Letters to the editor: 12/20/01

School support appreciated

To the Editor:

We thank you for being concerned about the education and well-being of the children of Jackson County.

Sincerely,

Tom Dowell - Principal

Ellen Hunter - Assistant Principal

Cindy Herron - PTO President

Holiday drama was 'magical'

To the Editor:

At Cullowhee Baptist Church, unity in diversity shone in all its glory with two powerful performances of the Christian drama titled "The Trail of Lights." More than 140 people - men, women, boys, girls and a tiny baby from 28 churches of different denominations - came together to share the magnificent story of the lineage of Christ.

Starting with Adam and Eve, one generation after another, including and beyond the birth of Christ, the Bible came alive as actors recreated the most wondrous Christmas story ever told. The cast received standing ovations from both audiences. Hearts were touched, emotions were stirred in anticipation of peace on earth and good will toward all humankind.

Congratulations to the producers, directors, stage and sound crew, narrator, actors, actresses, artists, seamstresses, dancers, musicians, children, dove, animals, families, everyone who volunteered time and talent! You are all heroes in our community of faith!

Wilma Cosper

Cullowhee

County should continue to fight helicopter

To the Editor:

We took Mr. Garst up on his invitation to talk with him. During the conversation Mr. Garst was on the surface civil. However, I do not believe the happiness of Jackson County residents is of importance to him.

In the first place he built his business less than 50 feet from a private residence and in the middle of a heavily populated area. He did not instruct his pilot to fly clear of the residences or at an acceptable altitude.

He has stated that he has plans to construct a sound-proof fence. However, he wants the county to help pay for the fence. He feels we owe it to him because of lost revenue. Surrounding motels and businesses have lost money for the last three years Mr. Garst has been in business. The county should not be responsible for Mr. Garst's lack of insight or for a fence that should have been built before the helicopter took off.

Mr. Garst stated he doesn't feel he should "fly neighborly" as long as we continue to fight him. He has also said he has been fighting this type of thing in court for 10 years. He has obviously made a lifestyle out of disrupting the peace.

He feels Jackson County is powerless against him and that we will not win. We cannot allow the Qualla community to continue to suffer. I have personally witnessed the change in attitude in the community people actually dread to stay at home.

Can we really stand by and let people be run out of their homes? The good people of Jackson County know we can't. The Qualla residents thank the county commissioners and the county manager. We ask for your continued support and prayers.

Heather Gibson

Sylva

Senior Project praise appreciated

To the Editor:

To see such complimentary headlines is deeply gratifying. We have long believed that this project is one of the most positive opportunities we can offer students, and this belief has been validated time and again by our students' outstanding presentations at senior boards.

Because the project consists of four challenging parts (paper, product, portfolio and presentation), it stretches all students beyond their comfort zones, where we know real learning takes place. On board night, teachers and judges alike witness genuine student excitement and a desire to share what they have learned. Although students are extremely nervous going into boards, they emerge proud and confident.

While we know this is a student-owned and student-driven process, we also know that without mentors there would be no product and without judges there would be no boards. Nearly 400 community members are willing to share their time and expertise to help our students be successful each year. To each of you we say "thank you."

We also want to thank parents for being truly interested in their children's education and being supportive throughout the process.

Senior Project is truly a meaningful collaboration between the school and the community. We invite you to share our excitement. For more information, call SMHS at 586-2177.

Alice Pendergast

Pam Preston

Carol Riser

Richelle Sampl

SMHS English Department faculty

Identifying victim was a mistake

To the Editor:

I understand the paper's obligation to report, but there is also an obligation to protect the anonymity of a minor. I am thankful to live where the media keeps the public informed. This would include keeping the public aware of sex offenders. It does not include revealing the victim's identity, especially when he or she is a minor.

One must consider these obligations when reporting in a small town. Undoubtedly, rumors will be plentiful in a small town; this cannot be prevented. What can be prevented is the fuel The Sylva Herald prints to feed these fires. Clearly, citizens will suspect who the victim is. The paper has no place clarifying these suspicions.

Sincerely,

Jessica Heckert

Cullowhee

Everything has a place

To the Editor:

Folks need to know that there is usually somewhere they can take these hazardous items to dispose of them.

Motor oil is accepted at the Dillsboro and southern Cashiers SRC sites, and paints (latex only, no enamels) can be mixed with kitty litter or sand, and once dried and solid, disposed of in the compactor.

Car batteries can be taken to the C&D landfill site at Mineral Springs, or some junkyards will take them and recycle them as well.

We remain at the public's service for advice and questions about recycling and proper disposal of trash.

Sincerely,

Laurie Dorris

EarthWorks Recycling Inc.

Back to Archive: 12/20/01.