dr. McCary to be intelligent, engaging, forward thinking, and a great listener. I also believe the vast majority of parents and school system employees are supportive of Dr. McCary, wish him well, and accept that his years of specialized eduction, training, and expertise just might qualify him to make basic personnel decisions in our school system. That is, of course, one of the jobs we hired him to do.

So let's continue to work together cooperatively and supportively. Let's not be sarcastic and patronizing toward community members who are not born here. It demeans us all. Let's cut our school administrators a little slack. It is long overdue.

Very truly yours,

Jay Spiro

Sylva

Family appreciates 'Angel's' rescuers

To the Editor:

Thanks to all the churches that contacted their prayer chains, held special prayers and closed their services to help search; we know "Angel's" angels were watching over her. We want to thank all the local fire departments, rescue squads, rescue dog teams and the Jackson County Sheriff's Department for their help.

We thank all our family and friends who live in Jackson and surrounding counties for coming to help. We know more than 150 people signed in to help search. Others, just driving by, found a place to park and joined a search party. This helps us to remember the code our people have always lived by: "When your neighbor needs help, you lend him a hand."

We would like to send each person a "Thank You" card, but that is not possible. So we hope at least some of them will read this note of thanks.

Because of their helping hands, the food, the drinks, and God answering their prayers, Angelica is fine. Three-year-old Angel's memories of Sunday afternoon don't seem bad at all. Some of her comments were: "I sat on a rock," "I went swimming" (we're glad the mud hole wasn't very large), "My dog got wet," and "Daddy, I got a boo-boo on my foot; I went up the mountain." Thanks everybody,

Jason and Amy Bryson

and Family

Pet owner cautions drivers

To the Editor:

He had been hit by another thoughtless driver who did not stop. He had a name; it was Max. He was a great dog, and he loved my 6-year-old daughter to death. He was her baby.

My daughter picked him, the runt of the litter, and said, "I'll raise him." Since he disappeared, she's been waiting at home, crying her eyes out, wanting her "Maxie" to sleep on her bed with her. She asks every night, "Mommy, do you think Maxie is OK?" What do you say to a 6-year-old who does not understand death.

We had just moved to Locust Creek, and Max was not use to the area yet. He was trying to find his way back to Ashe Settlement.

If you are a driver, please slow down if an animal crosses in front of you. If you hit an animal and it's unavoidable, it's very possible that the animal was someone's pet. It may have lost its way; its family is probably looking for it.

I don't know the names of the girls who tried to help, but I thank you from the bottom of my heart and my daughter's. I appreciate everything. Now, at least, I know what happened to him. Sincerely,

Machelle Samuel

Sylva

Pet owner mourns friend's death

To the Editor:

As I stood crying by his body along side the road, my neighbor came out to see what was wrong. I told her that my dog, my best friend and my buddy, had been killed. She expressed her sympathies and left us alone.

However, the thing that bothers me some is who hit my precious Copper. I know it happened about 12:30 a.m. Sunday morning Copper was my protector. He rode with me everywhere. He laid in the truck for hours waiting on me - his choice. Every morning at 6:30 a.m. he started letting me know he wanted to go with me, and he went unless it was going to be too hot. On cold days, I wrapped him in a blanket.

On Saturday night, two weeks ago, when he got home, he did not go in the house, as was often the case. However, he never did come to the door. I assumed he had gone back to my friend's house across the road, which was something he often did. However, this time he didn't make it. Either he got in the way of a vehicle or a vehicle did not see him in time for some reason. People on our road have always been so kind to the animals. However, recently my neighbor's dog got killed, and now my precious Copper.

If you ever get an opportunity, read "Rainbow Bridge," a poem about pets dying, published by the Humane Society.

If you ever hit an animal, remember it may be someone's friend and buddy. Treat it that way. I love you, Copper. Thank you for nine years of companionship. Much love,

Elizabeth Stillwell

Sylva

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