A year later, there is still much to be done
Earlier this week, I had started writing a column about the progress made in the year since the flooding from…
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Letter writer had it all wrong
To the Editor: Oh, good grief! The often-repeated exasperation by the cartoon character Charlie Brown came to mind upon reading…
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What to look for in a judge
To the Editor: Until 2018, judges in North Carolina had been non-partisan, after which the Republican legislature changed the law…
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Let’s have a discussion without hate and anger
As a pediatrician, I spent many years on hospital call in Haywood County and many long hours in the middle…
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The importance of streamside vegetation
Some people consider streamside vegetation a nuisance in need of being cut back. However, it serves a valuable purpose. It…
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Socialism is a misused word
To the Editor: The only thing I learned from a letter in a recent edition is that the letter writer…
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Most Americans support abortion rights
To the Editor: I read with interest Mr. Crider’s “Another view on Abortion” opinion piece in the Aug. 3 edition…
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Living in the moment, cleaning the mind
I’m writing this column from Playa Del Carmen, Quintana Roo in Mexico. We just watched the sunrise over the Caribbean…
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Do opinions still belong in newspapers?
“Not all opinion pieces have to be complaints or deal with issues. Sometimes it is enough to share old memories…
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Better cops make for better communities
I never did buy in to the “defund the police” movement that swept the country a few years ago. Yes,…
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Don’t forget Hiroshima Day
At this moment we are all struggling with many critical issues. The war in Ukraine, the increasing disasters of climate…
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Conservatives must save our country
To the Editor: Three hundred Spartans. The battle of Thermopylae, fought between the Greeks and the Persians in 480 B.C.,…
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Breaking down walls and sharing some magic
“… I hear Mariachi static on my radio / And the tubes they glow in the dark / And I’m there with her…
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Christianity is not partisan
To the Editor: During the past several weeks, a seemingly coordinated series of increasingly vitriolic letters to the editor have…
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Muddying the waters school board election
To the Editor: Over the past few weeks, a series of letters has appeared in local papers which seems to…
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Lessons learned from superheroes
In a previous column, I talked of my personal challenge to undergo “The Great Susanna Reset” this summer. One of my…
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School board race has important choices
To the Editor: On Tuesday, July 26, there will be a runoff election for school board in Jackson County. Early…
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‘You’re OK,’ and more notes from the road
She was 70, or so she said, but looked 15 years younger. She was alone and sipping wine and eating…
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Three education facts you should know
I have strong opinions about education policy in North Carolina and beyond. Maybe you’ve noticed!
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Let’s strive to become great
To the Editor: Been thinkin’ lately ‘bout M.A.G.A. What an acronym! It sounds strong.
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Religion doesn’t belong in schools
To the Editor: As Sylva prepares for its school board runoff election July 26, many signs sporting crosses by one…
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Being intentional about a life reset
I tend to live on a deeper plane than some, and it’s admittedly an exhausting place to be. I feel…
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A modest proposal to eliminate abortions
I have a modest proposal to solve the abortion dilemma, but first we need to understand the background.
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Will Merrick Garland defend the constitution?
To the Editor: The question on the minds of many Americans, will Merrick Garland follow the endless trail of irrefutable…
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Pless and Clampitt are too partisan
To the Editor: Behind the backs of local government in Haywood County, N.C. GOP Reps. Mark Pless and Mike Clampitt…
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We can overcome WNC’s affordable housing crisis
I am old enough that my first 1,800-square-foot house cost just $31,000 and its purchase was easily financed on my…
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Medicaid expansion will save lives, benefit all
North Carolina has one of the highest rates of uninsured people in the country, but our elected officials can cut…
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Gun safety legislation
To the Editor: As a mother, aunt, pediatrician and neighbor to beloved children, I have long been deeply troubled by…
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Election integrity is fundamental to our freedoms
As I was re-reading last week’s issue of The Smoky Mountain News and about the Juneteenth celebrations in the mountains,…
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Thanks to all for keeping Jackson clean
To the Editor: We are so blessed in Jackson County to have many dedicated individuals and community groups who have…
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New and shiny isn’t always better
In my adult life I’ve noticed an emotional pattern when it comes to appliances. When I have an antiquated appliance, it…
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Congress should fulfill the Second Amendment
To the Editor: In the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and yet another mass shooting in America I am…
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Rep. Pless bullies his way over local leaders
“Arrogant.” “Out of control.” “Power hungry.” I’ve heard all these words — and worse — used to describe Rep. Mark…
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So what’s the big deal about plastics?
The towns of Waynesville and Canton have recently joined hundreds of other communities in declaring a need to dramatically reduce…
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Burr, Tillis should support gun control
To the Editor: This is an open letter to Sens. Richard Burr and Thom Tillis.
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We need to enact stricter gun laws
To the Editor: I am a recent resident of the lovely state of North Carolina and am truly honored and…
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It’s hard not to love where we live
When I travel and tell someone I’m from Waynesville, a small town nestled in the Smoky Mountains, the comment is…
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Will Chuck Edwards condemn attempt to steal election?
Chuck Edwards defeated Rep. Madison Cawthorn in the District 11 Republican congressional primary because of the incumbent’s bizarre and immature…
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Remembering the sailors aboard the USS Liberty
To the Editor: A reporter for Al Jazeera (Shireen Abu Akleh) was killed by Israeli military personnel as she covered…
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GOP has lost its moral compass
To the Editor: The Republican Party is not the party of life.
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There’s still a market for good journalism
The mantra since starting this newspaper has been straightforward: put out a high-quality newspaper and work like hell to make…
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