Pay raise was done illegally
At its Nov. 9, meeting, the Andrews governing board voted itself a substantial increase that it receives. The Town of Andrews Board of Aldermen also did this (double) eight years ago directly after an election.
N.C. G.S. 160A-64 states that “the council may fix its own compensation and the compensation of the mayor … “by adoption of the annual budget ordinance.” In other words, the town board may only increase its pay as part of the annual budgeting process. The biggest reason for this is because the annual budget has a review period and a comment period.
The N.C. Attorney General issued an opinion letter on Oct. 28, 1976:
Question: May the compensation of the mayor and members of the town board be increased by budget amendment?
Conclusion: No. The Town of Andrews Board of Aldermen has acted illegally and is going to need to rescind this action.
Randy Hogsed, Andrews
Thanks for good news
This letter was addressed to Publisher David Brown.
I really appreciate how you pointed out facts in the Nov. 10 editorial.
It is so easy to stay stuck in a partisan outrage over distractions, like who is vaccinated and who believes that masks are worthless in helping prevent the spread of covid.
Your editorial brought me back from the brink today to the awareness of the big picture, which is actually good news for all of our community. More money for our county, low unemployment, higher wages ... What’s not to like about that?
Thanks for the reality check. This is one of many reasons that newspapers are so important.
Susan Landis, Murphy
Officers save a man’s life
I’m writing y’all due to an incident that happened on Sept. 7, 2021, where I was joyriding in a truck, got pulled over, and I ate a bunch of heroin.
These awesome heroes of this Cherokee County jail saved by life. That’s why I’m able to write this letter and give these guys the shout out they deserve and need to be recognized. They’re not bad people.
Their names are Donna Smith, Sandra Guffey, nurse Bree, Capt. Marty White, Margo Powell, Ms. Flattes and Officer Hyde. Thank you for being by my side praying and pressing on my chest.
Jeremiah 29:11: “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.”
Dustin Pressley, Murphy
Don’t strip our rights
Perhaps it’s time to place a muzzle on one Cherokee Scout columnist, the “Hillbilly Ranger.” He is way out of line with his latest hit piece against “anti-vaxers.”
He is certainly entitled to his opinion, as flawed as it is, but he has no right to shame and bully thousands of readers who do not believe the way that he does. The title says it all: “Plague still killing us, thanks to anti-vaxers, take a bow.” So much contempt, so much sarcasm.
He states, “People who loudly rejected the vaccine, for any number of fake reasons, said they knew more than all the doctors and their stupid shots.”
Is he a scientist to decide that our carefully researched information is fake?
He states, “Forget the quacks and crackpots – there is no logical argument against wearing masks or getting the vaccine.” He is a slandering bully with a capital “B.”
He also wishes to strip us all of our God-given right to bodily autonomy by suggesting a mandate is necessary? He is unAmerican if he believes this way.
I’ve read his rants for a year, and enough is enough. He’s crossed a line, and your newspaper is responsible for allowing him a soapbox to spew his hate and contempt to bully others. His lack of respect is shameful.
Catherine Schultz, Cherokee
Courage and wisdom here
The full page, paid advertisement published by Mary Mason is a tribute to the character that exists in our society. It is an organized chronicle of nonpolitical scientific literature.
I have read multiple editorials addressing liberty, choice and God’s gifts on both sides of the discussion. Each time, I wanted to respond but could not get past the lack of common sense, absence of thinking for one’s self or trusting the self-preservation we have the privilege of possessing in our country.
Ask yourself and seek your answers to the questions Mason raised. How are vaccines made? Who promotes the crisis; government, political scientists, media? The crisis imposed upon us is a public relations campaign, for whom? Your life and liberty depend on your choice, not someone else’s belief in the name of public health.
“If people let the government decide what foods they eat and what medicines they take, their bodies will soon be is as sorry a state as the souls who live under tyranny” – Thomas Jefferson, 1778.
I am thankful we are allowed to share opinions in Cherokee Scout. Wally Avett has no right to tell pilgrims “you do not have the right to reject … active member of society who ... as a responsible citizen …”
Yes, our Constitution is being methodically changed to for and by the government, not the pilgrims, for the last 100 years by various administrative statements, mandates and legislative negligence.
My disgust is we should be having these conversations with family, friends and neighbors, not in an editorial page because of public-induced fear.
There are the silent many committed to truth and sound beliefs. Keep up the courage, fortitude and wisdom to overcome this fear. Your inquiring mind is your inner voice. Listen to it and talk to each other.
Mary Anne Duffy, Murphy
Animals need your support
The board for the Valley River Humane Society would like to thank both the community and the Cherokee Scout for the 2021 Best Charity award.
The VRHS board also appreciates the honorable mention recognition given for Best Thrift Store.
Both honors go to the shelter and thrift store staff and volunteers. They put in countless hours each and every day for our furry friends.
VRHS prides itself in taking the humane portion of our name to heart. 13,000 dogs and cats have gone through
our shelter in the past five years with a euthanasia rate of less than 1 percent. However, we are a nonprofit, on a very tight budget and in constant need of donations and volunteers.
Thank you for recognizing these needs, our dedication to the tri-county area, and the wonderful cats and dogs we help find homes. Your support is critical in our success.
If you want to be a part of the Best Charity, the animal shelter is looking for employees and volunteers. Call 828-837-2304.
The thrift store also has volunteer opportunities. Call 828-837-6137.
Our furry friends would love to have you join our team.
Look for news and upcoming events on Facebook or our website, https://valleyriverhumanesociety.org.
Thank you again, from the Valley River Humane Society board, staff and volunteers.
Karen Edsall, Murphy
The writer is secretary of the Valley River Humane Society in Marble.
Grateful for all veterans
The Welcome Home – A Tribute to Veterans event scheduled for Western Carolina Regional Airport in Andrews was canceled due to the weather.
If you will remember, October was very cold with a steady rainfall for most of the day. We are extremely sorry for the cancellation, but hopefully we can make up for it in the future.
I want to commend the planning committee for all their dedicated time and efforts. Then there is the host and sponsor for the event – American Legion and lvie Funeral Home. Enough good cannot be said about either of them.
Hundreds of volunteers from across the region came together which would have guaranteed success. I started to list everyone who volunteered in any way, but decided it was an impossible task; didn’t want to leave anyone out nor leave anyone behind. All I can say is a hearty thank you for all your efforts.
Please continue supporting the veterans of our great nation. Without them, where would we all be?
Or would we even be?
John Bandy, Murphy
Lowe’s comes to the rescue
Our environmental and community rights nonprofit organization, VNDER.org, recently learned of a resident in Murphy who needed assistance.
Mrs. Carroll had taken a fall in February. She is a cancer survivor, which caused further complications and had to be bed bound for three months. Due to the length of recovery time, she had to work hard to rebuild her strength to stand and walk again.
She has 15 stair steps down to her gravel 30-foot sidewalk to reach any vehicle. The challenge was using any wheelchair for the length of the gravel sidewalk. Volunteers would bring a special chair to assist Mrs. Carroll to receive medical care.
After speaking to Mrs. Carroll and her son, Joe, our organization decided to reach out to the local businesses for help.
We called Lowe’s to see if they would reduce the cost of 176 12x12 pavers. Having the pavers would allow Mrs. Carroll to be able to get in and out of her home by wheelchair. I spoke to Kris Low and James Scheib, who generously offered to donate the pavers, which would be laid into the sidewalk.
When I arrived at the store, everyone was extremely kind. I met with Kris and James to discuss how to get the pavers back to Mrs. Carroll’s home. Kris and James offered delivery. We were amazed at their generosity.
The two were kind and excited to be able to contribute to a member of their community in need. Murphy should be very grateful for such a caring business and employees.
Thank you to Lowe’s, Kris and James for contributing toward this project. Because of your generosity, Mrs. Carroll can get in and out of her home.
Lowe’s made a difference for this family, and we are grateful for the opportunity to partner for this project.
Victoria Ronnau, Powhatan, Va.
The writer is executive director of the nonprofit Virginia Network for Democracy & Environmental Rights, VNDER.org.
Speak up for our country
What are we thinking? Why are we sitting back, watching our great nation rapidly going down the drain?
Gas prices close to double.
Food prices out of control and food shortages. Suppliers can’t get repair parts or new items for that matter.
Borders open to illegal crossings many who are not desirable. And maybe some get a check for $450,000; how nice.
One trillion dollar infrastructure bill passed with billions allocated to green energy programs, electric car-charging stations and other programs, with only a small percent going to rebuilding roads and bridges. Bill may be added to and go up when all is said and done. Glad the feds know how to print more money.
Then during a massive shortage of workers (paid to stay home) President Joe Biden issues mandates on covid-19 vaccinations. So much for my body, my choice.
I could go on and on, but it would just make us sick to our stomach, so let’s do something about it. Come join us and let us show you how we are working to change things and save our country.
If the guy on the white horse shows up, then great; but if he doesn’t, it’s up to us.
Next meeting is Thursday at Comfort Grub in Ranger at 5:30 p.m. to eat, 6:30 p.m. for the meeting.
Citizens for a Better America is adding the efforts of the General Assembly to our action steps, check out www.national-assembly.net and watch the videos under resources and read the info.
Also join our peaceful protest from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday on the Murphy downtown square.
Dan Adams, Murphy
The writer is a 35-year resident of Cherokee County.
Will officials stand for us?
An unedited version of this letter was sent to all the elected officials who represent Cherokee County.
I greatly appreciate your efforts and hard work for North Carolina, especially during the chaos that has occurred over the past year and a half under Gov. Roy Cooper’s outlandish orders.
Each of you have done wonderful things in your own rights, so I have to thank you for that, especially for those who long distances to Raleigh.
When are we going to just stop playing the cat-and-mouse game with these politics, and wasting of taxpayer dollars and precious time? This entire corrupt system of government is eating away at the core of America as we know it.
When are we going to dig both heels into the ground, put on boxing gloves and start punching back, or even throw the first blow? When are we going to be on offense instead of defense?
Americans are tired of this political bantering back and forth, the wasted efforts on bills and procedural politics that you all know is not going to get passed. Why not just take it on up about three notches and take our state and White House back and get this nation back on track? Stop with the Political 101 talking points and highlights, as they are brutally frustrating.
As a military mother, I am livid with the lack of fortitude I see in these men and women supposedly serving in office representative of We The People.
Our borders, national security, military, health care, food and resource supplies as well as our structural and economic and global standing are shot to hell. We need physical actions being taken to hold accountability, laws to be administered, arrests to be made, and people with the guts to stand up and do the right thing.
Are you one of those with the fortitude to do that for your constituents or not?
Shannon Greathead, Murphy
Waste hurts forest lands
Are our forests declining from paper waste?
A recent issue of Smithsonian Magazine carried some very reassuring facts for those of us who see the enormous waste of paper and paper goods, and have concern for the tree decline in our forests.
Here are the facts, as provided by the Paper & Paper Packaging Board.
More than half of U.S. forest land is privately owned by individuals who maintain and replant where trees have been cut. More than 1 billion trees are planted in the U.S. each year and, in the past 30 years, U.S. forestland has enlarged by nearly 33 million acres – an area equivalent to 2,275 football fields of trees every day.
A recent study employing satellite imagery and artificial intelligence estimates there are 7.5 times more trees on Earth than previously believed – over 3 trillion total, with more than 228 billion of them in the U.S.
Naturally, the majority of concern is for the hardwood trees, but about 85 percent of the trees used for packaging paper and paperboard products are softwood conifers like loblolly pine, which have a growth cycle of 20-25 years.
And how much of the paper is recycled? 92 percent of corrugated cardboard packaging and 65 percent of paper products. While these estimates are comforting, they probably do not include newspapers, magazines, mass mailings, professional printed documents or the trees lost in forest fires.
I’d feel better seeing an estimate of the totals.
Bob Grove, Brasstown
Jail not doing COVID right
I am writing about the Cherokee County Detention Center and elected officials.
The Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office does the Covid-19 quick test, and then less than 24 hours later places newly received inmates right into population.
Three months ago, officials brought a sign-up sheet for the Covid-19 vaccine, but they have yet to give anyone a vaccination.
Repeatedly ask for masks; none have been given.
Ask for cleaning supplies; none has been given.
I guarantee that our elected officials and the Cherokee Court system are vaccinated and being protected with face coverings, but what they fail to remember is we are innocent until proven guilty – not guilty until proven innocent. Get the facts on your elected and future officials before putting these greedy moguls back in office.
Cory Hensley, Murphy