Life’s way too short to stay angry
 |
There are an awful lot of angry people out there. Unfortunately, too many of them don’t seem to care who they hurt when they let their mean-spirited words and actions fly.
In the last month, I’ve personally witnessed a woman berate a cashier nearly to the point of tears over a credit card fee being added to his bill. I watched the drivers of two vehicles spend so much time yelling out of their windows and flipping each other off that they just about took out two rows of orange cones. Then there was the man who got downright nasty just by being informed that a journalist was nearby asking questions – the very same questions this man wanted answers to, by the way.
This type of nonsense never changes anyone’s mind, it just reinforces every negative stereotype. As a result, more people will continue living in their own personal echo chambers, where nothing new can break through to help broaden your horizons. If the only information you’re allowing to enter your brain is making you mad, I strongly suggest you find some new sources.
Christmas is mainly fun
 |
It was a beautiful weekend to kick off the Christmas shopping season Saturday, when a record number of vendors were on hand at Christmas on Main in downtown Andrews. The Cherokee Scout will have more coverage in next week’s edition, but we couldn’t let the day slip by without thanking the many volunteers who made this version of the annual event perhaps the best ever.
Christmas on Main is the kind of event that makes living in Cherokee County special. If you missed it, never fear; the annual Magic on Main electric Christmas Parade is set for 5:30 p.m. Saturday in Andrews, and just one week later A Very Murphy Christmas will include a nighttime holiday parade Saturday, Dec. 4. So put on your red cap, grab a cup of hot cocoa and we’ll see you there.
Delays at the DMV
 |
The front page of the Nov. 17 edition of the Cherokee Scout included a report showing that waiting times at the N.C. Department of Motor Vehicles is running three months behind. Considering new residents form out of state are supposed to transfer driver’s licenses and titles within 30 days of arrival, you can see how that might cause more than a few problems.
At the same time we’re hearing about the DMV office being understaffed, the General Assembly is bragging about budget surpluses. If the state government is no longer providing adequate services that our citizens need, then more resources need to be sent in that direction before corporate taxes get cut all the way to zero percent – a stated goal in the signed budget – and we no longer have that method to help pay for it.
Penny for your thoughts
 |
Penny Ray was with the Cherokee Scout for less than three years as a staff writer and assistant editor, but in that short time he elevated the standard of reporting at your local newspaper. His determination to discover the truth led him to pour over documents and recordings for hours, if only just to make sure he did his due diligence.
His attention to detail was so good that Holly Christy was wise enough to hire him as her Murphy law firm’s investigator, a role that seems to fit Penny perfectly since he also runs his own production company. When his movies and television shows finally get made, I’m sure you’ll see more than a little bit of Cherokee County in there. And maybe, just maybe, I will finally be able to fulfill my lifelong dream of playing a random guy in a film with a credit title something like “Man with camel.”
Thanks for everything, Penny. We’ll always consider you a part of the team.
– Publisher & Editor David Brown