Don’t abandon Rule of Law
When my family moved to Murphy in the early 1980s, Cherokee County had a sheriff named Blaine Stalcup. I remember my father referring to him as “Boss Hogg.”
That’s because he was corrupt. He was convicted of buying votes. As part of a plea agreement he resigned, paid a fine and did time.
On Sept. 9, our current sheriff, Dustin Smith, co-hosted a day-long seminar at Murphy First Baptist Church that declared – out loud – that a sheriff has the right to decide which laws to enforce and which to ignore. According to the constitutional sheriffs movement, a sheriff is not bound by state or federal laws.
Shockingly, our congressman, U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards, sent one of his staff to the event to read a “love letter” to the guest speaker, Richard Mack, praising his efforts and the larger movement. Mack, a former sheriff and reported Oath Keeper, came all the way from Arizona to spread this nonsense.
Regardless of where you find yourself on the political spectrum, this should get your attention. Take a moment to consider the Stalcup scenario.
How would this constitutional sheriffs concept work there? Are we really at a point of throwing out the Rule of Law? History has shown that even though we may not always get the outcome we want, we must keep the structure in place or face dire consequences.
Those who adhere to this radical constitutional sheriffs ideology should remember that humans are tribal. We always clump into “Us and Them.”
So even if you are successful in deploying this “mechanism” and scraping away anyone who doesn’t agree with your views, you’ll still be faced with conflict among yourselves. And you’ll be operating without the Rule of Law. Good luck with that.
Katherine Taaffe, Murphy
How to best count votes?
Just an old-timer’s thoughts and questions.
Who the hell is America borrowing money from to run our government? Is it China – Mexico – Vanderbilts – Kennedys – Trumps?
Who are we borrowing from? Are we taking a handful of billion-dollar bills out of our left pocket and putting them in our right pocket? And telling our left pocket I’ll pay you twice what I took out?
I mean, why don’t we just use the money out of the left pocket that’s put in it by taxes in the first place?
Also, how are we going to elect our next president? I think we should know now. Is it popular vote, every vote counts or the Electoral College and throw millions of our votes away?
Hillary Clinton beat President Donald Trump by a couple of million popular votes and lost in 2016. And Trump was looking for 12,000 more after the 2020 election.
Steve Ledford, Ducktown, Tenn.
Looking for a lost story
I am on a quest hoping to find information buried more than three-fourths of a century ago, albeit it seems hopeless at this point. My sister’s school had a Christmas program on Dec. 11, 1943. I hope someone may have pictures of the event.
My sister, Norma Jean O’Brien Dickson, wrote a story about the program 50 years after the fact; I’m not sure she had all the facts correct. I couldn’t find a newspaper from Dec. 12, but did find my birth announcement in a newspaper dated Dec. 16. In the announcement, my family lived in Hiwassee but Jean says Fontana.
Since my family has all passed, I must rely on help from others. Hopefully by printing this, someone can provide answers.
William N. O’Brien, 140 Snowflake Drive, Blakeslee, PA 18610-7864
The power of persuasion
The Valley River Arts Guild is thrilled to announce that the Twelve-Gauge Persuaders have been persuaded to regroup to play on the square in downtown Murphy at the First Friday Art Walk on Oct. 6.
Murphy sidewalks will again be loaded with dozens of arts and crafts vendors, kids’ free Make & Take crafts, baked goodies, face painters, balloon makers, music performances and art demonstrations.
Art Walk happens every first Friday from May through December. For details, visit ValleyRiverArts.com. Registration forms are there for vendors to reserve a space.
Not only is First Friday packed with stuff to do, but the following day, Saturday, Oct. 7, is the “Paint the Town Fall” window-painting contest, sponsored by the Town of Murphy with special promotions by the Murphy Art Center. Head over to Fain Alley from noon-4 p.m. to pick up your paints and get your place assignment. Many downtown businesses are welcoming kids, teenagers and adults to paint their windows in autumn scenes. There are prizes, so bring the whole family to join in this free fun event.
Make plans to bring the kiddies back downtown for “A Murphy Haunting” for trick or treat Halloween candy from 4-7 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31. Most downtown shops and many organizations will be handing out treats.
Make sure to save the date for First Friday in November. On Art Walk evening, Nov. 3, downtown will be helping The MAC celebrate its first anniversary in their new location at 12 Peachtree St. Stop in to see the gallery, which is filled with new arts and crafts by 70 artist members.
Special music on the square will be provided by Cletus Way, with kids’ crafts and refreshments offered to celebrate 13 years of providing the community with art and music events, classes and art installations throughout downtown – along with a special gallery at The MAC. Don’t miss it.
Debra Vanderlaan, Murphy
The writer is president of the Valley River Arts Guild.
Help save vet statue
In an obscure location stands a beautiful statue of a lonely American soldier. This statue was donated by the owners of a produce place that once was where the food doctor is today.
After American Legion Post 96 was built, it was decided to locate this soldier where it now stands. Little did we realize what would be the front or the back of the building.
It was placed so it could be seen by motorists from N.C. 141. With time, that location became the back of the structure, and our lonely soldier disregarded.
I propose that the statue be relocated to Konehete Veterans Park, where Cherokee County citizens and tourists would enjoy it more. A beautiful statue like this is hard to come by.
I need citizens to help me where to relocate and who do I see to get this rolling. You can call me any day from 6-8 p.m. at 828-644-3475.
Oscar Valdes, Murphy