N.C. Democrats go conservative
To the Editor: The dictionary definition of “conservative” is, “Holding to traditional attitudes and values and cautious about change or…
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Celebrate community, support local (newspapers)
When National Newspaper Week (Oct. 5-11) was started 74 years ago, there wasn’t much competition for newspapers. If you didn’t…
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Let’s show real respect for teachers
By Jim Hunt • Guest Columnist Earlier this year, I called for a state commitment to raise teacher pay to…
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Let your voice be heard at the ballot box
To the Editor: By this means I thank N.C. Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin, for presenting the fracking forum in Macon…
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Fracking debate needs more research, facts
To the Editor: The letter writer on fracking in the Sept. 17-23 issue of The Smoky Mountain News appears to…
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Why textbooks matter even now
To the Editor: Although Speaker Thom Tillis, R-Mecklenburg, and his fellow Republicans Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin, and Rep. Michele Presnell,…
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Fracking is a ticking time bomb
To the Editor: As someone with 25-plus years of experience in water and wastewater equipment design, manufacture and installation, I…
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Burning the couch and chair, now that’s practical
Tammy is out in the yard burning the couch. There is no telling where this will end. All by herself,…
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Webster wants to keep post office open
To the Editor: The letter from Mark Jamison of Webster that’s published in your most recent edition (“What does Webster…
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Ellison just plain wrong about Granville Calhoun
To the Editor: I have read with interest the original article by George Ellison questioning the account that Granville Calhoun…
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Use better science to support position
To the Editor: Ironically, the executive director of an organization named for the sacrificial bird used in mining operations endorses…
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Nikwasi Mound belongs to people of Macon
To the Editor: The deed to the Nikwasi Mound states that, “the mound shall be preserved for the citizens of…
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U.S. also commits acts of barbarism
To the Editor: We have chosen war yet again because we have deemed someone else’s behavior to be barbaric; in…
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North Carolina’s great balancing act
To the Editor: Since they took over control of the North Carolina Legislature, there has been a great cry among…
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Cutting taxes not always the best way to lead
To the Editor: A candidate for the county commission wants to cut your taxes. That is the basis for his…
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More on the saga of Kephart’s arrival at Hazel Creek
To the Editor: Readers may well be approaching exhaustion with this ongoing exchange regarding circumstances surrounding Horace Kephart’s arrival at…
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There’s cool ... and then there’s Glenda cool
Her name was Glenda. She was a senior and one of the more popular girls in school, a volleyball star…
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Say no to those who support fracking
To the Editor: Fracking is a contentious and potentially disastrous environmental and social issue heading for North Carolina and possibly…
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Surveys reveal serious climate change issues
To the Editor: On Sept. 9 the National Audubon Society released the results of several years’ worth of studies that…
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Elect Tom Hill to replace Rep. Meadows
To the Editor: I generally find that when I cast a ballot for anyone in a national election, I’ve voting…
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Hipps will help state ban fracking
To the Editor: Jane Hipps wants fracking banned in North Carolina. Her opponent, state Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin, is a…
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Sen. Jim Davis dancing on a beach ball
To the Editor: It seems that state Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin, has found his beach ball, and it’s called fracking.…
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Anti-fracking crowd is just wrong
To the Editor: Vic Drummond has written several times about the silliness of the anti-fracking group, and I would have…
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What does Webster hope to achieve with planning initiative?
To the Editor: I read the news that Webster had obtained a planning grant with mixed emotions. Local planning is…
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Tillis out of step on birth control issue
To the Editor: Thom Tillis is one slick fellow. During his debate with Sen. Kay Hagan last Wednesday, he slithered…
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Evergreen paper and the fracking debate
By Avram Friedman Last year Becky Johnson of The Smoky Mountain News interviewed me about Evergreen Packaging’s plans to convert…
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Beer town bragging rights go west of Asheville
I heard about this story from the Facebook crowd, so I imagine some of you have already read it. There…
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GOP has not kept its promises
To the Editor: How can you tell if a politician is lying .... his lips are moving. It’s an old joke;…
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PETA got it right at Osborne Farm
To the Editor: As one who blew the whistle on Osborne Farm Inc., I can attest that PETA’s footage shows…
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Celebrating this region’s culture part of our identity
Anyone who reads The Smoky Mountain News regularly knows we emphasize in-depth, investigative stories when that’s what is called for…
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The chronic complainers will never change
Some people complain all the time, about everything. They complain about the weather, the price of gasoline, their neglectful friends,…
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When should government help private industry?
“Government’s job is NOT to fund private industry!” “Shouldn’t the mill pay to keep themselves up to par as far…
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Our leaders are noticeably absent
To the Editor: Ah, August. Vacation time. Yeah!! Never mind that ISIS is beheading its way through Syria and…
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Thank Sen. Davis for losing $51 billion
To the Editor: Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin, and other Republican state legislators voted not to expand Medicaid. Early studies showed…
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Don’t believe what fracking supporters say
To the Editor: Western North Carolina is one of the most beautiful places on earth. The majestic mountains, the lush green…
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Sen. Davis’ comments come as no surprise
To the Editor: I’m really not surprised about the Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin, quote, “I’m getting really frustrated with these…
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Unraveling the story of Horace Kephart’s ‘drying out’
George Ellison’s response to Gwen Breese’s letter regarding his article on Horace Kephart and his condition when he arrived at…
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Is America’s future now the past?
To the Editor: “Freedom, freedom is a hard won thing and every generation has to win it again.” This is…
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Why the raging war against fracking?
To the Editor: Have you wondered why worldwide the leftists, environmentalists, and most media are waging a war against that…
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Kindness can make difference between ‘waving’ and ‘drowning’
The reason that the death of Robin Williams seemed so particularly shocking, so cruel, even so personal, very nearly like…
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State gives lip service to fracking concerns
To the Editor: The Johnny-come-lately public hearing on fracking scheduled by the N.C. Mining and Energy Commission (MEC) at Western…
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Cell towers, fracking, and food trucks
To the Editor: First, kudos to Gerald Green and the Jackson County Planning Council for requiring Verizon to use cell…
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Is torture an aberration or a trend?
By Doug Wingeier • Columnist Based on actual events, the movie “The Railway Man” tells the story of how British…
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N.C. citizens do not want fracking
To the Editor: “I not only voted for the law, I was one of the co-sponsors,” Davis said. “I’m really…
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Sylva’s ETJ attempt a bad idea
To the Editor: Paige Roberson, Sylva’s town manager, says she would be surprised if anyone opposes Sylva’s plans to extend…
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Visions of a kitten color this beach trip
EDISTO ISLAND, S.C. – My daughter has ordered an elaborate omelet, with spinach and cheese and who knows what else,…
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Fracking in a perfect world still problematic
To the Editor: The issue of fracking by the oil and gas industry — already one of the most controversial…
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Giving voters advice and attacking Sen. Davis
To the Editor: Most letters to the editor are benign or overly active, but the one in the July 2…
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Honest survey or deceitful phone ad?
To the Editor: Recently “SSI” surveys popped up on my called ID and in a moment of curiosity I answered…
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‘Trust’ is insufficient check on any elected official
Most anyone who has worked for a living, volunteered, or held elected office has stood at the edge of the…
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