Thankful for Bible column
The following letter was addressed to Publisher David Brown.
Thank you for the column you wrote titled, “What does the Bible say on candidates?” that appeared on page 4A in the Cherokee Scout on Feb. 25.
It was a breath of fresh air which brought truth, clarity and inspiration for those of us seeking God’s best for our community. (Numbers 6:24-26.)
Linda Perrey, Murphy
Seeking a resolution
I recently posted on Facebook trying to get some information on the tower near the old golf course and Harshaw Road.
At night, all of a sudden I had this bright white light like strobing in my face as I tried to sleep. I’ve lived here nearly two years and had never had this issue. Was told by the radio tower owner, Wendy Alexander, that the bulbs had been changed to LED, which explained the brightness, but she also said the red lights are on at night and that the tower was compliant.
I am here to state it’s not compliant. The past three nights, and many others since the switch, the white lights have been on all night long. I’m not trying to be difficult or get anyone in trouble, I’m concerned a sensor isn’t working and keeping the white lights on at night, which I’ve been told is dangerous for pilots.
The Facebook group has turned off commenting on my original post. Posted another of my posts, which had many responses today, which I responded to – and within an hour it was all gone. And now they refuse to post any of my posts referring to the tower, which makes me wonder if someone is running interference.
I can’t contact anyone. I’ve reached out to Alexander and am hoping for a response, but this is something that needs to be looked into.
Mercedes Porter, Murphy
CPI needs a real overhaul
The Consumer Price Index is often referenced when discussing affordability. Unfortunately, the CPI grossly underestimates the true increase in inflation that most of us experience. I can give you three examples where the calculated CPI grossly underestimates the cost increases that impact many of us.
First, health insurance. My wife’s health insurance premium went up more that 30% this year, but the CPI ignores rising premiums and deductibles, instead tracking insurance companies’ “retained earnings.” When your copay jumps, the CPI sees a “cost shift,” not a price increase.
Second, “Tipflation.” Digital payment screens pressure consumers into high tips for basic services. Since in the CPI calculation these are viewed as “discretionary gifts,” this spike in personal spending remains invisible to official data. When you buy a $4 drink and are made to feel obligated to add a $1 tip the ultimate price you are paying is $5, which is 25% higher.
Third, homeowners’ insurance. Insurers are aggressively raising “replacement values” – often based on overestimates – to justify higher premiums. Yet, the CPI excludes homeowners’ insurance entirely, viewing it as an investment cost rather than a consumption expense. Based on a new estimated replacement cost, my insurance company significantly raised my homeowner’s insurance this past year.
I recently got a bid to replace my roof. When I check my insurer’s calculation of the estimated cost to replace my roof was significantly higher as the bid I had received. My homeowner insurance increased more than 20% this year.
The CPI, the government’s official rate of inflation, is a mathematical fiction that ignores the receipts in our pockets. The government needs to stop telling us affordability is not an issue and overhaul the CPI calculation to reflect the modern reality of the American consumer.
Jan Lukens, Unaka
Murphy new sign is beautiful
Well, indeed, I spoke too soon (in a letter to the editor in the Cherokee Scout on March 11).
Our handsome brick “Welcome to Murphy” sign may be gone, but it has been replaced with a beautiful new sign. Yay!
Plus, I was happy to see more than one location of the beautiful new signs. Not sure who’s in charge of that, but good job.
Carol Sumner, Murphy
Proofreading help offered
I enjoy each and every edition of the weekly Cherokee Scout. It is for that reason I’m noticing time and time again that someone – other than auto-correct – is not proofreading the entire newspaper from front to back before rolling it off the presses to be enjoyed by everyone week after week, 52 weeks per year.
In the March 4 edition on page 5B, “DeJayco retires, Erlanger welcomes Gary as CEO,” in three different instances Stephanie Gary has been spelled Gray instead of Gary – one is under Ms. Gary’s photograph – second is “DeJaco has worked closely as a mentor and prepared Gray for this role – and third is “DeJaco officially retired on Feb. 28 and Gray assumed her role as CFO effective March 1.”
I am retired, but earned my paralegal certificate at Kennesaw State University in December 1993 while working for two years at Georgia Pacific. I would be happy to come in and assist.
Linda Louise Graham, Andrews