Don’t let ‘conservatives’ destroy our ideals

To the Editor: This is in regards to Sen. Thom Tillis email of 3:10 a.m. Saturday morning, Dec 4, “Preventing…
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Disgraceful redistricting commonplace in N.C.

By Gary St. Arnauld • Guest Columnist | North Carolina’s General Assembly has a long and not so honorable history…
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A unique kind of holiday

Every year of our girlhood, my sister and I woke up early on Thanksgiving Day, sat at the kitchen barstools…
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You can’t un-develop land

To the Editor: I grew up in what used to be a small town in New Jersey. Everything was peaceful…
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Thankful we passed infrastructure bill

To the Editor: In the spirit of Thanksgiving and the coming holidays, I’m writing to express my gratitude to Senators…
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We can all learn by listening to each other

Letter to the Editor: I enjoyed reading Dr. Norman Hoffman’s opinion piece in the Friday, November 12, issue. I appreciate…
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Trump remains a danger to the republic

By Martin Dyckman • Guest Columnist | Some people may still wonder how the Germany of a century ago could…
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Let’s talk honestly about social programs

To the Editor: Communism, socialism and Democrats are all the same, always bad, all the time. Democratic-leaning relatives, friends, and…
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Cawthorn in line for Pinocchio award

To the Editor: I recently received an email from Rep. Madison Cawthorn, R-Hendersonville. If only there was a Pinocchio award, so…
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Thankful for infrastructure bill 

To the Editor: At long last after years of inaction, there will be greatly needed improvements to the infrastructure of…
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Inspiration from Mary Oliver, Sadhguru and Ted Lasso

“Sometimes I need / Only to stand / Wherever I am / To be blessed.”  — Mary Oliver 
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Now we know what the COVID police will do

I’ve had mixed feelings about the “COVID police” since the beginning of the pandemic’s lockdowns.
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Development does not fit Waynesville

To the Editor: I find myself perplexed over the “housing crisis” in Waynesville. It seems all our town does is…
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De-mock-racy and gerrymandering

To the Editor: Folks, it is gerrymandered maps time again.
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History is complicated, let’s teach it that way

There has been a lot of hype about Critical Race Theory (CRT) — most of it false. CRT actually involves…
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Back to near normalcy is a treasured gift

When practice begins each year for the new high school marching band season, summer is still bearing down, the sun…
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Cawthorn’s fears should worry us

To the Editor:  As each new report comes to light about Rep. Madison Cawthorn’s concealed weaponry, we should be asking…
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No guarantee the republic will survive

To the Editor:  I’ve been giving much thought recently to what the framers had in mind when contemplating the creation…
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Clampitt’s Oath Keeper membership an embarrassment

I know Rep. Mike Clampitt, R-Swain, and he’s a likeable, personable guy whom I disagree with on a lot of…
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The circle of life for Main Street commerce

For several years, The Smoky Mountain News has partnered with the Haywood Chamber of Commerce to publish its annual magazine. 
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No big money from outsiders

To the Editor: My name is Carrie McBane and I was a candidate for Town of Sylva Council 2021 in…
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Non-conservatives won’t accept fascism

To the Editor: A recent letter purports to represent conservatives but contains mostly platitudes and hardly anything substantive. The writer’s…
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Always something new around the corner

Travel is one of my favorite soul foods, but it’s also cool to really get to know the place you…
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Newman has my vote in Sylva

To the Editor: I was once a candidate for the Sylva Town Council but withdrew when I realized that I…
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When being a mom breaks your heart

Being a mom is always hard, but there is something uniquely challenging about parenting an adolescent. For me, it felt…
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Does American history deserve a ‘content warning?’

To the Editor: My first impression was that the letter writer’s claim (SMN, Oct. 6) was just the latest bit…
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Why ask Cawthorn to speak to police?

To the Editor: The Macon County Chapter of the Fraternal Order of Police had Rep. Madison Cawthorn as the guest…
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This place is changing

To the Editor: This past year plus has been challenging for us all due to a nasty global virus. It…
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Our public health crisis is not over yet

Allison Richmond • Guest Columnist | Haywood County is struggling to cope with a very unusual situation, two separate states…
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One of those moments — the Rolling Stones

I bought my first record when I was 11 years old — a 45-rpm single by the Rolling Stones called…
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Redistricting needs public hearings

To the Editor: Right now, politicians in the North Carolina General Assembly are dividing North Carolina into new legislative and…
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There is some good going on

To the Editor: Promoting and voting our true family interests can unify and rejuvenate this country. But we have become…
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Conservatives won’t accept socialism

To the Editor: He, or they, all seem to be confused about facts, or what they believe to be true.…
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So many good things in one place

The socket wrench felt comfortable in my hands, which was a good thing: a quick look in a nearby box…
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Reminders of humanity after a grueling day

In today’s unpredictable, chaotic world, we’re in search of anything that offers hope for humanity. 
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Warning on archives is just too much

To the Editor: One can find treasures in the most improbable places. For me, the Letters to the Editor captures…
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GOP actions weaken republic

To the Editor: Republicans keep claiming that Democrats are destroying the country. They use emotionally laden words like “socialism” and…
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Texas abortion law appears unconstitutional

To the Editor: The anti-abortion law enacted by Texas appears strong and worrisome. But, is it really strong? This major…
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Sewer flies, mice and mold; schools need help

By John deVille & Kenya Donaldson Complaints ranged from undrinkable water, termites and even sewer flies. There was extreme overcrowding near a…
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Blaming unvaccinated is somewhat misplaced
 

Blaming unvaccinated is somewhat misplaced

To the Editor: In the Sept. 1 opinion piece titled, “Maskless, unvaccinated bear a responsibility,” Norman Hoffman states that the…
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Enough with the divisiveness
 

Enough with the divisiveness

To the Editor: Before I ramble on with my allotted 400 words, entertain these two ideas that I believe we…
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Access to public 
Records within reach

By Sandy Hurley and Bill Moss Guest Columnists When the 2021 session of the General Assembly began, passage of legislation…
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A new day dawns for downtown Waynesville

It was tough to witness the demise of the Downtown Waynesville Association. The DWA has a long, proud history, one…
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Learning from the young to protect our planet

My 12-year-old son is extraordinarily inquisitive. Since he was a little boy, he’s inquired about everything from politics and finances…
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Truth matters, but some don’t see it

To the Editor: I fear for my country. The cause of my anxiety is the judgment that our nation has…
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Time to end the filibuster

To the Editor: In November 2020, millions of voters like me went to the polls and cast a ballot for…
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