To the Editor:

Have you really, really thought about these five words: “In the beginning God created…? Maybe it’s time to think again. That is due to the fact that there is a never-ending movement to establish Christianity as America’s national religion. This movement is an affront to both Christianity and the First Amendment to Constitution of the United States. 

Owners of electric vehicles are wanted to take a short survey aimed at assessing the challenges and benefits of electric vehicle adoption. 

The South Toe Trailhead parking area across from Black Mountain Campground in the Pisgah National Forest has been reopened now that construction on the lot is complete.  

A wilderness therapy business that launched locally in May 2018 is now a member of the Franklin Chamber of Commerce. 

Weed Patch Mountain Trail, which opened last year in the town of Lake Lure, has been recognized as one of the best new trails in the nation. 

Cherokee emergency responders were among those who answered the call following a fatal vehicle accident on Clingmans Dome Road in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park last week. 

Investigators with the National Park Service Investigative Services Branch are trying to determine the circumstances surrounding the death of David Carver, Jr., who was found in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Monday, July 8. They are seeking information from the public to make that determination. 

Sometimes we open a book, slip into its pages, and find ourselves the recipients of three wonderful gifts: information and enlightenment, lively prose, and a great story.

The Pioneers: The Heroic Story of the Settlers Who Brought the American Ideal West (Simon & Schuster, 2019, 330 pages) grants all three gifts to its readers.

Eleven people were appointed to the Jackson County Board of Health on Tuesday, July 16, following a 4-1 vote from the Board of Commissioners. 

If I told you that you need cobalamin in your diet, you might think… “That sounds like a scary chemical!” Cobalamin, also known as vitamin B12 is a water soluble vitamin.

To the Editor:

As mid-summer escorts me past three personal milestones — the one-year anniversary of the death of my husband, David Belcher; the welcomed arrival of his successor, Chancellor Kelli Brown, and her husband, Dennis; and my recent relocation closer to family in my home state of Missouri — I cannot help but reflect upon the past eight years of life with my adopted families of the Western Carolina University and Jackson County communities.

David’s appointment as chancellor of WCU in 2011 was, for us, kismet. Somehow, in the largeness of the universe, David and I found ourselves in the slice of heaven called Cullowhee. I could write reams on the good work that WCU and Jackson County together accomplished during this time, but David voiced these successes many times. I simply write to say, “Thank you for being our friends.” The WCU and Jackson County communities, as entities and as individuals, held a very special place in David’s heart, as they do in mine.  I know you will welcome Chancellor Brown and Dennis as warmly as you welcomed David and me. It will now be their joy to get to know you as it was ours.

The mountains are calling — I look forward to seeing you again,

Susan Brummell Belcher

Springfield, Missouri

To the Editor:

The dead silence of the Republican members in Congress responding to Trump’s blatantly racist comments against sitting members of Congress tells me clearly that they are not interested in representing their constituents. If they had any concern for them (you), they would have — at the very least — mumbled that they didn’t agree with Trump. They haven’t, which I interpret as dereliction of duty. Once a senator or congressional representative takes office, they are,  by constitutional design, obligated to uphold the constitution and to protect the interests of all of their district’s citizens. Each one of them swore to do so when taking office. 

 These silent representatives are doing nothing. They seem to be trying to keep their jobs in Washington by staying silent. They continue to sit on their hands while Sen. Mitch McConnell directs a work stoppage in the Senate, continuing the 10-plus year congressional log jam designed to thwart anything that smacks of helping any group other than the rich. What changes that have occurred in the operations of government departments have largely been by executive orders rather than by congressional debate, advice, compromise and vote.

These people we hired are clearly AWOL and should be jettisoned. 

Penny Wallace

Waynesville

To the Editor:

The latest issue of Sierra had to be one of the most depressing in a long time. Between the pictures of the landfill in Bekasi, Indonesia, to the book called “The Last Butterflies,”  Nick Brandt’s elegy for a disappearing world and the plans for 333 new chemical manufacturing project for MORE plastic products for export, well I am at a loss for words. I have only tears for the planet.

The environment, clean air and water and climate change should be first and foremost on everyone’s agenda and ballot. Nothing else will matter. Not health care, not immigration, not equal pay, etc., if we do not have air and water.

Ms. Shetley suggested in her column last week that “the ultimate state of our planet sits in the hands of our younger generations.” I am afraid that we cannot wait that long!

Jane Finneran

Cullowhee

There’s more bad news for bats following winter surveys that detected the deadly-to-bats white nose syndrome in four new counties — Madison, Montgomery, Rowan and Gaston.

The Adopt-A-Stream program in Haywood County turned 10 this year, with 1,600 volunteers spending 4,000 hours removing more than 27 tons of trash since the program’s launch in May 2009. 

The Lake Junaluska golf course turns 100 on July 24, and in honor of the anniversary golfers will be able to play for the cart fee only, which is $9 for nine holes or $18 for 18 holes. 

In Craft & Community, regional author Anna Fariello presents the early history of Western North Carolina’s John C. Campbell Folk School. 

Founded in 1925, the school was a dream of John and Olive Dame Campbell, a working couple who toured the Southern Appalachians in an effort to chronicle its people and their culture. 

This year’s festival will feature four a handful of new events, including a beer and wine festival, an Americana music showcase and a Folkmoot After Dark variety show. 

The 36th annual Folkmoot International Dance & Music Festival will kick off this Thursday in Haywood County.

By Joe Sam Queen • Guest writer

When it comes to talking about millions and billions, getting tongue-tied or misquoted is a hazard of the state budget talks. The numbers are so big that most of us don’t have a grasp of the phenomenal difference they make for real people’s lives, in the economy of our state. 

Seven students in Southwestern Community College’s Advertising & Graphic Design program formally presented their work during Portfolio Day in the Burrell Building on the college’s Jackson Campus.

By Michael Glover • Guest Columnist

This is in response to the letter “Disappointed in New Aquarium” from Chuck Harrell of Whitter, which appeared in the July 3 edition of The Smoky Mountain News.

The Appalachian Rivers Aquarium has already proven to be a great asset to Swain County Tourism and to the local community. Our soft opening is going on during the months of June and July (Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.) with free admission. Our visitor count numbers have far exceeded our expectations and is a hit with all ages. We are very truthful with each visitor that we are still working on this project and all have been understanding. We will begin charging a small admission fee once the remaining tanks are filled with fish; however, the donations we have received from visitors has been exceptional. We appreciate the community and visitor support!

By Rep. Joe Sam Queen • Guest Columnist

I will stand with our governor and uphold his budget veto because we can do better — we must do better — for Haywood, Jackson, and Swain Counties. $95 million better!

This year, we have a real opportunity to make smart investments in our communities. We can expand Medicaid today, covering 500,000 hard-working, low-wage workers across our state, all with no new taxes. We can put a forward-thinking bond package on the ballot for the citizens to vote on this November that will make critical investments in our public schools. Our current budget proposal does not accomplish either of these necessary goals. 

To the Editor:

We have this evil problem in the U.S.A. because a stupid woman took God out of our schools. Unless the American people put God back in the U.S.A., this evil around us from the president will prevail.

President Trump is a representative of Satan. He has come to destroy America and turn our democracy into a new world order, where evil dictators around the world join him and form the new world of dictators, evil-doers and the absence of good and God. The Republican Party has joined Trump and are equally to blame. The Bible tells us that in the last days coming, this is what to look for (read 2nd Timothy 3).

But have no fear. If we ask God to come in and bless America again he will take back the control and his plan will win. 

In The Smoky Mountain News, you have the power to ask everyone to pray for God to come back to America again. You can make a tremendous awakening around North Carolina.

Gloria Vitulano

Canton

To the Editor:

Two and a half million dollars! $2,500,000!! That was money diverted from the Park Service for an ego trip, otherwise known as President Donald Trump’s July 4 celebration. Can you think of a better use for taxpayers’ money? I am so embarrassed by his emotional neediness and so ashamed that this infantile little man is President.

Joanne Strop

Waynesville

A new Double SNAP program is now available at Asheville City Market, offered through the Appalachian Sustainable Agriculture Project. 

After 29 years at the helm of the Nantahala District of the Nantahala National Forest, District Ranger Mike Wilkins is retiring. 

Longtime Mainspring Conservation Trust board member Richard Clark has retired from the board. 

A new pollinator garden has been completed in the Waynesville Recreation Park. 

Vecinos Farmworker Health Program, a community service partner with Western Carolina University’s College of Health and Human Sciences, has received a major grant that will ensure continued assistance to an underserved local population.

With the first two days of election filing in the books, only three people have signed up to run for elected positions in Jackson County municipalities, which have a total of eight open seats between them. 

Leaders of Western Carolina University and Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College met Monday, July 8, to sign a memorandum of understanding between the two institutions of higher education that guarantees admission to WCU for all A-B Tech graduates who satisfy specific requirements spelled out in the document.

1670 Brown Ave, Waynesville. Thursday, July 25 • 3-6 p.m. Have you ever been to a “Taste of Local” event at Ingles?

Inulin is a prebiotic dietary fiber (a fructo-oligosaccharide – FOS) and may be listed in ingredients as “chickory root”.

Results from the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s wild turkey harvest summary show this year’s harvest was the second highest ever recorded, with hunters across the state reporting 18,730 birds harvested, including 1,478 birds taken during the youth-only hunting season.

Gov. Roy Cooper has signed into law a bill that reconstitutes several boards and commissions that the court previously held to have unconstitutionally appointed membership. Those boards include the Clean Water Management Trust Fund. 

To the Editor:

I visited the new aquarium in Bryson City on Saturday. I was very disappointed. Volunteers put thousands of hours into this aquarium. They designed the layout, build the stands, installed the beautiful woodwork with donated barn wood. They assisted with the plumbing, the tank decorations and installed all the informational displays. Well over $100,000 was donated to provide Bryson City with a new high-end attraction that fits so well with the fishing industry and fly fishing museum.  

To the Editor:

I’m writing to express my outrage regarding the claim in a letter recently printed in local paper that teachers who march in Raleigh are not worthy to be called “professionals.” 

By Bob Scott • Guest Columnist

Those of us fortunate enough to live in communities where natural amenities abound know just how attractive these places can be to people who define their lives by recreational pursuits that are tied to our streams, rivers and mountains. 

In Macon County and Franklin, where I am mayor, I see it every day, whether hikers setting out along the Appalachian trail, kayakers and rafters rolling down the Nantahala or Cullasaja rivers, or fly fishers plying the smaller waters all around. 

To the Editor:

To impeach or not to impeach, that is the question on the minds of many Americans and the U.S. Congress. We must consider whether such action is in the vital best interests of the United States despite any political risks of its outcome.

Children of my generation were taught, accepted, and held inviolate, the Constitution’s basic principles of separation of powers and checks and balances. Every child today, and every adult in America, is learning from Donald Trump, that these tenets, this foundation, our code of ethics, our Constitution, may be nothing but hogwash.

By refusing to respond to any congressional subpoenas, Trump is saying Congress has no constitutional authority to oversee the executive branch. He’s stating that Congress is subordinate (not a co-equal) branch of government. Do we just simply forget about separation of powers?

By spending money on his ill-conceived wall that Congress explicitly refused to OK, Trump is saying Congress has no constitutional authority over spending. Goodbye, checks and balances. Goodbye, Congress.

By shutting down government whenever this man-child doesn’t get his way, Trump is saying he has the constitutional right not to execute laws whenever it suits him. Again, Farewell, Congress.

By directing the attorney general, the justice department, the FBI and the secretary of the treasury to act in his own personal interest rather than in the interests of the American people, Trump is saying that he (or any president) can run the U.S. government on his own. Adios, Constitution and Goodbye, America, au revoir, ta-ta, sayonara.

By threatening to cut off trade with the second-largest economy in the world, Trump is saying he has sole authority to endanger the entire American economy. Andres Manuel Lopez Abrador (President of Mexico) is the most recent leader to try and explain the economic facts of life to Trump before he puts the world’s economy in a tailspin.

And by doing everything possible to stop an investigation into Russian interference in the 2016 election, including firing the head of the FBI (interference we all now know was true and clearly took place), Trump told America it’s AOK for a president to obstruct justice. Goodbye, law. You comfortable with that? I’m not.

The core purpose of the U.S. Constitution is to prevent tyranny. The framers wisely distributed power among the President, C ongress, and the judiciary, giving each of the three branches the means to limit the power of the other two. In other words, the framers of the U.S. Constitution anticipated the possibility of a Donald Trump.

The framers also put in components to enforce the Constitution against a president who tries to usurp the powers of the other branches (which Donald Trump clearly has). The last sentence of Article I, Section 2: “The House of Representatives shall have the sole Power of Impeachment.” In the next to last paragraph of Article I, Section 3: “The Senate shall have sole Power to try all Impeachments.”

President Trump (in my opinion) clearly appears to be actively usurping the powers of the other branches. Therefore, the road ahead (though difficult to traverse) seems equally clear. Under our present circumstances, the Constitution mandates, commands, and expressly directs that the House of Representatives undertake an impeachment inquiry and present the resulting evidence to the Senate.

This may not be the most popular or the most practical and certainly not the most risk-free political thing to do. But it is the necessary and the right thing to do.

David L. Snell

Franklin

To the Editor:

FAKE NEWS!  While I don’t make a habit of using Trump terms, it’s the best way to describe the false claim made in the letter published earlier this month in another local newpaper that two Muslim congresswomen, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tiaib, have co-sponsored legislation to establish Muslim holidays as new federal holidays.

According to FactCheck.org, on January 12, 2019, “a self-described ‘parody’ website (sorightithurts.com) published a made-up story about the two Muslim congresswomen introducing a bill recognizing Muslim holidays as federal holidays.” Sadly, the story went viral because so many people, including the author of the June 3 letter, did not check FactCheck or Snopes before sharing it.

Although there was no disclaimer with the January 12 story, Snopes indicates there is a general disclaimer on the “So Far Right It Hurts” website stating that the content is “paradoxical” and intended for “comic effect or ridicule.” The disclaimer further explains that the website articles range from “misleading to wildly imaginative” and are published under the assumption that the reader understands there is no claim of “accuracy or validity.” 

To be certain, I checked the official source for all Congressional legislation ­— www.house.gov — and there have been no bills introduced by Reps. Omar or Tiaib to create any Muslim holidays.

I’m assuming that the author of the letter (Ted Carr of Bethel) heard this made-up story about the two congresswomen from controversial Muslim critic Chris Gaubatz when he spoke to the Haywood GOP, so I hope Mr. Carr will do the responsible thing and notify Gaubatz (as well as those who attended his presentation) that he’s spreading fake news.

It’s very sad that the right-wing extremists launched immediate efforts to discredit the two congresswomen almost immediately after they took their oath of office in January 2019; even sadder, that this very dated made-up story about them is still being circulated.

Myrna Campbell

Maggie Valley

The Waynesville Judo Club recently competed in the South Carolina State Championship, coming away with 11 medals.

The N.C. State Board of Elections is seeking public comments through July 12 on proposed rules changes related to the implementation of the new voter ID law, including the photo identification requirement for absentee-by-mail voting.

Disclosure:  While I don’t avoid meat, dairy, seafood, poultry or eggs there are those who do for ethical or health reasons, so it is great to have a variety of choices to refer them to when they shop at their local Ingles Markets.

Types of Iron: Heme (found in animal products) and nonheme (found in plant products and enriched grains).  Heme iron is more readily absorbed by your body. 

To the Editor:

In the summer of 1964, I was a 20 year old boiler-man aboard the U.S.S. Preston (DD-795), docked in Hong Kong. Word came to our Captain that two sister ships (Maddox and Turner Joy) had been fired on by North Vietnamese naval vessels. We were ordered to relieve the Maddox in order for repairs to be made. I had no doubt about the veracity of that information then. Like my daddy who served before me along with three brothers who were serving at that time I believed we were loyal to God and country. Protecting democracy!

To the Editor:

In a recent issue of The Smoky Mountain News, Ms. Hannah McLeod expressed her disdain for evangelical Christian Old White Men (OWM). While most of her attack was centered on the abortion issue in Alabama, she also made a variety of other assumptions and charges I would like to address. 

Renovated tennis courts will greet Lake Junaluska visitors this summer season.