This is a special week in Cherokee County, as there is a veritable cornucopia of fun and educational activities planned from one end of the county to the other to help celebrate Veterans Day.
We’re especially proud of Brenda McPherson Mahoney’s determination to create the first Murphy Veterans Day Parade & Country Fair, which takes place Saturday. There also will be a special American Legion event at Western Carolina Regional Airport in Andrews that day, so wherever you live there’s no excuse not to take a few minutes out of your day and say thanks to the men and women who serve in the U.S. armed forces.
The Cherokee Scout couldn’t let everybody else have all the fun, so this week we are debuting a new annual magazine, Celebrating Our Veterans, which is inside this edition. The stories inside bring to life the sacrifices our soldiers have made in the land of the free and brave.
The United States is the greatest country in the world – and we have an all-volunteer military force to thank for protecting our freedoms. That alone deserves a standing ovation.
Community fighting drugs
Reports that heroin is on the rise in Cherokee County, where it’s among the cheapest drugs to buy, is disheartening to all who want a better, brighter future. Thankfully, there are local groups working to fighting this plague, and the other crime problems that come with it, but it’s not going to be an easy fight to win.
Some people would prefer not to read about such unhappy things, but no problem has ever gone away by ignoring it. Once upon a time, domestic violence was unheard of, a private problem hidden from the outside world; then people were encouraged to report the abuse, and now we’re shocked to see so many cases. Shining a spotlight on drug issues here hopefully will help direct more resources to the noble cause of cleaning up.
Local officials want the problem to go away, but they still care about the person involved. Adding patrols, installing cameras and holding community meetings are all good ways to help fight back. Too many people are losing their battle with addiction today. If you know someone like that, please encourage them to get the help they need before it’s too late.
New era begins at HAVEN
HAVEN Children’s Advocacy Center in Peachtree, which helps children who suffered trauma and often are victims of crime in Cherokee and Clay counties, has hired Anna James as executive director. She served as interim director for the previous three months.
James’ leadership was so strong since she rejoined the non-profit agency this summer that it didn’t take long for the HAVEN Board of Directors to unanimously approve her permanent hiring on Oct. 24. As chair of the board this year, we’re very happy to have her.
In addition to overseeing the office behind Peachtree Family Eye Care on U.S. 64 East and volunteering at fundraisers, James already has started reaching out to the community to share the many things HAVEN does to help local children in need. If you would like to know more, please give her a call at 837-5872 or email director@havencac.org.
Lighting up the right way
The antique light poles help give downtown Murphy an old-school charm, which is why officials wanted to install them all the way down Hiawassee Street to U.S. 64. However, the beautiful Bradford pear trees lining the sidewalk along the east side of the road still have decades of life left in them, so what to do?
Mayor Rick Ramsey said he was driving around with Murphy Power Board Chairman Larry Kernea when he hit on a novel idea – since we can’t get light from above, how about from below? Ground-level lights then were installed that make the drive safer and scenery attractive.
The result is a much more compelling entrance to town. When construction finally finishes on U.S. 64, you can also expect to see a new “Welcome to Murphy” sign at that intersection and possibly those antique polls on the west side of Hiawassee Street. Thanks to all for this nice addition to town.
DAVID BROWN: Our veterans come first here
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