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Letters to the editor: 06/15/00

No more excuses for not answering the Census

To the Editor:

I'm always amazed by the excuses people come up with to avoid doing things they don't want to do. Some of the biggest whoppers I've ever heard have to do with the U.S. Census, and why people think they are entitled to refuse to fill it out.

Some people think it's too intrusive - they don't want to have to tell the federal government how many bathrooms they have or how much their mortgage costs a month. Some people are just too busy or they "lost" their census forms. The bottom line for all those people is that regardless of their excuses, they don't care that they are endangering the quality of our schools, our ability to respond to natural disasters and even our right to be represented in the U.S. Congress.

Most people get a simple form that asks how many people live in their house, and that's about it. Others get a longer form, and it does ask several personal questions - including a couple about indoor plumbing and mortgages. That is so Congress and federal agencies can figure out how to distribute federal money - tax money - to public services. It helps poor schools get better, for example, or builds low-income housing and promotes rural prosperity. The personal questions also make it easier for the government to rebuild after natural disasters such as Hurricane Floyd, because the census numbers help determine the number of people affected.

After almost 126,000 North Carolinians went uncounted during the 1990 census, the state lost about $6.83 million a year in federal money. Each county lost anywhere from $58,000 to $4 million after the census - and that's not the kind of money we can afford to throw away. When it comes to people returning this year's census, North Carolina lags behind the national average by 9 percent. We might as well tell the other states to take our money, even though it's money we need more than they do.

There is no good reason not to complete your census form. Fill it out and send it in - you don't even have to buy a stamp. If you lost it, then speak to the Census representative who comes to your door. Just make sure you get counted.

Thank you,

Representative Phil Haire

Sylva

Spay/Neuter-A-Thon a great success

To the Editor:

This letter is to express the heartfelt thanks of Smoky Mountain Animal Resource Teams to all the people and businesses that made our Spay/Neuter-A-Thon 2000 such a great success.

We spayed or neutered 49 cats in one day. MEEOOOWWWOW! If you multiply that by the 11,801 cats that can be the product of one cat, its mate and their subsequent offspring in just five years, that's 578,249 births that have been prevented. In a world that cannot even begin to provide enough homes, let alone good homes for all the cats and dogs that are born each year, that's a pretty decent start.

Of course it is only a very small start. Nevertheless, SMART is committed to reducing the overpopulation of dogs and cats by the most effective way and the only truly humane method, spaying and neutering.

We wish to thank WRGC for its on-air interview and constant public service annoucements, The Sylva Herald and Cherokee One Feather for their press coverage and creative assistance, Cablevantage for its PSAs, Frank Burrell, superintendent of Jackson County schools, for facilitating the distribution of our flyers to K-6 children in Jackson County, along with all the principals and teachers who saw to it that each child received one. Likewise to Cherokee Elementary Principal Billie Reese, who facilitated the process there. Thanks also to the Department of Social Services, which referred people needing assistance in getting their animals spayed or neutered to our SNIP application process.

To all the businesses and individuals who so generously contributed money to our SNIP (Spay/Neuter Impact Program) Fund, thank you so much. We were able to provide financial assistance either partially or totally to almost all of the people who brought their animals to the mobile surgical link that day, and your continued support will allow us to provide low cost to no cost spay/neuter assistance in the future.

Most definitely, thanks go out to all the people who did the right thing by their pets and made them healthier, happier and safer, by having them spayed or neutered.

To Dr. Mary Ann McBride and her wonderful staff on board the amazing 26-foot mobile surgical bus, it was a pleasure and privilege working with you. You have the highest degree of professionalism and your low-cost, non-profit service speaks worlds about your dedication to reducing the horrific problem of uncontrolled overpopulation. Come back anytime, and we'll do it all over again.

In the meantime, if readers out there want to learn more about how they can get involved with SMART or if they have a cat, kitten, dog or puppy that needs spayed or neutered, call us at 631-HELP (4357) and find out how we can solve this problem together.

All in all, it was a very good day.

Sincerely,

Leslie G. Rojohn

President SMART

and the entire organization of intrepid volunteers

We will never say yes to ETJ

To the Editor:

Over 250 residents of Bo Cove Road, Tilley Creek Road, Cullowhee Mountain Road, and Speedwell community have signed a petition stating our opposition to ETJ. We will never say yes to Forest Hills ETJ in any form, shape or fashion! Not even for an inch.

As long as the village of Forest Hills exists, they are a threat to their neighbors. In a recent newspaper article, a council member said the new proposal is a move to "mend fences."

Mayor and proponents of ETJ, this move mends no fences. It only shows your true colors. You care nothing about anyone or anything except your own selfish desires. You are determined to force your will on your neighbors who do not want your ETJ.

You even laughingly and scornfully turned down a request for a variance from one of your own village members at one of your meetings. If you won't listen to your own people, why should we think you will listen to us?

If your current proposal goes through, what will you want next year? And the next? And the next? In the 1930s and '40s in Europe someone took a lot of land, piece by piece, year by year. And he said, as you have also said, "It is for their own good."

However, as has been said before, if you will leave us alone, we will leave you alone. Why don't you try that? It is simple and it will work.

No! No! No! Not an inch! Not now! Not ever!

Susan K. Hoffman

Cullowhee

'Co-conspirator' comments on graduation party

To the Editor:

In last week's edition of The Sylva Herald, there were numerous reporting errors concerning the graduation party and subsequential police intervention.

First of all, I would like to freely admit that I was a co-conspirator, along with Michael Kaye, in throwing the party. I helped plan, organize, setup, and even contributed some of my own money for materials needed.

As for the aforementioned mistakes in the reporting of the occurrences of that night, there are several. The most notable was the claim that Michael and Kristen Kaye were arrested. This claim is completely incorrect as neither was arrested. They were only cited for their legal wrongdoings. This is a major oversight and I hope the Herald uses all means necessary to correct it.

The second reporting error that strikes me as odd was the claim that party flyers indicated live music. This strikes me as odd because I created and printed out every flyer that was handed out. Not one flyer mentioned music. This error is minute, but clearly an absence in researched reporting on the part of The Herald.

The remaining errors were not present in the article, but were included in the editorial. The writer of the editorial had two major apprehensions about the party: drunk driving and alcohol poisoning.

In reference to the possibility of drunk driving, we took precautions. As people came into the party, we required them to give us their keys. No questions asked. No one got their keys back until they could prove to us they were sober. This went for everyone.

The only possibility of drunk driving occurred when the police broke the party up, therefore sending everyone driving home, even those who had been drinking.

As for the possibility of alcohol poisoning, it was a concern. We knew we would not be able to monitor everyone who drank, but we did attempt to keep tabs on as many as possible. Our plan was if someone was obviously drunk, we would simply cut them off. No, our plans were not fool proof, but we did want to take care of those attending our party.

And in response to the distress over the 13-year-old attending the party, it was not our duty to baby-sit. The student's parents should be held responsible for his/her whereabouts.

Perhaps the most upsetting part of the editorial was the author's badgering of the adults who "condoned" the party. I am assuming that the author had in mind Michael's parents, whose Paso Fino Elegante Horse Farm, the party was held on. Being a close family friend, I can attest to the amount of measures Michael's parents made sure we went through. The key collection was their idea. They also allowed anyone who wanted to, to set up a tent or sleep in their vehicles, which were parked on their property, so they did not have to leave. In short, the adults who "condoned" the party were among those trying to keep things safe.

My only question about the events that occurred is the timing of the Sheriff's Department. If they were going to bust it, why did they not stop it before it began? Why wait until people had begun to drink to send them home?

Overall, the entire situation was handled poorly. The Sheriff's Department could have prevented the entire thing by saying something earlier. The Sylva Herald should have focused more on the facts when reporting the event to such a broad audience. And maybe we should not have thrown a party at all. But, I have to ask readers one question: What did you do on your graduation night?

Sincerely,

Tim A. Blekieki

Sylva

Editor's Note: The Sylva Herald stands by its news coverage of this event and its editorial on the issue of underage drinking and its risks.

'We are our own worst enemies'

To the Editor:

Once upon a time there was a country that oppressed its people. The people could not speak without punishment. The people could not write what they wanted to write. Nor could they worship how and who they wanted to worship.

So they left their opressors to create a society where all men had the freedom to express themselves the way they saw fit. This freedom is known as the First Amendment, which was drafted in the Constitution of the United States. The First Amendment states:

"Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."

Some 100 people came forward and stated that an "Adult Video Store" sign offends them. They have every right to voice their opinion on the sign, but they cannot assert their constitutional right in order to deny another's right.

We have got to stop the petty "he-said, she-said" finger pointing and recognize the true enemy. The enemy is our leadership telling us how to use our land, how to advertise, how they can enter our homes without due warrant, how they use politics to educate our children and most of all how we can bear arms. We are our own worst enemies. While we fight amongst ourselves, the elected leaders are becoming dictators, stripping the constitution and turning it into a museum relic instead of "The Law of the Land."

To all who get offended by what one says or does, you should "forgive those who trespass against you" and after that thank God that you have the right to pray for those whom have gone astray. Freedom of religion may be the next right under scrutiny.

This is our county and voting time is where we can take out the trash while we respect each others choices.

Kenneth P. DeRico

Sylva

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