Some true Samaritans
I was moved to write this letter about humans making a difference. I stumbled on the Cherokee Scout’s article “Thrift store helps fund local aid” about three weeks ago. I cut it out to call later and find out where they are located to donate.
(By the way, they are now in the Kobe Grill shopping center in Andrews.)
Later, we had a pipe bust and had to turn off the water. I called a local nonprofit that wasn’t able to help and suggested I call someone else. I looked over, saw the article, called and said if y’all can help, I will pay you. Curtis informed me they were busy helping someone in a crisis but would come as soon as they could.
They made it that evening, and it was dark and raining. They were so kind and kept smiling, I knew they were a Godsend.
They had to run to Lowe’s. Long story short, Jacen and Steven fixed the busted pipe that was under my mobile home! I tried to pay them, but they wouldn’t take my money. I said, “You two guys will be blessed!”
I found out that I could take a donation to the thrift store, where they have a “donation box.”
After this experience, any and all of my donations must go to the Southern Samaritans, for they are the real deal in helping others. I continue to pray that our heavenly Father will bless people like this!
And that “all” nonprofits will help people in need, for they are the “true Samaritans” (Luke 10:29-37) in this world.
Gail Reed, Murphy
Money rolling in for Trump
Evita was a popular musical on Broadway in 1976 about the life of Eva Perone, the wife of Juan Perone, the leader of Argentina. One of the popular songs in the musical was titled “And The Money Kept Rolling In” about corruption during that time in the government. That song comes to mind each time I hear about Trump’s latest grift episode. Let me mention a few.
Just days before the 2025 inauguration, Abu Dhabi investment vehicle backed by UAB’s national advisor purchased a 49% of World Liberty Financial for $500 million, sending $187 million to entities controlled by the Trump family. World Liberty is Trump’s crypto company.
Trump meme coin launched just before 2025 inauguration saw a massive value increase, with entities tied to Trump’s family controlling 80% of supply.
Pardons and regulatory changes to dismantle anti-corruption and crypto regulations that threaten to stifle Trump family new business. It has been reported that Trump’s family has gained up to $4 billion since in office.
Qatar gave and Trump accepted a $400 million airplane against rules prohibiting such a grift. This is only one of many expensive grifted items given and accepted by Trump.
It is reported that Trump’s golf outings cost U.S. taxpayers over $68 million.
The headline to a story about Trump in the New York Daily News was this – “The Most Powerful Crime Syndicate In History.” When you compare what Eva Perone did to Trump, her grift was only peanuts. Not only has it benefitted Trump but most of his minions. “And The Money Keeps Rolling In.”
Keith Bruce, Andrews
Tough men also abused
For the men whose stories are often overlooked, especially those who grew up in rural communities, where boys are taught to “suck it up,” “be tough” and believe that boys don’t cry. Those lessons run deep, and for many men, they become a barrier to asking for help when abuse happens.
To the sons, brothers, cousins, fathers and friends living with domestic violence: what you are experiencing is real, and it matters. Abuse does not disappear because you are strong, hardworking or raised to endure pain quietly. Emotional, physical, and psychological abuse can affect anyone, regardless of gender or background.
Too many men stay silent because they fear being judged, not believed or seen as weak. But strength is not measured by how much pain you can hide. Real strength is found in honesty, in protecting yourself, and in choosing safety.
If you are hurting, you deserve support, respect and a path to healing. You are not alone, and you are not failing by reaching out.
It’s time we remind our communities that being tough should never mean suffering.
Cecilia Crawford--Faulkner, Murphy
Cecilia Crawford-Faulkner is the executive director of Reach of Cherokee & Graham Counties. You can reach her office by phone at 828-837-2097, by email at director@reachofcherokeecounty.org, or visit reachofcherokeecounty.org.
Don’t close four schools
I would like to thank David Brown for his convincing argument in last week’s newspaper against the school board’s concept of a huge consolidated pre-kindergarten through 8th grade mega-school with as many as 1,200 kids. As he and others have pointed out, there is no evidence that this idea would be “feasible” (ie improve our kid’s education, be a better allocation of financial resources, and in fact even be affordable) as the state requires for serious funding consideration.
It is important to note that while the vote to send this idea to the county commission for approval was initially 7-0, the final school board vote to submit an application to the state without county commission approval was a split 4-3 vote. The three who voted against submitting the proposal clearly understood that without the required county commission endorsement there was no hope for any serious consideration by the state.
I hope voters can have a chance to ask all the candidates in the March 3 primary, both for school board and county commission, where they stand on the idea of closing three community elementary schools (Martins Creek, Peachtree and Murphy along with Murphy Middle) in favor of a huge consolidated mega-school.
David Liden, Martins Creek
Know what vote means
From a dry ridge on Pinelog to the banks of the Tusquittee Creek, I read papers, books, listen to the radio, watch news, search the Internet.
Now let’s look at claims vs. fact. Let’s say you are a member of a jury concerning a murder trial. The defense attorney claims the suspect is innocent, the prosecuting attorney claims the suspect is guilty. Your job is to reach a verdict which is based on claims and facts. “Facts” themselves are not always true. Before anything is a fact, it is first a claim.
On the news, the airwaves, Internet, etc., what percentage of things do you think is a proven fact. For example, if I type in the question, how many “illegals” come into the U.S. under Biden/Harris, the answer is never the same. Some say 10 million; some say as many as 20 million; some say Renee Good hit the ICE agent with her car, some say she didn’t; some say the fraud in Minnesota is under one billion dollars; some say it’s over eight billion.
Crime, let’s go a little further than 10. Of the most 30 most crime ridden cities, 27 are run by Democrats, this should tell you something.
As far as the 2020 election being stolen, well, Biden would not want me sitting in a juror’s seat, my verdict – guilty.
By the way, does anyone wonder why the Democrats had no interest in the Epstein files while Biden was in office? The Democrats had four years to make them public. The shutdown which we are in now effects 13 percent of the government, so I’ve read.
Whether you claim the Republican party is at fault or the Democrat party, the choice is yours, you are the juror.
Now if you vote Democrat, I assume you share their beliefs. If you vote Republican, I assume you share their beliefs.
I do not share the Democrats beliefs and before you vote, I hope you know what the Democratic beliefs are.
Perry Reece, Hayesville
Agriculture is best for plants
A new report from the United Nations Environment Programme delivers a wake-up call we cannot ignore. In its latest State of Finance for Nature 2026, the agency reveals a staggering imbalance: for every dollar invested in protecting and restoring nature, thirty dollars are spent destroying it. Imagine trying to fill a bathtub while the drain is wide open. That is how we are funding our future.
The report urges governments and financial institutions to redirect money toward nature-based solutions and to phase out harmful subsidies. But this shift does not live only in boardrooms and policy briefs. It lives on our plates.
Animal agriculture drives deforestation, devours freshwater, and plays a significant role in climate catastrophe. Forests fall to grow feed crops. Wetlands are drained to make room for grazing. Animals in nature lose their homes – so meat, eggs, and dairy can fill supermarket shelves. When we choose vegan foods, we invest directly in forests standing tall, rivers running clear and animals thriving.
You do not need a hedge fund to fund nature. You can do it at breakfast. Tofu scramble instead of eggs. Oats instead of dairy. Beans instead of beef. Every vegan meal becomes an act of compassion – a personal portfolio that makes for cleaner air, richer soil, and a livable climate.
If we truly want returns that last, let’s start investing where it matters most: in nature itself.
Rebecca Libauskas, Norfolk, Va.
The writer is Climate Research Specialist with The PETA Foundation.