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Letters to the editor: 05/04/00 |
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ETJ will be a benefit
To the Editor: The Village Council, the planning board and the committee defining the ETJ area have been honest in explaining the benefits of ETJ to then people it will effect. They are not attempting to deny respect, to discriminate against, or to wrong any individual or group of people. They are not praticing political oppression or exploitation or seeking to increase the disparity between the rich or poor. They are not breaking the law. They are interested in the good of all. Yes, certainly ETJ will benefit the Village of Forest Hills. It will also certainly benefit the residents of the ETJ area, the residents of Jackson County, the residents of North Carolina, the residents of the United States and the residents of the world. This section of God's earth will still have groves of trees and grassy meadows. Their branches, creeks and rivers will still be full, unlike the creek "running" beside our home. There will still be a watershed. An overabundance of construction projects tends to destroy these things and create concrete jungles. There will be no additional air pollution from car and truck exhaust fumes and traffic conditions will remain at the same level. I believe the Village of Forest Hills is interested in being a good steward of God's land. Sincerely, Mary P. Iobst Forest Hills County manager provides a choice To the Editor: Horray for Jay Denton for trying to lead Jackson County out of the stone age. If people will remember, choice was one of the freedoms granted in the U.S. Constitution. Mr. Denton gave some people the choice to have drink that contains alcohol. So for the ones who do not indulge, that is also a choice. Now how hard was that? As for the location begin too close to Western Carolina University, how many of the student body is of legal drinking age? If they are of age, would it not be more feasible for them to drink closer to campus rather than travel to Sylva on a very dangerous stretch of road? Ask Dr. Kollist how many accidents have occurred in front of his practice, located on this road. Calling a public official arrogant could land you some jail time in some countries. But here it's a freedom. Let's live and let live, and we will survive. Ain't life grand in these United States! Franklin Linville Whittier Child should stay with Miami relatives To the Editor: I take this time to comment on the Elian Gonzales case. Is this the first parent that wants their son back to Cuba in 40 years? Why now the change of tone toward Fidel Castro? The reason the Miami relatives and the Miami community are at odds with the federal government is because someone forgot to tell the Cuban-Americans in the United States the relationship with Cuba is changing toward normalization of trade. One other question is why is the INS in the business of uniting a parent with a child? This situation is a family matter. That was expressed by Mr. Bill Clinton. Ms. Janet Reno also stated that she would not use force to reunite Elian with his father. Both statements have been reversed. Elian survived days at sea which is a miracle. My concern is why did Ms. Reno put Elian in another jeopardy situation when the Miami relatives' house was raided early Saturday. The Miami relatives are an extended family exercising what is best for the child. I do not consider the child to be in sufficient danger to warrant an INS raid on the house. Again, this matter is between family and family court. It is not the business of INS soldiers to forcibly take the child. I think Ms. Reno's actions and her health need to be reviewed. I believe that she is either ill or is playing politics with Mr. Bill Clinton. I'm a Colombian/American living in Western North Carolina. In 1964, my entire family had to leave Colombia because of civil war partly assisted by Fidel Castro. Today there is civil war again, and my sources tell me that Fidel is exporting guerrilla advisors to Colombia and Venezuela. So the Miami relatives are acting in the best interest of the child. A family court that is local (peers) should be the mediator, not the INS or federal justice. This raid reminds me of what the Nazi soldiers used to do with the power of the state. The Nazis had court orders, but they were still dead wrong. History has proven this over and over. I think if a child is found alone in a parking lot of a store, the child would be handled by social services. Why didn't this happen? I have been a lifelong Democrat, but with the raid on the Miami relatives' house I will vote Republican because if he has this much hatred for the Cuban-Americans imagine what he feels for the Colombian-Americans. German Vivas Whittier |
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