Queen for Senate

I’ve studied the positions, read their answers to questions, read the endorsement for Gregg Thompson in the Asheville Citizen-Times, and watched the hopefuls in public. Having done that, I think Joe Sam Queen is the best choice for Senate in the 47th District.

I’ve watched Queen for years in Haywood County, working with various groups to help make his community stronger. During that time we’ve become well acquainted, and readers should know that. I also know that Queen has upset some who may have disagreed with his positions or not supported his causes, but that will happen to anyone who has strong opinions.

My main reason for believing that Queen will do a good and earnest job in Raleigh is his proven record of community service before ever holding an elected office.

Queen’s work with the Smoky Mountain Folk Festival, the Haywood County Arts Council, the local street dances, the Voices in the Laurel Childrens Choir , Boy Scouts, Haywood 2000 and Leadership Haywood all reflect his resolve that personal commitment can make a difference in the quality of life in a community.

His commitment to the arts will also be a refreshing change in Raleigh. In this day of tough spending choices, we will do well to send someone to the legislature who understands that local, community arts programs benefit this region’s economy. Yes, infrastructure like high-speed Internet access helps communities, and Queen knows that. But arts improve the quality of life, are vital in making a community a great place to live, and are an economic engine. Queen understands that better than most people seeking office.

During the controversial justice center debate in Haywood County, he was also a voice of reason. He argued vehemently for a plan that could save taxpayers money, as his campaign literature has touted. More importantly, though, during this and other community debates, he pleaded with those in charge to use the assets of the community.

Haywood County commissioners have hired two architectural firms from out of state to do this important job. Their construction management firm is from Atlanta. Queen argued, rightly I believe, that the skills necessary to do some of this work are held by professionals right here. He was a consulting architect to the justice center firm, but quit because he did not believe they were trying to design a building that reflected this community, served its needs, or showed respect for its taxpayers.

Keeping money for professional contracts within the community means a portion of those millions of dollars would be donated to local churches, to youth recreation leagues, to local community arts groups. That is an important distinction, and one Queen understands.

When the regional daily endorsed Thompson, they touted the fact that he brought two prisons to his district while in the House. Perhaps some believe that is the kind of economic development we need in Haywood County, but I disagree. There is no place in this county where such a facility would not negatively affect the quality of life of its neighbors. Property values would decrease and the economic benefit to our older workers who have lost manufacturing jobs would be minuscule. If that is the best Thompson can do, voters should consider his record carefully.

There is one more important point for Haywood voters. The new district is a poorly drawn, gerrymandered mess covering seven counties. Thompson has spent little time here during the campaign. That should worry those of us who want real representation in Raleigh.

Queen’s commitment to community service is real and proven. He won’t be just another politician but a strong, grounded voice for the mountains. Send him to Raleigh and we’ll all benefit.

Muckrakin’ in Macon

If ever there was an election that was poised to either bring great change or more of the same, it is in Macon County.

Citizens in the fast-growing county that is just two hours north of the Atlanta metro area have been party to a bruising campaign. One candidate withdrew after allegations were raised that he was violating the arcane, obscure federal Hatch Act. Republic Norman Roberts had his candidacy challenged by a Republican voter. And County Manager Sam Greenwood and GOP candidate J.B. Coram have been at each other’s throat for the last month.

Coram claims the county administration is corrupt. He has not produced hard evidence, but he says runaway spending is mostly the fault of Greenwood. He also says Greenwood was instrumental in a plan to challenge the residency status of another Republican candidate by slowing down the issuing of his occupancy permit

“I think we have to first take care of the corruption issue within the courthouse, then we’ve got to provide taxpayers with the infrastructure to build an economy for the next 50 years,” said Coram. Greenwood answered the attacks with a two-page statement which read, in part: “Candidates Coram and (Norman) Roberts are, I believe, conducting a campaign of smear, rumors and innuendoes solely because they have no other effective plans or platform other than to condemn and destroy,” wrote Greenwood.

It is unusual for county managers to get so involved in campaigns, and we can only assume Greenwood knows he is gone if Coram and Roberts win, so he has nothing to lose.

The GOP slate in Macon is vehemently anti land-use planning. If they win, Macon may have a tough time finding ways to handle the growth that is barreling into the county. The differences in the slate of candidates is clear; what’s not is who will win.

(Scott McLeod is the editor of The Smoky Mountain News. Contact him at info@smokymountainnews.com)