We the people almost broke
After reading Penny Ray’s article “County increases property taxes” in the July 7 edition of the Cherokee Scout, a few things really bothered me.
First, the increase of 4 cents was not dedicated nor earmarked for a specific expense. That, to me, seems a bit suspicious. Anytime county commissioners increase the public taxes, there should be a dedicated line item with proof of need. The reason given for the increase is rather vague. Could the reason be they see this federal judgment of $4.6 million looming on the horizon?
Second, very disturbing was the fact that this will not cover the civil judgments brought against the very people who are raising our taxes.
These commissioners have cost “we the people “hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years, including firing staff without following the proper protocols and legal due process. Remember the sheriff’s lawsuits.
Now, here we are again, having to foot the bill for malfeasance in our social services agency for $4.6 million, if a judge sides with our own insurance company. Think about that.
Our own county insurer is suing us because we have incompetent leadership. As the writer states, the 4-cent increase, which the commissioners approved, pales in comparison to the $4.6 million.
Come election time, maybe we should elect more competent people and a new county attorney. Anymore of these bailouts for bad decisions and our county will be broke.
Or should I say, “We the people will be broke.”
Karen Burwell
Murphy
Be respectful, but not silent
Dan Adams was right in his letter last week to chastise me for belittling the people who made up the audience at a recent meeting of Citizens for a Better America by calling them “aging sad sacks.”
Civility has taken a huge hit in the past four years, and I regret my role in furthering its decline.
That said, however, I would encourage citizens who genuinely care about their community to re-read both my letter and Mr. Adams’ because I believe we have entered dangerous territory when we seek to turn neighbor against neighbor, when we are can label those with different political views “evil” as Mr. Adams has done.
Mr. Adams further counseled me to “shut up,” which I respectfully decline to do.
We can and must do better than the dark and destructive vision of America that he and his group are promoting, and I will continue speaking out against such nonsense and to advocate for an inclusive, progressive vision for my community and my country.
I will try harder in the future to do so with as much respect as I can muster for those with such misguided, un-American views.
I invite Mr. Adams and all others – on all sides of this argument – to join me.
Silence in the face of such wrongheadedness is not an option.
Tony Tharp
Murphy
Use location to advantage
Thanks to Murphy for having a festival downtown, long time overdue. Now for the bad part.
First, why so many police at a family gathering? Really not needed.
And second, why did I need to pay $5 for wristband, only to be charged full price for beer?
And last, but not least, Murphy has beautiful riverfront. Instead of cool walkways, grass and trees, the festival was in the middle of a hot street baking everyone. I love Murphy but think as a town we do not take advantage of our beautiful location.
Lee Daniels
Murphy
Good luck with getting license
If you are eligible for an online renewal of your driver’s license, consider yourself fortunate. If your time is up and you need to show up in person to obtain a driver’s license renewal, then plan on driving to Bryson City and waiting for a very long time.
Although Andrews, Franklin, Sylva, etc., all say you can book an appointment online, one will discover there are no appointments available. For how long? Could be forever. I suppose as there is no way to determine when any sort of appointment may be available in the future.
Incredibly inept? You betcha. Major embarrassment for a state like North Carolina? You betcha.
Don’t believe it? Take a drive to the Andrews driver’s license office, where you will find the doors locked and one employee inside, who sticks their head out each hour to service the next appointee, who must have booked their time during the first term of President Barack Obama.
I know this seems like a joke, but no. Have fun, as an inept government entity strikes again.
Cliff Price
Bellview
Hillside does great work
Thank you for bringing to my attention the name and the owners of Hillside Nurseries, who provide the most beautiful and magnificent flowers and baskets to downtown Murphy and Andrews.
I am always so happy and uplifted by the beauty and brightness of the flowers. Hillside Nursery are artists, and downtown Murphy would not look so beautiful without their artistic and knowledge of plants.
Everyone should be singing their praises for making downtown Murphy and Andrews so beautiful.
I’m glad you featured the photo and article in the Cherokee Scout.
Louise Vingl
Peachtree
Get the shot, may save life
Recent data shows that 99.2 percent of the people dying from COVID-19 are unvaccinated.
Get the shot.
Greg Schisla
Murphy
All the best to Vista Realty
I was so sad to read of Joy Stein with Vista Realty. I have bought and sold homes through Vista and Joy since 2008. In fact, the last transaction a month ago.
I’ve never seen any sign of discrepancy. I saw that Joy has not denied her actions. She used very bad judgment.
I do not condone deception, I consider her a friend, and I would use her services again. I wish the best for Joy and Vista.
Katha Mingo
Andrews
Blessings for care, comfort
The family of Kenneth Morgan, Andrews, wishes to thank all those who gave care, comfort and support during our Dad’s declining health and passing.
There were many, including Dr. Gary Roper and staff, Erlanger Western Carolina Hospital Emergency Room and staff, Cherokee County Emergency Medical Services, Elaine’s Care and staff, Bo Phillips and nurses of 4 Seasons Hospice, the Rev. Chris Rumfelt, Ken Wiggins, Kim Myers, pastor Aaron Smith and Beaver Creek Freewill Baptist Church, friends for calls, visits, food and prayers, and for John Ivie and the staff of Ivie Funeral Home.
God bless you all.
The Kenneth Morgan
Karen Birchfield
Gary Morgan
Shirley Ramsey
Greg Morgan
and Leigh Gutierez
Andrews
A carjacking bonanza here
Black Lives Matter race riots and pandemic lockdowns have created a boon in carjackings. In President Joe Biden’s administration, carjacking is how used car sales operate. Armed 11-year-olds hijacking used cars are the new procurers.
The BLM movement spurred a decriminalization that’s led to crime waves. In cities that defunded their police, pharmacies are going out of business because of shoplifting.
Stealing cars is the new business model. Carjackings doubled in Chicago, increased 537 percent in Minneapolis and 500 percent in Washington. Carjackers are getting younger. The nation was shocked when four children, including an 11-year-old and a 12- year-old, were arrested for armed carjackings in California.
How did this happen? The media told us that defunding police and freeing criminals would make us safer. Some blame resides on school shutdowns, but teens would otherwise sell drugs.
The lockdowns caused car theft to be more profitable than distributing drugs, and made new homes and cars unaffordable. Folks could not afford to make new purchases and instead retained their clunkers. New car prices rose sharply, but used car prices also surged by 25 percent. That’s when carjackers matched supply with demand.
When capitalism becomes a crime, then criminals become capitalists.
The consumer market is most affected. Under President Barack Obama’s failed “Cash for Clunkers Program,” used car prices increased 10 percent and used SUVs rose 30 percent. Inventory dropped, and people were no longer able to afford used cars.
Socialism creates black markets, as consumers want whatever is no longer available in the legal marketplace. Socialists criminalize legal sales of many products and decriminalize crime.
Biden’s stimulus checks can’t buy you a new car or home, but they’ll help buy a car stolen by an 11-year-old boy working for urban criminals. That’s his economy.
Terry Payne
Marble
On improper signage here
In the 1950s, in response to the “red scare,” we added “Under God” to the Pledge of Allegiance, which had only become officially established in 1945. All this was to differentiate us from the godless atheistic Russians, who were making a run for global dominance.
In 1956, “In God We Trust” became our country’s official motto, replacing E pluribus unum, and appearing on all our money.
Improper signage often reveals underlying problems, such as “whites only” signs above Southern drinking fountains, even up into the 1960s, and religions often have problems balancing worship and evangelism.
Islam, Judaism and Christianity all were centered in Jerusalem but soon split to go their own ways with each of them splintering into hundreds of sects.
I understand that “Under God” is a broad religious umbrella, but local churches and preachers often want to monopolize the franchise. The standard road sign around these parts is “Jesus Saves,” written vertically, above John 3:16; but when the word “only” is added to the top of the sign, that’s pushing it too far, flying in the face of E pluribus unum and lowering America to the level of any other fanatically religious society.
Harry Holdorf
Brasstown