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Letters to the editor: 07/13/00

Sylva's Fourth of July was wonderful

To the Editor:

The Fourth of July is a celebration of our independence as a nation. It has become for me also a celebration of our dependence - dependence on one another as neighbors.

As I stood in the middle of the street, shoulder to shoulder with the throng of fellow Sylvans, "oohing" and "aahing" at each spectacular explosion, I felt a connection to each person.

It seemed for a while that my little town of Sylva was one entity, a living, breathing, diverse, wonderful loving being. Sylva's history reverberated from building to building and person to person as it has for generations when the townspeople gathered to celebrate their independence as a nation and interdependence as a community.

The two primary organizations involved were the Jackson County Recreation and Parks Department and Sylva Partners in Renewal. They worked with our Police Department and Town Hall officials to provide safety, traffic flow and clean up before and after the event.

I've been a part of the Sylva Partners in Renewal organization for two of these celebrations. This membership allowed me to see backstage what happens.

Between that first committee meeting and the spectacular finale of fireworks on the courthouse steps, it's all about planning the event - every possibility imaginable and then asking others to accept responsibility for these detail.

Something sort of magical happens at that asking part. Whether one is asked to bake a hummingbird cake or direct traffic or collect trash or sell tee shirts, the answer "Yes" lands you in the heart of Sylva and you become part of the very heartbeat. And on the Fourth of July that beat was strong!

It is impossible in this space to list the names of all the people who gave in some way of themselves for this event. The time given, supplies, music, money, food, equipment, creativity and sheer hard work is incalculable.

Hundreds more Sylvans met in churches and committees, over cups of coffee and community fellowship to talk about what they could do and how to do it.

The true thanks due for this collective effort won't fit here in the newspaper. But it does fit very comfortably in the heart of every person who felt that moment of oneness, the shared belonging to our little Town of Sylva, this Great Nation and even the world on that wonderful evening of July 4, 2000.

Dottie Hoche
Owner
Worldly Possessions
to Lift the Spirit
Sylva

Another missing dog

To the Editor:

I read Lisa Majors-Duff's article, "Can you help me find my dog," in The Sylva Herald this past week. I sympathize with her and her family. My Siberian husky was stolen last week on July 5.

You look and look. You tell all your neighbors to be on the lookout. You call everyone you can think of to help you look. You call all the vet's offices; the animal shelters; the radio stations. You put up "MISSING DOG" flyers. You ride and ride, looking for him, hoping he'll hear your truck - his truck - and call out to you.

Where is he? Is he tied up in the sun with no shade to cool him? He gets so hot with his thick coat. Does he have clean, fresh water? He drinks lots of water in the summer.

Is he being fed? Is someone mistreating him? Please don't be mean to him; he doesn't understand cruelty. A person who steals another person's pet is not an animal lover. They couldn't possibly understand the love and trust between an animal and his master.

A real animal lover could never take a pet unless it was to protect or save the animal's life.

My husky is white, with pale blue eyes, pink nose and purple collar with an identification tag. His name, Kyrie, is Old Hebrew for "Go with God." He's out there somewhere, trusting that I'll find him and bring him home.

Can you help me find my dog?

Thank you,

Frances H. Price
Whittier

Reader urges all to attend DENR hearing

To the Editor:

On Thursday, July 27, at 2 p.m, the N.C. Department of the Environment and Natural Resources will hold a public hearing in Franklin at the Jaycee Building (480 W. Main Street) on changing the rules for allowable emissions from coal-fired power plants in North Carolina.

As almost everyone is aware of by now, the mountain air of Western North Carolina is highly polluted. In fact scientists studying air quality throughout the nation tell us that our region is among the worst three for ozone and sulfur emissions. This poses a severe health hazard to the very young, the old and those with weakened immune systems.

Of course, most of the pollution we receive does not originate in North Carolina. We're getting it from the Ohio River Valley and the Tennessee Valley Authority's older coal-fired power plants. The pollution we generate tends to travel to South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and points southeast with the prevailing winds. So, seemingly, we wouldn't directly be helping ourselves by cleaning up our own power plants. Nor would the people of the Ohio River Valley be helping themselves, nor the people of Tennessee by cleaning up their power plants. But, if we don't do our part we can't expect others to do theirs.

The other day I overheard someone say, "I wish they would stop talking about how bad the air is around here. They're going to scare away the tourists!" Although we can shake our heads in disapproval at such a statement, unfortunately it represents a prevailing attitude, perhaps, within us all, of hopelessness and helplessness about this problem. The problem of poor air quality is so overwhelming. What can I possibly do that would make a difference?

The first thing we all need to do is realize that we are not helpless. Each one of us is a powerful political entity. We live in a democratic country and if enough of us put our energy and power together we can accomplish any worthy goal. Having clean air to breathe is a worthy goal.

This is a problem which doesn't have a single, simple solution. Air pollution comes from power plants, factories, automobiles, lawn mowers and many other sources. It's a problem that has to be approached on the local, statewide, national and international level. We can have an effect if we work together with each other and with others in different regions who have the same concerns and common goal.

The N.C. Clean Air Coalition has proposed a new set of rules that would bring all older coal-fired power plants in North Carolina up to the standards of new plants. This has the potential of reducing Nitrogen-Oxide emissions by as much as 80 percent, which in turn would greatly reduce the ozone pollution that it causes. The estimated cost of doing this would be approximately $15 for each person in the state, a fraction of the cost of one visit to a doctor's office for a respiratory problem. The DENR has to hear that this proposal has massive public support or it will likely adopt much weaker rules, supported by industrial special interests, which will be much less effective in reducing air pollution.

If you care about your lungs, your children's lungs, your grandparents lungs, the tourist trade, good visibility in the mountains, and the general health of the environment, please plan to attend this hearing and speak in favor of the rules being proposed by the N.C. Clean Air Coalition. Let's tell DENR that Western North Carolinians are no longer interested in being the canaries for the power companies that run substandard coal-fired power plants.

Thank you.

Sincerely,

Avram Friedman
Sylva

Unity Day celebration greatly appreciated

To the Editor:

We would like to thank Earl, David, Danny and Charles Allen for all the hard work and effort they put into the African-American Unity Day Celebration Friday, July 7.

These four brothers planned and organized the day-long event of activities for all ages, not only for the African-American community, but for the entire town. People from Georgia, Florida, South Carolina, New York and various cities throughout North Carolina also attended.

The fact that these four young brothers put so much of their time, effort and money into this event is commendable. We look forward to this annual event getting bigger and better each year.

Thanks again for doing something so positive for this community.

Sincerely,

Gretta Worley
Mary Sue Casey
Sylva

Heather Coates Guyse wows 'em with "The Sound of Music"

To the Editor:

We all knew Heather Coates Guyse was beautiful and charming as soon as she moved here from California. But who knew she was also one of the most talented stage presences in the world? As soon as the world finds out about her, she'll never be left alone until Broadway and Hollywood take her away from Sylva and Jackson County.

Anyone who has not needs to get on the phone as soon as possible and make reservations for "The Sound of Music" playing at HART through July 23.

Who in the world wants to hear or see "The Sound of Music" again? It came out in 1958, and we've had to endure that insufferable film every Christmas since the early 1960s.

Well, listen up, guys! This production ain't your grandma's "Sound of Music."

I was planning on staying a few minutes and leaving. That's why I went alone - with plans for later. I wanted to see the sets, the lighting, a number or two... and certainly get out of there before I had to listen to "Climb Every Mountain" for the gazillionth time.

Needless to say, I was absolutely awestruck from the first number. It's nothing like the musical, and when Heather Coates Guyse came on there was no way I was going to leave before the last note.

This woman is so beautiful, talented, charming and graceful, she's the kind of person who makes you think that "some folks just have it all... it just isn't fair." Her voice will stop your breathing, her dancing will put you in a trance, and her acting... I have never sat in a SRO audience before and completely forgotten where I was, as Heather made me do. There was no one around me, and there was no stage; the beautiful lady was talking to ME, singing to ME, dancing for ME! She is the only actress I have ever seen, even in Broadway shows, who has the ability to perform for individuals instead of audiences.

And don't think of comparing her to Julie Andrews. It would be so unkind to Julie that it's just best left alone. The whole play is, without a doubt, the only flawless play I've seen in years. The direction, scenery (at least six different sets), the lighting, the acting, the orchestra, all leave not one jarring touch anywhere along the way.

But make no mistake - the night belongs to Heather. She will charm you into such a fabulous evening, you will be remembering it years from now, trying to tell your grandchildren about the magic night you were in the audience when Heather used to live in your town. We may as well start planning a good-bye party for her now. The world is not going to let this beautiful actress, singer, dancer, charmer stay with us long.

Mack Mangham
Balsam

Editor's note: Guyse is executive director of Kudzu Players.

Fourth of July success due to group effort

To the Editor:

The Jackson County Recreation and Parks Department was very excited with the success of this years Fourth of July celebration held in downtown Sylva.

This was our 16th Fourth of July celebration, and by the response we are receiving from the community, it was one of the most enjoyable. We are very excited to see the many components that came together this year for the Fourth of July from the community and the different agencies. A special thanks to the following for your greatly appreciated support and help.

The Jackson County Board of Commissioners, the town of Sylva, the Travel and Tourism Authority, Sylva Partners In Renewal, and the many local merchants that supported this years celebration, without your support we would not have a celebration.

Thanks to the great musicians that played - Willing Servants, Southernbourne and Smoky Mountain Drum 'n Bass. Your great music really made the night very special.

We are so very fortunate to have such community minded media outlets like WRGC Radio and The Sylva Herald. Their support each year is tremendous, and they are very talented individuals.

Thanks to the Sylva Police Department, Sylva Fire Department, Jackson County Rescue Department, EMS, and the Jackson County Sheriffs Department. There is no way an event such as this can run so smooth and this is a credit to the great work that they always do.

A special thanks to the staffs of the Jackson County Recreation and Parks Department and the Jackson County Grounds Department. It is a pleasure to be associated with such outstanding and talented individuals. You really make it special!

Our goals for the Fourth of July celebration are to provide the community with a safe and enjoyable celebration that is a gathering for all ages. We also want to "spotlight" our beautiful trademark... The Jackson County Courthouse.

We greatly appreciate the sense of cooperation that is given to help make this event such a success. Thank you to all and to all of you that enjoyed the celebration!

Jeff Carpenter
Director
Jackson County
Recreation and Parks Department

Low-cost spay/neuter still available

To the Editor:

Since the mobile spay/neuter surgical bus for cats has come and gone, Smoky Mountain Animal Resource Teams, or SMART, has had a great many calls inquiring as to whether it will be returning and when we will be accepting dogs. The mobile surgical unit was a onetime event, and although we hope to invite Dr. McBride and her crew back in the future, it will not be in the immediate future.

Instead, what our group offers is low-cost to no-cost spay/neuter through a contact with the Humane Alliance, a spay/neuter clinic in Asheville. Our organization serves as a go-between for prospective patients and the Alliance. Those seeking to avail themselves of this low-cost procedure preregister with us and pay for their appointment. We then book that date and provide the pickup and delivery location for the transport van. The Alliance's regular charges are $30 for male cats and $45 for females and dogs regardless of size or sex. They require that the animal either already have a rabies shot or they will administer one for $8.

We supplement this already low cost by offering $15 off coupons for the spay or neuter. In addition, we continue to offer those on government-needs-based financial assistance programs the opportunity to make applications to our SNIP (Spay/Neuter Impact Program) Fund for either total or partial financial assistance in getting their animals spayed or neutered.

The next three dates for appointments with the Alliance through our program are July 27, Aug. 8 and Aug. 24. It is necessary for anyone interested in booking these dates and taking advantage of the $15 off coupons to preregister at least one week prior to each date.

All of these services and assistance are for both cats and dogs. Through the Humane Alliance it is also possible to do early spay/neuter on puppies and kittens. This is a safe procedure endorsed by the American Veterinary Association and humane organizations throughout the country. If the puppy or kitten is at least two months and weights at least two pounds, they can be spayed or neutered. This enables people to have the animal fixed while it is still cute, cuddly and adoptable. In this way they are sending the animal to their new home with the comforting knowledge that they will not reproduce, thus ending the cycle of pet over population.

SMART is a relatively new animal welfare group in this area, but it is made up of people with lifetime commitments to animals. We have many other programs and ways that you can become involved. If you're interested in having your animal spayed or neutered, or are just interested in working with SMART, give us a call at 631-HELP.

Thanks,

Leslie Rojohn
President
SMART

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