Let’s all be neighborly
In these days of division, how many of us are strong enough to be kind?
Probably 99% of us are kind to our children, wife, husband, grandparents and friends. But how many of us can withstand the torrent of abuse toward immigrants to see them as suffering aspirational humans like us?
And how many MAGA or plain-old Republicans can see us liberals as neighbors, rather than demons with horns and tails?
And how many Democrats and independents can make room in their hearts for President Donald Trump, J.D. Vance, Pete Hegseth, Pam Bondi, Karoline Leavitt, Kash Patel and Kristie Noem?
Hard as it seems, we can be a bridge to bring all Americans back to the founders’ promise. I’m going to keep trying.
Joan Tidwell, Arden
Parade was disappointing
I am writing this with great disappointment and confusion regarding the Murphy Christmas Parade on Dec. 6.
I attended the parade and was blown away by the lack of music, caroling, creativity or festive holiday spirit in general. There were hardly any floats at all, and the majority of the entire parade consisted of a plethora of fire trucks and regular pickups, which were not decorated in the slightest.
If one did not know there was anything special happening, you might think it was just a regular Saturday night of heavy traffic. Absence of anything related to the season was heavily noted and makes me question why there was even a parade at all.
Was any planning involved in this? Were people’s and businesses floats not reviewed and/or inspected beforehand? If so, whoever was in charge of doing that failed tremendously, and I would question their ability to do that job.
It is interesting to me that the town has a budget for senseless projects, yet when it comes to community events like this parade or even the Independence Day celebration, it seems like there is little, if any, effort to make it worthwhile.
Perhaps this year’s sponsor was Ebenezer Scrooge because it was nothing more than a load of bah humbug.
Even those dressed in Grinch costumes appeared to be more cheery than joy-less St. Nick himself. I would close by saying Merry Christmas, but any merriment I may have had was squandered by that display of nothingness.
T. Gibson, Hanging Dog
Actions are embarrassing
Dustin Smith is displaying a reckless bold in asking Cherokee County voters for their continued support.
Considering the embarrassment his actions brought upon your community, along with the disgrace now upon the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Smith should add “mucking stalls” to his resume, as no honorable sheriff’s office would touch him.
Cherokee County voters can flush the toilet or continue wasting taxpayer money. Show this clown who your county belongs to.
Darrin Wright, Hayesville
Should Vandy play for it all?
Vanderbilt was No. 10 in the Coaches Poll ... they should challenge the CFP winner in Honolulu.
Harry Holdorf, Blairsville, Ga.
Good people in local office
Please! The time for change is long overdue. You can make the desperately needed difference for Cherokee County.
I urge concerned, caring, intelligent and community-minded residents to add their names to the county commissioner election roster.
But hurry. The deadline for the March 3 primary is noon Friday.
The never-ending cycle of Commissioners Cal Stiles (District 1 from Andrews to Topton) and Dan Eichenbaum (District 4 that includes
Hothouse, Culberson, Ranger and Bellview) must be broken for the betterment of our count and its citizens. Replacement commissioners are a must.
Joined by Commissioner Alan Bryant, they create a three-sided “Stop” sign, which equals a majority of non-doers working against us, not for us. This fiasco has forced Commissioner Ben Adams (who actually respected us) to resign.
After butting his head into an impenetrable brick wall for fours, Adams finally had enough of the continuous getting nowhere routine. In his words, “Can get nothing done with the current makeup of the board.”
If you’re unaware of the prevailing idiocy that has occurred and still does, please do some quick research. You’ll probably be shocked to learn just how low you are on the citizens necessity priority list.
I believe in serving our community. And I do in other ways. If I were younger, my hat would definitely be thrown into this unprofessional and embarrassing political ring to fight for us.
Serving citizens means far more than having an ego-based title. It requires real concern, commitment, foresight and sensibility.
Hopefully, the seriousness of this situation will prompt you to run, not walk, to add your name to the election roster.
Tamara Phillips, Murphy
Take your trash home
Ten years and 420 bags ago, my friend John and I began cleaning up other people’s mess on Martins Creek Road. We grow weary of this volunteer task – and we’re not getting any younger – but appreciate the folks who honk, wave and say thank you.
The roadside looks good for a day or two. Then the ugly habit of tossing garbage out the car or truck window begins again. I will never understand how human beings can so carelessly stain and scar our beautiful mountain landscape. This is where we live and work. We take care of our homes and property. We are grateful to be here.
Take your trash home with you and bag it. Clean up your own mess. Grow up. Keep North Carolina clean and green. How hard is that?
Bob Sharp, Martins Creek
New Digs looks back
As the year comes to an end, we would like to thank the nonprofits and individuals for all their help – Granny’s Attic for the grant money that will be used in Clay County; Animal Rescue Financial Support for all their time and assistance; Sandy Hazen, Pat and Jeannette Kern and Kendra Martin; Dove Profiles; all our volunteers and friends who care for animals.
Consider volunteering at the Valley River Humane Society. Donate pet treats, blankets and towels.
Bring pets in during the severe cold weather and always spay and neuter your pets. Thank you.
Debbie Graham, Hayesville
The writer is a volunteer with New Digs for Dogs.