A retreat for writers and artists will be held at Lake Logan Retreat Center May 18-23 by Cullowhee Mountain ARTS, an organization that hosts a gamut of workshops and retreats to connect artists with accomplished instructors in their field.

The May retreat will host North Carolina Poet Laureate Emeritus, Kathryn Stripling Byer, who will conduct the workshop “Singing it Forward.” The music of language, its modulation, its dramatic tension, and its syntactic and rhythmic properties will be the focus of this workshop.

There will be a parallel track for visual artists with two instructors.

Lake Logan Retreat Center sits on 300 preserved acres in Haywood County.

The second artist and writers retreat will be held at Lake Logan in September with different instructors.

www.cullowheemountainarts.org or 828.342.6913.

The May 6 primary will narrow down the contenders for the Jackson County sheriff. The field of six Democrats and three Republicans will be whittled down to one candidate per party for the November ballot.

Glen Biller, D, 50

Qualifications: Deputy at Haywood County Sheriff Department. Twenty-four years in the U.S. Army, including four years active duty; 14 years managing building supply company.

Reason to run: “My goal is to make sure that Jackson County is safe for all of our citizens and to enforce the laws of North Carolina without bias.”

Philosophy: “The Sheriff’s Office will serve the citizens of Jackson County with respect and the courtesy they deserve.” 

Favorite vacation spot: The beach 

Douglas Farmer, D, 50

Qualifications: Police officer at Sylva Police Department. Sixteen years in law enforcement, including stints with the Macon and Jackson county sheriff’s offices, as well as the Highlands Police Department; One year as international police officer in Iraq.

Reason to run: “I’ve got such a wide range of experience that I think it gives me a real even keel on how to deal with people and how to approach difficult situations.”

Philosophy: “I will enforce the law and aggressively pursue the people that put this stuff [drugs] on our streets, put them in jail and keep them there.” 

Favorite music: Bluegrass and gospel, especially Mountain Faith

Michael Gosnell, D, 58

Qualifications: Security guard at Old Edwards Club at Highlands Cove. Thirty-five years in security, including seven as an armed guard and 27 in law enforcement.

Reason to run: “Jackson County is my home and I want to see what I can do to deter and fight crime. It’s not going to be wiped out, but it can be reduced.”

Philosophy: “A sheriff elected is only as good as his word. In other words, make no promises but show results.”

Favorite TV show: “In the Heat of the Night”

Robin Gunnels, D, 49

Qualifications: Owner of Custom Truck Covers. Seventeen years in law enforcement as jailor, patrol officer, sergeant and lieutenant; 12 years as business owner.

Reason to run: “I know what the public talks about. I know what their needs are. I know how to manage a budget. I’m not a one-dimensional person.”

Philosophy: “We have to fix things now. We have to be proactive now, not wait till later. I built my entire life on one principle, and that is integrity.”

Favorite fruit: Mangos

Chip Hall, D, 46

Qualifications: Chief deputy at Jackson County Sheriff’s Department. Twenty-five years at Jackson County Sheriff’s Department in a variety of positions.  

Reason to run: “I want to reach out to be active in everything that goes on in our community, to have a relationship with our citizens beyond anything we’ve ever had.”

Philosophy: “Community involvement is the key to a functioning sheriff’s office and a good community response.”

Favorite fruit: apples  

Steven Lillard, D, 43

Qualifications: Assistant police chief at Western Carolina University. Nineteen years in law enforcement as a patrol officer, investigator and division-level administrator

Reason to run: “My experience, training and education have helped prepare me to make good decisions and collaborate with other people and agencies.” 

Philosophy: “I want to be open and honest with the public. Working together, we can solve problems.”

Favorite TV show: “Blue Bloods” 

Jim Hodgins, R, 62

Qualifications: Retired logger. Forty years as a logger, including business ownership.

Reason to run: “I’m hoping we can accomplish getting the drugs out of here, or doing our best to slow them way down.” 

Philosophy: “I think the sheriff ought to be out there looking after his men. I believe he needs to take care of them and stay on them to make sure they do their jobs.” 

Favorite TV show: “Andy Griffith Show” 

Curtis Lambert, R, 44

Qualifications: Former officer at Sylva Police Department. Fourteen years in law enforcement, including service with the Sylva Police Department and Jackson County Sheriff’s Office; former vice president of payroll service. 

Reason to run: “I have a combination of law enforcement and business experience, and that’s what it takes nowadays to be an effective sheriff.” 

Philosophy: “An effective leader will be someone that will have an open-door policy and an open-department policy to where they’re not trying to hide things that are going on.”

Favorite vacation: history tour of Charleston, S.C. 

Mary Alice Rock, R, 46

Qualifications: Bail bondsman. Two years of active duty in the U.S. Army; seven years in inactive reserves; basic law enforcement training; 15 years as bail bondsman.

Reason to run: “There appears to be no law in Jackson County, and we need law restored.” 

Philosophy: “Help people who need help. Get back to the basics of why you have a sheriff’s office to begin with. It’s to protect and serve the public, not personal needs or gains.” 

Favorite music: “Keep Ya Head Up” by 2PAC; “God Bless America” 

Three of the five seats on the Haywood County board of commissioners are up for election this year.

A field of five Democratic candidates — the three incumbents and two challengers —  will be narrowed down to three in the primary election.

There are two Republicans and one Libertarian running, but they automatically advance to the general election in November without a primary.

Kirk Kirkpatrick, 45 • Waynesville

Kirkpatrick has a solo law firm in Waynesville and does a mix of criminal and civil cases, as well as real estate law.

Kirkpatrick has been a county commissioner for 12 years and consistently wins re-election as the top vote getter.

Kirkpatrick defended a suite of county building projects over the past decade as necessary and a smart move for the future. They included a new courthouse, a new jail and sheriff’s office, a new office for the department of social services and health department, a senior resource center, a landfill expansion, a new community college building and an adult day care. 

“Basically I feel like I have been a contractor for the past 10 years,” Kirkpatrick lamented. “But it had to be done and somebody had to do it and hopefully we did it at the least expensive point in time.”

PLATFORM: “I really like my county. I like the people in the county. I enjoy doing what I do. I want to have good open government. I want to see our county prosper.”

Mike Sorrells, 57 • Jonathan Creek

Sorrells is the owner of a gas station, community general store, auto repair and tire service and café in his home community of Jonathan Creek.

He served on the school board for six years and has been a county commissioner for four years.

Sorrells touts the county’s economic development record over the past four years. The county extended property tax breaks to two existing manufacturers — Sonoco Plastics and Conmet — as an incentive for expanding their operations and adding jobs.

The county landed a $2.1 million state grant and will put in $700,000 in county money to help Evergreen paper mill with a $50 million coal-to-natural gas conversion in order to meet air pollution standards.

The county played a supporting role for Haywood Regional Medical Center, amid its financial uncertainty. And the county re-envisioned its economic development arm as a joint venture with the Haywood County Chamber of Commerce.

PLATFORM: “I have common sense. You have to look at whether something is a good, wise decision and you move forward.”

Bill Upton, 69 • Canton

Upton spent 35 years in public education, as an assistant principal and principal of Pisgah High School, principal of Meadowbrook Elementary and eventually superintendent.

He’s been a county commissioner for eight years and is proud of the course the county is on.

Upton said he is a supporter of education and children. His career in the school system taught him how to work with people, be it parents, teachers or students.

“You can’t prejudge a kid’s actions, you have to listen to both sides and make a fair decision,” Upton said.

He said the current board has been forward-thinking and balanced.

PLATFORM: “I have managed a large budget with responsibility and integrity, and I haven’t been afraid to make tough decisions. I have worked to find the best solutions to our county’s needs while being open to the will and voice of our citizens.”

Kyle Edwards, 74 • Maggie Valley

Edwards has been a contractor since 1970 and specializes in grading, excavation and heavy equipment jobs. He grew up dirt-poor but went on to become a self-made business man. 

“I started with one backhoe,” he said, a far cry from the expansive machinery yard outside his living room window today.

He is the owner of the Stompin’ Ground, a clogging and entertainment venue in Maggie Valley, which he built to showcase the natural talents of his two children, who were both champion cloggers.

Edwards also runs a 100-site commercial campground in Maggie Valley, which he built in the early 2000s. He was a Maggie Valley alderman in the 1970s and 1980s.

PLATFORM: Lower taxes, smaller government, less regulation, private property rights, gun rights, business friendly, pro-veteran and pro-seniors.

Bob McClure, 67 • Crabtree

McClure prides himself on being in Haywood County’s workforce for 50 years, mostly in manufacturing. He worked at Unagusta Furniture Factory, then Dayco for three decades, and the short-lived Dana Corporation.

Twice, the factory he worked at closed and he was laid off. He soon found a new job with the Haywood County Sheriff’s Office, where he’s worked as a jailer and now a court bailiff.

“I had to keep going. I have never been a quitter. Even when those plants shut down I was out the next day looking for a job. I feel as a person you are just as strong as you want to be,” McClure said.

McClure said he would put his energy as a commissioner into recruiting industry and jobs, ideally small manufacturing.

“As part of the commissioner team we should be out trying to find jobs,” McClure said.

McClure said he doesn’t know how much the current board does on this front, nor how he would go about it himself or what the prospects of being successful are, but he would try. 

“I just know as commissioner, if I am elected as commissioner, I would be more hands on trying to get jobs,” McClure said. “Don’t set on their laurels and expect something to happen. Try to make something happen in the job force.”

PLATFORM: “I feel like what I am doing is for everybody in Haywood County because I feel like the decisions that is made by the commissioners affect all the people in Haywood County, and they deserve to know what is going on in Haywood County and have a voice in what is going on.”

But some opponents believe the sitting commissioners are agents of the government instead of a voice for the people.

“My main objective is to give people a voice of what they want to happen in Haywood County,” said Bob McClure, a challenger on the Democratic ticket. “We need to get more people involved in the meetings, when they go to the meetings, and get more feedback of what the majority of people want, not just a select few.”

Kirkpatrick said he tries to be cognizant of that.

“I have to take a good look at myself and not think that I have all the answers to things and to continue to listen to people. You have to tell yourself all the time to make sure to listen to people,” Kirkpatrick said.

N.C. House of Representatives, seat 118

Is this my state rep? Yes, if you live in Madison and Yancey counties and part of Haywood — namely Canton, Clyde, Bethel, Cruso, Maggie Valley, Jonathan Creek and Crabtree areas.

Is there a primary? No Democratic or Republican primary.

About the race: This is a slightly Democratic-leaning district and was held by the popular and effective leader Ray Rapp, D-Mars Hill, for more than a decade. But Rapp lost in 2012. It surprised politicos on both sides of the aisle. Rapp’s loss was chalked up to collateral damage in the Republican landslide in North Carolina that year. Despite the Democratic Party begging Rapp to run for his old seat, he didn’t want to reenter politics. 

About the candidates:

• N.C. Rep. Michele Presnell, R-Burnsville, is running for reelection after her first term. She is a small business owner. Presnell previously ran on a platform that included lowering taxes, requiring voter I.D., expanding gun rights, restricting abortion, and reducing regulations — and she delivered. 

“I am proud to be able to say that I made promises during my 2012 campaign, and I kept those promises,” Presnell said.

www.presnellforhouse.com

• Dean Hicks, D-Burnsville is challenging Presnell. Hicks, a Yancey native and a retired teacher and coach, served three terms as a Yancey County commissioner. The candidate lists education reform as his top priority. 

“I feel like we’ve lost 50-plus years of progress in the last year,” Hicks said. “That is my main goal, is to try to get education back on the right track.”

N.C. House of Representatives, seat 119

Is this my state rep? Yes, if you live in Jackson and Swain counties and part of Haywood  — namely Waynesville and Lake Junaluska.

Is there a primary? There is a primary for Republicans, but not Democrats.

About the race: The seat in this left-leaning House district has long belonged to a Democrat. In 2012, the seat came up for grabs with the retirement of long-time legislator Phil Haire of Sylva after 14 years. A fellow Democratic statesman picked up the torch — one of the only Democrats elected to the legislature in the mountains two years ago.

Democratic Candidates

• N.C. Rep. Joe Sam Queen, D-Waynesville, is running for reelection. Queen, an architect and businessman, is serving his first term in the N.C. House. But Queen has previously served three terms in the N.C. Senate over the past decade. Queen, who is married to a doctor and has two grown children, is a long-time civic leader in Haywood County and has served on many community organizations, including heritage and cultural organizations, as well as being involved in environmental and business initiatives.

www.joesamqueen.com

GOP Candidates:

• Dodie Allen, an auctioneer for the past 30 years, runs Dodie’s Auction in Sylva. The 79-year-old is seeking the House seat because she believes “that we are pulling further and further away from our constitution.”

• Mike Clampitt, a Republican from Bryson City, ran against Queen for the House seat two years ago but lost. Clampitt served 28 years as fire captain with the Charlotte Fire Department and returned to his hometown of Bryson City 10 years ago.

www.mikeclampitt.com

• Aaron Littlefield, 22, is a political science student at WCU and server at Bear Lake Reserve, who is graduating this May. He wants to be “a voice for the struggling business of WNC, support higher standards in education, and fight back against corruption in our government.”

N.C. House of Representatives, seat 120

Is this my state rep? Yes, if you live in Macon, Clay, Graham and Cherokee counties

Is there a primary? No Democratic or Republican Primary

About the race: The indefatigueable and apparently untouchable N.C. Rep. Roger West, R-Murphy, will once again run for this seat unopposed. 

N.C. Senate, seat 50

Is this my state senator? Yes, if you live in anywhere in the seven western counties of Haywood, Jackson, Macon, Swain, Graham, Clay and Cherokee.

Is there a primary?

About the race: The district is fairly evenly split, with neither the Republicans or Democrats able to claim a real leg up. The seat has flip-flopped between Republicans and Democrats twice in the past decade.

The race for this state Senate seat from the far western mountains usually is a local affair, but it garnered national media attention in 2010 and 2012 as a poster child for the flood of outside money from right-wing groups to influence regional races — allegedly part of a larger, far-reaching strategy to bankroll local campaigns as a way to amass state conservative majorities.  

N.C. Senator Jim Davis, R- Franklin, won the seat narrowly in 2010 by unseating the Democratic incumbent John Snow. Snow ran to get his seat back in 2012, but didn’t come close.

Nearly $1 million was spent by Davis’ campaign and by outside groups on Davis’ behalf in the 2012 election.

GOP candidate:

•N.C. Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin, is an orthodontist and two-term legislator. 

Democratic candidates

• Jane Hipps of Waynesville is a retired public educator with six degrees, including three master’s degrees. Her expertise was in science and math curriculum development and training. She has promised to make education one of her main areas of concern if elected. She is the widow of a former state senator and long-time district attorney in the region.

• Ron Robinson of Cullowhee is a management consultant who says the current GOP leadership in Raleigh does not represent the working people of the district and has called their policies extremist. 

www.robinsonncsenate.com.

Meet the candidates, pick one

Three seats are up for grabs on the Macon County Board of Commissioners this year, but only one has a primary contest: two Republicans vying for one seat in the Highlands district.

Any Republican or unaffiliated voter in the county can vote in this primary race, even though it’s the Highlands district. Candidates must hail from that district, but the election is open to voters countywide.

Two commissioner seats are also up for election in Franklin, but all the candidates in that race — two Republicans, a Democrat, and Libertarian — automatically advance to the general election in the fall. A Democrat will join the mix for the Highlands seat come fall as well.

Here are the two Republicans facing off the primary:

Jim Tate, 42

Owner, Tate Landscaping Services

Tate graduated from the University of Georgia with a landscape architect degree. He lives with his wife and children in Highlands. The candidate has served on the Highlands zoning and planning boards, as well as Macon County’s planning board.

Political philosophy: “I feel like everybody needs to be responsible. [Use] simple, common sense.”

On Macon’s fund balance: “[My opponent] doesn’t like the fact that we have a big piggy bank.”

John Shearl, 45

Owner, J&J Lawn and Landscaping Services and Shearl Produce

Shearl is a retired firefighter. He lives with his wife and children in Highlands. The candidate currently serves on the Macon County Planning Board.

Political philosophy: “Limited growth in government, lower taxes and less regulation.”

On weathering economic uncertainty: “The government as a whole has to tighten their belts and stop this excessive spending. It’s going to take some tough decisions and very conservative-minded people to do this.”

On Macon’s fund balance: “In my opinion, that fund balance belongs to the taxpayers of Macon County.”

About the race: This used to be a toss-up district, but clever redrawing of voting boundaries by the Republican-led legislature in Raleigh two years ago tipped the scales to the right. The liberal stronghold of Asheville was carved out and shunted it into a different Congressional seat.

The Franklin area will be getting a new farmer’s market this year, held on Tuesdays from 3:30 to 7 p.m. at the Macon County Heritage Center in Cowee, which was formerly the old Cowee School.

In addition to agricultural products, the market will feature entertainment, food tastings, kids’ activities, music, arts and crafts, classes and educational booths. 

“We want this to be a fun and interesting experience for our visitors, and for people to want to come back week after week,” said Susan Ervin, project coordinator with Friends of Rickman Store, a community-run general store next door to the heritage center. Friends of Rickman Store received a small start-up grant to help develop the new farmers market.

Organizers chose Tuesday for the market in hopes of giving growers who already sell at other markets a new venue on a different day of the week to expand their reach.

Interested vendors are invited to attend an organizational meeting at 6:30 p.m., April 22, at the old Cowee School. Registration, space reservations and information will be available, and producers from adjoining counties are welcome. Vendors can register for a full season at $50 or by the day for $5. 

“We want all to feel welcome — from our small growers, beginners and youth vendors to our local experts and commercial growers. Cowee is a market for everyone, “ said Pamela Jackson, one of the market organizers.

The market will kick off Tuesday, May 13, and run through the end of October. 

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Disc golfers will have a chance to show their stuff at the Inaugural Disc Golf Tournament at 5:30 p.m., Friday, April 25 at the Jackson County Recreation Center in Cullowhee. The doubles-format event is hosted by Jackson County Parks and Recreation and sponsored by Blackrock Outdoor Company. Early registration $20; Day-of registration $30. 828.293.3053 or 828.631.2020. 

Western North Carolina can lay claim to two of 2013’s top three most visited places in the National Park System.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park kept first place among the 59 primary national parks. With 9.4 million visitors, it remained head-and-shoulders above its closest competitor: the Grand Canyon, with 4.6 million visitors.

The Smokies came in third among all units in the National Park System as a whole.

Meanwhile, the Blue Ridge Parkway took second place in visitation among all national park units with 12.9 million visitors. The Golden Gate National Recreation Area was the winner with 14.3 million visitors. 

It was the first year the Parkway was edged out by Golden Gate. Visitation to the Parkway fell by 2.5 million visits, due in large part to storm damage and generally cool, wet conditions. Overall, though, visitation to national park sites nationwide fell by 9.1 million in 2013. 

“The shutdown reduced our visitation for the year by more than 5 million visitors who were turned away during those two weeks,” said National Park Service Director Jonathan B. Jarvis. 

A guided hike along Big Creek in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park will be held at noon April 26 by the Haywood Waterways Association.

An anonymous donor gifted $2.2 million to Great Smoky Mountains Association last week, one of the largest cash donations ever given to support Great Smoky Mountains National Park. The donation will be made in five installments between through 2018.

From farmers markets to roadside stands to U Pick farms to plant nurseries to historic preservation sites, Haywood County’s agricultural heritage is showcased in Buy Haywood’s recently released 2014 Agritourism Guide.

One the Blue Ridge Parkway’s most popular recreation areas will soon be closing for construction. The Graveyard Fields parking area and trailhead, at milepost 418.8, will close for approximately 11 weeks beginning April 22. 

The Southern Fried Chicks Cage-Free Comedy Tour will hit is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Saturday, April 26, at the Smoky Mountain Center for the Performing Arts in Franklin. The Cage-Free Comedy Tour features Etta May, Sonya White, Karen Mills and Style Network’s Trish Shure. 

Lake Junaluska offers Easter weekend activities, services

The Easter weekend celebration at Lake Junaluska will be held April 19-20.

On Saturday, April 19, activities begin with the Friends of the Lake 5K at 8:30 a.m., followed by the 5K Family Walk and Children’s Fun Run. Registration begins at 7 a.m. and is required for the races. 

Indoor children’s activities —  including an egg-decorating contest, face painting, yo-yo balloons and more — begin at 10:30 a.m. in the Harrell Center Auditorium. Prizes will be awarded for the egg-decorating contest. The Easter egg hunts will take place near Stuart Auditorium beginning at 11 a.m. Children ages 1 to 12 are welcome to participate. 

The Easter sunrise service will feature guest preacher Rev. Amy Coles, Smokey Mountain District Superintendent, and a brass ensemble with special music. The service will take place at 7 a.m. on Sunday, April 20, at the Lake Junaluska amphitheater and cross. Rain location is Memorial Chapel.  Following the sunrise service, breakfast will be served in the Lambuth Inn from 7:30 a.m. until 9 a.m.

Long’s Chapel’s Easter service is scheduled for Stuart Auditorium at 10:25 a.m. Lake Junaluska’s annual Easter lunch buffet will be held in the Terrace Hotel. Tickets are available at the Bethea Welcome Center or by making a reservation at 828.454.6662.

Easter events are sponsored in part by Lake Junaluska, Ingles, Bilo, Mast General, Wal-Mart and more.

For a full event schedule visit www.lakejunaluska.com/easter.

Sylva church to celebrate Maundy Thursday, Good Friday

A special service observing Maundy Thursday and Good Friday will be held at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 17, at the First United Methodist Church of Sylva. Immediately following the Holy Eucharist, a Tenebrae service will commence. 

Maundy Thursday, also called Holy Thursday, is a service to commemorate Jesus’ Last Supper.  The word “Maundy” comes from the Latin word for “commandment.” Christians believe that on the day before his crucifixion, Jesus celebrated Passover for the last time with his disciples; it was then that he issued a new commandment: “Love one another as I have loved you.”

“Tenebrae” is Latin for “shadows” or “darkness.” The Tenebrae is an ancient Christian Good Friday service, which dates back to the eighth century and commemorates the passion and death of Jesus Christ. During the service, the lights dim to darkness to symbolize the death of Jesus.

More Easter events

For a complete list of Easter festivities, see our calendar section.

“The Fantasticks,” the world’s longest-running musical, will bring a steampunk-styled allegory about deceit, disillusionment and devotion to the stage at 5 p.m. Sunday, April 27, in the John W. Bardo Fine and Performing Arts Center at Western Carolina University.

Southwestern Community College culinary students C.J. Reum and Scott Dolbee recently placed fourth at the Wake Tech Culinary Arts Showcase at the Raleigh Convention Center. 

April is National Poetry Month, and the occasion will be celebrated with a special film presentation at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 22, at the Marianna Black Library in Bryson City.

Jane Campion’s literary biopic tells the true story of Fanny Brawne (played by actress Abbie Cornish) a 23-year-old Londoner in 1818 whose independent streak manifests itself through an intense interest and love for fashion and dressmaking. Her neighbor, the struggling but gifted young poet John Keats (played by Ben Whishaw), underestimates her intelligence because he believes she’s frivolous; and she, having no interest in literature, seems thoroughly disinterested in him. However, Fanny attempts to help the Keats family when John’s brother becomes gravely ill, and in order to express his gratitude John agrees to teach her poetry — leading Fanny and John to quickly fall deeply and profoundly in love with each other. Although they wish to wed, his lack of finances and his writing partner — who believes Campion is nothing more than an unwelcome distraction — keep the two from marrying.

Popcorn will be provided. Free.

828.488-3030.

With a second album of historic mountain music on the horizon, the producers of the Grammy-nominated “Old-Time Smoky Mountain Music” are searching for anyone with knowledge of the following musicians:

To the Editor:

Bob Wilson’s most recent published letter (www.smokymountainnews.com/opinion/item/12729-kids-can-endure-a-little-stress) typifies the callous oversimplification and blanket insults typical of today’s Republican Party fed by Fox News, Rush Limbaugh, etc.

To quote Mr. Wilson, “One must dismiss opinions that teachers come up with because they are, after all, union members and unions exist to protect teachers, not students.” 

This is akin to claiming that “one must dismiss opinions that (all) Republicans come up with because they are, after all, more devoted to the almighty dollar than they are to the Godly principles they claim to hold.”

First, this is an oversimplification. There are many conservatives who put moral principles ahead of profit, but those who are in control of the current political-economic process clearly worship money and power above biblical principles.

Secondly, teachers do have a state teachers’ organization, but it is not a union. We cannot legally strike, nor would we want to. We care too much for our students and our communities. They are our children, however they come to us.

Teachers are public servants, serving the public (all of us) with a vital service: educating and preparing our children to be responsible adult citizens. That is a heavy burden, and we treat it as such. 

Yes, teachers try to make a living by doing this, but we sure aren’t getting rich. We, part of the working middle class, pay taxes like everyone else. And like most residents of Macon County, we live paycheck to paycheck, and spend it locally. We are regular folks, and some of us are quite conservative.

Finally, let’s talk about Republicans and public education. The complete Republican takeover of our state government has led to the laying off of thousands of teachers and teacher assistants across the state. 

The Republican politicians have slashed the textbook budget while requiring that our children pass the tests based on the new standards that we don’t have books for. 

And the Republicans are trying to give away $10 million of our public education tax dollars to private and often religious schools. Certainly the Fox/Rush crowd has been instilled with the idea that we should have an official government religion, in spite of our Constitution. 

Further, the Republicans currently in charge of our state gave massive tax breaks to millionaires while underfunding public education and many other basic services, such as mental health care. Basically, they are stealing from our children and giving it to the wealthy.

Finally, the Republican ruse of a raise for teachers is just that. They plan on giving teachers a slight raise, but require the county governments to fund much of this. This is an underfunded mandated, which our Republican Sen. Jim Davis from Franklin railed against when he was a county commissioner. How times have changed.

I strongly urge all critics of public education to spend a day volunteering in a class to find out what is really going on in public schools.

Dan Kowal

Franklin

To the Editor:

There are several people running in Jackson County for public office this year and many are claiming to do one thing — raise the pay for school teachers in Jackson County. Who could be against that issue?  

First, let’s ask why Jackson County teachers would want to replace three of the county commissioners — Jack Debnam, Charles Elders and Doug Cody? In their first three and a half years in office they have approved the $11 million Performing Arts Center for the Smoky Mountain High School that should open in April. In Glenville, they approved a million dollar new locker and weight room facility at Blue Ridge School that was completed last year. They were able to give the Jackson County School Board enough money so that all of the teachers in Jackson County and their assistants kept their jobs last year. 

Jack Debnam only won his election by 64 votes, and those 64 votes have helped turned our county around from the worst financial mess it was in many years. 

In addition, these three men — with the help of Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin — got the alcohol initiative on the ballot in 2012. That passed by a 60 to 40 majority. This vote to make Jackson County a wet county has increased the sales tax revenue the county receives. This needed income source to the county will be permanent. The only people who pay this alcohol sales tax are the people who buy alcoholic beverages.  

Gov. Pat McCrory, R, has promised to raise teachers in the coming year. How can he make that promise? Since January 2011 when the Republicans came into office, almost 200,000 jobs have been added in North Carolina. Some people have criticized the new tax laws, but that is why businesses have been moving back into our state and many businesses have expanded. Only people with jobs pay taxes, and North Carolina has been singled out nationally for the great job it is doing in helping people find jobs. We currently have 4.3 million employees in North Carolina paying taxes. That is why Gov. McCrory can promise teachers their pay will increase.  

Many other good things are happening in our county, like the new satellite facility of the East Carolina University Dental School, which will open shortly above the senior center off Webster Road. This dental facility will provide the school kids in Jackson County some much needed affordable dental service that has been lacking for years. That should be something our teachers can applaud. 

Jim Mueller

Glenville

To the Editor:

As the economy sputters along, members of Congress and the Obama Administration are singling out one of the most productive economic sectors in America. By proposing increased taxes on the oil and natural gas industry, President Obama seeks to penalize the very companies that helped keep the economy afloat following the recession.

 The domestic oil and gas industry already pay a much higher tax rate than the majority of other businesses. Comparatively, other companies on the S&P pay an average of 26.5 percent, while oil and natural gas companies pay 41 percent. 

This discrepancy was reinforced in a recent New York Times study, where results confirmed the oil and natural gas industry is not only taxed at a much higher rate than other industries but also does not receive equal tax breaks. Unfortunately, the government remains unsatisfied with the state of this already unfair situation.

Despite this, employment within the oil and natural gas industry has grown by 40 percent, while the rest of the economy saw a mere 1 percent growth in employment rates. What President Obama doesn’t seem to understand is this tax implementation will not only hurt the oil and natural gas industry, but also each citizen who depends on its resources as a necessary part of their everyday lives. This includes anyone who turns on a light switch, drives a car or simply enjoys the comforts of modern living.

 I hope our leaders in Washington take a stand against the president’s proposal. The oil and natural gas industry play a key role in our energy portfolio, and we cannot unfairly target them with the implementation of higher taxes.

Sen. Jim Davis (R)

50th Senate District

Franklin

To the Editor:

Wow, I’ve seen a lot of small-town politics in this area but the Haywood County Republicans are out of control. A bully stands up and takes over an official meeting. What was he thinking? Who does he think he is? A bully for sure and maybe a wanna-be dictator?  

These fanatics might think they are getting their way, but they’ll soon find out voters are a lot smarter than them. They are only hurting their cause. There’s a right and wrong way to get your point across, and that wasn’t it.

I’m just in shock that this kind of thing could happen in this modern world. Do they expect to run the government this way? Do they want laws made without the press or other parties involved? God help us all if they really think that’s the way it should be done.  

The people of Haywood County need to stand up to this guy and his followers before the state or even federal Republican Party has to take control and embarrass the county even more. 

Chuck Harrell

Whittier

Tribal families got some help jumpstarting their summer gardens when Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians’ Principal Chief Michell Hicks handed out 750 springtime garden kits last week.

Astronomy lovers and night owls in the Carolinas will get the chance to witness a total eclipse of the moon on the morning of April 15, and photographers will have a chance for some spectacular moon photos during its eclipse in the western sky. 

As the Moon orbits the Earth, it becomes a full moon once every 29 days.  Most months, the full moon moon passes above or below the Earth’s shadow, so there is no eclipse. But twice per year (some years, three times), roughly six months apart, the Moon can pass through the Earth’s shadow, causing an eclipse. 

So, if you’re a stargazer, pencil these times into your nighttime schedule April 15. 

• 12:54 a.m.: Moon starts to enter a space of partial shading — the penumbra — of Earth’s shadow. 

• 1:58 a.m.: Moon starts to enter a space of complete shading — the umbra — from Earth’s shadow. Look for a “notch” in the left edge of the Moon.

• 3:07 a.m.: Moon is entirely in the umbra; total eclipse begins.

• 4:25 a.m.: Moon starts to leave the umbra; total eclipse is over.

• 5:33a.m.: Moon is completely out of the umbra and enters the penumbra. 

• 6:38 a.m.: Moon is completely out of the penumbra. Eclipse is over.

Unlike a solar eclipse, which is not safe to view with unprotected eyes, lunar eclipses are perfectly safe to look at directly. 

For more, connect with the Pisgah Astronomical Research Institute at http://twitter.com/Astronomy_PARI.

Learn how bottles tossed out along the roadside are killing small mammals in the mountains during a talk held on Earth Day at 7 p.m. April 22 at the Highlands Nature Center.

Small mammals like shrews and other rodents enter bottles in search of food or water and become trapped, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of animals over time, particularly shrews.

Highlands Nature Center Director Patrick Brannon along with students from the UNC Institute for the Environment at the Biological Station have searched roadways for bottles containing the skeletal remains of shrews and rodents. Brannon will discuss the research and implications of this phenomenon in the region and how you can help alleviate the problem.

828.526.2602 or www.highlandsbiological.org.

Turkey hunting season will open April 12 and run through May 10. A youth-only turkey season is already underway.

A multi-media program, Make Way for Monarchs, will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. April 19 at the Cradle of Forestry.

Haywood Waterways Association is heading up several Earth Day themed activities this month, including a series of stream clean-ups. 

A workshop and presentation on Cherokee weaving will be held April 11-12 at the Museum of the Cherokee Indian.

An open call for bakers is currently underway for the 15th annual Taste of Chocolate Plus, which will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. April 19 at the Maggie Valley Club.

A concert to benefit landslide victims in Snohomish County in Washington state titled “The Circle is Unbroken: A Benefit for Oso, Washington, from Western North Carolina,” will be held from 7 to 9 p.m. Friday, April 11, at Bridge Park in Sylva.

To the Editor:

Sen. Kay Hagan’s path to Washington began in high school when she helped elect her uncle Lawton Chiles to the Senate. It was a low-budget campaign which he won by walking from the Florida Panhandle to the Florida Keys, listening to thousands of voters along the way. Hagan walked with him on occasion and distributed bumper stickers.

The voters were eager to elect and re-elect someone who cared so much about them. When Chiles won re-election in 1976, it was with a voluntary $10 limit on contributions to his campaign. In later and more difficult campaigns for governor, the self-imposed limit was $100.

Just $100.

Those were the days.

Hagan, whose moderation and people skills resemble her uncle’s in many ways, is fighting for her political life against the worst onslaught of outside money North Carolina has ever seen.

The billionaire and corporate lobby, personified by the Koch brothers and Karl Rove, has already thrown $10 million worth of television smears at her without waiting to see which far-right Republican will be on the ballot in November. They know that whoever it is will be their lackey.

They intend to escape their fair share of taxes by trashing public health, education and government services all across the nation, just as they’ve done in Raleigh.

They’re sick with fear that Obamacare, given time to work, will turn out to be popular. Some polls say that’s the trend even now.

Their latest attack ad bears the signature of a front group known as 60-Plus. It pretends to be for little investors and mortgage holders. It’s really about hedge fund managers, the parties actually affected by the bipartisan legislation Hagan supports.

Please pay no attention to any of that propaganda. The fundamental issue in this race — the only issue, really — is whether North Carolina’s junior senator’s loyalty will lie with the people of our state or with selfish and arrogant out-of-state forces like the Koch bullies.

The Supreme Court’s wretched campaign finance decision last week, erasing a reasonable lid on aggregate contributions, is another reason to reelect Kay Hagan. We need a senator whose instinct is to vote for the people instead of for the money.

It runs in her family.

Martin A. Dyckman

Waynesville

To the Editor:

The Haywood County Emergency Management Ordinance was signed into effect Nov. 16, 2009, by J.W. “Kirk” Kirkpatrick, then chairman of the board of county commissioners, from a motion made by Mark Swanger (the present chairman) and seconded by Commissioner Kevin Ensley. It appears that very few people know about this ordinance, and even fewer are aware of the fact that their commissioners are signing away their rights.  

The Emergency Management Ordinance for Haywood County is part of a larger state and national scheme to protect citizens during a state of emergency. Outside of the debate on whether we actually need an emergency management scheme here in the county or not, there are a few very alarming parts of the ordinance, which should cause every innocent citizen concern.

In my view, the most important part is statute 31.07, sections 1-4, which state that the county manager, under the auspices of the board of commissioners, can do whatever it takes to make sure that the public complies with all emergency management measures. He/she can fire any public official who refuses to obey his/her will and can control all movement within the county, including the method of transportation, as well as the entrances and exits of the county. He/she can also determine where people may stay during an emergency, in what numbers, and control all “materials” and “resources” including — but not limited to — your food, clothing, home, fuel, income, etc., and can ration these at his/her discretion. One wonders what else could be considered a county “resource”? Your car? Your guns? I find it upsetting that while 31.03 defines the terms used throughout the document, what is meant by the terms “materials” and “resources” is left undefined at any point.

Perhaps the most alarming part of this entire document is section j, which states that the county manager has the authority during a state of emergency to take by any means, including “seizure” and “condemnation,” “materials and facilities” for said emergency “without regard to the limitation of any existing law.” This statement seeks to override the constitutions of both the U.S. and N.C. and gives the county the power to condemn its citizens in order to seize their “materials.” 

While this is clearly not ethical, it is also not legal, as it violates the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which protects citizens against property seizure, as well as Article I:5 of the state Constitution, which states that no law or ordinance can be contrary to the Constitution of the US. What’s more, in the case of a hazardous material spill, §31.08 gives the Haywood County Emergency Management Director the authority to “enter public or private property, with or without the owner’s consent”, again violating the Fourth Amendment, and §31.10 states that any official acting with regard to this ordinance during an emergency cannot be held liable for any damages to a person or their property.

I wonder: if the government’s role, as established by the constitution of the US, is to protect the rights and property of its citizens, then why in the world are our elected officials signing away our rights? Serious reconsideration needs to be taken with this ordinance. While some citizens may think these measures necessary during an emergency, surely something as sweeping as this needs to go to referendum before our rights are threatened without our knowledge.

Again, I refer to the state constitution of North Carolina, Article I:9, which states that it cannot be amended outside of the electoral process. Therefore, I suggest that our county officials become more comfortable with the referenda process before becoming so comfortable with unconstitutional executive orders. (To read the ordinance yourself, and draw your own conclusions, see haywoodnc.net/ordinances. To compare with the N.C. Constitution, see www.ncconstitution.com.

Windy McKinney

Jonathan Valley

To the Editor:

Wondering what all the fuss is over the use of Common Core standards in school, I looked up what information I could find.

Frankly, it gets pretty weird. One expert said that requiring kids to meet certain standards at each grade level was demeaning and destroys their creativity. Hmm, I’ve seen some of that creative math at work when a kid at McDonald’s can’t make change.

One must dismiss opinions that teachers come up with because they are, after all, union members and unions exist to protect teachers, not students. 

Large companies point to the need for newly hired young people to take remedial classes in math and just plain old spelling and often must send their new hires off to take remedial classes before they can be put to work. Truly, a sad commentary on our educational system.

The other complaint I’ve heard is that the Common Core standards are federal standards and few want the federal government telling teachers how to teach. Actually, we gave up that privilege a long time ago when school boards accepted the first money from the federal government.  

One other complaint is that students should not be required to know things like the multiplication tables or how to spell. Their theory is that knowing the multiplication tables requires students to learn by rote, or, putting it another way, by memory, and all this is stressful for students. Or, is it stressful for teachers? I would suppose this has something to do with fuzzy math and certainly has much to do with fuzzy thinking.

Is it really destructive to ask a child to memorize something? Next thing, we’ll do away with homework because it interferes with a child’s ability to go on Facebook. How terrible!

True, as Einstein once said, everyone learns differently, and he used the example of trying to teach a fish to climb a tree. Good point, but how has learning to spell changed that?

Don’t we need our kids graduating with enough knowledge to be admitted to a college, and if they don’t go to college, don’t they need to be able to compete within our society?  Does it really matter how someone learns algebra or math as long as they can meet a minimum standard and prepare for real life? Life is sometimes tough.

Sure, in some areas, we have special needs kids, some involving mental disorders, but a lot is the result of broken families, single moms and parents too lazy to make sure their kids are taking their education seriously.  

Ultimately, this leads to a two-tiered society; the educated and the uneducated, with the result that the educated end up ruling over the uneducated.

Common Core forces teachers and students to live up to a standard of education that holds the promise of opportunity for our young people. Do we need unions controlling our educational system? Good grief, surely our kids can survive the stress of memorizing the multiplication tables.

Bob Wilson

 Franklin

Cultural heritage demonstrations will kick-off the new season for The Cradle of Forestry in America on Saturday, April 12, along with a debut of new exhibits.

David and Diane Burnette of Haywood County will be plowing the Cradle’s vegetable garden with their Percheron draft horses. Other living history interpreters stationed at historic buildings will showcase woodcarving, candle-making and other old-time skills.

Keep an eye out for several new exhibits. Changing Climate, Changing Forests explains what climate change means for forests, and Fire in the Forest traces fire’s use as a tool, from American Indians to today’s land managers. An art exhibit, Painting Western North Carolina by the Mixed Nuts plein aire artists, will be displayed through the end of May along the Cradle’s Gallery in the Woods. 

The Cradle of Forestry is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through fall, with living history demonstrations and special events happening regularly. $5 for adults and free for children 16 and under.     

Located on U.S. 276 four miles south of the Blue Ridge Parkway.

www.cradleofforestry.com.

Learn how communities are dealing with coastal erosion, storms and rising sea levels with a screening of the critically acclaimed documentary “Shored Up” at Western Carolina University as part of its Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines. 

Rob Young, director of the WCU Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines, is one of the policy and environmental experts who appears in the documentary.

A discussion and reception will follow the screening, which will take place at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 6, in the theater of A.K. Hinds University Center on the WCU campus. Young and Director Ben Kalina will be on hand to discuss the film. 

Free. Call 828.227.7519. 

The fourth annual Valley of the Lilies Half Marathon and 5K race are expected to draw an estimated 300 runners and walkers to Western Carolina University in Cullowhee on Saturday, April 5. 

Women of all skill levels are invited to a women-only weekend of flyfishing from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission, offered April 4-6 at Pisgah Center for Wildlife Education and Davidson River Campground in Transylvania County. 

The Mountain Science Expo will feature science programs and exhibits designed to interest kids and adults from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 5, at the N.C. Arboretum in Asheville.

Learn the basics of trail construction and environmental stewardships by volunteering with an Appalachian Trail Conservancy trail crew.

Learn how to grow fruit trees successfully at a fruit tree workshop coming up in Jackson and Swain counties through the N.C. Cooperative Extension Service. It will cover site selection; the differences between dwarf, semi-dwarf and seedling trees; proper soil conditions; pollination requirements; differences in cultivars; chilling requirements; fertility need; tree spacing and general pruning principles.

Western Carolina University’s Program for the Study of Developed Shorelines will screen the film “Shored Up” at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 6, at the theater of A.K. Hinds University Center in Cullowhee.

The 35th annual International Festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 9, on the lawn of A.K. Hinds University Center at Western Carolina University.

A workshop focusing on regional points of musical interest, entitled “Why and How to Connect to the Blue Ridge Music Trails of North Carolina” will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Thursday, April 10, at the Jackson County Public Library in Sylva.

The Mélange of the Mountains culinary celebration will run from April 10-13 around Haywood County. 

To the Editor:

Recently, I became curious about the N.C. Opportunity Scholarships (a new name for vouchers) that are being billed as a way for families in poverty to have more choices for their child’s education by allowing them to choose private schools.

I am perplexed as to how these vouchers of $4,200 a year could possibly benefit families that are truly low-income. Most private schools charge between $18,000 to $20,000 a year. In addition, the private schools do not provide transportation, a serious barrier for most low-income families. Likewise, the private schools charge large fees for after-school care and do not provide subsidized lunches.

These Opportunity Scholarships are really designed for the middle class that have the resources to bridge the gap between the $4,200 voucher and the true costs of a private school education. In 2015, the vouchers will be available to middle-income families.

Opportunity Scholarships would not really make a private school education any more accessible for children from low-resource families. The claim that these vouchers are designed to benefit children in poverty just doesn’t make sense. Maybe Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin, can explain this.

Clayton Ramsey

Franklin

To the Editor:

It should be reassuring that so many groups are concerned about “voter integrity” on Election Day, making certain that a voter’s physical address squares with the voting rolls. No problem there.

However, the opportunities for voter challenges have been significantly increased under the new N.C. voter laws: in addition to the two poll observers from each political party to monitor polling places, we now learn the chair of each political party in a county may designate 10 additional at-large “observers” who reside in the county, and may attend any voting place in that county.

Also under the new laws: any registered voter of the same county has the “right” to challenge the right to vote of any registered voter on the day of a primary or election. Election Day challenges are no longer limited to voters who reside in the same precinct.

This hardly “restores confidence” in elections and paves the way for burdensome delays and more confusion at polling places. A well-organized minority can easily intimidate voters under the guise of voter integrity. Are we creating more observers than actual voters at polling places?

Roger Turner

Sylva