Letters to the editor: 10/05/00

Furry paws 'round the neck

To the Editor:

During the weekend of the ARF Camp Out, I spent quite a bit of time with the ARF people and animals. It was a pleasant and heartwarming experience for me to see the people who are so devoted to loving and caring for the animals.

These folks spend their time and money and share their lives with these animals that, for whatever reason, need them. The animals need them until a home of their own can be found. The dedication and love I saw during the time I spent there is a very special kind of quality in these folks.

One of the critical things that they make sure of is that each animal is spayed or neutered prior to being adopted, or done by the adopter at the proper age (per contract). This is so vital to stop the breeding of more animals needing homes. Getting homes and caring for the animals is just part of the solution. Spaying and neutering is also a vital part of stopping the cycle of unwanted, homeless animals.

Each of the people who supported this group by donating items for the flea market, purchasing items, donating money for their outstanding vet bills, adopting animals or sharing themselves in any other way with this cause is greatly appreciated! The animals and ARF volunteers greatly appreciate each of you. I do also on their behalf.

Furry paws 'round the neck of each of them!

Ruth Haines

Sylva

Catamount or bobcat?

To the Editor:

Your headline of Aug. 24 about Western Carolina University's newest campus landmark is deceptive.

While the sculpture is indeed beautiful, it is not that of a "catamount." In fact, the sculpture is of a "bobcat." A "catamount" is another name for puma, mountain lion or panther, but not a bobcat.

I believe the gift from Mr. Irwin Belk is commendable, but it really should have been of the "Catamount" and not of a bobcat.

I was born and raised in Cullowhee's Speedwell community and have cheered for the "Catamounts" for years. I hope that I don't have to change my cheers to "Go Bobcats" because of a [misinformed] sculptor.

William A. Taylor

Panama City, Fla.

Editor's Note: "Catamount" is defined by Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary as "any of various wild cats."

Property taxes increase by 43 percent

To the Editor:

Last week's edition of The Sylva Herald announced that Jackson County property values had increased by 58 percent as a result of the recent revaluation. The same news story noted that the county commissioners had set the new tax rate at 48 cents per $100 evaluation, a decrease of 5 cents. This new tax rate, together with the revaluation, results in a countywide tax increase of 43 percent!

Consider property worth $100,000 under the old evaluation. At the old rate, the tax was $530. The new evaluation on average would be $158,000. At 48 cents per $100 valuation, this will yield a tax of $758.40 - an increase of more than 43 percent!

My impression of the revaluation was that it was to be revenue neutral - an increase in property values would be offset by a decrease in tax rate. Why didn't this enormous tax increase engender front page headlines? Why were these numbers buried on page 7 of the newspaper, with no suggestion by the writer that a colossal tax hike was occurring?

Who among the county commissioners campaigned on a platform of increasing property taxes by more than 40 percent? Where is the outrage?

Carlton Bostic

Glenville

Rec Department staff does outstanding job

To the Editor:

Once again Saturday morning finds me sitting in my chair, watching our boys play soccer at the Jackson County Recreation Park in Cullowhee. Hundreds of children and their families from all over the county practice at the park during the week and then plan their soccer matches on Saturdays.

As I look around the park, I see two playgrounds, a new pavilion, baseball fields, a walking trail, a concession stand, and there are plans for much more. I feel compelled to write this letter as my way of calling attention to the outstanding job being accomplished by Jeff Carpenter and the entire staff of the Jackson County Recreation and Parks Department: Rusty Ellis, Dora Caldwell, Michael Hopkins, Kathy Buchanan and Jim Revis. These people have worked as a team with local leaders, the school system, funding agencies, parents and children to make our recreation department one of the finest in North Carolina.

My family and I would like to publicly thank the staff of the recreation department for their vision, dedication and hard work. In my opinion they are a shining example of what can be accomplished when people focus on a goal, strive to make it a reality and don't care who gets the credit - as long as the goal is achieved!

Currently, the department is raising money for a much needed irrigation system for the Cullowhee Park. I encourage everyone to come to Soccerfest on Saturday, Oct. 14, and enjoy good food, great soccer, raffles, prizes and inflatable rides for the kids. If you can't make Soccerfest and would like to make a tax-deductible donation towards the irrigation system, you can send your contribution to the Jackson County Recreation and Parks Department, 86 Mark Watson Park, Sylva, N.C. 28779.

Sincerely,

Margie, Daniel, Hannah, Sam and Thomas Allison

Sylva

Letters to the editor: 10/05/00

Furry paws 'round the neck

To the Editor:

Catamount or bobcat?

To the Editor:

Property taxes increase by 43 percent

To the Editor:

Rec Department staff does outstanding job

To the Editor:

Back to Archive: 10/05/00.