Tell us about what you do. How did you learn what you do? What are your duties day-to-day? What about your job do you wish people better understood and why? How can people help you do your job better?

The proposed sale of U.S. Forest Service land to find money for counties who have lost revenue from declining timber sales is just a bad idea, a product of the Bush Administration’s fiscal indulgences rather than well thought-out land management policies.

Jackson County Commissioners last week strategically deferred making a decision about who would become the newest member of the Jackson County Airport Authority, in effect throwing out the list of names authority members submitted for approval.

Several years ago, as Christmas approached, I remember my youngest daughter saying, “I can’t imagine what I want for Christmas; I have everything I could possibly need.” She grew up and no longer says such things in anticipation of Christmas or birthdays.

Thursday night, the Haywood Regional Medical Center Board chose to breach the hospital’s contract with Haywood Emergency Physicians rather than consider mediation, as proposed by the medical staff.

This deserves emphasis, given the central role that public education plays in North Carolina political debate: our schools have vastly more resources to work with than they did a generation ago.

2006 was a big year for news in the mountains. From the economy to the world of politics, there’s been a lot of change. We’ve selected some of the best quotes from newsmakers in 2006 to help put the year in perspective.

By Rachel Tomlinson

With the winter season in full swing, dressing appropriately to prevent cold injuries is often overlooked, especially in regions where temperatures don’t drop far below 20 degrees.

The sickle-fin redhorse, a new species of fish recently discovered that dwells in only a handful of rivers in WNC, will be getting a boost from a $40,000 U.S. Fish and Wildlife grant.

The Smoky Mountain News Outdoors section has printed scores of news about the environment, adventure sports and outdoor activities in 2006. Of course, there was also a whole bunch of news about the people who take part in these activities or who have a passion for the environment.

Traditions

It’s over now, but the 24 hours between Christmas Eve afternoon, say around 6 p.m., and the evening of Dec. 25 have fallen into a ritual that is wholly and completely satisfying.

By Kathleen Lamont

The tradition of New Year’s Resolutions can be accurately traced to 153 B.C., although it could go back even further. At that time Janus, a mythical king of early Rome, was placed at the head of the calendar.

By Michael Beadle

Wintertime may not offer the best opportunities for fly-fishing, but that doesn’t mean fly fishers aren’t busy.

By Michael Beadle

What is art? What makes a relationship stand the test of time? How do you move on in life after one event turns everything upside down?

By Chris Cooper

Christmas is one of those times where there’s a surge of buying in the instrument market, and much of that buying involves some lucky kid (or adult) getting their first guitar. So what I’d like to do here is provide some insight into getting the most out of that initial phase of playing and learning, list what extras you really may need, and give a little insight as to what elements make up a “good” guitar.

Small, but Big

Something most retail stores do before a busy Christmas season is run some kind of “sales report” to determine what products were most popular through the year thus far.

By Sarah Kucharski

In January 2005, Jackson County Commissioners called in more than $1.2 million in loans issued to six local industries, suspended participation in the Economic Development Commission and launched an investigation of the commission’s financial records.

By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer

If there’s one thing economic development officials agree on, it’s that there’s no one right way to do it.

Creation of a one-half cent local option sales tax to support building needs at Haywood Community College and tax relief from spiraling property values are among the issues Haywood County commissioners are urging legislators to address when the North Carolina General Assembly convenes in January 2007.

A new public comment and meeting policy has been adopted by the Swain County Board of Commissioners. Here are some highlights:

New Year’s resolutions? Don’t believe in most of them, especially those that are akin to a miracle diet or those no-risk investments tips that keep junking up the inbox in our email program. A sound resolution is more of a decision to dedicate one’s self to hard work and perseverance, not capricious fantasizing about how one wishes things could be.

More than 300 people attended a public hearing on Land For Tomorrow in Asheville last week, overwhelming the expectations of those conducting the hearing. Some people drove for nearly two hours to come voice their support for the initiative.

By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer

Local Mediacom cable subscribers up late Friday night saw their ABC affiliate WLOS Channel 13 go dark at midnight, as the company and Sinclair Broadcast Group have failed to reach an agreement that would allow the cable provider to continue carrying Sinclair stations.

The business sector in Jackson County will benefit from the renewed efforts to establish a working Economic Development Commission.

Preamble

What can we do now to ensure that in 20 years Franklin will still be recognized as a great place to live? This question is critical as we grapple with the formidable challenge of managing growth. In North Carolina in the past 30 years, population has increased 50 percent while vehicle miles traveled have increased 300 percent. Historically, we have handled growth in ways that have resulted in all of us living farther and farther from our destinations, be they work, school, worship, play or shopping. These extra miles have far-reaching consequences: more congestion and air pollution resulting from our increased dependence on automobiles; the loss of precious open space; the need for costly improvements to roads and public services; the inequitable distribution of economic resources; and the loss of a sense of community.

We believe that in order to help maintain what we love about Franklin, and still accommodate growth, we have to change our planning approach to create safe and friendly streets for Pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists and to encourage attractive and affordable housing choices closer to our daily destinations. We believe our land use policies should recognize Franklin's architectural heritage, replicate its best-loved patterns of building, encourage building approaches that create legacies instead of teardowns or franchise styles and, thus, preserve and enhance the special sense of place that is Franklin, North Carolina.

In our region, where the economy is driven by tourism, second home ownership, and retiree migration, it is clear that sense of place is an asset as surely as a navigable waterway or a mountain of buried coal was an asset in previous eras. Destinations that attract investment are those that distinguish themselves from competitors by virtue of their natural and man-made environments. Such communities are not sought out because they have the biggest retail boxes or the most chain restaurants. They are valued because they have deliberately preserved their traditional character and protected their sense of place.

The principles contained in this document are intended to guide the Town's future land use decisions. We recognize that many of the principles are dependent upon fiscal capacity and support, as well as a commitment from the community and elected officials. With that foundation of community commitment and support in place, we are confident these principles will foster the continued vitality that has made Franklin a great town and an original place.

Principles of Growth for the Town of Franklin

Principle #1. Mix Land Uses.

The Town of Franklin should continue to grow in a manner that encourages and rewards the integration of land uses. Mixing land uses promotes connectivity, walkability, and a sense of community. The integration of land uses provides denser cores of development which are supportive of transportation alternatives, such as walking, bicycling and public transit. In addition, the mixing of land uses promotes connectivity and walkability, thereby helping revitalize community life by providing inviting places for people to live, work and play.

Policies and Strategies

• Ensure that zoning regulations allow a mix of uses in most classifications.

• Provide incentives, such as increased densities, to make it attractive for developers to undertake mixed-use projects.

• Permit planned urban village zoning districts, where appropriate, through special use zoning, thereby allowing the creation of entire communities consisting of an urban core and associated residential development.

• Allow live/work units, structures which are used for business purposes and which also serve as the principal residence of business proprietor, the in some zoning districts and exempt them from density calculations.

• Actively promote Franklin as a "Smart Growth" town. Consider partnering with the

Chamber of Commerce and Board of Realtors in establishing a committee whose job is to promote Franklin as friendly to Smart Growth and to search for developers who are interested in developing mixed use buildings.

Principle #2. Take Advantage of Compact Building Design.

The Town of Franklin should support compact building design, a principle which promotes the efficient use of land and resources by directing communities to grow vertically rather than horizontally. This reduces the footprint of new development, thereby preserving more open space and reducing impervious surfaces and stormwater runoff and, therefore, the amount of surface water pollution discharged into our streams. This type of design also enables wider transportation choices including public transit, walking and biking.

Policies and Strategies

• Ensure that zoning regulations facilitate compact building design by allowing multi-family and attached housing, by eliminating or reducing minimum lot sizes and minimum yard requirements, and by taking care that height and density standards are adequate to accommodate this principle.

• Educate the community , including the development community, of the benefits of compact building design, via public meetings and informational sessions.

• Adopt parking standards which encourage compact building design by reducing the amount of land needed for vehicular use. Examples include allowing shared parking and on-street parking to count toward minimum parking standards. Alternatively, the Town may wish to consider maximum parking standards in lieu of, or in addition to, minimum standards.

Principle #3. Create a Range of Housing Opportunities and Choices.

The Town of Franklin should work in partnership with private enterprise to create a range of housing opportunities and choices. In order for our town to grow and prosper, we must provide many different types and prices of living quarters. To support a growing economy, it is imperative that we find a way to provide affordable housing options both for current residents and, also, to make the town an attractive option to potential employees and employers.

Policies and Strategies

• Seek sources of funding, both public and private, which can be used to provide down payment assistance and rent subsidies, and to finance the acquisition, construction and rehabilitation of affordable housing.

• Ensure that the zoning ordinance allows auxiliary housing (e.g., garage apartments), both attached and detached. Investigate the feasibility of reducing impact fees for such units.

• Establish a housing committee, composed of stakeholders from the Town and the County, whose purpose will be to focus on public education and to investigate and recommend to the Town realistic solutions for affordable housing.

Principle #4. Create Walkable Neighborhoods.

The Town of Franklin should strive to make our town a walkable community. Walkable communities are pedestrian-friendly, desirable places to live, work, learn, worship and play. They stimulate economic viability and distinctive character, as well as improve residents' health and safety and regional air quality. The benefits of walkable communities include lower transportation costs, greater social interaction, improved personal and environmental health, expanded consumer choices and an overall healthier way of living.

Policies and Strategies

• Adopt walkability standards designed to accommodate pedestrian connectivity, pedestrian safety and mixed land uses.

• Develop gateway corridor plans for major entrance ways into town which address pedestrian facilities, signage, landscaping and appearance.

• Ensure that new development contributes to the principle of walkability by installing pedestrian connections or, where that is not feasible, by contributing a fee-in-lieu thereof, into a pedestrian facilities fund.

• Adopt a master pedestrian facilities plan for the Town.

Principle #5. Foster Distinctive, Attractive Communities with a Strong Sense of Place.

The Town of Franklin should strive to maintain and create a high quality urban environment which reflects the unique character of our community. In doing so, we believe there is a greater likelihood that buildings (and, therefore, entire neighborhoods) will retain their economic vitality and value over time.

Policies and Strategies

• Ensure that land use regulations encourage reusable, multi-generational buildings that instill pride over time and through a variety of owners and uses.

• Ensure that land use regulations permit the adaptive reuse of the best of our older buildings. Every historic building we save bolsters sense of place. Educate developers and property owners about the NC Rehabilitation Building Code and coordinate with the Macon County Building department on the administration of this Code.

• Conduct an inventory of historic resources and, if justified, establish a Historic Preservation Commission to help preserve historic structures and districts, thereby helping to sustain Franklin's architectural heritage.

• Develop design standards for the downtown business district in order to protect and enhance the sense of place provided by Main Street. Consider developing design codes for other neighborhoods as appropriate.

• Commit to building civic spaces and buildings that are lasting landmarks which distinguish Franklin. Public buildings should be built for their value over a lifetime, not for short-term capital savings.

• Protect the natural environment. Our sense of place is tied forever to the quality of our rivers and mountain landscapes. Sacrificing environmental quality for short term economic gains spends down our legacy and puts us at a disadvantage in the competition for our best customers.

Principle #6. Preserve Open Space, Natural Beauty and Critical Environmental Areas.

The natural environment in and around our mountain community is one of our greatest treasures. The availability of open space and, significantly, greenways provides important benefits to the quality of life and health of our community. As Franklin grows in population, open space and greenway availability will become even more important and, potentially, more difficult to preserve. Thus the Town of Franklin should commit today to ensure we have ample open space in the future.

Policies and Strategies

• Create a working relationship with the county and FROGs (Friends of the Greenway) to complete the Greenway Project. At a minimum this should include extending the greenway to Suli Marsh in the north and Recreation Park in the south, bridging the Little Tennessee River, and providing opportunities for water recreation, physical exercise activities, picnic and playground facilities and an amphitheater.

• Develop a collaborative strategy between the city, county, and FROGs for developing, funding, operating, and maintaining the greenway system.

• Connect the greenway to other facilities by having walks to Southwestern Community College (SCC), the Macon County Library, and other areas that would benefit Greenway users.

• Adopt a master plan for developing and funding additional greenways, walking and biking paths throughout the city, linking businesses, open space, and recreational and other community facilities.

• Ensure that zoning and subdivision ordinances support the development of open space, and walking and biking areas.

• Establish minimum open space requirements for specific types of development including multifamily and mixed use developments. Ensure that these requirements provide for open spaces that are functional, and allow for recreation or conservation. Require inclusion of walking and biking trails in developments, where feasible.

• Analyse the potential for "pocket parks" — a series of small (approximately 1/4 acre) parks throughout the city minimal facilities for relaxation, picnics, children's play, and as a gathering place for seniors.

Principal #7. Direct Development Toward Existing Communities.

The citizens of Franklin have made significant investments in the existing streets, sidewalks, utilities, schools, and public spaces which make up the Town's infrastructure. The Town of Franklin should ensure that new development is directed towards existing communities which are already served by this infrastructure. This will help to conserve open space on the urban fringe, strengthen the Town's tax base, allow for closer proximity of jobs and services, and improve the efficiency of government and public resources.

Policies and Strategies.

• Review and, if necessary, revise the Town's Utilities Extension Policy to ensure that extensions of water and sewer are consistent with these Principles of Growth and with other land use plans and policies the Town may adopt.

• Maintain a brown field redevelopment resource center whose mission will be to educate the development community about the benefits of brown field redevelopment and the availability of qualifying sites.

• Adopt a fast-track policy whereby qualified redevelopment projects are given priority in the development review process.

• Locate and promote suitable areas for development in order to realize efficiencies from infrastructure and service investments. Provide incentives, such as density bonuses, to encourage development in such areas.

• Adopt a policy where governmental and community services are located and encouraged to locate downtown in the central business district, where feasible.

Principal #8. Provide a Variety of Transportation Choices.

We believe a community and its citizens should have multiple transportation choices. Those choices should be affordable and available to all members of the community. Pedestrian transportation is especially important as our community expands and fossil fuel costs direct more people to use alternative modes of transportation. The Town of Franklin should resolve to strive for a balanced, walkable community with a variety of transportation options.

Policies and Strategies.

• Ensure that transportation goals and needs are addressed in land use planning decisions by providing or requiring an analysis of traffic impacts as part of the development review process. Take care that transportation impacts are considered, as well, when evaluating petitions to rezone property.

• Infrastructure planning should include multiple modes of transportation and provide for growth and diversity.

• Road improvement plans should include safety planning for motorists, pedestrians, bicyclists and transit users.

• Future development should encourage connections to adjacent properties. Provide foot/cycle path connections to adjacent residential and business properties. Parking areas should provide safety and ease of access.

Principal #9. Making Development Decisions Predictable, fair, and CostEffective.

The Town of Franklin should strive to make all of its development- related processes (zoning applications, rezoning, multi-family development applications, and sign applications) as simple and straightforward as possible, with known time frames for making a decision.

Policies and Strategies.

• Land use regulations should be written so that they can be understood by, or readily explained to, those who must abide by them. This material needs to be readily available in hard copy at the Town office and on the Town's web site.

• The Town should identify and remove any barriers that may exist to ensuring that the benefits of these initiatives accrue to all segments of the population, including women, racial and ethnic minorities, people of low income, and people who are developmentally disabled.

• The town should work closely with Macon County regulatory officials to ensure that local ordinances are enforced and that information regarding permits and development is shared.

Principal #10. Encourage Community and Stakeholder Collaboration.

The Town of Franklin should engage all sectors of the community as partners, early in the process of planning, to ensure that they will have a continued say in changes that take place. The Town should offer opportunities for people to gather at convenient and comfortable locations at a variety of times for sustained involvement and expertise by community stakeholders employing clear, open, and consistent communications.

• Develop a more consistent dialogue with Macon County government, its elected officials and key staff, in order to work more closely on issues of mutual interest. The town should meet with the County Commission on a regular basis.

• Conduct periodic "planner's luncheons" to educate and inform the public about planning initiatives and new development.

• Incorporate into the Zoning Ordinance a process whereby Town staff facilitates neighborhood compatibility meetings between developers and neighboring property owners and residents for developments likely to have considerable impact.

By Sarah Kucharski

It was Allen Bailey’s aim to bring about a better understanding of black culture and the church’s role in the local community when he founded the Harlem Gospel Choir on Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday in 1986.

By Chris Cooper

Some conclusions could be drawn after listening to Rhythms Del Mundo in its entirety.

The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield

Margaret Lea, the daughter of an antique book collector, receives a curious letter from one of England’s most famous and eccentric authors, Vida Winter, who asks Lea to write her biography. What unravels in this expertly crafted story is the never before told 13th tale that has eluded all others who have tried to document Ms. Winter’s life. At long last, perhaps Lea will find truth in an author’s fictional world of ill-fated romances, twins with a mysterious power, and a haunted mansion. Each character offers Lea clues to a past that may well be closely connected with her own life.

Indian food

For a special treat over the holidays, my wife made us some Aloo Matar, a traditional Indian vegetarian dish made with curried potatoes and peas (and tomatoes, garlic, onions, cilantro, red peppers and other assorted spices). “Wow!” I kept saying, bite after wondrous bite. For dinner, we ate a divine dessert made with grated carrots, crushed almonds and cardamom. Unlike cakes or brownies, you only need a few bite-fulls before you’re full. That’s Indian food — good to eat and great for you too. Over the past few years, we’ve become huge fans of Indian food, going to Asheville’s Mela restaurant and stocking up on Indian sauces and foods every chance we get. Each new meal allows us to conjure up dreamy entrées like Palak Paneer and Delhi Korma, soothed by a mint chutney or cucumber yogurt, and sopped up with freshly baked Naan bread. Savor a dish of heaven. Try some Indian cuisine.

Learning a new language

The word for “thank you” in Portuguese is obrigado [OH brih-GAH-doh]. In Mandarin Chinese, it’s xie-xie [shey-shey]. In Arabic, it’s shukran [SHOOK-rahn]. The Turkish word for “Hello” is Merhaba [Meer-hah-bah].

I’ve been teaching myself random words from foreign languages thanks to some library books and CD’s. One of my New Year’s resolutions is to learn new words from other languages. There are so many beautiful words out there, and they don’t all have to be English. Try out the Arabic word for “island” — jaziira [zhah-ZEE-rhah]. See how it rolls off the tongue. As they say in Italian, buona fortuna! (Good luck!)

— By Michael Beadle

The Downtown Sylva Association will hold a series of public meetings in January to answer questions about a proposed municipal service district tax, DSA president Sheryl Rudd recently told town board members.

By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer

Franklin’s proposed Principles of Growth flew past town aldermen Monday night in a mere 15 minutes, earning unanimous approval and setting a new policy for directing future growth.

Jackson County’s Green Energy Park has received the Environmental Protection Agency’s Project of the Year award, giving the one-of-a-kind methane gas recovery project some much deserved recognition.

By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer

Jackson County commissioners have set in motion a strategy to make up for the past and plan for the future, directing the planning board to make several land-use ordinances this year’s top priority.

By Sarah Kucharski — Staff Writer

John Anderson’s boisterous voice streams out from the computer speakers.

Just before Christmas, singer/songwriter Ashley Chambliss of Sylva got an email from the online music site where her music is available for download. She would be receiving a deposit into her bank account.

By Chris Cooper

Yeah, it’s a quip that’s terribly overused — the one about “... there must be something in the water...”

By Sarah Kucharski • Staff writer

The Town of Franklin is taking steps toward implementing its recently adopted Principals of Growth, hiring both a town planner and GIS mapping specialist.

Dillsboro and Southwestern Community College’s Heritage Arts Institute in Swain County were among the 18 grant recipients from the Blue Ridge National Heritage Area.

Downtown Sylva Association members have voted unanimously to hire an executive director, setting the organization up to more actively advocate for the downtown community.

The following testimony was provided by Rhonda Bedsaul, 47, of Swain County. A similar account was provided by Bedsaul’s husband, Ron, 42. Both affidavits have been turned over to the state election board for further investigation.

By Stephanie Wampler

I begin this article with a momentous announcement. This announcement will, I think, bring a general feeling of gladness to the community. (Drum roll ...) Everyone, I want to tell you that I recently found my inner goddess.

Sometimes, change is for the good.

By Michael Beadle

Sutton Bacon once had dreams of becoming a surgeon.

Canary Coalition, a regional air quality advocacy group based in Sylva, recently reached the 1,000 mark in members, showing a growth of 25 percent in 2006.

By Michael Beadle

For the longest time, forest fires were viewed as hazardous events to avoid at all costs.

Remember Smokey the Bear pointing his finger like Uncle Sam, telling folks to do all they could to prevent forest fires?

By Michael Beadle

A goddess rises through ribbons of translucent alabaster. A pair of doves flutters from bronzed hands. An old, wizen-faced Native American man bandages the head of a wounded pioneer.

Sarah Kucharski • Staff writer

A new prescription drug discount card soon will be available to Macon County residents.

By Chris Cooper

Swing can take many forms. It can bop and bounce like Calloway and Ellington, or it can sprout a 10-gallon hat and spurs in the hands of Bob Wills and his Playboys. It’s been reborn time and again whenever a younger generation looks to the past for something new and inspiring to embrace. After all, “it don’t mean a thing if it ain’t got that swing.”

By Chris Cooper

Morning Missed: Broken Cords Of Rotten Wood

The Grey Eagle

Over the last four years I have had the great opportunity to work with David Holt in his band, the Lightning Bolts.

By Sarah Kucharski • Staff Writer

Franklin town officials have turned down a request made by the owners of the Wal-Mart plaza in Franklin to help encourage expansion in the store’s current location along the U.S. 441 bypass rather than move forward with company plans to build a new Supercenter.