Independent districts commission needed
After multiple judges held N.C. Senate and congressional districts unconstitutional, Democrats in the General Assembly have once again filed legislation to create an independent redistricting commission. While it has little hope of passing the Republican-led Legislature, it’s a good blueprint for both parties to follow if they’re actually interested in fair elections.
The Fair Maps Act would create a citizens redistricting commission to draw districts based on the U.S. Census and federal laws regarding population, compactness and more. The commission would have 15 members – five Republicans, five Democrats and five unaffiliated.
Members would be appointed by legislative leaders and randomly selected by the N.C. Human Relations Commission from a total of 60 eligible applications. Lobbyists, major political donors and relatives of legislators would be banned from the commission, which would also hold at least 20 public meetings before a final version is adopted.
Because the shift would require a change to the N.C. Constitution, the bill would also require the approval of a majority of voters in 2024. We encourage our legislators to give this model a close look; after all, your party may not be in charge the next time redistricting comes around, and if this bill is done right it would ensure an even playing field for all political stripes – now and then.
Waller will be missed
It was with great sadness that we learned about the death of Kirsty Waller, director of the Valley River Humane Society and a fierce advocate for animals – so much so that she has been credited with saving 14,000 of them during her seven years on the job.
Her sudden death on Feb. 1 was shocking, but thankfully the community has responded with kindness. A nice crowd turned up for humane society’s meeting on Feb. 8 to offer comfort and help. It may take a lot of people to fill Waller’s shoes, but many hands make light work.
Newcomers to the community may not know about past turmoil at the humane society, including a complete turnover on the board of directors, financial challenges and lack of support. Waller helped change all that, putting the organization on solid ground to better serve Cherokee, Clay and Graham counties. You can help by volunteering a little of your time, donating a little of your money or just dropping off bags of cat and dog food.
To Waller’s family and friends, we offer our most sincere condolences. And to the animals, let’s all pledge to do whatever we can to keep the shelter in Marble a no-kill facility that puts finding homes for our furry four-legged friends first.
Ordinance gets noisy
The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners voted to kill the draft of a new noise ordinance
on Feb. 6, which is understandable since it was so broadly drawn that it brought out plenty of opposition for a variety of reasons. However, that also means the county still hasn’t put anything in place to protect local residents from crypto mines or other industries that could destroy their quality of life.
John Worden, a local teacher and former commission candidate, was spot-on when he said during the public hearing that everybody shouldn’t suffer the consequences of what unenclosed crypto mines have brought to the area around Harshaw Road in Murphy. Instead, a land-use plan could create specific areas where certain industries – as defined by the county – are only allowed to operate.
Unfortunately, because of fears about that sort of plan eventually leading to restrictive zoning, officials are hesitant to even explore that option. That’s a shame, because even the county attorney admitted that a land-use plan – not a noise ordinance – is the best route to take.
Courtroom drama
The murder trial taking place over the last two weeks at the Cherokee County Courthouse is yet another example of the wheels of justice spinning mighty slow in these parts.
The lawyer for Bryan Crisp asked a judge to dismiss charges, saying his client’s constitutional and state rights were violated because it took nearly seven years for his trial to take place.
While the judge declined to dismiss the case, this continues a disturbing trend of crimes taking far too long to come to trial. Memories fade with time, making it more difficult for the truth to come out.
– Publisher David Brown