Taxpayers need to know
The following letter was addressed to Publisher David Brown.
Your column “Governing in the dark” (March 1 edition of the Cherokee Scout) is spot on. Loved the last sentence – “areas where the government is most effective, local officials have no fear of transparency.”
I have recently become more aware of the lack of transparency in Graham County. Recent issues have been brought to light in the last couple of months, yet the county commissioners appear to be ineffective or incapable of ensuring constituents are fully engaged in local issues.
I had contacted the county commissioner’s office in February to confirm whether there was a meeting scheduled and if there was an agenda. Crickets in response.
I read after in The Graham Star that there in fact had been a meeting and our finance officer quit. Our health director quit a few months ago. And now my tax assessment was increased but we had no warning.
To me, this lack of transparency “smells bad.” And why are good staff quitting?
So, I wanted to say thank you. And we need the media to be more engaged to bring the issues to the people.
As a taxpayer, we deserve to know what is going on and how our dollars are spent.
Lynn Fleming, Graham County
Zelensky may ban a church
Why are American churches supporting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky?
The national media tells us he holds firm to Ukraine’s freedoms and democracy. He’s a patriot.
But wait! Zelensky has banned opposition parties, forcibly shut down media that have criticized him, jailed opposition leaders, ordered his secret police to raid monasteries and nun convents, arrested dozens of priests and sent military forces into churches.
Zelensky recently announced he will ban the entire Ukrainian Orthodox Church, whose members are 75 percent of the Ukrainian population, chaining the doors of the church, which has existed for over 1,000 years. All of these actions are against the Ukrainian Constitution. Zelensky is clearly a dictator.
Zelensky said, “We have to create such conditions when any people dependent on the country aggressor won’t be able to manipulate Ukrainians and weaken Ukraine from within.”
“Personal, economic and restrictive sanctions will be applied to ANY Christian CAUGHT worshiping in UNAPPROVED ways.”
So, if you’re a Christian and “caught” worshiping in “unapproved ways,” you will be personally sanctioned economically. If the church doesn’t agree with Zelensky, then that church must die. Christians will be punished severely if caught breaking Zelensky’s law.
Is this Zelensky’s idea of freedom and democracy?
An Orthodox bishop said, “We brothers and sisters walk with God. Do not be afraid. There are people who want to stop our church and Orthodox faith. Then God will stop these people. Brothers and sisters, these people are starting to fight against God. They have started a war against God and heaven.”
To that, I say, “Amen!” Any attack on the church is an attack on the Lord Jesus Christ.
Zelensky acts more like a Nazi than a freedom fighter. It comes as no surprise that numerous Ukrainian military leaders are Nazis and one-third of Ukrainian soldiers are Nazis.
Mary Mason, Murphy
Dr. Clayton’s still innocent
I am writing this letter in defense of Dr. Thomas Clayton. He has been our family doctor for many years.
I worked with him in the emergency room at District Memorial Hospital in Andrews. He is the most kind and decent man I know.
He took care of my late husband for 30 years. Any time I could call on him many times.
My husband had many health problems, like heart cancer and, finally, the deadly covid. When the doctors told me they could do no more for him, he wanted to come home to die. My son arranged for him to be flown home to the airport.
Dr. Clayton had hospice at our home when we got here. He lived 12 hours after he got home. Innocent until proven guilty.
Barbara Wooten, Andrews
New opioid is easily abused
Isotonitazene, or “Iso,” is a relatively new synthetic opioid made from a potent opioid called etonitazene.
Etonitazene is about 500 times stronger than morphine and has been a Schedule I controlled substance for years. Schedule I means it has no medical use and is easily abused. It is intended for research and forensic purposes only.
Some of the signs of Isotonitazene use to look for are:
- Pinpointed pupils.
- Slurred speech.
- Drowsy appearance.
- Slower movements.
- Low blood pressure.
- Slower heart rate.
- Low body temperature.
- Less physical pain.
- A euphoric or “high” feeling.
Many synthetic opioids have appeared in the illegal drug market, with Isotonitazene added to the mix in 2019, as evidenced by DEA drug seizures. Isotonitazene has been found in the United States, Canada,
Germany, Estonia, Sweden and Latvia as a lone substance or incorporated into other substances. Evidence suggests that Isotonitazene is mainly being used as a substitute for heroin or other opioids, whether the users are aware they are taking it or not.
Some other signs of addiction to look for are:
- Trying to stop or cut down on drug use, but not being able to.
- Using drugs because of being angry or upset with other people.
- Taking one drug to get over the effects of another.
- Making mistakes at school or on the job because of using drugs.
- Drug use hurting relationships with family and friends.
- Being scared at the thought of running out of drugs.
- Stealing drugs or money to pay for drugs.
- Being arrested or hospitalized for drug use.
- Developing a tolerance, and needing larger amounts of drugs to get the same effect.
- Overdosing on drugs.
To read more on the subject, visit www.narcononnewliferetreat.org/blog/the-dangers-of-benzodiazepines.html.
Matthew Goodson, Denham Springs, La.
The writer is with Narconon NewLife Retreat Drug Education & Rehabilitation Center. For details, visit www.narcononnewliferetreat.org or call 1-877-959-0075.