Reader salutes school board's insight
To the Editor:
A couple of years ago, I served on a jury that was considering a case
where a fellow separated from his wife was accused of committing "assault
on a female" by behaving threateningly towards her when he discovered
her in bed with someone else. Unanimously, we acquitted him, and I had
occasion to talk to the assistant district attorney (a friend) afterwards.
I pointed out to him that I would far rather have someone verbally "assault"
me than physically attack me, and that the entire notion of "verbal
assault" seemed designed to ensure that any conflict with strong
emotion is not bled off short of a massive escalation to violence.
In fact, I submit that much of the violence in today's society is due
to the fact that we have closed off opportunities to expression of disagreement
short of violence; the old "pot-boiler" effect. Psychoanalytically-trained
obsessive may correctly point out that Freud (and others) abandoned
such a notion around 1924, but I believe the dynamic holds true in regard
to free speech.
I believe the founding fathers, being astute observers of human behavior
in social organizations, pushed the First Amendment for precisely this
reason. They figured a society that suppressed freedom of expression
was a society more likely to be torn apart by revolution. They were
motivated by as much pragmatism and idealism.
Now I know that it's the current fad in social sciences to trot out
the argument that imitative behavior is paramount as Bandura and Piaget
imply. The logical consequence of this is repressive social engineering
by individuals who for whatever basis are deemed to be the elite. This
type of thinking has led to social "political correctness,"
which is both artificial and dictatorial.
While this is not the forum for such a discussion, I would like to make
the point that the disagreement over Confederate symbolism in the Jackson
County school fits squarely with my argument that repression breeds
anger and maybe even physical violence.
Symbols do not reflect actions or even intentions. To repress a symbol
- any symbol - for what it might represent is akin to arresting an individual
for their intent to commit a crime. I'm reminded of the picture of the
middle-schooler proudly holding his framed award while wearing a "Booty
Patrol" T-shirt. My reaction was to think of the dog chasing the
fire engine: He wouldn't know what to do with it if he caught it...
Symbols mean different things to different people, obviously. Clearly,
some people regard Confederate symbols as messages of hate, while others
do not. The same goes for Martin Luther King T-shirts and Malcolm X
images. But, by the same token, the swastika evidently is not considered
a symbol of hate by some. But in some quarters the Star of David on
the Israeli flag or the Union Jack and, yes, even the American flag
are considered symbols of hatred.
By my way of thinking we ought to stand firm against violent actions
between people but be absolutely uncontrolling when it comes to verbal
or symbolic expression.
The point is that the most logical way to diffuse disagreement escalating
into hatred is to allow complete, total, absolute and unfettered freedom
of expression, just as the Jackson County Board of Education did.
I salute their insight.
Patrick Holleman
Sylva
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Freedom of speech should have its limits in schools
To the Editor:
As a resident of Jackson County and a sophomore at Smoky Mountain High
School, I am very concerned about the issue regarding the Confederate
flag.
Many have stated that the flag represents "Southern heritage."
Personally, I believe our educators need to take a deeper look into
the line between heritage and respect.
Heritage is "something possessed as a result of one's natural situation
or birth." In my opinion, the only thing being possessed in this
county as of right now is racism. I am ashamed to even walk around on
my own school's campus because of the enormous Confederate flags on
the backs of student's vehicles. I believe it is a symbol of hatred,
disrespect and intolerance.
It is unclear to me whether or not many of Jackson County's residents,
including our school board members, realize what the Confederate flag
stood for in their so-called "heritage." It was flown in the
South as a sign of slavery and an agricultural way of life during the
Civil War. It had stars for 11 states and for secession governments
in Kentucky and Missouri.
If you haven't noticed, there are now 50 states in this country, and
there are no slaves. What is the purpose of even being called the United
States if we separate ourselves from other races?
I have come to realize that many Jackson County residents take pride
in their Southern ancestry, but there is no need to show this pride
in derogatory ways, such as displaying the Confederate flag on clothing,
much less anything else. Each day in school we stand up and salute the
one flag that represents this country, the only flag that represents
this country. We are no longer living in times of slavery, and the Civil
War ended 138 years ago!
We need to stop living in the past because the only way to fully unify
this county is to start accepting other races and cultures. Can't we
find it in ourselves to simply show respect to those who are different
from us?
In school they have taught us about wars and mass murders that took
place due to intolerance of people of other cultures. We have grown
up believing that what we're taught is true. While many of us have been
taught that different races should remain separate and many of us have
been taught that everyone is equal, the question is "How are we
portraying our teachings?"
The statement made about this being a "free speech" issue
is nonsense! Anyone could say that about anything they wear. That is
why there are now different interpretations of free speech, including
"freedom of expression." Students should be allowed freedom
of expression to a certain extent. That extent is stated in the code
of conduct, which is distributed to every student in Jackson County.
The students at CVS reached this extent, and the appropriate action
was taken. However, the appropriate obedience was not. This is no longer
an issue of "heritage" or "free speech"; this is
now an issue of respect, and by what I'm seeing day after day makes
me wonder if disrespect is also a part of the "Southern heritage."
Shannon Murphy
10th grade
SMHS
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Volunteers are to be commended
To the Editor:
I attended the Sylva Fire Department's open house Saturday, Oct. 4.
I was very impressed with the professionalism of our volunteer staff,
and I learned a lot about our fire department, including that it is
top rated among volunteer departments, which helps us all on our fire
insurance rates and our peace of mind that if we do have a fire it will
be properly handled.
The department's equipment is high quality and in good shape, which
speaks well of not only the volunteers, but the town council, which
provides them the funds necessary to be properly equipped.
There are needs within the department to further improve the fire safety
of our community, such as a Fire Safety Training Trailer to take around
to schools and other places to teach children fire safety in their homes.
As funds become available or some civic group or groups want to something
for the community, such a piece of equipment would be a wonderful addition
to the department.
Finally, I just want to say that I appreciated very much the volunteer
firemen of the Sylva Fire Department donating a Saturday to be present
to host the open house. It was "above and beyond the call of duty"
to serve the community in this way on their day off from their paid
jobs.
Milt Wofford
Sylva
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Those for the road need to speak up
To the Editor:
Proponents of the proposed Southern Loop need to make themselves more
vocal and visible.
The active voices of the few hundred opponents, with some of their politically
influential members, are being heard far more than the passive voices
of the many thousands who want and will benefit from the loop.
What's more, many thousands who would benefit from Haywood, Buncombe,
Swain, Graham and Macon counties don't even know of the small opposing
minority that is getting the attention of the DOT and city and county
commissioners; the many thousands who would benefit see the loop as
such an easy and obvious solution to the N.C. 107 morning, noon and
afternoon congestion that they cannot conceive the plan would receive
opposition.
Yet, the few hundreds who live near the proposed Southern Loop are meeting
often, even with outside speakers, devising plans to discourage the
DOT from continuing with the loop.
Most of the opponents are pleased with the status quo as long as they
can get to Wal-Mart and Ingles and then back home at their leisure.
They don't experience any inconvenience. The problem lies between Wal-Mart
and U.S. 441 and 23-74 where thousands suffer the daily commuting to
and from Western Carolina University and Southwestern Community College.
Undeniably, the congestion will only increase as both schools continue
to grow.
If a small group of people with vested interests a few decades ago had
been successful in their opposition to the four-laning of U.S. 23-74
and 441, the minority opposing the new loop would probably never have
found their way into the Cullowhee area within the past 30 years. They
are a part of the problem to which they fight the solution.
One is reminded of two often-heard phrases throughout the country these
days: "Not in my back yard" and "Now that I've gotten
here, let's lock the gate."
Proponents of the loop need to make themselves heard by city and county
commissioners who advise the DOT and attend upcoming public hearings
scheduled by the DOT. There is an imminently scheduled meeting, which
one DOT administrator has said is not connected with the Southern Loop,
but opponents of the loop are encouraging as many of their faction as
possible to attend the meeting. It will be interesting to see which
opinion is the misinformed one.
Our county has already grown more than many of us would like, natives
and newcomers both. In many respects we are both at fault, those trying
to bring growth into the county to create jobs and income and those
who moved in to satisfy that need. But growth, once started, is not
likely to halt. Now that we have started growing, we need to solve the
problems our growth is creating. They will not be improved with Band-Aids.
"Smart Roads, not New Roads" is a clever slogan for a static
county, but like it or not, Jackson County is not static. It has already
become one of the most dynamic and fastest growing counties in Western
North Carolina.
Present traffic has already outgrown what 15 years ago was considered
"Smart Roads."
Before Wal-Mart built in its present location, traffic surveys indicated
that at certain times of the day traffic at that location averaged 2,300
vehicles and hour, if memory serves correctly. With the Wal-Mart Center,
Shaw Motors, Ryan's, Sonic and the coming Popeye's, one can only guess
how much the traffic has greatly increased since then.
The needed loop is not just a convenience. It is a necessity for better
law enforcement access and speedier medical emergency access to the
hospital. Think of anyone having a heart attack on the southern end
of the county at 4:30 in the afternoon - or 7:30 in the morning or noon.
Think of anyone in that area needing emergency law protection at those
times.
It is not a time for the vocal, active and influential few to control
the futures of the quiet, enduring thousands in a part of the state
that has outgrown the solutions of the past.
Sincerely,
Mack Mangham
Balsam
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Alternative to the road need to be discussed
To the Editor:
It appears to me that we need to act quickly on the Southern Loop issue.
The Department of Transportation will be including it on their list
of projects in the immediate future.
Upon attending Smart Growth meetings and reading about the outcome of
others, it is clear citizens across the county want to retain the rural
nature of our county. A four-lane highway from U.S. 23-74 to U.S. 441
would take away a significant part of our county's rural atmosphere.
I offer a proposed solution to the traffic program on N.C. 107 in priority:
1) Improve N.C. 107 with improved access and turnabouts with improved
roadside looks to include as many greenways as possible. This would
eliminate the need for traffic lights and turn lanes.
2) Two-lane Locust Creek or Cane Creek roads to N.C. 107 and designate
it a scenic byway. Take no homes.
Create great looking road sides to include as much greenway as possible.
This would make a beautiful drive from those coming and going to Western
Carolina University and beyond.
3) Once River Road is paved, improve the road from the Webster bridge
to U.S. 441. Make it a scenic byway.
Take no homes. Make the sides of the road look as good as possible with
as many greenways that can be developed. This will create a beautiful
drive to and from Webster, Southwestern Community College, WCU and beyond
to U.S. 441.
This solution will maintain the rural nature of our county. It will
take no other homes. It will relieve traffic on N.C. 107. It will improve
the image of WCU, SCC, Cashiers, Webster and other area. It will create
greenways.
It will avoid the need for a four-lane bypass.
And, important to all, this is to absolutely restrict commercial traffic
from these scenic byways.
These recommendation are an accumulation of ideas from experts on road
development, the citizens of the county, the Smart Growth committee
and others.
I recommend everyone give thought to these ideas, make recommendations
for improvements and ask our elected officials to act as soon as possible.
Hugh Moon
Sylva
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Questions remain with regard to moving library
To the Editor:
I have attended all of the Library Task Force meetings and for those
who care to hear what I think has happened, this is it!
First, there was an immense amount of prioritizing of what to look at
for further study and feasibility. Then a large debate ensued as to
just exactly why a task force established, and Stacy Buchanan, chairman
of the county commissioners, wrote a description of what it was to accomplish.
The reason's the task force was established ranged from simply to hash
over what all had been determined by a previous task force to the more
truthful reality that the public at large had very little to no input
as to the consolidation and removal of the library from its present
location.
Public opposition to the move and not having been involved in the decision
to move was what caused the public furor which caused the commissioners
to create a task force to look at the entire situation again, though
there are some who would say it is simply to move ahead with the plan
to merge Southwestern Community College library with Jackson County
Public Library with Fontana Regional Library and to support the allocation
of funds to hire architects and designers to move ahead.
It really gets muddy from this point forward. The number of issues that
will not be known until the thing happens is profound. Anyone who has
undertaken to create a thing that wasn't created before realizes that
there is a point when you have to believe that as it unfolds it will
all simply work out right.
I am doing this with a counter that divides the kitchen from the living
room; there are so many other factors that will come into play as the
kitchen gets built that I must rely on the thing to basically unfold
naturally. I am confident that it will.
However, we are talking about something much more involved than a half
wall with a ledge on it. We are talking about millions of dollars and
impacting the community for decades to come and thousands of people
and merging several institutions with very different functions and purposes.
To be so cavalier as to believe that it will all just come together
is a version of not being responsible. And everyone on this task force
will agree that it is more than just a little unknown as to the issues
of governance, content, management, maintenance and usage.
On the one hand, the risk-taker in me says it could be a good thing
and the real person in me says it is folly.
It is at this point that I question the wisdom of the people who are
so determined that this giant merger take place. So far there have been
more questions than answers, yet this obsession to move ahead keeps
steam rolling on.
As I observe the gusto of the library manager to leap into this merger,
I am struck by his compulsion to have a grand facility and inability
to see it anywhere other than on the SCC campus. That this entire venture
is going to swallow whole the presence and value of a community/county-based
library as an institution for the benefit of the nonacademic population
seems to not register.
I am very disappointed in the overall mood that this thing is going
to happen due to the support of the commissioners, the leaders of the
Fontana Regional Library and especially the present library manager
and the leader of SCC. The opinion and desire of the county residents
seems to be set aside in favor of the desires of a few.
There was a discussion of the public opinion being taken into consideration
through a poll, but it got confounded over who should have a right to
voice their opinion. Someone thought it should be only those who use
the library and some thought any one who lives in Jackson County should
count.
I feel the work of this task force is very great and only if it can
determine the will of the people can it hope to be successful at all
the other things. With the community solidly behind it, then it becomes
like the divider to my kitchen and living room, and it will resolve
itself naturally. Without the community solidly behind it, it will remain
a wall.
I respectfully ask everyone to offer heart centered guidance to those
on this task force that they may be inspired to do what is for the highest
and best good of our citizens.
Dottie Hoche
Sylva
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