Radio in case of emergency
I wanted to announce the formation of the Western Carolina Emergency Readiness Network, effective today.
The goals of this organization, which I personally organized, is to make citizens realize how dire a situation we are all facing and help educate, train and inform everyone not plugged into national and world events what is actually going on, and measures we can take now to reduce the harm to our families and communities.
In the course of this, I will attempt to get like-minded people who have some backgrounds in a wide variety of fields to help in this endeavor building a solid base group that will benefit everyone with their different levels of expertise and experience.
Anyone interested in more information is asked to call me at 828-421-0583.
Once I see that there is enough interest in this to proceed further, an information meeting and member drive will be held somewhere in Murphy in the very near future.
Don Pagani, Murphy
The writer is chief executive officer and security & survival consultant with Lonewolf Enterprises.
Collaborate on the homeless
I attended a community meeting on the homeless problem in Cherokee County at the Rock Gym, presided over by Cherokee County Commissioner Ben Adams, on Oct. 5.
I was awestruck at the lack of curiosity for the facts by Adams. It is a disservice to the public to expound incorrect information.
If a committee is to address any problem, the process starts with fact-finding and subject matter experts, which were not invited. I know this because I attended as a homeless shelter of Murphy volunteer. No one from the Hurlbert-Johnson Friendship House executive staff were invited.
Setting the record straight:
- The shelter does run criminal background checks.
- The shelter does run drug and alcohol testing.
- The shelter does provide shelter, food and showers to people when temperature drops below 32 degrees.
Adams was very annoyed to be corrected on these simple facts.
Neither Murphy police nor the sheriff’s office were represented. This can only make one question the statements made about statutes, laws and prohibitions regarding the homeless and vagrants by Adams.
I applaud the concept, but I am disgruntled by the lack of execution and fact-finding. Subject matter experts, facts and collaboration must be used to save our streets.
Alan Durand, Murphy
No rights in Gaza Strip
Regarding “How Many More Palestinians Will We Allow Israel To Murder?” by Mary Mason, I would take the opposite on her paid advertisement in its entirety and would just mention the decapitated children in Israel.
But it is important to note that Mrs. Mason – along with Senator Sanders, Congresswomen Talib, Omar and AOC – have the right to express their opinion without fear of retaliation. The same right they would have in Israel.
I seriously doubt that I would be afforded that right in Gaza.
Michael Berlin, Murphy
Hamas only backs ‘hate’
I will try to be somewhat soft on my judgment of Mary Mason, but it will be very difficult.
How (in heaven’s name) can you defend the atrocities committed by Hamas terrorists? And what kind of person can justify the slaughter of innocent people – by burning, shooting, decapitating and cutting their throats? Killing entire families: children, babies, fathers, mothers and grandparents?
In her article, Mason has a long list of grievances against the Israelis, and she attributes all sorts of evil done to the Palestinians on “the Jews.” This is not about Palestinians – it is about a terrorist organization that not only kills Israelis, but endangers the lives of the Palestinians in Gaza. These terrorists are not champions of the Palestinian people – they have as little regard for the Palestinian people as they have for the Israelis.
These are the same types of organizations that caused 9/11, the Boston massacre, the vicious beheadings of years past ... they are terrorists. U.S. servicemen and women have paid dearly with their lives trying to eradicate these groups.
Hamas, like other terrorist organizations, does not have any goal, they do not have any high purpose – they hate, that is all.
A normal person would condemn all terrorist actions and have empathy or sympathy with all those caught in the middle. They would ask, if Hamas cares so much for “their people” why don’t they use their money (and the money they get from supporting countries) to make Gaza self-reliant – to truly benefit Palestinians. Why would they, by their actions, cause the brutal killings of “their people?”
I feel sympathy for all those caught in this violence: Israelis and Palestinians. Not for a terrorist organization or for Syrian President Assad. (Really?)
I truly hope Mason seeks counseling ... or maybe deprogramming.
Ronell Harris, Andrews
Just say no to roundabouts
As most people around Murphy already know, there have been plans made for a roundabout downtown, plus one on U.S. 64 West.
Let’s talk pros .... none. The intersection has worked with a traffic light as designed. Service trucks (food, beverages, etc.) now park in the center of Tennessee Street. For them to negotiate a roundabout is asking a lot. Add to that, and people not familiar with roundabouts will be confused, and local police will be very busy working accidents.
Why not use the allocation money and pave both main streets through Murphy? They truly need work.
And since we have crews dedicated to street maintenance, the gutters along our streets are receptacles for everything that blows into them or thrown from vehicles. When rain enters the picture, it all washes to the drains, which are plugged with debris, and causing water to run across our streets, which may cause hydroplaning.
Please, Murphy, let’s use our resources for the betterment of our town.
Harold Martin, Murphy
Editor’s note: The N.C. Department of Transportation is in charge of both roundabout projects, not the Town of Murphy nor Cherokee County government.
Folk supper to help folks
You are invited to join Four Square Community Action and Friends for a Mountain Folk Supper/Auction from 5:30-7:30 p.m. (or later) Saturday, Nov. 11, in the Andrews United Methodist Church Community Room.
We will have an evening of sharing success stories, challenges and opportunities. At 7 p.m., we will then have a live auction for some special items. All proceeds will go to assist those we serve and help turn hopes into reality.
Four Square serves the four westernmost counties: Clay, Cherokee, Graham and Swain. We assist more than 1,000 households. The needs far exceed our resources.
Our vision is to help individuals/families by turning their hopes into reality and by offering the support and resources needed to attain a higher quality of life and self-sufficiency. This event is to help raise funds to increase our capacity and better serve our community. It’s when we work together that we are all at our best.
Our simple supper may change the way you think about what most folks consider the main meal of the day. While our supper may be basic, the cause behind it is rather complex. Breaking the cycle of poverty in an area that is economically challenged can be daunting. Our goal is to assist people by giving them a leg up rather than just a handout, while restoring and preserving the dignity of those that we serve.
Please come prepared to enjoy a great evening and our dinner of soup beans/ ham hock, cornbread, potatoes and desserts, and don’t forget your wallet and your compassionate generosity.
Dinner will be $15 a person or $25 for a couple. You will definitely want to bid on great items available in the auction.
We look forward to sharing this evening with you. Although not required, kindly RSVP to Michelle Updike, volunteer/donations coordinator at volunteer@foursq.org or 706-835-8167 by Nov. 3 to ensure we have adequate food.
All those interested in improving the lives in our community are welcome. If you are not able to attend, please share your donations by contacting Michelle or via our donation website link at foursquarecommunityactioninc.com.
Dr. Sue Lynn Ledford, Andrews
The writer is executive director of Four Square Community Action Inc., based in Andrews.