Letters to the editor: 10/26/00

Editorial missed the point

To the Editor:

The EMC passed the least effective measure it could get away with in limiting nitrogen-oxide emissions from coal-fired power plants. This will have little effect in improving the air quality in the mountains. But it will severely undermine our moral authority in calling for other states to act to limit their emissions.

Since the source of our pollution comes mainly from Tennessee and the Ohio River Valley, we have to pressure these states, and the industries that are located there, to accept higher pollution control standards. That will be much more difficult to do now that we have set such a poor example.

What we need to do is regroup as a mountain community and step up our efforts to reverse the decision made last week by the EMC. I would ask The Sylva Herald, as a valuable and truthful source of information in Jackson County, not to so readily accept the rosy projections of government agencies that are apparently controlled by pollution industries. A false sense of complacency in our community about air quality will not solve this very serious health and environmental problem. Only continued vigilance and public participation in the political process will help clear the air.

Respectfully,

Avram Friedman

Sylva

First Maple Leaf Festival a success

To the Editor:

A special thanks to the entertainers who donated their time and talent: the Happy Melodies, Eugene Reed and David Bailey, the Rev. David Russell and Lon Williams.

Jackie McGaha of Whittier, top raffle winner, won passage for two on the Great Smoky Mountain Railway. The festival raised over $1,000 for New Century Scholars and the purchase of a copier.

Gloria Nolan

Whittier

Thanks to doctors, emergency room

To the Editor:

While vacationing in the area last week, my husband, Robert, experienced chest pain and was taken to the hospital. The good news for both of us was that he did not experience a heart attack, but the treatment, care and attention given by all the staff of this hospital is to be commended. The native people of this area should be proud of this medical facility and its staff. Treatment of the patient was top priority. Insurance and other pertinent information were given while he was being treated.

When I praised one of the employees for their care, she told me that this is "southern hospitality". If that is what it is, the rest of our country could take a good lesson from the south.

Thanks again to all who helped in this emergency treatment. May God bless each of you for your kindness.

Mary Lou Corthell

Fremont, Ohio

County manager vote '40 years too late'

To the Editor:

We have wasted several million dollars of tax money during this current administration because the manager has had no experience and follows the established "good-old-boy" methods.

The present county commission has taken us $20 million in debt. They are doing what many credit card holders are doing - spending money we cannot afford.

We need to double our population in order to produce a tax base to pay the debts we have made under the present big-spending county commission.

My taxes on my home doubled from last year. I received nothing for this tax increase but a tax bill. It is up to us, the taxpayers, to see that Jackson County becomes business oriented, and only spends what it can afford.

Thank you,

Frank Young

Cullowhee

'Sitting ducks'

To the Editor:

As a retired naval officer, I am outraged at the administration's callous disregard of American lives. Having spent many days at sea in the Persian Gulf area, it would have been unthinkable to allow one of our warships to attempt a refueling in Yemen. The best mountain analogy I can think of would be standing 5 feet from a big hornets' nest, poking it with a stick, and then being surprised you're suddenly covered with a whole slew of very angry hornets.

I retired from the U.S. Navy in August 1993. The Clinton administration had only been in charge of our nation's defense for six months, but already the great shift from an armed force trained and ready to fight and win the nation's wars had begun.

The new concept for our armed forces is peacekeeper. The warrior ethic has been decimated, and the country is at great risk because of this change in focus for our military.

Hopefully, we as a nation will begin to reverse this very dangerous doctrine soon, and no more young Americans will be offered up on the altar of nation building.

Cordially,

James L. Fisher

Sylva

Carden's play 'gift of joy'

To the Editor:

Praise unheeded by the public is a gift unopened.

Gary Carden's "The Raindrop Waltz," staged recently at the Smoky Mountain Community Theatre in Bryson City, should not fall victim of neglect. It was a gift of joy, hope and faith in the human condition.

This play shows us Carden's work at its best; his ability to turn simplicity into power, words into swords and tender moments into life-altering experiences.

Director Beverly Means used space and light as a painter doing magic for Disney's "Fantasia." The entire cast and crew gave a production as professional as any available.

In "Raindrop Waltz," Carden shows us that simplicity is never simple and forces us to see the might and majesty in the everyday living around us. He sings; he praises life.

Having seen Carden's "Nance Dude," I can honestly say that one of the outstanding stars of all Carden's plays is the power of his own words. This man does not speak only to us here in these mountains; he speaks to the ages.

Mack Magnum

Balsam

Community Support Raises $15,000

To the Editor:

The one common ground on which these individuals can agree is that for a community hospital to succeed, it must earn the support of the community it serves. The importance of this message has never been more evident than this past Saturday, Oct. 21, at WestCare Health System Foundation's 2nd Annual Smoky Streak 5K run.

With the support of communities in Jackson and Swain counties, along with tireless work and effort from some very special staff members, volunteers, and physicians, WestCare Health System was able to raise over $15,000 to support and improve our Women and Children's Services.

I would like to personally acknowledge and thank the WestCare staff members and volunteers who worked registration, the water points, as timers, traffic control, and overall support staff for the runners. The hard and dedicated work of Michele Garashi, director of foundations and grants, along with Dr. Charlie Winn, chairman of the Smoky Streak Run Committee, Jan Shaw and Scott Connor, sponsorship chairmen, Sara Goodson, awards chairman, Rusty Ellis, logistics chairman and the other committee members Dr. David Hoenicke, Wendy LeMay, Nancy Winn and Sonja Haynes who together contacted and coordinated the community in rallying behind this important effort.

I would also like to thank all the community businesses that supported our effort and especially the "Platinum Sneaker" sponsors. The money raised through the Smoky Streak 5K Run will be used to purchase a new Infant Resusitaire Radiant Warmer for Harris Regional's Women and Children's Services. The warmer will be used in our Special Care Nursery to provide the needed support to our nurses and physicians in caring for our babies that have special medical needs following their delivery.

WestCare's foundation committee has committed to insuring our women and children's services continue to have the latest technology to meet the needs of our families in Western North Carolina.

The foundation committee recognizes the importance of women and children's services and the dedication of our staff in delivering more than 780 babies this year. The committee's devotion to this effort made the new infant warmer a reality. I want to recognize and say a special "thank you" to the foundation committee for their time and effort donated to WestCare, and recognize the hard work and support that each member made in sponsoring this event.

I also want to recognize the individuals and services that provided support to assure the runners safety during the event. I am honored to be associated with WestCare and be a member of a community that supports and works so hard to guarantee our staff and physicians continue to have the best medical equipment to take care of our patients. To those individuals who supported and participated in Saturday's event "thank you."

Mark Leonard

President and CEO

WestCare Health System

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