Concerns to think about
I am unsure if you take any ideas regarding stories or publications for your newspaper, but I have a few topics, rather questions, that I think could be answered in an OpEd.
Do you believe an average American should only be concerned about the education system in the state in which
they live? There’s another 49 states that make one nation. With education becoming a federal issue, I believe it would behoove everyone to take up interest.
What are your thoughts on Title IX? Are you afraid the re-write will bar young ladies from other opportunities such as football? Should I be small minded and only believe it’s a “man’s sport?”
Lastly, I would like to ask where did all this cell phone warrior audacity originate? I don’t seek out to offend anyone, but people are quick to personally attack someone because of their belief system.
When did we become this way? Should I turn the other cheek, or is an eye for an eye applicable here?
I thank you in advance for taking the time to read this. These issues have tugged on my heartstrings for a good while.
Jordan Israel, Murphy
U.S. checks and balances
The Constitution of the United States has remained the basic rule of our federal system of government. A task in the minds of the representatives was the prevention of tyranny.
They agreed with the famous French philosopher Montesquieu that there could be no liberty when the powers to make the laws and to enforce the laws were given to the same person or group, or when the power of judging was not separated from legislative and executive powers. Accordingly, they decided to set up a system in which no one person or agency could make a law, arrest a violator, find him guilty and punish him.
The president is the head of all federal employees who run the 2,200-plus government departments, bureaus, boards and administrative agencies. There are many so-called independent agencies created by Congress.
Since the Constitution is the supreme law of the land, any case involving federal law or the Constitution is heard in a U.S. court rather than a state court.
The Supreme Court of the United States exercises the power to void laws passed by state legislatures, and to overrule decisions of state courts and the United Nations, when it deems them to be in conflict with federal law or the Constitution.
There is an important point of federal law involved, as the court will usually decline to hear an appeal. Out of 1,500 cases, the court will only hear about 200.
The Constitution provided a system of checks and balances to prevent any branch from invading the rights of the taxpayers and others. Meanwhile, the administration must depend upon Congress for money.
Cotton Allen, Brasstown
Empty bowls, but full hearts
The Cherokee County Sharing Center, the largest and oldest food pantry serving all of Cherokee County, thanks John C. Campbell Folk School for its Empty Bowls fundraiser benefiting four food pantries in Cherokee and Clay counties.
The beneficiaries of this year’s Empty Bowls, in addition to the Sharing Center, are Clay County Food Bank, Matt’s Ministries and Cherokee County Food Bank in Andrews.
Each food pantry received more than $2,400 from the March 31 event. Donations have slowed and are at an historic low for the Sharing Center. It is through fundraisers such as Empty Bowls that are helping keep the Sharing Center open.
In 2024, the Sharing Center served 6,201 families equating to 17,985 individuals. This was increase of 1,017 families from 2023 and 3,672 more people compared to numbers in 2023.
Some of the factors forcing more people to turn to food pantries to help feed themselves and their families are prices at stores and Hurricane Helene.
Many people here opened their doors to family and friends scrambling to recover from the storm that destroyed our partner MANNA’s facilities in Swananoa. Recovery will take years.
The Sharing Center is behind First Baptist Church of Murphy, 517 Hiwassee St. Distribution times are from noon-2 p.m. Mondays and Fridays.
We are an interdenominational food pantry supported by area churches: First Baptist of Murphy; First United Methodist of Murphy; Murphy Presbyterian, Ranger United Methodist, Reid’s Chapel, St. William Catholic, Shepherd of the Mountains and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Monetary donations, canned and dry goods are needed. More than 80% of the Sharing Center’s funds are spent locally for food and 20% with MANNA.
We also receive food from the USDA’s Emergency Food Act Program. For details on how to donate or volunteer at the Sharing Center, call 828-360-4041.
Sande Kimball, Murphy
The writer is president of the Cherokee County Sharing Center Board.