Letters to the editor: 10/18/01

Theives have no respect for flag

To the Editor:

During the night of Oct. 7, a brave and patriotic person cut the American flag down off the lighted flag pole in the Dillsboro Town Park. That person obviously did not have the same respect for the state of North Carolina, as he or she left the state flag laying on the ground.

It is most unfortunate that during this period when most Americans have experienced a higher regard for their country and its principles that sneak thieves resort to such vandalism.

It is hoped that they are flying the flag, wherever they have taken it.

Herb Nolan

Clerk

Dillsboro Town Board

Sign ordinance letter misrepresented facts

To the Editor:

Last week's Sylva Herald contained a letter that unjustly and incorrectly accused a majority of the Jackson County commissioners, along with Allison Outdoor Advertising, of being responsible for allowing the new sign at the Catamount Travel Center in Cullowhee to be constructed.

In November 1999, an ordinance was adopted for "Off-Premise" sign control only. An off-premise sign is "any sign used for the purpose of displaying, advertising, identifying or directing attention to a business, service, activity or place, including products or services sold or offered for sale on premise other than on the premises where such sign is displayed." Basically, most billboards are considered "off-premise" signs.

The sign at the Catamount Travel Center is an "on-premise" sign. An on-premise sign is a sign used to advertise a service offered "on the premises where the sign is located." Currently, there is no ordinance controlling on-premise signs in Jackson County that I am aware of.

Commissioners Roberta Crawford, Conrad Burrell and Franz Whitmire wisely adopted an off-premise sign ordinance that restricted, while not totally eliminating, the growth of outdoor advertising.

While protecting the environment and beauty of Jackson County is important to all of us, businesses also need the ability to grow and prosper. Many of these businesses must have off-premise and on-premise signage. The above-mentioned commission majority realized this need.

Regarding the Catamount Travel Center, many students and Cullowhee residents are very happy to have this addition to the Western Carolina University community. This on-premise sign was designed to attract those traveling along N.C. 107, which it accomplishes.

Thank you,

Gary Ayers

General Manager

Allison Outdoor Advertising

Bike Run success to be continued

To the Editor:

The Western North Carolina Bike Run held Oct. 6 was very successful, even with inclement weather and the death of our beloved brother Calvin Taylor, whose funeral on was that Saturday.

We, the Masons of the 40th District (Jackson, Swain, and Haywood counties) of the Masonic Order of North Carolina, plans to make this an annual event for the first Saturday in October in memorial and memory of Brother Calvin Taylor. It will be called the Calvin Taylor Memorial Bike Run for the Western North Carolina District 40, Masonic Ride For Children.

We want to thank The Sylva Herald for the publicity and the many merchants who contributed toys and funds to make this a worthwhile event. We look for your support next year. We also want to thank our district Masonic brothers and our sister lodges for their support. It is hoped this support will double. We are working hard for the children within our district and for our Masonic Childrens Home in Oxford.

Anyone who wishes to receive more information about this event should feel free to call me at 586-0809.

Our hats are off to those who helped in getting this event started for the first year, and we are looking for more bikers and support, for another year. Once again, thank you to all who contributed this year.

Alvin H. Frady Jr.

Sylva

Support for Southern Loop opposition

To the Editor:

I just read the article "Southern loop is bad idea" in the Oct. 11 issue. I must applaud Mr. MacNeill and Mr. Kulash.

My experience in working with consulting civil engineering firms as a senior designer/project manager for a number of years in a major city allows me to support the information Mr. Kulash provided with some authority. My work involved impact studies, traffic pattern analysis, traffic signal and intersection design.

I have also traveled this country and have seen first-hand the negative impact a project of this nature has on the core businesses and atmosphere of towns. It is not pretty. Once it is done, it is nearly impossible and expensive to reverse the damage. The businesses sit closed and abandoned for years. The atmosphere and environmental damage can never be repaired.

I urge Department of Transportation official to abandon the Southern Loop project and address the specific key trouble areas of congestion with friendlier traffic management tools available. I've seen alternative, less costly and less invasive projects that should be discussed.

In closing, Sylva is a very special community, as are the neighboring towns. The natural beauty and atmosphere should be preserved at all cost. Be bold and proud to proclaim, "We are a small town and shall remain such. And, we are proud of it."

County officials are helping by taking giant steps in the right direction in banning the helicopter sightseeing businesses. Town officials could offer visitors carriage rides instead. That way they will be able to "hear" the beauty as well as see it. Thank you,

Dwight Kirkman

Sylva

Jacksonville, Fla.

Growth equals change

To the Editor:

After reading recent articles in The Sylva Herald regarding the rezoning request by the Lois Morris heirs, I felt compelled to respond. My letter comes not out of any responsibility to the heirs but out of responsibility to inform the public.

As a general certified commercial real estate appraiser (valuation analyst), I understand that before value can be determined, usage must be ascertained. Property usages are delineated by their surroundings or location. As in every valuation assignment, the foundation of the appraisal process is based on the highest and best use analysis.

Simply put, the highest and best use identifies the most profitable, competitive use to which the property can be put.

In regards to the property located on Skyland Drive (Old Asheville Highway), the Morris heirs realize commercial utilization of their property supports the highest land value. Because the property adjoins Skyland Drive, has available utilities (water/sewer), level topography and market demand, the heirs are simply exercising their rights in an attempt to sell their property for the highest value, thus, the rezoning request.

Although I'm certainly sympathetic with the adjoining property owners plea, one fact remains: The property is located in a region considered a "transitional use area." Transitional use areas are identified as those areas usually located along main transportation routes or thoroughfares to and from major business districts.

With continued growth in these areas, residential properties usually are converted to other uses, i.e. professional office space or even demolished for other uses. Vacant properties located in these areas are usually rezoned to accommodate the competitive forces within the market area and will continue to be subject for review (rezoning) over time.

Most importantly, highest and best use of a specific parcel does not depend on the analysis by the property owner, developer, appraiser or zoning board. Rather, highest and best use is shaped by the competitive forces (demand) within the market where the property is located.

My hope is that the public better understands that with growth, every municipality faces tough decisions pertaining to zoning reclassifications and regulations. Personally, I am an advocate of smart growth controlled by informed and wise decisions. Sound decisions require sound judgement. In most instances, the good of the many outweighs the good of a few. One thing is certain, the debate will continue!

Mark Reeser

Sylva

Clearing up confusion caused by rezoning ad

To the Editor:

To the Editor: Last week an advertisement was placed in The Sylva Herald urging the community to be involved in a conversation about a rezoning request recently submitted to the Sylva Board of Commissioners. I understand that there may have been some confusion regarding the advertisement and have been asked to clarify several issues.

I want to be very clear that this rezoning application was requested by the heirs of the Lois Morris property located at the corner of Chipper Curve and Skyland Drive. The heirs want to rezone this property for commercial use.

The reason they want to do this is so that Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority can purchase the property and locate their truck and equipment yard, warehouse and business office there.

The Sylva Town Board must now thoughtfully weigh all of the evidence for and against this proposed change and make a decision on behalf of the citizens of the town. I believe, however, that it is important for folks in Sylva to let our elected officials know how we feel about issues such as this. And, so, in my advertisement I invited the community to let their voices be heard at a public hearing established for this very purpose.

I did not intend for folks to interpret our advertisement to mean that town officials had already made up their minds on this issue or that they had acted inappropriately in any way.

Sincerely,

Laura Pennington

Let's build a new library

To the Editor:

It's tragic to see commissioners in Jackson County divert funds designated for library upgrades to jail upgrades. Libraries are where people go to become educated to stay out of jail. Prevention is the best cure for overcrowding jails.

But space must be allocated for citizens of the community at the library. Not only will different people of age, race and gender be in a safe place, they will learn to use their minds to discern right from wrong.

The library was the safe haven I sought as a troubled youngster to find peace and knowledge in my directionless childhood. For this reason and the amount of troubled kids in Jackson County, I would hope the commissioners designate funds for a larger or new library. The libraries in the neighboring towns of Franklin, Waynesville and Canton are much larger and nicer than Jackson County's library, and now Cherokee has received a grant to upgrade its library.

Possibly now the commissioners will feel challenged to prioritize library upgrading and get on with the project. It doesn't take an inordinate amount of funding to start a project, but it does take devotion, commitment and understanding.

After a commitment, an unknown donor may offer some land for a library site. It may be that a new library would qualify for some grant or volunteer project.

But now is the time to get on with it, if not for the people who find overcrowding a problem or yearn to read the latest absent novel, possibly for the sake of the kids who don't have access to a school library and instead head for trouble.

And if the citizens of the community can go out and build a playground for the kids, I know they can get together and build a library if someone would show us where to start digging.

Kenneth M. Lee

Sylva

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