School board makes bad decision concerning Nicholson
To the Editor:
I am highly disappointed by Dr. McCary and the school board concerning
action taken against Kenneth Nicholson. Mr. Nicholson has not even been
given a chance to voice his side of the story.
How timely for the board of education to fire him when his attorney
was away and Kenny had no one to speak on his behalf. What court in
the United States finds a person guilty without hearing the defendant's
side of the story? NONE.
Have all of you forgotten that Jackson County is still a part of the
United States. All the facts of the situation (both sides of the story)
must be taken into consideration before making a decision such as this.
Kenny Nicholson has always been an upstanding leader in this county,
and most of the young people whose lives have been touched by him will
never forget him.
Why will the leadership of the Jackson County schools at least not sit
down and talk with Kenny? The school board has the responsibility to
listen to his side. He has been convicted without anyone hearing what
he has to say!
The decision to prohibit Mr. Nicholson from the school grounds is absurd.
He has a grandchild who is a student in the Jackson County school system
and is very involved in extra curricular activities (i.e., band, drama,
etc.). You are telling Kenny, who has done nothing against a student,
that he cannot go see his grandson participate in activities that are
very important to this child. What kind of impression of the school
system leadership is this going to make on this child and his peers?
I think Dr. McCary and the school board have not looked past the end
of their noses and made decisions that will impact the school system
for years to come. Remember back in 2000 when Kenny Nicholson came out
of retirement to help Smoky Mountain High School "get back on the
right track." His desire has always been what is best for
his school and his students. He has gone beyond the call of duty. Not
only has he been principal, but he has always supported athletics, band
and other activities involving the students, in addition to the normal
school day.
Many are the days when he was "at school" from 6 a.m. until
11 p.m. so he could support the students in activities beyond the normal
school day. He has traveled many miles to see "his" students
receive awards and recognition of curricular and extra-curricular achievements.
How many other leaders (principals, school board members, etc) are willing
to take personal time to support the student body? He has taken pride
in his school and his students above and beyond what is normally expected.
As the saying goes, "No good deed shall go unpunished."
It is time for the school board to rescind this decision and look at
both sides of the story. All of you (the superintendent and the board
of education members) need to remember that you are employees and representatives
of the Jackson County taxpayers. Board of education members are elected
officials with an obligation to listen to the opinions of residents.
I firmly believe that the residents of Jackson County want to hear BOTH
sides of this story!
Jackson County Board of Education members need to remember that election
time will be coming around soon, and maybe then you will listen to the
people.
Sincerely,
Nancy C. Wheatley
Sylva
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Officials need to speak out against by-pass
To the Editor:
I think it is very sad when people who do not know us make decisions
that will hurt us badly. Many of us have our life's savings in our homes
and property.
The problems on N.C. 107 have been getting worse and worse over the
years, and I think that the emphasis on road improvement must center
on that. To destroy our homes, our mountains and our serenity contradicts
all we stand for in Jackson County.
Many of us feel this is God's country, and we want to keep it that way.
Those who support such proposals must be held accountable. Our intersections
make no sense.
The absence of a west-bound entrance at Exit 85 is equally foolish.
We have other problems in Jackson County, and spending $200 million
dollars for a bypass is wasteful and unnecessary.
Someone has to be responsible for all this. Is it our local elected
officials? Through all the articles in the newspaper and the public
meetings, I cannot recall any of them speaking out to support our objections.
Maybe we don't need to change the roads as much as we need to change
some of our elected officials who so far haven't been there when we
needed them.
Sincerely,
Susan and James Chinners
Sylva
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'Support troops; impeach Bush'
To the Editor:
I have noticed several billboards in Jackson County that read, "Support
Bush and Our Troops." I have disliked that message since I first
saw it, but I have disliked it even more since I have talked about it
with my cousin.
Her husband is in the Army and stationed at Fort Riley in Kansas. He
is going to be sent over to Iraq as soon as they get their orders from
Washington, and we are all afraid he will be forced to stay there for
a year at the least.
My cousin and I both wonder why it is that Americans are being encouraged
to support both Bush AND our troops? Neither of us support him at all,
but we certainly do support our troops - that's why we want them home
now!
Rather than saying "Support Bush and Our Troops," perhaps
the billboards should read, "Support Our Troops: Impeach Bush."
Sincerely,
Teresa Eberly
Cullowhee
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