After years of controversy and debate, the town of Bryson City has finally approved relinquishing its right of way to Fry Street as well as a connecting portion of Greenlee Street. 

The Francis Asbury trail along the Lake Junaluska Walking Trail and a portion of Lakeshore Drive will be closed the week of Aug. 27 for the removal of five dead and dying trees.

By Todd Vinyard • Special to The Smoky Mountain News

Taking over a football program coming off five wins in the previous three seasons before you arrived as coach would certainly require a plan and changing the culture. Mark Speir has relied on both in his past seven years as the head coach at Western Carolina University.

The 112th annual Canton Labor Day Festival will be held Sept. 2-3 in Sorrells Street Park in downtown.

I’m a fan of coffee but keep in mind that calories can easily add up!

To the Editor:

I hear that Trump derangement syndrome has now morphed into Trump anxiety disorder. I guess that means some leftists are anxious and concerned that the successes trump has achieved to the benefits of Americans will extend into more successes and eventually his re-election in 2020. 

I doubt if those who are anxious include the unemployed who are now employed; the steel workers who are back on the job; the employees who received bonuses earlier this year (deemed crumbs by Democrat Rep. Nancy Pelosi); minorities whose employment is at an all time high for the first time in decades;  the executives who have returned their operations back to the U.S. because they are not subjected to business killing government regulations; the international traders who see the beginnings of fair trade practices; the Israelis, who after years of promises by other presidents, have a U.S. embassy in Jerusalem; Catholic nuns and other religious groups that are no longer forced by government to pay for abortions; the families of  three North Korean hostages returned; the loved ones of Korean War  soldiers whose remains are being returned; legal immigrants waiting in line who are hopeful that there is control on illegal entrants who bust through our borders and float out into our country; taxpayers who see NATO members paying some of their fair share; taxpayers who like their income tax reductions (don’t let the left tell you the tax plan is only for the rich); investors in 401Ks, pension funds and stockholders whose investments are gaining in value as the stock market booms; veterans who now see private health providers when the VA hospital wait is too long. 

All of these beneficiaries are Americans who are experiencing America becoming great again. President Trump has been in office less than two years. In that time he has accomplished not only an amazing number of advantages for Americans but he engages and listens to all factions to learn their needs and goals. Leftists subscribe to the “glass is half empty” attitude. One recently said the remains from North Korea contained pig bones, that there is increased employment but wages are low, Trump gained nothing for meeting with Kim Jung Un … forget that hostages were returned and there is evidence of denuclearization. 

With attitudes like that you can bet if President Donald Trump cured cancer the left would denounce him for not curing heart disease. For me the glass is half full and filling up fast! Trump on America!

Carol Adams

Glenville

To the Editor:

North Carolina now has five political parties represented on the ballot. They include the Republican Party, Constitution Party, Libertarian Party, Democratic Party and Green Party. Most of these organizations encourage people to join them. The Green Party seeks to join with others to foster peace, economic justice, social harmony and a vibrant economy. 

Green Party values include the following: 

• Grassroots democracy giving every person a say in the decisions that affect their lives.
• Ecological wisdom understanding that we are part of nature, not separate from nature.
• Non-violence alternatives to our current pattern of violence in our families and in the streets of nations around the world.
• Social justice and equal opportunity for all persons to have the rights and opportunities to benefit equally from the resources provided us by society and our environment.
• Decentralization of wealth and power from centralized social, political and economic institutions that benefit a few.
• Community-based economics that create jobs and provide a decent standard of living for all people while maintaining a healthy ecological balance including health and wellness in our communities.
• Feminism providing more cooperative ways of interacting which respects differences of opinion and gender.
• Respect for diversity that values culture, ethnic, racial, sexual, religious and spiritual diversity.
• Future focus and sustainability to protect valuable natural resources, safely dispose of all waste we create while developing sustainable economies that don’t depend on continual expansion for survival.
• Personal and global responsibility in which individuals act to improve their personal well-being and enhance ecological balance and social harmony.

If you have interest in an organization that clearly defines and lives its values, please Google WNC Green Party to learn more.

Ron Robinson

Sylva

To the Editor:

Mark Meadows represents a district that covers over 6,600 square miles and a constituent base of nearly 750,000 people. Notice the word “represents.” He is supposed to be our representative. 

Yet it has been over one year since he had a town hall — August 7, 2017, at Blue Ridge Community College in Flat Rock. That was the last and only town hall he has had since he was re-elected in 2016. Given the size of the district, it would have taken over two hours for someone from Blowing Rock to have driven to Flat Rock to have been heard and about two-and-a-half hours from Murphy, in the west. That’s if that one day, which apparently was convenient for Meadows, could have worked with the schedules of the working people in Murphy or Blowing Rock.

As of today, August 10, Meadows’ website does not show that he has any town halls planned for this year — not a single one anywhere in the district. I am left wondering: why? Why is he not actively seeking input from his constituents so that he can represent us? Why has he held only a single Town Hall in one location in nearly two years? Why is he not interested in listening to and understanding our worries, concerns, needs? Why has he in the past forced people in the far reaches of the district to drive two hours plus to be heard? Why does he make it so difficult for constituents to be able to face him to ask questions and get answers? What is he afraid of?

Finally, why should we support a representative who does not seem to be interested in listening to and truly representing us?

Maria Chasins

Cashiers

To the Editor:

Do you know why Donald Trump has refused to reveal his income taxes as each president has for decades? Do you know why Donald Trump has not told our U.S. Intelligence organizations what the meeting between him and Vladimir Putin was about (the actual translation)? Why should any responsible president not carry out these two duties to the American people?

His conscience does not require him to account to other people! Neither does he fear any consequences from his fellow Republicans in the U.S. Senate or the House of Representatives. Therefore, he can continue answering only to himself.

Many elected Republicans who want to be re-elected have abandoned the oath they took to serve in a co-equal branch of government, working in the interest of all Americans. They are hiding from their duty to force Trump to come clean.

Those who won’t stand up to Trump now certainly won’t stand up later. They are like algae, choking the life out of a pond. But, there is a solution in front of the American people to rid us of the nuisance and threat to our lives. We can elect people to replace them on November 6th, 2018! 

Newton’s third law: To every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. 

We can drain this swamp that Donald Trump has developed.

Dave Waldrop

Webster

Increased bear activity is prompting the U.S. Forest Service to consider broadening the list of places in Western North Carolina where overnight campers will be required to use bear canisters. 

Catharine Terry has been hired as the new president and CEO of the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont near Townsend, Tennessee, and is scheduled to start work Sept. 4. 

Inductees for the 2018 Fly Fishing Hall of Fame have been announced, with an induction ceremony set for Saturday, Sept. 8, at Almond School near Bryson City. 

A new report from the Environment North Carolina Research and Policy Center ranks North Carolina third for solar energy production growth and 13th for improvements in electric energy efficiency, showing an 82,514 percent increase in solar energy since 2008. 

Harrah’s Cherokee Casinos’ housekeeping supervisor Arena Hall-Miller was one of three people chosen from across the Caesars brand for the Caesars Clean The World Employee Award. 

The N.C. Clean Water Management Trust Fund is closing out the 2017 grant year after having given nearly $26 million in awards. 

Is the rotisserie chicken at Ingles hormone-free?

By Will Studenc

A recent attempt to update my driver’s license has exposed long waits and online delays at the North Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles.

To the Editor:

One only has to watch a GOP rally when the president is present to see and hear vicious, repeated lies, which draw the applause of the cult-like crowd. Such incitement has proven to be the national trigger for hatred and violence to run rampant. If you don't stand against such behavior, you have no sense of shame at all. Do your job, or forever hold your place in history as an enabler of the worst sort of behavior I’ve seen in my short 70 years.

This president may have picked up some polish in his many years, but it is a thin veneer covering an absolute lout, who comes out time and time again. It’s a matter of extensive record, just watch him in action at his rallies, easily found online, and judge for yourself if this is the kind of man you’d like to have in charge of America. Educate yourself, and make your choice. Vote as if it matters. 

The Koch brothers, and all the rest of that dark money, wouldn’t be spending up to $400 million, if your vote didn’t matter. The GOP would not have engaged in gerrymandering and court-packing, if your vote didn’t matter. NCGOP wouldn’t be trying to pull a fast one with upcoming constitutional amendments, if your vote didn’t matter.

Don’t fall for the con. Educate yourselves. Turn out for good cause.

Bil Aylor

Bryson City

To the Editor:

Last week I found in my mailbox a political flyer from Rep. Mike Clampitt, R-Bryson City. He awarded himself an A+ for supporting public schools and teachers in our state. I think Clampitt is indulging in “alternative facts” like his party’s leader in the White House.

Clampitt touts his support for teacher pay raises, safer schools and smaller classes. The truth is, according to “Real Facts N.C.,” that Clampitt voted for a budget that guts public education and siphons money away from public schools into school vouchers that use taxpayer money to send children to private schools. Yes. That’s one way to have smaller classes. 

Though Clampitt claims to have voted for teacher pay raises, the truth is that the salary increases for the majority of teachers was a pittance and comes to about 30 dollars a month, hardly enough to keep up with inflation. Or as the Charlotte Observer stated, “Big Pay Raises? N.C. teachers get just a tank of gas.” That leaves most teachers in public education in N.C. still dependent on second or even third jobs. 

All this, while providing tax breaks for those with the highest incomes. Clampitt’s voting record on the environment is abysmal, and he supported measures to restrict voting rights for minorities. And by the way, he co-sponsored House bill 147 which would remove from our state constitution a proscription for the state of North Carolina to secede from the Union. 

A+? More like, “Needs Improvement.”

Mike Jones

Sylva

The Western Carolina University School of Art and Design and WCU Bardo Arts Center present a special evening with Mark Mothersbaugh at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 25, at the center in Cullowhee.

Restoration and recreation work has begun on the Chattooga River in the Pisgah-Nantahala National Forest thanks to funding from the National Forest Foundation and REI granted in 2017.

Farmland in several Western North Carolina counties will now be protected thanks to funding from the Agricultural Development and Farmland Preservation Trust Fund, which recently awarded more than $4.6 million statewide to obtain easements on 2,590 acres.

The 2018 Haywood County Recreation and Parks Summer Soccer Tournament concluded Monday, July 30, with a victory for the team Queretaro. 

The longest continuous section of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail is now complete in Western North Carolina thanks to Carolina Mountain Club volunteers and N.C. State Parks staff. 

To the Editor:

On 30 July, the Waynesville Planning Board met once again concerning the proposed apartment complex on Plott Creek Road. Again, we see where the majority of the board members ignored the wishes of the local population in what appears as a desperate attempt to side with the developers. I was one of those who attended that marathon meeting, although I did not stay to the very end.  

During my stay, there were issues brought up by both sides but none more contentious than the building heights and the number of stories allowed. As presented, the ordinances in place today allowed for three-story structures but the developer proposed four-story buildings. They seemed to get around the three-story limitation by defining the lowest story as a basement and presumed exempt.

I certainly was not there when the ordinances were written but I am comfortable in assuming that the ‘intent’ of the restriction was to limit building height to three stories — period — for aesthetic reasons. For lawyers and engineers to get away with playing word games and call any story by another name to circumvent the restriction sets a dangerous precedent and flies in the face of the local residents concerned about the scope of the project. 

Also given the contentious nature of this proposal, the local residents would have tolerated a proposal that was strictly held to the intent of the ordinances. But again, that didn’t happen Monday night. The majority of the board chose to waive the restrictions so, again, the residents’ pleas go unheard. I highly recommend this decision be appealed and the original height limitation be enforced before it’s too late!!

Steven Winchester

Plott Creek Road

Waynesville 

To the Editor:

I would like to know why the animal rescue agencies in the Waynesville area, which there are many including Haywood Animal Welfare and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, did nothing to save the lives of the three wild turkeys that had for some reason made the circle at the intersection of Old Asheville Highway and Ratcliff Cove Road their home.   

They can not say they did not know they were there for newspapers and television had produced stories about them.

Unfortunately at that time there were already only two of the three left alive. Now, there is only one left alive.

What was their excuse for not relocating these creatures to a safe location? They certainly can not claim that the middle of a busy intersection is the “natural habitat” of these animals. In my opinion there is no excuse other than simple laziness on their part.   It would have taken all of one hour or so to capture and relocate them. The members of these agencies should be ashamed of their lack of action.

Bill Patterson

Waynesville

To the Editor:

Donald Trump can bellow out from the tallest building in New York that he is an innocent man who is being maliciously badgered by a spiteful media. He can tweet hourly that he has no business ties to Russia. But, he will only be making more noise than the noise is making. The noise is S.A.Y.I.T., which has been repeated thousands of times since his campaign and questionable election as president. S.A.Y.I.T. is, of course, an acronym for Show America Your Income Taxes.

By revealing that information Trump might dispel the notion that he is being manipulated by Vladimir Putin. On the other hand, it might simply prove that Trump is, indeed, beholden to Putin because of money. Have you ever wondered why Trump has refused to reveal that relevant tax information as his presidential predecessors have?

Come clean, Mr. Trump. S.A.Y.I.T.!!!!

Dave Waldrop

Webster

To the Editor:

It is always amusing to hear supporters of President Trump claim that others are uninformed and vicious. Talk about vicious!

I have never before seen a president attack disabled people, a senator suffering from terminal cancer, a gold star family who lost their only son in combat, or the type of vicious name calling during and after the campaign.

The first two paragraphs of the letter on August 1 had no fewer than six erroneous assertions along with a few questionable ones. Kim Jon Un is not dismantling his nuclear arsenal — he has all of his nuclear weapons. According to recent evidence, they are continuing building missiles and expanding their nuclear arsenal. North Korea got international recognition and persuaded Trump to cancel joint military exercises. All Trump got was a small box that supposedly had remains of servicemen, but in the past such boxes also had bones of pigs in addition to some human remains.

The writer asserts that trade deficits are being corrected, but to date no such thing has happened. Some of our deficits continue to grow while some of our companies are moving production to other countries as a result of Trump tariffs or his unpredictability and others are reconsidering building here. Prices to consumers will rise because they — not countries — actually pay the tariffs like taxes. There is no sign of any significant “manufacturing coming back to us” as the writer claims. Just because they might say that on Fox News does not make it a fact. Talk about fake news.

Another assertion is that there is “greater respect for America around the globe.” There is no evidence for this! As one who is in contact with people in other countries, I can assure you that there is no improvement in respect — quite the contrary. People used to say that they like Americans even though they didn’t necessarily like the policies of the president at the time. But now people are starting to say they don’t like Americans because of what they see as our values exemplified by the president.

The writer says taxes are down. Yes, taxes are down if you are rich or making a lot of money, but the rest of us see very little, if any, benefit from the Trump Tax Cut. Unemployment is down, but that does not mean people have a livable income. Wages are so low that many, including teachers, have to take second jobs to make ends meet. The corporations that got huge tax breaks are paying executives and shareholders, but not passing much, if anything, to workers.

Finally, the writer complains that Democrats block everything because it is a Trump idea. May I remind her that ObamaCare was originally a Republican concept? As soon as Obama accepted the plan, every Republican — including Trump — was against it. By the way, ACA premiums are going up in part because Trump is sabotaging ObamaCare. A few cities are suing Trump about this. Most people who object to Trump’s proposals, like the wall and trade wars, do so because the ideas are bad, unrealistic, or ill advised — not because they come from Trump.

Norman Hoffman

Waynesville

Ever wonder how many local ( Western NC) products we sell at Ingles? 

A trio of local high school students recently represented Haywood County at a weeklong environmental workshop, the Resource Conservation Workshop, held at N.C. State University in Raleigh. 

Sunburst Trout Farms in Waynesville will celebrate its 70th anniversary on Thursday, Aug. 2, coinciding with the first-ever National Rainbow Trout Day and the ribbon-cutting on a new processing facility at 314 Industrial Park Drive in Waynesville. 

The Dirty John Shooting Range in the Nantahala National Forest near Franklin will be closed for upgrades Thursday, Aug. 2, and is expected to reopen the following day. 

The inaugural Smokies Stomp Barn Party hosted by Friends of the Smokies raised more than $60,000 to support the Great Smoky Mountains National Park on Saturday, July 21. 

Two adjoining properties that Mainspring Conservation Trust bought in July now link previously unconnected pieces of national forest and state lands in southern Macon County, also boosting connectivity for the Bartram Trail. 

To the Editor:

Donald Trump has already obstructed justice in the Russian election interference investigation. 

Number one, he has failed/refused to establish a bipartisan commission similar to the 911 Commission to determine what happened, how it happened and how to prevent further interference. Number two, he has repeatedly attempted to discredit the Mueller investigation.

Oddly, Trump may eventually be exonerated by the Mueller investigation. However, his premature and false claims that he has been exonerated only make it appear that he has something that he does not want made public. Let the facts of the Mueller investigation show his innocence or guilt in this matter.

The American people (Democrats, Republicans and Independents) need their election system “fire-walled” against Russia as well as any other entity.

Don’t you think it is about time for our leaders in Washington to stop this obstruction? 

Dave Waldrop

Webster

To the Editor:

The conservative right has controlled Western North Carolina politics for decades with an ideology of lower taxes and less government.  The top 25 percent has pushed this maniacal fear of taxes and government, and the amazing reality is that the majority of voters, both locals and move-ins, seem foolishly content with this arrangement: cut taxes, reduce services, throw in some gun lingo and Republicans rule.  

Hence, stringent conservative governance reigns, slashing programs, budgets, and collapsing important resources to meet a callous expectation. With this agenda, it’s no surprise that serious social and economic withdrawal affects the majority of Western North Carolina. 

Conservatives have convinced voters that support services — social security, healthcare, public education, unemployment, disability and other benefits — are welfare handouts; when in reality, tax cuts are welfare for the upper class. Cutting taxes may do wonders for the assets of the upper class and for the welfare of the prosperous; however, the majority loses life-changing services. 

James Madison, father of our Constitution, said, “To provide employment for the poor and support for the indigent is among the primary, and at the same time not least difficult cares of the public authority.” 

Secondly, less government means less regulation; the upper class is free to get more for less, while the working class just gets less and works harder. The irony is that many who need a hand up often vote with this elite minority or in their frustration do not vote. 

The conservative bedrock of our communities remains strong and intolerant, while conditions of poverty increase and services dwindle; it’s illogical to think that we can continue to cut taxes without weakening infrastructure. Less taxation means we serve the top 25 percent and starve the lowest. Taxes should support a quality of life for all and communities will reflect that quality. 

Political regimes that strangle our resources inevitably damage the integrity of our western counties; without a strong and equitable infrastructure, we will crumble from the bottom up. Get out the vote!

Ruth Ballard

Hayesville

To the Editor:

In 2016 the Fourth Circuit of Appeals declared the 2013 N.C. Voter ID Act to be unconstitutional on grounds of racial discrimination, targeting black voters “with almost surgical precision.” Ultimately Voter ID was seen as voter suppression by the courts. We hoped this issue had been settled; but these are not normal times.

Five years later we now see the Republican-controlled N.C. General Assembly circumventing the courts, by proposing constitutional amendments. Voters will be asked to vote for or against six on the 2018 Ballot, one being “An Act to Amend the NC Constitution to Require Photo ID for voting in-person.”

The requirement deals only with in-person voting, not absentee voting, which is far more susceptible to voter fraud and more used by white voters. The amendment is vague, and does not clarify what sorts of ID will be acceptable. Details will be added later if approved by voters in November. 

I trust the “details” will not compare to Texas, where student IDs are unacceptable but voting with an NRA-issued ID is OK.

Most N.C. voters see no problem with a photo ID requirement. Let me shed some light on this. For whatever reason there are thousands of registered voters who lack an appropriate photo ID: from those without vehicles who rely on spotty public transportation to find a DMV office, to those unable to pay court costs to reinstate their driver’s license. And not to mention those who must provide a birth certificate for proving one’s identity. You get the idea: getting a photo ID can be a problem for many citizens, especially ones prone to vote Democratic.

In 2014, over 300,000 registered voters in this state lacked an acceptable photo ID. The problem is endemic: Pennsylvania and Texas in 2014 had 350,000 and 608,000 voters without photo ID. In 2008, Barack Obama won this state by 14,000 votes.

Furthermore, an audit by the NC State Board of Elections & Ethics, following the 2016 general election, found only one case of voter fraud that an ID might have prevented — out of 4.8 million ballots cast.

These amendments are politically motivated, will further undermine democracy by suppressing voter turnout, and will diminish the executive power of our governor. It will pave the way for more bad, one-party, self-serving legislation.

It turns out “super majorities” of any political party are not good for our democracy, which is far more fragile without checks and balances. Voting in this mid-term 2018 election has never been more critical.

Roger Turner

Asheville

To the Editor:

Western North Carolina’s federal representatives have failed their leadership report card on Russia’s interference in our elections. Rep. Mark Meadows has earned an F. Not only has he failed to proactively protect the 2018 election process from Russian interference, he sponsored a bill to fire Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein, who is overseeing the Mueller investigation into Russian meddling.

Senators Burr and Tillis have expressed concern about Putin, yet they have been mum about the U.S. President’s denial of Russia’s meddling in the 2016 election. They have earned at best an F since they, too, have declined to take reasonable steps to protect the 2018 and future elections from Russian interference. 

Charlotte Collins

Sapphire

To the Editor:

The stated reason for the N.C. 107 project in Sylva is to reduce traffic problems and increase safety. Two problems that I have not seen addressed are:

• School zone safety in front of the elementary and high schools. Coming toward Sylva from Cullowhee there is a flashing yellow caution light/school zone advising drivers that the speed limit decreases near Cullowhee Valley Elementary and before the turn to Fairview. However, when coming from downtown toward Smoky Mountain High School and Fairview there is only a sign — no flashing light. Why? Drivers routinely fail to decrease speed during the designated hours.

• The speed limit is 45 from about the entrance to Lowe’s until after the light at Old Cullowhee Road. The limit increases to 55 after crossing the bridge but drops to 45 again before the main entrance to WCU. Few drivers adhere to these limits. Students are among the worst offenders.  Also, after passing the turn to Jackson Recreation Park there are a number of double yellow line no passing zones that some drivers ignore! 

Rarely do I see drivers stopped for speeding in these areas. If there’s no enforcement, why bother with signs?

Gene Tunnell

Cullowhee

To the Editor:

It always amazes me that folks don’t seem to get it. Economic growth is at 4.1 percent, unemployment down to the lowest in a very long time, Korean leader Kim Jong Un dismantling nuclear systems, trade deficits being assessed and corrected to America’s betterment, greater respect for America around the globe, “putting America FIRST” being the new earned slogan, ISIS being jolted, taxes down, manufacturing coming back to us, so many good things happening now in America. Is Trump himself perfect? Of course not. But he is doing everything in his power to help America and Americans! You must realize that if you really are objective.

Democrats in Washington who block everything coming before them just because it may be a Republican or Trump idea seems to be the story of the day. No matter how good bills are for our citizens or how well qualified a nominee to the Supreme Court is ... just vote no without a thought. And that goes for some Republicans too because they just can’t take it that a businessman can get so much done that is good for the public that they themselves can’t.  Jealousy, envy and downright vicious hate toward our president is also the story of the day. Media being so uninformative or out and out untruthful on real news just because it’s Trump doing a great job. Very sad. We should be proud our country is in good shape and we have a president who is proud.

Sad that the leftists — being led by vicious, selfish politicians — refuse to see the truth about America’s statistics lately. Like I heard a person actually say within my own party, “I usually vote against something presented by someone I don’t like.” Wow, that is so telling about the state of mind of some people. Wake up everyone, educate yourself and don’t be used like sheep anymore. Read from many sources get the facts before spreading half-true information or opinions based on weak criteria. Trump is for America and Americans. Aren’t you?

Trish Chambers

Glenville

Each year, one of the highlights of the 10-day Folkmoot Festival is the Parade of Nations. This year, 10 groups from across the globe walked down Waynesville’s Main Street, stopping at the Historic Haywood County Courthouse to perform for local dignitaries.

A three-day meeting to plan the future of the outdoor industry drew leaders from 11 states to Asheville this month, resulting in an accord to establish a set of principles in the areas of economic development, public health and wellness, conservation and stewardship, and education and workforce development. 

More than 600 people attended the 15th annual Mountain Wildlife Days at Sapphire Valley Resort July 13-14, raising more than $2,600 to support wildlife education in Western North Carolina. 

To the Editor:

The Mission Health board and CEO Ron Paulus clearly don’t get it: the system’s billions in assets do not belong to them to do with as they please.

A few days ago, Mission announced the incorporation of a nonprofit foundation to receive the proceeds from the proposed sale of Mission’s six hospitals to HCA Healthcare, the nation’s largest for-profit chain. By law, proceeds from the sale must go to another nonprofit dedicated to improving regional health – but that doesn’t mean Mission gets to shape that nonprofit or decide who runs it.

Nevertheless, Mission’s board not only named the foundation, it picked one of its own former members, the woman Paulus credits with bringing him to North Carolina eight years ago, to head the new board. The message couldn’t be clearer: Mission and Paulus believe it’s their right to control the money generated by the sale to HCA. 

That assumption is as arrogant as it is wrong. Why? Because a foundation created to serve the community should be formed by people drawn from throughout the community — not a self-selecting few who give lip service to inclusiveness while rushing to perpetuate their own power. 

That’s why at least nine states spell out community-focused mechanisms for creating such foundations. That’s why many of those laws prohibit or severely limit any involvement by the nonprofit hospital’s leaders in the foundation that’s formed.

Fortunately, Paulus and Mission don’t get the last word. That belongs to state Attorney General Josh Stein. His role is to protect the taxpayers of North Carolina, who have, by allowing Mission to avoid paying taxes all these years, invested many millions in the system. 

SEARCH (Sustaining Essential and Rural Community Healthcare) calls on Stein to put the brakes on Mission’s assumption of a right that does not and should not belong to it. Anything less would shortchange the public whose trust he holds.

Victoria Loe Hicks

Bakersville

To the Editor:

A number of letters in The Smoky Mountain News have rightly pointed out that liberals are not presenting President Trump in a very positive light.

In this letter only the opinions of conservatives will be cited because it’s about time that conservative views finally get the publicity they deserve from the mainstream media.

For a reliably conservative viewpoint, we should turn to Fox News. Regarding President Trump’s recent Helsinki press conference with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Fox’s Neil Cavuto described Trump’s behavior as “disgusting” (a view also expressed by former Nixon counsel John Dean). Cavuto has also said, “Mr. President, it is not the fake news media that’s your problem; it’s you.” 

Fox anchor Shep Smith has said that the President “keeps repeating ridiculous throwaway lines that are not true at all” and has concluded that “the so-called ‘rigged’ Russian witch hunt is not a witch hunt.” 

In case Cavuto and Smith don’t seem quite conservative enough, we should look at what Brian Kilmeade of “Fox and Friends” says. Responding to the President’s tweet blaming bad U.S-Russian relations on “many years of U.S. foolishness and stupidity,” Kilmeade said, “That’s by far the most ridiculous tweet of late.”

Both U.S. senators from Texas, John Cornyn and Ted Cruz, have expressed their concern about President Trump’s stated trust of former KGB officer Vladimir Putin at the Helsinki Summit. GOP Representative Will Hurd, also of Texas, said, “Over the course of my career as an undercover officer in the C.I.A., I saw Russian Intelligence manipulate many people. I never thought I would see the day when an American president would be one of them.” Sen. John McCain called the President’s conduct in Helsinki “a tragic mistake,” while GOP Sen. Jeff Flake called it “shameful,” and GOP Sen. Ben Sasse termed it “bizarre.”

As for the President’s zero-tolerance policy of separating families at the border, Republican leaders who criticized the practice include Lindsey Graham, Laura Bush, Jeb Bush, Mitt Romney, John Kasich, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, Sen. Susan Collins and Evangelist Franklin Graham, who called the policy “disgraceful.”

Perhaps it would be more fair to cite only conservatives that the President himself vetted and hand-picked to serve him as staff members and who know the President intimately because of their working with him.  These would include former Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, who said the President is “a moron;” current Chief of Staff John Kelly, who has called the President “an idiot;” and H.R. McMaster, who has referred to the President as “a dope.”

As far as what to do about the current political situation, we may look to Steve Schmidt and James Comey, who have been registered Republicans most of their lives. Comey says, “All who believe in this country’s values must vote for Democrats this fall.” Schmidt similarly says, “The first step to a season of renewal in our land is the absolute and utter repudiation of Trump and his vile enablers in the 2018 election by electing Democratic majorities.”

Thank you to The Smoky Mountain News for allowing conservative viewpoints to be shared for a change.

Bill Spencer

Cullowhee

To the Editor:

It is time for the U.S. Congress to act as a co-equal branch of government and rein in the reckless behavior of the president.

To its credit, the Senate has pursued responsible and objective investigations into the Russian attacks on our election system. In contrast, the House of Representatives has done nothing but misdirect and delay and attack the credibility of our investigatory and intelligence agencies. Therefore, it is up to the Senate to carry out the responsibilities of a separate, but equal, branch of government.

The president has repeatedly denied the role of Russia in interfering with the 2016 election, in spite of solid conclusions by our intelligence agencies and the Senate. He has known about these attacks since January 2016 — before his inauguration. At this point, we all know that the President is lying and apparently making agreements with Mr. Putin that no one else knows about, including his own national security staff.

The Senate needs to probe and act in some obvious areas. It seems clear that Mr. Putin has some leverage on Mr. Trump and is influencing his decisions. I suspect that the issue is financial. After being cut off from financing from U.S. firms, his son has indicated that they have ample funding for their adventures from Russian sources. The president is about nothing more than money and his real estate deals require lots of money.

Given the high probability that Russia has some sort of leverage on Mr. Trump, what needs to be done?

First, the Senate needs to subpoena the Trump family personal and corporate tax returns. This should be investigated immediately and thoroughly. The source of Mr. Putin’s leverage is likely to be found there if it exists.

Second, the Senate should do whatever is necessary to protect Mr. Rosenstein (DOJ) and Mr. Mueller until the current Special Counsel investigations are completed. This process must be completed to determine the extent of Russian interference and its consequences.

Third, the Senate should rescind the President’s unilateral authority to impose tariffs. National Emergencies do not emerge overnight at the whim of the current occupant of the Oval Office. This President’s tariff initiatives are causing damage and discord that is totally unnecessary and counterproductive to the U.S. and our allies.

Finally, the Senate should deny confirmation of any further Presidential appointments.  In particular, the Senate should fail to approve any court appointments where the candidate believes that a sitting president should not be prosecuted for criminal behavior. 

The President’s actions to date clearly support Mr. Putin’s agenda. Whether it is reducing confidence in our own electoral process, or seeding discord and mistrust among NATO and other historic allies, we are clearly supporting the Russian objectives. This must stop, and the Senate must stop it.

John Gladden

Franklin

To the Editor:

Recently I spoke with N.C. Rep. Mike Clampitt, R-Bryson City, and Sen. Jim Davis, R-Franklin, about the Photo ID state constitutional amendment that will be on the state ballot this fall. I expressed my concerns; that requiring a photo ID can and will disenfranchise voters across our state, especially in rural areas such as where their constituents are residing. That voter fraud in North Carolina is virtually nonexistent, and requiring an ID is a solution in search of a problem. They nodded their heads as I spoke, one more polite than the other, but ended with the same basic sentiment; they don’t care. They were completely unfazed and apathetic towards the idea that this amendment can and will hurt more people than it will help. That this will hurt our people.

It was during these conversations that I realized the scope of the problem. Our representatives did not vote for this amendment out of ignorance or a lack of understanding. They voted for it knowing exactly what it can and will do to hurt voting in North Carolina. They voted for it in an attempt to stop people like ourselves, our neighbors, and our loved ones from participating in the political process. 

That is why now, more than ever, it is time for North Carolina to unite at the polls, and vote against this Amendment. We know our legislatures don’t care about us, so now it is time to prove that we care about ourselves and our people, and that we will do what is right. 

Sara Mears

WCU student

Cullowhee

The upcoming remodel of N.C. 107 through Sylva will be the focus of a special meeting and public hearing planned for 5:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 6, at Sylva Town Hall.

Although legislators have been called back to Raleigh for a special session that may include modification of the descriptions of the six ballot referenda up for consideration by voters, the substance of the proposed constitutional amendments will not likely change.