More from candidates
Thank you to the Cherokee Scout for providing the space for local candidates to tell us why they deserve our vote.
With that said, only two of the seven candidates provided written submissions. The two-term mayor, running for re-election, appears to have been interviewed.
How does a reader know what the mayor said versus what was professionally written for him?
Then there were four other candidates – maybe just three, appeal pending – who haven’t yet submitted anything for the voters to review. What are voters supposed to base their voting decisions on?
Come on candidates, we need to see more from you, you need to be better.
How can we trust you to make Andrews better?
Mark von Dwingelo, Andrews
Editor’s note: The Cherokee Scout did not interview any of the candidates for 2025 election profiles. All submissions are published just as they are sent to us, and we’re still waiting for some.
Keep all good words coming
Kudos to Ed Figueroa’s guest column and the Cherokee Scout for publishing what is a most concise, clear commentary and critique of the causes and consequences, both short and long term, that plague Cherokee County relative to leadership or lack thereof, and why they will continue to do so if significant changes in the administration are not implemented.
Please continue the excellent reporting of the issues that impact the community, and publishing the words and thoughts of those constituents that you serve.
Henry Saludes, Murphy
Expect more cheating here
Children, dogs, gin rummy, and love’s done kept us together for decades.
Yesterday, I started off the gin game saying I never cheat, but immediately I picked up my discarded nine of clubs, only to put it back, upon seeing the eight of clubs underneath – a minor cheat, but a cheat just the same.
We’ve fatally cheated our beautiful world for hundreds of years: we should expect global human destruction. Our latest rotten politics are a result of a culture rotten to the core; bloated by centuries of fossil fuels consumption leading to overpopulation, warming, pollution, and an impending global human catastrophe.
Our only solution, or salvation, is a private, internal one, where we seek and find peace within ourselves. This solution is always available, but oftentimes is less meaningful than a fart in a windstorm.
In a culture sunk by the use of oil, The Don is to be expected, demanding oil, gas and coal, while destroying wind, solar and electric energy. (If you can’t take this as fact, take it as a Sci-Fi story.)
Do we have any hope?
With a Congress full of spineless politicians, I doubt it. It’s best to seek your own light and strength, close to home.
My friend, Brian, posted on Facebook a picture of a dozen women, posed, standing in a New Mexican river, while behind them, mushrooming into the sky, is the world’s first atomic bomb explosion. Don’t expect another American election anytime soon.
Harry Holdorf, Blairsville, Ga.
Thankful for Choices
I wanted to thank you and all at the Cherokee Scout for all you do. You have been great supporters of Choices, and it matters.
You are saving lives and help raise family to our Lord. Thank you.
Joe Doty, Murphy
The writer is executive director at Choices Pregnancy and Family Center of WNC. Visit choicesofwnc.com.
‘Black Vultures’
(One two, three …)
One day, driving past a field I see almost every day,
(Four, five, one on the ground – six)
where the white cows lived before.
(Seven, two on that gate – nine)
Grass grown tall with no cows to trim it
(10, 11, 12, 13, 14! )
Black wings in the field now
black heads, naked heads,
Most, sitting on posts,
I recognized Black Vultures.
I stopped the car better to count the assembled gathering.
15, 16, 17, 18 … 18!
They serve an important purpose, you know,
carry out an important task:
They volunteer for the sanitation department.
(19! … 20! )
Cleaning up mangled carcasses along the highways
Why were 20 vultures sitting in the same area,
On fence posts or on the ground, none soaring,
none wobbly gliding as they can do.
None feeding? No carcass in sight.
A group of vultures when resting is called a “committee.”
What were they discussing? Deciding? Determining?
(Where was No. 21?)
They mate for life, you know.
How many pairs were present?
How many children? Can the kids vote?
Was there even a quorum?
I think our school board could learn a lot from these vultures.
Annie Grace Bassage, Murphy
The writer is a member of the N.C. Writers Network, West who participates in an online poetry writer’s workshop at tiferetjournal.com.
Jesus Christ loves Israel
When Jesus Christ walked upon Earth He was rejected by His own people of Israel. It may look as if Christ labored in vain, but His confidence was in His heavenly Father; even the death of our Lord Jesus was a victory, the greatest victory the world has ever seen.
At Christ’s first coming, He brought salvation to the world. Thus, God’s purposes were not thwarted by evil planners. God heard the prayer of Christ, and He whom the nation crucified will be the One before whom all will one day bow and kneel and acknowledge His Lordship.
God’s purpose for the nation of Israel is spot on when all are back in their land, then both the heavens and Earth can rejoice.
Today, however, everything is more or less out of place as far as the world is concerned. God’s people should be in their land; they are not. The church should be in heaven with Christ, but the church is still in the world. The devil should be in hell, but he is walking around the earth seeking whom he can devour. The Lord Jesus Christ should be sitting upon His throne over Earth, ruling and reigning, but He is still at the right hand of God.
There are many things that have to be shifted around and put in its proper place, even the people of Israel think they are forsaken by God, but what a beautiful assurance God gives them that they are not forsaken. In God’s time, He will restore the nation of Israel to its rightful place.
God used the Gentiles in the past to scatter Israel’s people; however, at the end of time, God will bring them back into their land by the hands of the Gentiles. A fitting promise that God made to the nation of Israel.
Frank Combs, Blairsville, Ga.
Learn what’s being stolen
I’ve wanted to write for a while, but President Donald Trump has slammed me with so much hard news I didn’t know where to start.
First, I hope all of you are holding up well as this summer turns into fall. I love to see children dressed up (or down) for school and remember how exciting this time was years ago in my school days. I’m sending love to all the children.
I’m trying to understand why this great country that my Dad and so many others fought for in World War II has turned into something resembling the countries we fought against.
How do you feel about Trump’s giving in to President Vladimir Putin of Russia, who invaded Ukraine? Were you proud that he invited Putin the invader to Alaska, and literally had our troops roll out a red carpet for him and clapped as Putin the murderer of Ukrainian children approached? When did a Communist dictator become our president’s best friend? And why?
Another hard news thing I can’t understand is why Trump won’t release the Jeffrey Epstein files and why he released Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s alleged partner in sexually defiling women and children as young as age 14, from a maximum security prison in Florida to a country club prison in Texas.
The news is so sordid and so scary that I suspect most of us who watch the news (not on Fox News), want to turn away. That’s hard for me though, since my grandson, Michael, who survives only because Medicaid is losing his coverage in 2026.
Did you know Medicare is getting a huge hit from the bill Republicans passed to mostly benefit the billionaires among us? I hope you’re one, but if not, I hope you’ll wake up and learn what’s being stolen from us all.
Joan Tidwell, Andrews
Come watch guitar player
I want to take this opportunity to encourage everyone to attend Songwriters Showcase 56 on Saturday, Sept. 13, at 7:30 p.m. at the Peacock Performing Arts Center in Hayesville.
My friend, Jimmy Robinson, who has a unique virtuoso approach to playing the guitar, is coming from his base in New Orleans as one of four featured guitar players at the Showcase, and I can tell you attendees are in for a real treat. Plenty of good seats are still available.
Tom Hudon, Morganton, Ga.
Give Smith second term
Lies. Omissions. Misinformation. In print and rumor. These are wicked, destructive acts. I’m for facts, truth and transparency. Are you?
If so, invite Cherokee County Sheriff Dustin Smith to speak to your civic or church group. To dispel biased inaccuracies, he will provide informative details about his department and gratefully give credible answers to your questions.
Smith is immensely valuable to Cherokee County. Regardless of the uncountable times county commissioners have figuratively shackled him in handcuffs and hurled stop sticks in his path to prevent much-needed progress, Smith steadfastly forges forward for our good.
Despite this constant struggle, he creatively accomplished much with more goals to be met. Even a glimpse into his successes will show his worth.
With the exception of Commissioner Ben Adams, who recognizes the obvious needs law enforcement has to effectively do their demanding, often dangerous jobs, other commissioners evidently don’t. Or maybe they do. And just don’t care. Either scenario is unacceptable.
This refusal to cooperate proves commissioners not only work against our grossly underpaid sheriff and his staff, they very plainly work against you, too.
I urge you to attend county commission meetings. Be aware. Get involved. Ask a lot of questions. Hold commissioners accountable. These men were elected to work for us. Time after time they have shown they don’t.
Remember this at the voting booth. Hopefully, before then some qualified men and women will add their names to the county commissioner section of the election ballot to take their places. Change is long overdue. Until that happens, we will not be a priority.
To learn about Smith, visit reelectdustinsmithforsheriff.com then use info@reelectdustinsmithforsheriff.com to request a speaking engagement. You will have no doubt that he is the man for the job who deserves another term to continue improving our community.
Tamara Phillips, Murphy
Be sensitive in tragedies
I am writing to express my outrage and deep disappointment regarding your recent article covering the tragic passing of a local man. Publishing such graphic, detailed coverage while his family is still reeling from shock and grief is not only insensitive, it is cowardly.
The decision to run this story in the manner you did shows a blatant disregard for the humanity of the deceased and his loved ones. At a time when the family deserves dignity, privacy and compassion, you chose sensationalism. That is not journalism – it is exploitation.
A truly courageous newsroom understands the weight of its responsibility: to inform with integrity, to respect grieving families and to balance public interest with compassion. In this case, you failed on all accounts.
I urge you to reflect on the harm caused by this piece and to reconsider how you handle stories of tragedy in the future. Families deserve better than to have their worst moments turned into headlines for clicks.
Carly Murray, Brasstown
Doubling the costs
The 2024-25 high school swimming season cost Cherokee County Schools $3,000 for use of the Murphy Health & Fitness Center pool.
How can it be that the proposed 2025-26 could cost as high as $6,830, more than double last year’s cost for the same usage? Within this proposed cost is a $200 charge for hosting our eighth annual Candy Cane Invitational swim meet. The high school season begins Oct. 29 and ends with state championships Feb. 7.
In September 2021, the Cherokee Scout reported the county’s pool and fitness center had been leased to a non-county businessman. Of course, the goal of a business is to make a profit. Many improvements have been made to the center and, for the most part, the pool venue is excellent.
However, a couple of deplorable conditions remain. First, when the outside temperature goes below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, there is constant dripping from the ceiling. Imagine when winter gets here how the “rainfall” will get everything wet. Wet enough to grow mildew on the windows and destroy swim team equipment. Yes, rain wear is necessary.
A second condition is when the fog over the pool is so dense one cannot see across the six-lane pool – forget seeing the entire 25-yard length. Safety concern?
Franklin High is the only school our swimmers compete against that pays more than $3,000. Smoky Mountain, Highlands, Union County, Gilmer, Rabun Gap, Tallulah Falls pay either much less or nothing. In addition to pool time, the team(s) must pay meet entry fees, uniforms or team suits, transportation, equipment replacement, officials and coaching.
I fail to see how the high schools use of four lanes disrupts the overall pool usage to the extent of doubling our cost. In previous years, we have always enabled other lap swimmers to swim.
Murphy Health & Fitness is good. The pool is underused, and one high school swim practice should not have to pay the entire cost to maintain daily pool costs.
Frank Bachteler, Murphy
Science vs. politicians
In today’s world, it can often feel as if science is under siege. Though not infallible, science has consistently propelled human progress, driving our evolution and improving our quality of life. While science is a self-correcting process, where theories are revised and improved over time, it remains our most reliable path to understanding the universe.
Yet, in the midst of a politically charged climate, we see a troubling trend: the marginalization of scientific thought in favor of political correctness and emotional agendas. When decisions are made based on self-serving motivations rather than evidence, the consequences can be dire.
History teaches us that when science is sidelined, societies suffer. The progress we have made in medicine, technology and social welfare all stem from a commitment to intellectual integrity. If we allow political tribalism to overshadow this commitment, we risk reversing decades of advancement.
The stakes are high. Our universities, research institutions and intellectuals form the bedrock of a forward-thinking society. Their work ensures that we continue to evolve and solve the complex challenges of our time. Disregarding their contributions in favor of short-term political gains is a recipe for disaster.
In conclusion, while science is not perfect, it remains our best tool for progress. We must protect it from the encroachment of political agendas and ensure that the pursuit of knowledge remains at the forefront of our societal values.
Only then can we safeguard a brighter future for all.
Ed Figueroa, Ranger
You better think twice
American cars and trucks are still made in America, but a lot of the parts in them are made overseas.
I can’t believe John Deere would ever let me down so bad. I can’t believe my Stanley thermos bottle is made in China.
The name-brand fruit juice I was going to buy is only 15% juice.
Once I thought 65 years old was old. I’ve had a change of heart.
Tim Johnson, Ellenboro