To the Editor:

Pursuant to the article regarding Shining Rock Classical Academy that was published in last week’s edition, as well as the introduction of additional articles to follow, I would like to offer a positive parent statement. I ask that you consider publishing both positive and negative parental perspectives in your upcoming articles. My hope is that other parents will reach out with positive statements, although human nature often inclines us to find the negatives.  

At SRCA our children have thrived, we adore the teachers, the staff, and administration. This year I have watched my four children grow immensely. They have learned from teachers who value their academic advancement, as well as their personal growth and character. I have witnessed staff and administration care for my children, and at the same time lovingly intercede in moments when they were not making the best decisions. I appreciate creative approaches to discipline at Shining Rock, such as physical movement (walking laps), creativity (a poster presentation about poor choices), or reflection (a good talk with the SRO). 

My oldest was suspended three times this year for his poor choices. This perspective is coming from a mom of kids who are not “perfect.” Yet, never did we experience anything inappropriate. Two of my four children are in class with the parents who made statements. Naturally, I questioned my children, “are you afraid of Mr. Joshua Morgan, have you ever seen him touch a child in a scary way or be rough.” Each of my four children said “no.” They have never experienced Mr. Morgan display these accused behaviors.  

Prior to the printing of your article, I was aware of the letters which were presented to the board last week, and I had a chance to read them all before they were submitted. I found much of the information to be subjective in nature, but this is often the case in this type of situation. Do I believe there are some issues at SRCA? Absolutely. 

There will always be areas in which parents, including myself, may have frustrations or concerns. In February, I was quoted by The Mountaineer following the SRCA board meeting, in which I publicly questioned the board’s lack of integrity and clarity regarding Mr. Duncan’s firing, and the choice to do this without all members present. I believe the board needs to be not only evaluated but revised. Increased stakeholders, diversity, and community leaders added to the board would certainly allow for new perspectives and decisions. I know as an educator and a registered nurse that those of us in public service are rarely thanked for the work we do. It is often the slight indifferences that are magnified in light of all the good. Leaders must make decisions that are best for the entire community that they serve. Often those decisions are not easy, nor are the details behind those decisions able to be disclosed. While clarity is crucial to trust, part of choosing a school of choice is indeed choosing to trust the leadership who are in the trenches every day. 

Thank you for considering my statements. 

Alyson Weimar

Maggie Valley

By Norman Hoffman • Guest Columnist

Most psychiatric conditions require the clinician to interact directly with the individual to determine a diagnosis. For example, most of us have experienced some level of depression, but few of us have reached the threshold for a diagnosis of major depressive episode, which requires additional criteria, such as loss of appetite, sleep disturbance, slowed concentration, feelings of guilt, and/or thoughts of death.

However, there are a few conditions that can be determined from observable behavior. One of these is narcissistic personality disorder. Of the nine criteria, five are required to indicate a diagnosis, and most can be determined from observing behaviors. Here are the nine criteria:

Harrah’s Cherokee Casinos have been a long time partner with Habitat for Humanity, but this year the company is taking on a special project to support a local family in need by providing them with a place to call home.

In the meat department of your Ingles Market you can find beef that is labeled "grass-fed" so let's separate the facts from the fiction on grass-fed.

A two-year trail rehabilitation project is now underway at the Trillium Gap Trail in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with volunteer opportunities available. 

The 2019 edition of the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project’s Local Food Guide is now available, an essential source for finding locally grown food and farms. 

Jim Costa, executive director of the Western Carolina University Highlands Biological Station and a professor of biology at WCU, has been named an Andrew W. Mellon Visiting Scholar at the New York Botanical Garden’s Humanities Institute. 

To the Editor:

Reason and emotion are the two fundamental bases for decision-making. We are facing some historic decisions in America today. None is more important at the moment than whether to impeach Donald Trump or not.

Conventional wisdom says Democrats should rely almost entirely on the truth revealed by the Mueller Report (reason). It has also been said that Democrats should remember the aftermath of the Nixon and Clinton impeachment processes. Most say that impeachment will fail because the Republicans in the Senate will not abandon Trump (emotion).

The fallacy in bringing up Nixon and Clinton is that they pale in comparison to the peril that Donald Trump has led America into. Neither Nixon nor Clinton entangled America in the tentacles of a foreign power. Donald Trump has. He has refused to heed the warnings given to him by the most advanced intelligence organizations in the world. He has refused to establish a bi-partisan commission to investigate Russian interference in our election process. At present he is insisting that his aides not testify before Congress. He has attempted to require appointees to sign non-disclosure agreements. He has touted the claims of two foreign powers (Russia and Saudi Arabia) over America’s intelligence sources. This list is sufficient to show how dangerous Donald Trump has been and is still. It is nowhere near a comprehensive list.

Democrats need to couple the reason they have used so far with a term that evokes images of the present peril (emotion). Allow me to suggest “Putin-Gate.” Then they need to exploit reason along with emotion to force action from Republicans who are hiding behind their blind loyalty to Trump and their party. Democrats need to quit worrying about losing the 2020 election. They need to force the issue of loyalty to party or allegiance to America now. They must act boldly because the country needs bold action as opposed to maintaining a president in office (Republican goal) and relying entirely on the reason embodied in the Mueller Report (Democrat strategy).

In sports terms this combination of reason and emotion can be likened to (1) having a team well-drilled in fundamentals, (2) formulating a solid game plan and (3) playing with emotion. The team that plays to keep from losing too often places itself at a distinct disadvantage by allowing the underdog to hang around late in the game. 

Act boldly, Democrats! Kris Kristofferson sang, “I’d rather be sorry for something I’ve done than for something that I didn’t do.” Leave Donald Trump with “impeached” by his name in history. You will only have one chance. Use reason and emotion rather than relying only on reason. It is fairly clear that Trump’s base decides mainly on emotion. Raw emotion will not endure the power of reason and emotion combined.

Dave Waldrop

Webster

To the Editor:

Each year since the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, the number of incidents of gun violence on school grounds has grown. That is appalling and simply unacceptable. As a parent there is nothing more important to me than the safety of our schools. In light of the recent tragedy at UNC-Charlotte that directly impacted us, I need to write this letter.

I am heartened to see the federal government is building on the research and lessons learned in the Sandy Hook tragedy — along with too many other massacres since — by increasing the funding available for the training of youth and adults in our school system. Knowing what to look out for and how to intervene when potential violence is threatened or suspected are crucial to reversing this epidemic. 

 I urge the governor’s administration to act fast and apply for the STOP School Violence Act funding that can bring the necessary, evidence-based prevention and intervention programs we need to every school in North Carolina at no cost. It is our responsibility to make schools safer and equip our kids with the life skills needed to prevent all forms of violence. With this federal funding available, it is time to act.

Natalie Malis

Waynesville

Have you moved, changed your name, mailing address or phone number since you registered to vote in the county, state and national elections? If so, you need to notify your local Board of Elections of your current information. 

The oldest metal truss bridge in the state of North Carolina has earned inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places, and the Bethel Rural Community Organization wants you to come help them celebrate at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 30, at Truss Bridge #79, on Lake Logan Road.

The Health Equity Coalition will hold a forum to explore new ways of connecting community to philanthropy. The $1.5 billion trust from the sale of Mission Hospital has created an opportunity to invest in life-changing initiatives for many of the 900,000 citizens in the 18-county Western North Carolina region.

By Katherine Bartel • Secretary, Haywood County NAACP

“My little brother Isaiah is, as you would call it, ‘a boy of color,’” said 11-year-old Alicia Matthews. “He is probably one of the smartest 6 year olds you’ll ever meet. One time we were playing in his room and all of a sudden he asks me a question just randomly out of the blue, ‘Alicia? Why do I have brown skin?’ At first, I didn’t know what to say to him because he is so young and he barely knew who he was. I said, ‘Because that’s who you are. So don’t try to be anyone else.’ He responded to me with a simple ‘OK’ because he is still very young and that’s just how he responds to those kinds of statements.” 

On Friday, May 3, Justin Scott Fuller, 31, of Waynesville, pled guilty to second-degree murder in the shooting death of Christopher Stewart Phillips. The two had been friends and neighbors prior to the deadly incident.

A new program will allow growers to map crops by herbicide-resistant traits. 

The 2018 Farm Bill resulted in higher farm loan limits from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, among other changes.

The Brushy Ridge Trail near Linville Gorge reopened last week following successful containment of a 3-acre fire there April 30. 

To the Editor:

A letter to the editor in The Smoky Mountain News (Let’s All Embrace God’s Healing, March 27, 2019) indicated that members of the LGBTQ+ community are “broken” and in need of “healing and reconciliation.” This editorial essentially attempted to shame a high school student in our community for speaking her mind and having the courage to express her opinion (My Church Embraces LGBTQ Members, March 6, 2019). 

I don’t have a problem with freedom of the press or for anyone speaking their mind, regardless of their faith or orientation. However, when a person of faith believes they can determine who is broken and separate from the Divine, simply based on their interpretation of the Bible, well that is a different story. 

It is not those who Mr. Onder deemed broken that create the divisions in our communities and culture. The separation in our communities is caused by divisive, hateful rhetoric which attempts to shame and silence those who believe differently. It is the rhetoric that creates potentially threatening learning environments for students, and hostile work environments for employees. 

It is the rhetoric that creates tension between community members. It is the rhetoric of hate speech which minimizes the voice of a loving, articulate high school student whose article indicated simply that she believed in her community and that she has hope for the future. On this note, Ms. Dove provided us all with a true example of faith.

I would like to believe Mr. Onder’s intent was not to threaten or harm anyone. However, in a world where language can unite or divide a community, I hope we would choose to honor all members of our community, regardless of faith or lifestyle. It is often stated, “unity does not imply uniformity.” As Joel Goldsmith (1998) states, “you are no more outside of God’s government than the stars, than sun, the moon, the tides, the fish swimming in the sea or the birds flying in the air.” 

If we are all children of God, then the diversity surrounding us is a gift to be appreciated, not feared. 

Rev. Dr. Katherine R.B. Greysen

Canton

To the Editor:

On Saturday I went to the Jackson County Recreation Center for a workout. I was guided into the parking lot by some very nice young people and greeted by a number of vendors selling food and gifts. What is the celebration, I wondered, and learned that a well-known young lady, suffering from cancer, was being honored by a fundraiser to help with her health care expenses. What a wonderful example of our community pulling together to help one another.

Several years ago I witnessed in Haywood County a similar event with a BBQ sale for another person suffering from cancer. There are times I see a jar on the counter in a restaurant asking for donations for a person needing an operation. 

While these examples are to be honored and celebrated, they dramatically point out the insanity causing these events to take place. For every person fortunate to have someone raise funds for their healthcare calamity, there are countless other loved ones who are not so fortunate, who suffer needlessly and are indebted to the health care industry for life. A friend of mine was run off the road on his bicycle and seriously injured. He was rushed to Mission Hospital and is now fully recovered but owes the hospital over $24,000. No one is raising funds for him. Isn’t it regrettable so many lack adequate coverage with a health care system considered to be the highest cost system in the industrialized world?

Other wealthy countries spend about half as much per capita on health. Quality health care metrics ranks our country the worst. The U.S. experiences higher rates of medical, medication and lab errors versus other countries at 19 percent while Canada’s error rate is 15 percent and the United Kingdom’s error rate is 11 percent.

Why do our representatives oppose health care for everyone? Why do others call such ideas communistic or socialistic? I have looked and looked but cannot find in the New Testament any story of Jesus Christ asking sick, lame or blind persons about their insurance provider, copay, deductible and number of hours worked before healing them. Was Jesus practicing socialism? Was he a communist?

Enough. Isn’t it time to advocate for quality healthcare for everyone, not just a fortunate few? Jesus did. Isn’t that what religious leaders of all beliefs have advocated for centuries? What about billboards, social media, letters and social action to encourage discussion and solutions for creating an efficient and cost effective healthcare system that serves everyone and helps our local economies. No strings attached.

Ron Robinson

Sylva

To the Editor:

Imagine that you go to your general practitioner and she reminds you that it’s time for a colonoscopy. You have the colonoscopy and the doctor tells you that you have colon cancer. The surgery is scheduled. You get a CAT scan to see whether there is any obvious spread to the cancer. The surgery is completed and you are home two days later, missing about 11 inches of your colon.

While you are recuperating, the bills start rolling in:

• Colonoscopy office visit, colonoscopy, pathology: $6,624

• Pre-Op CAT scan: $2,080

• Physician office visit, surgery, pathology: $10,749

• Hospital: $45,288

The total is $64,741. This happened to me. I am on Medicare and have supplemental coverage. Of the total, Medicare paid $15,027 and my supplemental insurance paid $2,391. My out-of-pocket cost was about $200.

If I were under 65 and had no insurance, I would be liable for the entire $64,741. Few families can afford this kind of a financial shock. News reports claim that almost half of households cannot afford a $400 financial surprise.

I also looked at my drug costs. A 90-day supply of my four generic prescriptions has a list price of $905. I paid $92. Again, without the price reductions negotiated by my insurance company, I would be liable for the entire $905 — or I would do without.

My point is that an increasing number of people are one medical diagnosis away from financial disaster. This should not be the case in the wealthiest country in the world. After all, every other developed country in the world has figured it out.

There are numerous ways to solve this problem. With the exception of the millions of citizens who have poor or no insurance, our current mostly private system works, although it is the most expensive in the world and provides only mediocre outcomes. 

The first, and most important issue, is to cover the approximately 80 million Americans with inadequate or no insurance. Simply expanding Medicaid would cover several hundred thousand people just in North Carolina. Most states have done this. Modifications to existing programs (e.g. ACA, Medicare, Medicaid) could probably accomplish most of the rest.

Ultimately, however, we must provide universal coverage and address the outrageous costs and mediocre outcomes of our current system. Not addressing this problem condemns millions of Americans to premature death and/or financial disaster. 

Is that who we are?

John Gladden

Franklin

To the Editor:

Doubtless, most of you know about the tragic death of Riley Howell, and if you are like us, you are heartbroken for his family and friends and extremely frustrated and angry that another senseless tragedy has occurred. And this one hit very close to home.

Riley grew up participating in the youth activities at First United Methodist Church in Waynesville and he and his family are thought of as part of our church family. 

He was remembered as a hero at the memorial service for him. It is fitting that his service was held at Lake Junaluska, in Stuart Auditorium, because Lake Junaluska has a tradition of offering the facility to families of fallen heroes for their services. 

In Riley’s obituary, March for Our Lives is named as one of the organizations suggested for memorial gifts — which seems appropriate but so sad, a reminder that here we are again, mourning another young life taken too soon, but at the same time, recognizing that apparently this was a cause that had meaning for him. Riley sought to protect people. We must do the same. 

Just as we have said about all the young people who have died violent deaths, we cannot let his death — or the others — be in vain. 

Our obligation is to continue the good fight — working to make our world a less violent place where hate is not rampant. 

How we do that is the most pressing issue. 

Sarah and Bob Hunter

Lake Junaluska

More than 12,000 donors contributed over a five-year period to raise over $60 million for scholarships at Western Carolina University.

Haywood Regional Medical Center recently announced that Johanna Dewees, RN, has been recognized as the hospital’s 2019 Mercy Award winner. The Mercy Award recognizes one employee from each of LifePoint Health’s hospitals who profoundly touches the lives of others and best represents the spirit and values on which the company was founded. 

All four lanes of Interstate 40 near the Tennessee state lane will be open to traffic before sunrise on Wednesday.

201 Barber Blvd, Waynesville. Thursday, May 23 • 3-6 p.m.

An upcoming widening project on Interstate 26 in Buncombe and Henderson counties will impact the Blue Ridge Parkway. 

The U.S. Senate is considering a bill that would provide permanent funding for the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

An environmental analysis is now complete for the Southside Project, expected to improve forest health, diversity and wildlife habitat in southeastern Macon County and southern Jackson County. 

The Blue Ridge National Heritage Area Partnership (BRNHA) has awarded 19 grants totaling $190,171 to support projects across the North Carolina mountains and foothills, focusing on craft, music, natural heritage, Cherokee culture and agricultural traditions.

To the Editor:

State legislators have proposed a bill they misname “N.C. Health Care for Working Families,” a Medicaid expansion bill with the most stringent work requirements ever. It would require that in order to have Medicaid health insurance, “able bodied” persons would have to regularly work 20 or more hours a week. This seems to make sense on its face. But, both the experience of other states and research evidence show that work requirements do not help unemployed people find jobs. Instead they result in huge holes in the social safety-net for our most vulnerable citizens.  

 The idea that a work requirement with the promise of health insurance would push someone uninterested in working to find a job is just plain wrong. Here’s why. The largest proportion of those who would be eligible for Medicaid expansion already work 20 hours a week or more. If they are “able bodied” and do not work, there is generally one or more valid reasons why. Here are some examples: inadequate or absent public transportation, health issues deemed not eligible for disability, mental illness or substance addiction, having a criminal record, caring for sick or aging family members, lack of job skills/training or illiteracy, just to name a few. It’s worth noting that those who work odd jobs or for employers that pay under-the-table in construction, landscaping, house cleaning or the like would not be eligible for coverage. Likewise, those who depend on seasonal work and spend several off-season months without employment would not meet the 20-hour minimum and would be dropped from coverage as well.    

Both research and common sense agree that when a person has access to nutritious food, safe housing and healthcare they are far more likely to find and keep steady work. If our legislators are actually in the business of improving the lives of N.C. citizens, they will listen to the evidence and pass Medicaid expansion without a work requirement. Please don’t leave the most vulnerable among us behind. We’re better than that. 

Barbara Kelton

Bryson City

To the Editor:

Here’s a brief analysis of Donald Trump’s leadership using Joe Bryson’s characteristics: 

• Vision — Yes, Trump has his vision for America-fascism with him at the helm. “The press is the enemy” is a major sign here. Grade F

• Courage — Are bone spurs what kept Trump out of uniform? Why did he say he likes people who don’t get captured? Grade F

• Wisdom — Not much here! Does he believe he can coerce people to follow his philosophy? Grade F

• Energy — We must give the old man some credit here. He stays right with his golf game, his campaign stops and his business dealings. Grade A

• Management Skill — Why would a presidential candidate surround himself with so many people who pled guilty to or have been convicted of crimes? Why consider pardons for them? Grade F

• Charisma — He has been a TV star. On a reality show that is virtual unreality. Flashback: Anyone remember Jim Jones and his charismatic/religious leadership? Grade F+

• Integrity — Did Trump forgive Hilary Clinton only to rescind it? Grade F

• Spiritual System (added by author) — Is establishing an Evangelical Advisory Board while at the same time separating mothers and children at the border something of a contradiction in words and deeds? Grade FFF

Religions have historically been a form of “obedience to the un-enforceable.” Why is Trump’s appointee (Neil Gorsuch) trying to establish Christianity as America’s national religion?

Regarding the weather, have you noticed those three clouds hovering over the White House? Can you see the word “collusion” in one, “obstruction” in one and “Mueller Report” in the third one?

What has Trump’s leadership led America to? Where are we headed?

Dave Waldrop

Webster

A professor in Western Carolina University’s School of Nursing is teaming up with an award-winning documentary filmmaker to produce a video series related to the opioid epidemic that will enhance classroom instruction for the university’s nurse practitioner students and assist primary care health providers across the region.

Surprise you mom and other special women in your life this year with a greeting card that will also help make a difference in the community. 

Former Big Cove representative Teresa McCoy will regain her place on the ballot in the race for principal chief following an order from the Cherokee Supreme Court overturning the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians Board of Elections’ decision to exclude her from the race. 

Haywood County Public Library cardholders have an opportunity to relieve their library fines while helping out with food insecurity in Haywood County.

Graduating students who comprise what is believed to be Western Carolina University’s eighth straight record spring class will gather with their families and friends for commencement ceremonies Friday, May 10, and Saturday, May 11.

A contractor for the N.C. Department of Transportation will begin setting up a lane shift on U.S. 441 in Jackson County on Thursday that will provide safe travel lanes and a safe work zone when construction crews begin repairing road damage on Cowee Mountain.

140 Weaver Blvd., Weaverville. Thursday, May 2 • 3-6 p.m. Over 25 local farmers, food and beverage makers and bread bakers.

Wildflower displays along Western North Carolina highways have earned local N.C. Department of Transportation offices statewide recognition. 

Bill Hodge, longtime executive director of the Southern Appalachian Wilderness Stewards, is stepping down from the organization. 

A landslide on Forest Service Road 4650 in Jackson County has resulted in closure of the Wayehutta OHV Trail System. 

For the fifth time, Western Carolina University has been voted the top adventure college in Blue Ridge Outdoors’ online readers’ poll. 

After 27 years of service, legendary Lake Junaluska landscaper Roddy Ray has retired. 

This year’s opening schedule for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is now final, with most facilities having opened in time for Easter and the remaining facilities resuming operations by Memorial Day.