No damming our 2 rivers
Can we please stop damming up the Valley and Hiwassee rivers in Murphy?
The mosquitoes are here again. In less than one week after the river has been turned into a “lake,” my children are covered in dozens of mosquito bites and can no longer play in our backyard peacefully. No amount of spraying or mosquito trap laying makes a dent.
The problem is the annual practice of turning our river into a stagnant, glutted, brown lake. Why do we do this? Or more importantly, how can we stop this practice? Who does it benefit?
The public playground, the parks, the pickleball courts, the elementary school and anyone living within a few miles of the rivers become completely overrun with mosquito infestation.
The trees are rotting that one week ago were beautiful, strong partners with the river, the water level is so high that it is actually overflowing into the grassy fields behind the recreation office and the trees are buried. No wonder they fall over and float down the river in droves by the end of each summer.
As I understand it, the water level is allowed to rise and the dam blocks the flow to benefit us somehow. Is it for electrical power? For fishing and rich people with boats? Tourism?
Because for me and my two little girls, it turns our backyard paradise and outdoor fun into an endless battle with mosquitoes and bodies covered in bites. If this practice if for recreation, it is clearly not the recreation of children who live here. What can be done?
Mosquitoes are known carriers of disease and are especially a threat to young children, who deserve to be able to play outside in the summer. How can we stop the practice of damming up the river?
Bridget Esterhuizen, Murphy
Memorial memories
Our hearts once again reach out to all of the families who have lost loved ones in wartime. It is fitting to recognize these brave men and women, who sacrificed their lives on the battlefield for our beloved America, land of the brave and free.
Freedom comes with a heavy price tag that should remind us to be grateful and show respect for our fallen heroes, who died so we could live to honor them with a thankful humble heart and never forget their service to our nation.
I love to add some quotes that speak volumes of our armed forces. Forever in our hearts. Always loved, never forgotten. Your memory is a treasure. The best and most beautiful things in the world cannot be seen or even touched – they must be felt with the heart. Death ends a life, not a relationship. What we once enjoyed we can never lose.
Memories of our loved ones are forever etched in our hearts and deep down in our very souls, and our prayers are always ongoing to comfort all of the families that have lost loved ones since the American Revolutionary War (1775-83).
The United States has been involved in numerous wars since 1775. While there are 11 formally declared wars, the U.S. has participated in many more military engagements.
One day, when the Lord Jesus Christ comes back to make everything right, wars will be no more on His watch for eternity.
Yes, peace and tranquility will reign forevermore, all who have joined God’s heavenly realm will sing a new song of the redeemed, and great and new memories will be made for eternity. Amen.
Frank Combs, Blairsville, Ga.
Scorecard on plastic waste
MountainTrue and Plastic Free WNC have released a comprehensive scorecard evaluating local grocery stores based on their efforts to reduce single-use plastic waste. This highlights which grocers are leading the way in sustainability and which ones are falling behind, urging businesses and consumers to fight plastic pollution.
The Grocery Store Plastic Scorecard assesses regional and national grocery stores throughout regional grocery stores using key criteria related to their plastic use and reduction strategies.
Stores were graded based on seven categories:
- Eliminating plastic bags at checkout, 10 points.
- Incentives for reusable bags, up to 8 points.
- Displays and signage encouraging reusable bags, up to 4 points.
- Offering reusable bags for purchase, up to 4 points.
- Providing paper bags, boxes or other alternatives, up to 4 points.
- Additional plastic reduction efforts, up to 5 points.
- Setting goals to reduce plastic pollution, up to 10 points.
The highest-scoring grocers – including Whole Foods (36 points), ALDI (34 points) and Earth Fare (33 points) – have taken significant steps to curb single-use plastic waste. These companies have eliminated plastic bags at checkout, promoted reusable alternatives, and set measurable goals for reducing their plastic footprint.
In contrast, retailers such as Walmart, Food Lion, Ingles and Publix received failing grades (F) with scores as low as 7 points, indicating a lack of substantial commitment to plastic reduction efforts.
Details: Visit mountaintrue.org.
Maddy Watson, Asheville