Let’s talk about all the visitors
In the middle of the tourism season, is there any way to politely state the obvious: this region is being…
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Stop the checks, get to work
To the Editor: In response to the article, “Where Are the Workers?” Well, you can thank your President Biden for…
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A shared space, a shared responsibility
By Casey Quarterman • Guest Columnist | For six years I have been working as a Wilderness Ranger in the…
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Let them be your crystal ball
Years ago during a teeth cleaning, an older dental hygienist offered some advice. She told me to let other people…
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Summer nights: baseball, dogs and workout prep
There are three dogs in this bed: a very old miniature dachshund curled up on one corner, a very young…
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Why won’t GOP tax the wealthy?
To the Editor: When you start having to pay higher taxes at the gas pump, pay extra for your electric…
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The truth really does matter
To the Editor: In our never-ending search for truth, Americans must accept (if nothing else) one predominant lesson from January…
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Waynesville attorney didn’t deserve firing
The Waynesville town attorney serves at the pleasure of the board. Elected officials can fire or terminate him for any…
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A warrior faces second double lung transplant
By Maureen Miller • Guest Columnist | “Someone has to die in order for you to live.” The startling realization…
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We should fear for future elections
To the Editor: Former President Donald Trump and the more aggressive of his cult members seem intent on destroying our…
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Marquees made me leave Maggie Valley
To the Editor: I have never done this in my 59 years, but I can’t rest until I voice my…
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Trump article was just too much
To the Editor: This is in reference to the June 9-15 issue of The Smoky Mountain News. I thought this…
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Schools need funds to grow creative thinkers
By Sandra Hayes • Guest Columnist | I volunteer with QuickDraw of WNC, an art auction where artists step up…
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Juggling the five balls
I recently went on a girls’ beach trip to Hilton Head Island. It’d been a while since I enjoyed surf…
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Tillis should explain his vote
To the Editor: The following is a letter I wrote to Senator Thom Tillis, R-N.C.
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Community colleges deserve support
To the Editor: As North Carolina faces an economic crisis amidst a pandemic, our community colleges will be key to…
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Social media is not the public square
Think Facebook’s ban of Donald Trump is justified? It’s a fascinating issue, one that gets to the heart of the…
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Twenty-two years later, some things haven’t changed
Early morning, June 2, 1999. I remember exactly where I was at and what I was doing. More on that…
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Seeing the light amid the darkness
There was once a young girl in Southern India who lived in a house with no electricity. A coiled water…
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Some need to expand their news sources
To the Editor: As an occasional writer of letters to the editor I sometimes receive feedback, mostly positive but sometimes…
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Open up the records of public employees
Last July, The Smoky Mountain News produced a series of stories looking into police reform following the killing of George…
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How about the Second Amendment?
To the Editor: In a recent letter to The Smoky Mountain News a retired military man stated, “Among all the…
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The real steal may come in 2024
To the Editor: Representative Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.) was removed from her leadership position in the Republican Party for only one…
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A time for personal growth, reorienting
My last column was about reorienting oneself after a time of loss or change. The entire world is working to…
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A bit of hypocrisy in Back the Blue
By Heather Hyatt Packer • Guest Columnist | With a recent motel sign in Maggie Valley has come a collective…
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Why do evangelicals support Trump?
To the Editor: A recent letter writer attempted to excuse evangelicals who support Trump. She quickly got into the weeds…
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A country coming to grips with real problems
By Mary Jane Curry • Guest Columnist | This a reply to a letter by David Parker that appeared in…
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Our public colleges make N.C. the envy of others
By Kelli R. Brown • Guest Columnist | There are more than 242,000 students attending the 17 institutions of the…
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Honoring our healthcare heroes
By Greg Caples • Guest Columnist | What is a hero? Maya Angelou famously said, “I think a hero is…
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How about the Second Amendment?
To the Editor: In a recent letter to The Smoky Mountain News a retired military man stated, “Among all the…
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Insightful and beautifully written
Thirty years ago or so, perhaps in Time Magazine where he was a long-time essayist, I read a Lance Morrow…
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The heart and soul of public education
I got home from work yesterday after running a couple of errands. It was approaching 6 p.m. My wife, a…
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Sitting in the mess can be worth it
I’m not the traditional church-going type. “Christianity” is an antiquated, laden term of which I’m not a fan. My faith…
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Identity groups are unexplainable
To the Editor: Attempts to explain or absolve any identity group of voters are subject to inaccuracy.
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I’ll take growth over stagnation any day
While not a surprise to anyone in Western North Carolina walking around with their eyes open, new Census data released…
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Be intentional in protecting earth
To the Editor: Many of us in Jackson County volunteered to pick up litter recently as part of Jackson County’s…
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