Go to the homepage for the Sylva Herald and Ruralite

Letters to the editor: 08/24/00

Taylor makes more headlines

To the Editor:

U.S. Representative Charles Taylor has been making headlines but not the kind belonging to a person claiming to value fiscal responsibility, high moral rectitude and service to the public.

A recent Asheville Citizen-Times headline read: "Blue Ridge Savings Gets D- safety rating." That bank happens to have Charles Taylor as chairman of its board. Weiss Ratings Inc., a company that rates more than 16,000 financial institutions quarterly, downgraded the congressman's bank from D+ to D-! Why? Because Mr. Taylor's bank has more than $4.4 million in non-performing loans. So much for fiscal responsibility and service to the public. But, Congressman Taylor's banking practices are only a minor part of the story.

A recent Charlotte Observer headline read: "Grand Jury Seeks Loan Data at Lawmaker's Thrift." According to the article, bank regulators have had serious concerns about the thrift's lending practices. Banking regulations prohibit lending more than $500,000 to one borrower, but apparently there are special rules for Taylor's political friends! Charles Cagle, a former Taylor campaign aide and one-time Jackson County GOP chairman, was loaned far more than the $500,000 limit. Mr. Cagle just happens to have given $6,500 to Taylor's campaigns since 1988! So much for fiscal responsibility, moral rectitude and service to the public.

A Raleigh News & Observer headline recently read: "Taylor, Tax Collector Tangle Once More." Staff writer Joseph Neff documents that Charles Taylor paid delinquent taxes only after three counties within the 11th Congressional District threatened legal action! Taylor owed over $14,883 in delinquent taxes in Jackson County' over $20,000 in Transylvania, with $17,000 still outstanding; and in 1994, Taylor paid delinquent taxes owed in Haywood County in the face of additional legal action! So much for fiscal responsibility, moral rectitude and public service!

What does Mr. Taylor say about these stories? "It's all political," says Taylor - just the evil work of his Democrat opponent, Sam Neill. That's Taylor's usual, confused radical right-wing logic. Apparently Sam Neill controls the reactions of a federal grand jury, the editorial board of the Asheville Citizen-Time, The Charlotte Observer, and The Raleigh News and Observer! Only the fanatic followers of multimillionaire congressman would believe such drivel! The average citizen pays taxes, even those of us who must skimp and save to pay them. What of the very wealthy among us who pay their delinquent taxes only when threatened with legal action? That's our congressman, who claims to value fiscal responsibility, high moral rectitude and service to the public.

Enough of the shady business dealings, the moral bankruptcy and service to the favored few at the expense of the general public. Let's end Taylor's reign of irresponsibility, personal excesses and abuse of our trust. It's time for a much needed change - Let's elect Sam Neill on Nov. 7.

Don Anderson

Mars Hill

Neill exploiting children in effort to get votes

To the Editor:

Sam Neill must be pretty desperate to resort to exploiting children in his effort to get votes. I find it hard to believe those kids in his commercial even know what is in the Clean Air Act.

People who oppose laws like the Clean Air Act do not do it because they like dirty air. They simply oppose expensive, restrictive laws that raise costs while doing little to solve problems. Often they oppose onerous government intrusions into their lives that are not cost effective. A nice name does not a good law make.

If Neill could make a case on real issues, he would not have to resort to exploiting children for emotional effect.

Herald Stockton

Sylva

Golden Age Center grateful to town, TWSA employees

To the Editor:

Often we hear complaints and undeserved criticism of government employees. The Golden Age Senior Center wants to express appreciation to the employees of the Sylva maintenance department and the Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority.

Recently, when the weather was hot and sticky, the center had some major problems with its water and sewer systems. When called, the employees came promptly and worked faithfully to correct the problem. The job wasn't easy due to the age of the lines and construction they had to deal with.

So, thanks again to Sylva maintenance and TWSA employees!

Irene Hooper

Secretary

Golden Age Senior Board

The results are in: Mentoring works

To the Editor:

A second year of Big Brothers/Big Sisters is gearing up to benefit children of Jackson County. Mentor volunteers are needed to match one-on-one with elementary students at Fairview School on Wednesdays from 3-4 p.m. during the school year.

An hour each week can change the life of a child. The Together and Growing program of Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Western North Carolina last year matched 14 elementary students with mentors for one-on-one and group activities.

Teachers at the end of the year reported that 86 percent of the students showed improved attitude and cooperation, 75 percent showed increased self-confidence and 43 percent improved academic performance.

For this year, with support from the Community Foundation of Jackson County and the United Way, we hope to match 30 students with mentors. Anyone interested in helping a child succeed in life can call Big Brothers/Big Sisters at (828) 253-1470 or 586-2845.

Robin Myer

Executive Director

Big Brothers/Big Sisters of WNC

CHS Reunion 2000 - What a wonderful day!

To the Editor:

Cullowhee High School Reunion 2000. Wow! What a wonderful day!

For those of you who didn't attend the reunion on Saturday, Aug. 12 - you missed a blessing! I will cherish the memories every day for the rest of my life.

To Ella Mae "Mutt" Moss, Jesse Flake, David Zachary and all the planning committee, how can we ever repay you for all the hard work and dedication you gave to make it a perfect event?

If I could give awards or "Oscars," you each would receive one.

We should all be very proud of our Cullowhee schools. As I talked with many I had not seen in 40 to 50 years, I found doctors, nurses, judges, lawyers, professional artists, writers, authors, ministers, college professors, CEOs and many other careers too numerous to name. This gave me a greater pride and appreciation for the education we received at Cullowhee High School.

We all have been richly blessed in many ways through our lives, but this reunion was a blessing and a day I will never forget.

Joyce Bryson Crowder

Class of 1959

Cullowhee

Unpleasant experience puts damper on vacation

To the Editor:

On a recent visit to Dillsboro, my wife and I had a most unpleasant experience. We were there to shop for less than an hour and while gone, our car was towed.

When we choose to park in front of August Homes and Real Estate, we saw no signs cautioning visitors that parking was for customers only, which other businesses clearly displayed and which we obeyed. After returning, we saw three, low-to-the-ground "towing zone" signs that had been covered up by parked vehicles when we arrived.

We feel that this area is a parking trap! It took us an hour to get a taxi and get to our towed car in Sylva. The cost to us for this scam was a $95 towing fee plus the cost of the taxi.

Needless to say, this put a damper on our vacation. This incident would prevent us from returning to the area and we would also recommend that our friends not visit the area.

Dillsboro seems to thrive on tourist trade, but with treatment like this, few visitors would return.

Rev. George Shriver

Statesboro, Ga.

Back to Archive: 08/24/00.