Why inmate not in cuffs?
I’m writing in regard to the article “Blame exchanged on jail equipment funding” by Cherokee Scout Editor Randy Foster on page 9A in the Aug. 13 edition.
While the question of why Cherokee County Sheriff’s Detention Transport Officer Francisco Flattes wasn’t wearing a safety vest is a valid one, a larger concern has not been mentioned.
Why was inmate Kelvin Simmons not in handcuffs, or shackles, while being transported to and from the doctor’s office? Had he been, the shooting likely would never have happened, and Flattes would be alive.
I would like Sheriff Dustin Smith to answer that question, please. Officer training is the sheriff’s responsibility, is it not?
Teresa Pullium, Andrews
Lakes cool off nuclear plants
I am amazed that Cherokee County commissioners want to sell our public federal lands. They are also ill informed about forest management and wilderness designations.
There are no wilderness areas in Cherokee County. Those places of interest are useless for timber harvest.
There is a very small piece of land in the far-northwestern part of the county where it is so steep and windy that the trees look like bonsai trees. I spent four years working with the U.S. Forest Service Collaborative on issues concerning forest management. This group consisted of very diverse interests, such as logging companies, environmentalists , equestrians, cyclists, hunters, fishermen, etc.
The two groups that agreed most were environmentalists and loggers. The loggers wanted nothing to do with the proposed wilderness area, and the environmentalists agreed to cut timber in the lower lands. Decades ago, the lower land in the Shuler Creek basin was planted with white pine, and this timber is being harvested.
I have asked Dr. Dan Eichenbaum and other commissioners to go with me many times and see for themselves the progress good forest management can do. They all have refused. They insist on living in their own micro-cosmos and remain ill informed.
Federally owned land belongs to we, the people. As a public land owner, I can hunt, fish, camp, hike and generally roam freely on my public lands.
Eichenbaum has come up with an ignorant, half-baked idea to sell some lakefront property. Hiwassee and Fontana lakes were built as water reservoirs to cool nuclear plants in the Tennessee Valley. This is why there is little to no private land on the shore line.
These two lakes are deep. They hold a huge amount of water and this water is essential for cooling.
The Forest Service is doing an excellent job nowadays in managing our forest with responsible logging practices, recreation and conservation. Federally owned land belongs to all American citizens.
Lake levels fluctuate because of low river levels in dry months, so there will be no luxury hotel on Hiwassee Lake. The commissioners need to spend more time informing themselves instead of coming up with hare-brained ideas and conspiracy theories.
David Wood, Murphy
Court cases decide tariffs
A lot of words were used in the letter titled “President has power to tariff” in last week’s newspaper.
My only response is perhaps we should wait for the results of several lawsuits challenging those tariffs, which are pending in the U.S. Court of Appeals in multiple districts. The leading case involves 12 states and five import companies.
Does the author actually believe that tariffs levied because the president’s friend in Brazil was arrested, or tariffs threatened because he hasn’t been awarded a Nobel Peace Prize, will be found legal?
Tom Hudon, Morganton, Ga.
Animals need new approach
We were at the Cherokee County Courthouse to attend a meeting of the county commissioners – you know, the one where they were seeking “public input” on their recent proposal to cut off funding for the Valley River Humane Society unless they start killing the animals every 72 hours.
We’ve lived in Cherokee County almost 50 years and have met quite a few people, but I don’t think any one of them would want our county to be known as the place where homeless dogs and cats go to die. It could no longer be called a “shelter” – it would truly be a “death camp.” A few might find homes, but most would be exterminated in three days.
We’ve taken several strays to the animal shelter over the years, and they’ve always found homes for them. We’ve also adopted several pets from there.
It is an insult to the staff and many volunteers who work there to even think they would agree to this. These are people who put up with the heat, cold, bad weather, noise, stink, filth, heartache and ever-present danger to ensure these animals find their forever homes – no matter how long it takes.
What’s needed is a new approach to the increasing problem of this area being a dumping ground for the lost, unwanted, homeless and otherwise unfortunate dogs and cats. If the county doesn’t want to spend the money on the shelter, we can hire an animal control officer – or several. Also, enact laws with steep penalties for those who can tribute to this problem.
Finally, to the readers of this – let your representative know how you feel. Have your pets spayed or neutered. Visit the shelter and take home a companion for life – there’s one waiting for you right now.
Jon and Toni Barmmer, Murphy