NSRA pleased with EIS statement
Friday, February 3, 2006

To the editor:

At long last, a draft of the Environmental Impact Statement regarding the North Shore Road has been released. And, I am glad to say, it supports the positions taken by the North Shore Road Association and other road proponents for years.

For instance, the study says that construction of the road will not “harm the integrity of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park or the Appalachian Trail.” In fact, in every category studied by the Park Service, it was determined that, based on information known at this time, construction of the complete North Shore Road would not “impair” the park.

Among the categories studied were wetlands, water quality, black bear habitat, topography, geology, and the effect that the road would have on park visitation. This is also true regarding the “anakeesta rock”: which the study found could be effectively addressed through “encapsulation.” The study found that the encapsulation methods used on other roads, including the Cherohala Skyway were “effective” in dealing with the presence of anakeesta rock.

The study is equally encouraging as to the economics of the various alternatives. For instance, the study found that adoption of the $52 million dollar monetary settlement would produce a total of 806 “job years” of employment. The adoption of the Northern Shore Corridor, however, would produce 7,315 “job-years.” The benefits of road construction also dwarf the settlement in other ways.

For instance, personal income would rise if the settlement was adopted by $470,000 per year, while personal income would rise if the road was constructed by $5,670,000. And, net retail sales would increase $140,000 per year under the settlement approach, while increasing $14,270,000 per year if the road was constructed.

The North Shore Road Association and road proponents are very pleased that the results of the study support the positions taken by the North Shore Road Association and its members for years. The process, however, is not complete and we must continue in our efforts to force the United States Government to comply with its promises in the 1943 Agreement. We encourage people to come out to the National Park Service meetings and support completion of the road.

Linda Hogue, President

North Shore Road Association

Road supporters get good news
Friday, February 3, 2006

To the editor:

It's a happy day for the supporters of the North Shore Road. For over 50 years, we've heard that construction of the road would destroy the Smoky Mountain National Park. We have been told that anakeesta rock would kill all the fish and that only a monetary settlement would improve the economy of Swain County and the surrounding area.

Now, with the release of the Draft Environmental Impact Study, we see that none of this is true. The study, which was performed by the Park Service and related agencies and contractors hired by it, shows that construction of the road will not destroy the park. The study says that it will not “harm the integrity”: of either the park or the Appalachian Trail. It also shows that the anakeesta rock can be effectively dealt with, using methods similar to those used in Graham County on the Cherohala Skyway. In addition, it shows that the number of jobs created by the road greatly outnumber those that would be created by the settlement, that the number of visitors to the area would be much greater if the road was built than if the settlement was received, and that the increase in personal income and retail sales generated by a road are much, much greater than those that would be generated by the settlement.

This is what we, as road supporters, have been saying. Now the Park Service seems to agree. What a great day it is for road supporters and Swain County as a whole

Barbara Fortner - Bryson City

Time to return - by auto - to old homesteads
Friday, February 3, 2006

To the editor:

My name is Coolidge Brooks. I was born at Chambers Creek in 1924 in the North Shore Area - the same area that my fourth great-grandfather settled in 1804.

My parents were operating a corn mill and grocery store that was there at that time. I lived 18 years of my life there before being drafted into the Navy in 1943.

I was there when the federal government decided through eminent domain to make a 144,000 acre land grab. They decided how much you would get paid for your property, and you had no choice but to accept their price or take it to court. Everyone knows how the court system works, “you lose.”

As for the E.P.A. concerns, I was back to the old homestead in 1946 and the foxes had so over-populated that they had destroyed all bird and small game. The foxes were starving to death. Where was the E.P.A. then?

I didn't go back to the old homestead again until 1962. By that time the wild hogs had over-populated and the whole area looked like one huge hog lot. The park or someone was using a bait and shoot method, and there were piles of hog bones up and down those creeks. Again, where was the E.P.A.

I am not a resident of Swain County, and as such, I will not now or ever agree to any monetary settlement for politicians of Swain County.

I lived in Swain County in 1946 when the County Commissioners were paid $400,000 for the old Highway 288. The money disappeared with no record in Swain County. “Trust them again?” - absolutely not!

As for me and my family, we will hold for the North Shore Corridor Road into Proctor and build the same facilities there that is offered in the Bushell Alternative that will give the elderly and the handicapped people that can't walk or won't ride a boat a chance to go back to the cemetaries and their old homesteads. That will fulfill the 1943 agreement made to my parents 63 years ago.

Coolidge Brooks - Whittier

A road, heritage worth the fight
Friday, January 27, 2006  

To the editor:

Please advise Mr. Cable that all those transportation and park folks he mentions are just biding their time until the last of those who care about the promises made to our forefathers have died.

The government and all those new citizens of Swain County who have no family heritage in the area are hoping the children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren of those buried in all those graves don't care. Well, here's one person who plans to make sure all the Crisp, Breedlove, Sawyer descendants in my family are fully aware of this injustice.

You see, my mother kept all the articles for the past 60-plus years concerning the promise made to my grandparents and great-grandmother (who was forced off her land).

Mother visited The Road to Nowhere in June 2004 at which time she lamented about the promise that was made and the good people who believed the government would live up to their promise. She died Dec 30, 2004. Our family will never let this issue die!

To the North Shore Historical Association and others like Mr. Cable, keep up the good fight. To the rest of you who want a financial settlement you don't deserve, shame on you!

Millie Hudgins - Goldsboro

What's best for Swain, Graham counties?
Friday, January 27, 2006  

To the editor:

I find it very interesting to read all the so-called facts and opinions written about the North Shore Road in Swain County.

The first fact is that most of these people don't know what they are talking about; the next fact is that the United States government made a legal and binding contract with Swain County and the state of North Carolina to replace N.C. Hwy. 288, some of which was covered by the water of Fontana Lake in 1944. If this contract were not good, it would have been gone many years ago. Swain County had borrowed the money to build Hwy. 288 and continued to pay on the debt until 1975.

The contract says nothing about the cemeteries but when the Tennessee Valley Authority was in the process of buying and condemning the land their representatives did tell the people that the road would be replaced. The people took this as a fact and did not move the graves of their relatives.

I live in Graham County and I know that Graham County is not part of the 1943 contract but Graham County lost a large part of its tax base. The Tennessee Valley Authority bought or condemned many, many acres on the south side of the Little Tennessee River and then turned it over to the Forest Service. We all know what that land would be worth today. Just how do the good people of Graham County benefit from it?

I think the people of Graham and Swain counties for to long have allowed the people from outside their counties to run their business.

Why are we going to Knoxville, Tenn. to have hearings on a road to be built in Swain County?

Why does Tennessee Senator Lamar Alexander so strongly oppose the North Shore Road when we all know what is going on over on his doorstep? I'm talking about the Foothills Parkway.

The Federal Highway Administration started construction on the Foothills parkway many years ago. When Lamar Alexander became governor of Tennessee, he told the Federal Highway Administration that the State of Tennessee wanted the Federal Highway Commission to fix it.

The work is now in progress. The terrain is so steep that part of it is walls and bridges. So far contracts amount to $18 million dollars and cover 900 feet.

Have you heard the concerned people mention this?

You can be sure all these concerned people will be out to protect anything we try to do to promote a better life for the working people of Graham and Swain counties.

The taxpayers need some elected officials that will stand up for their people and not allow our great resources to be controlled by people that want to take what we have.

Hearings on the North Shore Road will be coming up. Sign-in begins at 4:30 p.m. Public Comment begins at 5 p.m.

° Feb. 2 - Swain Co High School

° Feb. 6 - Robbinsville High School.

° Feb. 7 - Asheville Renaissance Hotel

° Feb. 9 - Knoxville Marriott

° Feb. 13 - Gatlinburg-Pittman High School. (Postponed till Feb. 21 at Sugarlands Visitor Center)

Shirley Crisp - Robbinsville

Wants to see road built
Friday, February 25, 2005

To the editor:

The issue about the building of the North Shore Road has always been a big concern of mine.

I am old enough to remember what a great place it was to live in the Proctor and all the Hazel Creek area. The same was true of the other places in Swain and Graham counties, where some of my relatives and neighbors were forced from their homes, due to the construction of the Fontana Dam.

I can only imagine what it was like to pack up and leave behind the only home you had ever had and go to some un-familiar place to live. They were also leaving behind some family members who had died over the years.

Although we believe that the spirit has gone on to another place, we still feel a need to visit their graves, take flowers and tell them we still love them. Who knows - they might be watching us. I remember my grandparents who were buried on two of the hilltops over there. I use to walk several miles to visit their graves be fore the Dam was built.

The road being built would be a dream come true for people like me. In my younger days, I walked the trails and roads in the area, from place to place. I sometimes rode the train from Bryson City to Ritter or Fontana. I also rode automobiles on the highway (such as it was) from one end of the place to the other. I even took one trip in a "buggy," which at the time I believe was carrying the U.S. mail.

The road would allow people to travel once again over places they had been before, and allow them to view the beautiful hilltops and patches of the lake that are at this present time just hidden away. I cannot understand why some people work so hard against the road and try to keep the North Shore people from getting what is rightfully theirs.

I am proud that I can call the beautiful Bryson City area "home." It has grown in leaps and bounds in the last 50 years. I have watched it grow. It would take several pages to mention all the great looking buildings and establishments that have sprung up here.

Our capable leaders and other good citizens have accomplished all this without using money that didn't belong to them. It is unfortunate that everyone around here couldn't be for building the road and that way we would have a better chance of getting it built, finally.

Zora Walker, Bryson City

Higher court should step in
Friday, January 28, 2005

To the editor:

I would like to commend Mr. Breedlove and his divulgence on the facts about a great number of things on January 6, 2005. But the main points that I would like to divulge.

Fact: The Northshore Road was not for the families who have people buried in the cemeteries, that is true. But the biggest underlying fact is that the "Road To Nowhere" was promised to our community, no one can disagree with that. If we simply let the state take no action to complete the road, it shows that we as a community are willing to compromise what we as citizens believe in "honesty, integrity and dependability."

Which is what we try to instill in our children from birth. I for one will not comprise or settle on letting things go.

Second Fact: You are right, a lot of communities at that time were struggling. But the Real Fact: It is not the land was dying under their feet or that they were dreaming of silver and gold that was not there, it was the fact that eminent domain took people's land, people's homes and even more importantly their memories with no regard.

If any one has family buried in a Northshore cemetery they understand the frustrations involved in getting access to the cemetery because there is "no road."

Maybe it is time to ask for a higher court to step in on behalf of all of the people who were promised a road.

Just a thought. I think that would encompass everyone in Swain County.

Brandon Byrd, Rosamond, Calif.

Wants the road built
Wednesday, December 29, 2004

To the Editor:

As a former resident and current subscriber to the Smoky Mountain Times, I would like to voice an opinion. I have seen numerous letters to the editor about the road to nowhere.

I personally have a lot of family members buried in the cemetery that was supposed to be provided to those family members, this was something that was promised years ago, because the TVA landgrab took a lot of people's property. Someone needs to step up whether it is Mr. Taylor or someone who has the spine to do so.

This was promised to those families, not to any developers but to the families, that road and access was promised and must be delivered ASAP.

Brandon Byrd, Rosemond, CA

County deserves road and money
Friday, December 17, 2004 9:58 AM EST

To the Editor:

There are several questions I would like to see addressed in reference to Leonard Winchester's letter in the Smoky Mountain Times last week:

1. I would like to know what part of the road bond the Sierra Club or WNC Alliance paid off.

2. Yes, the 1943 agreement says "if and when" funds are made available by Congress. Well, guess what? Congress did make available $16 million for the construction of the North Shore Road and guess who signed the bill? President Bill Clinton. Do you also know that money has been appropriated seven more times, but three times the national park did not want the road built so they diverted the money to other national parks. But that cannot happen this time because we have someone in Congress working for Swain County, not the Sierra Club.

3. Leonard Winchester said he made an error 30 years ago by supporting the road. No, his error is not knowing the truth and jumping in bed with outside environmental groups like the Sierra Club and other money-hungry groups.

4. Concerning the cost of the road, until the study is over no one knows where the road will go or how much it will cost. Leonard's estimate is park propaganda. The state is building four-lane roads for an average of $5 million a mile, and the New Lemons Branch Road that you use to get to Fontana Lake with your boat only cost just a little over one-half million dollars for one and two-tenths mile that is paved and the same kind of road that the park road is now.

5. Leonard says that the road will take 30 years to build. He must have a degree in estimating everything. Should we believe everything that environmental groups say?

6. Concerning Leonard's last statement about our senator and governor, Congressman Taylor in a meeting in Bryson City said that Swain County deserves the road and money. Why not get behind that statement and work for Swain County.

David Monteith, Bryson City

Law no protection for Fontana Lake
Friday, July 22, 2005

To the editor:

A few weeks ago, David Monteith, Richard Stuart, Graham County Commissioner, Linda and Dale Hogue and myself made a trip to Raleigh to oppose Senate Bill 1189. This bill was to put Forney, Chambers, Hazel and Eagle Creeks into higher quality water. All of these creeks are in the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Rep. Phil Haire said he was wanting to help clean Fontana Lake. If this were true, he should start in his own county of Jackson, and not on the streams in the Park. That is already protected and clean. Fontana lake gets sedimentation, trash and pollution from upstream in Jackson and Macon counties. I am not picking on Jackson or Macon counties but Rep., Haire needs to look at where the problem is. He told the Senate Sub-committee that Swain and Graham counties gets drinking water from Fontana Lake. No body gets drinking water from Fontana lake. The Fontana area drilled a well years ago for their water.

No matter what facts we had told Senator Snow, he told us he was going to vote for the bill. If they are trying to clean up the streams, why did they not try to stop the park Service from putting Autimycin A (a toxic substance) that kills fish and all aquatic life in Forney Creek? The Park Service has talked about doing the same thing on Deep Creek, which is Bryson City's drinking water supply.

This bill is just another road blocking kill to try and stop the Road To Nowhere. It is so sad that our representatives has chosen to join with the obsessive environmentalists. These obsessive environmentalist don't care anything about the people of Swain County; when they get what they want, they will laugh and shake the dust from their shoes when they leave the county.

Everyone is so mad about what the Justices of the Supreme Court did about forcible land seizures. Well this was going on 60 years ago on the North Shore of Fontana lake when the government forced our families off their land. The people were not asked what they wanted for their property, the government gave some landowners a few dollars and some did not receive anything. Our families know how it feels to be forced to leave our homes and land forever. It is something you never forget. My heritage is not for sale at any price.

Ellen C. Monteith, Bryson City

Promises, promises
Wednesday, October 27, 2004

To the Editor:

Promises, so many good intentions: "I'm going to get taxes cut." "I'm for better schools - smaller class size." "Better security for our children," "We're going to get $52 million dollars. "There is no $52 million dollars." "I'll bring more jobs." "I'll bring more industry." "Some have voted to cut Social Security." "I'll protect Social Security benefits.'

Well, we know all in Washington have been party to using, borrowing the surplus Social Security funds and spending it over 30 years.

A large portion of the national debt is owed to Social Security. Now that surplus is coming to an end and it will soon be payback time. As we have seen, all paper money can be dipped into: banks, retirement funds, corporation fraud, etc. Large sums of Swain County money have been stolen in the past so this is a pretty sticky issue.

A local political football for many years is the North Shore Road to Fontana, the road to Tennessee and the 1943 promise to Swain County. Thanks to Congressman Roy Taylor, Congressman Charles Taylor and others who have done their best to fulfill a portion of that promise.

It seems these improvements should be adequate to fulfill the desires of many of our people: heritage, family ties and graves of loved ones, some recreational benefits for us and our visitors, tourists, backpackers and horseback riders. This is hallowed ground to our people, so environmental concerns are respected.

When President Clinton signed this bill, Vice President Gore agreed. Years before, Gore and Sasser opposed the road to Tennessee. It is a good thing that proposal is dead. This small road extension will only allow for the same activities that are now taking place on the existing North Shore Road. Our park rangers do a good job, and of course, will continue to be in charge of all these areas.

The "Swain County Trail of Tears" was when hundreds of families were driven from their homes and towns. They will be somewhat recompensed by the privilege of visiting heritage location graveyards. This is about family ties and family love.

Back in the 1930s the mountain people (school children, too) worked to raise the money for this park land, then gave it to the government for the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. That is the reason there is not an entrance fee to the park today.

What a great thing for us all to join together and fulfill both worthy projects - the road extension and push for a large appropriations bill in Congress for economic development in Swain County. Our candidates have pledged leadership for all the people. Let's see to it that it's not for certain ones we agree with and against others.

Sincere environmentalists from other states who come here need to go to Yellowstone and other parks where snowmobiles are chasing elk and other animals - other serious encroachments on our parks.

Democrats for the road!

Bernhard Jensen - Bryson City

Road support encouraging
Friday, April 9, 2004

To the editor:

The results of the "Road or Money" poll from a few weeks back on the Smoky Mountain Times website proved to be very exciting and encouraging. Enthusiastic response was shown as more than a thousand persons voted in little more than a week.

A few hours before the poll was replaced with another question on Tuesday, March 16, the results were: BUILD THE ROAD-70.3%, ACCEPT MONEY-29%, BUILD A GRAVEL ROAD-less than 1%.

Thanks to all of you who participated. Thanks also for the thousands of positive written comments for the Road in the recent phase of the EIS just ended.

With people continuing to work together like this, we can achieve for Swain County what it has deserved for the past 60 years-a beautiful tourism and heritage route down the north shore of Fontana Lake!

Linda Hogue, Chairperson

North Shore Road Association

One man's view from Texas: $52 million just doesn't cut it
Friday, March 19, 2004

To the editor:

May an (outsider) add a few lines to the North Shore controversy? In the early 70s we vacationed in Bryson City several times, moving there in 1977. Financial and health problems forced us to leave Bryson City in 1981. We still have a daughter and two of the greatest grandsons in the world living in Bryson City, so we have been back several times.

We spent many wonderful hours on the road to Nowhere. We picked strawberries near the tunnel, many quarts of blackberries. We owned horses at that time and we rode many of the trails in that area.

We have subscribed to the Smoky Mountain Times for all these many years and we have followed this controversy with great interest.

The Feb. 19 issue had two very compelling and opposing viewpoints. I certainly hope Mr. Leonard Winchester, Chairman CEFSC, does not get his way.

Are the hopes, dreams, plans, belief in the government promise, of countless citizens and descendents of citizens displaced by the building of Fontana Dam worth only $52 million dollars? Whole towns are gone, homes and farms destroyed, people forced to leave their deceased behind. All on the promise that a new road would be built along the North Shore.

All the hopes and plans will be gone forever in a short period of time when the politicians get their hands on the 52 million dollars. I am not suggesting anything illegal, but, a schoolhouse is needed and must be built (of course, it must be named) or, a new courthouse absolutely must be built (of course, it must also be named). Some great cause after another will continue to nibble away at the money until it is all gone, along with the dreams of countless numbers of people, living and deadŠ

Mr. Winchester says, "Yes. We know many safeguards will be required,"

The only workable safeguard will be a NO vote on his proposal. In reference, look at the Social Security program. The original plan and the results after the politicians got their hands on it.

Ms. Linda Hogue, Chairperson, North Shore Road Association, best articulated the thoughts and feelings of many many people.

In 1943, Swain County Commissioners negotiated in good faith and signed a legal contract. Now is not the time to gibe up and accept a pittance, ending forever the dreams of all the people involved. I agree wholehearted with her North Shore Corridor proposal, however, the final route is not as important as having the Federal Government live up to its promises.

As to the environmentalists, where were they when 44 thousand acres were put under water? How much damage was done when the Blue Ridge Parkway was built across the most beautiful mountains in the world? Road construction is an ongoing process all over these mountains with little or no objections from the extremists. They should be accepted as exactly that, (extremists).

President Bush has declared WNC a National Heritage Area, and the residents of Bryson City and Swain County should remain strong and resolute in demanding the federal government live up to its contract signed so many years ago.

Thank you so very much for letting an interested (outsider) have a voice.

John Rankin - Texas City, Tex.

'No' to buffer zones, wilderness designations
Friday, February 13, 2004

To the Editor:

As I read The Smoky Mountain Times and Smoky Mountain News my mind begins to wander back and think, when are the people of Swain County going to wake up and stop letting outsiders make our decisions for us.

Over 15 years ago, Ted Snyder, a salaried, past-president of the Sierra Club, and members of the Wilderness Society came to Swain County and said we need to make the Smoky Mountain National Park and surrounding National Forests Federal Wilderness Areas. The people of Swain County and surrounding counties stood against these people and said, "NO!" to Federal Wilderness.

Then some of these same people came to Swain County and said money, no North Shore Road, and Federal Wilderness. Again the people of Swain County said, "NO!" Then ion the last two years Ted Snyder and the Sierra Club, Nature Conservancy, etc. comes back again with their misinformation and once again they tell Swain County - Money - not road. I understand that Ted Snyder wrote the advertisements for local newspapers and drafted proposals for Congress asking for money instead of the Road. Last week he wrote a letter to the editor of the Times stating there is no such thing as buffer zones around any Park. Is the Blue Ridge Parkway not a Park? What is the 500 feet area along each side of the Parkway that is restricted called? Maybe a buffer zone? Maybe Ted should talk to the landowners in the Wesser Creek community - they know all about "buffer zones."

According to National Park Service Literature, the Park Service has tired to get Federal Wilderness Designation for the Park at least four times since 1966. They failed each time due to their obligations under the 1943 Agreement - a legal binding contract to build the North Shore Road. Once this contract is resolved nothing can stop Federal Wilderness designation. If anyone does not know what Federal Wilderness is, look up public law 88-577, the Wilderness Act of 1964. Read for yourself what it says about "buffer zones: or "peripheral areas."

Ted, have the people of South Carolina run you out of the state? Are you looking for some other place to hang your hat? Try Cuba, not Swain County.

Raleigh Grant - Bryson City

What Does The Bible Say
March 11, 2003

Dear Editor:

I write this letter with mixed emotions, but let me assure you none of these emotions are for a 52 million dollar settlement. I have such a heaviness of heart for the dear gentle people who lived on the North Shore of Fontana Lake in the early 1900’s, some who are still living but many who are dead and gone. These people were forced to leave their homes, heritage and buried loved ones behind on the North Shore of Fontana Lake. The government in order to appease these people promised two separate things: First, to reimburse Swain County for Hwy 288, which was flooded when the lake was filled, and second to build a road around the park to give access to the more than 28 cemeteries that were left behind when these people were forced from their land. I wonder if the North Shore people could have foreseen the broken promise and the county officials taking 52 million dollars for the only thing they had to leave their future generations if they would have left their land so easily.

I know a lot of you may not realize what land means to families whom have had family farms passed down from generation to generation and none of us could ever comprehend what it meant to our ancestors who first bought the land and worked clearing it with the simple tools of the 18 and 1900’s, but I can imagine what it was like as my grandmother and aunt tell me about the hardships they faced growing up during the depression and the tears and laughter they shared during this time.

My ancestors were forced from their land in 1943, but they were offered an olive branch by the government in that they were promised a good road back to the cemeteries of the North Shore, so instead of handing down the family farm the only hope they had to pass on their heritage was to accept a road to the cemeteries were they had buried their mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, aunts, uncles, children and friends.

My heritage, which is priceless, is not for sale. My great-great-great grandfather was the first white settler on Hazel Creek. I would like to be able to drive where my grandparents, great-grandparents, great-great grandparents and great-great-great grandparents once lived and were raised. I would like to spend the day exploring the area with my grandmother who will be 85 years old this month, but as it is it takes the day to get there and back and she is unable to hike that far or to climb the muddy banks of the lake and creeks. We may never be able to go there together again unless there is a road built.

It was a sad day at least for me to see 4 of the 5 Commissioners of Swain County and Aldermen the town of Bryson City sell the people, whom the promise to build the road was made, down the road for 52 million dollars. If you read I Timothy 6:10 it says: "For the LOVE of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." I hope if it comes to getting the settlement that this verse does not come back to haunt our county.

No matter what happens I wish to encourage the concerned citizens who are for building the road to take refuge in the Lord’s Promise of Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose."

The Lord warned all of us about putting confidence in man in Psalms 118:8 "It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man." So often we want to be able to put confidence in our elected officials, but to do this will bring disappointment every time because they are human and subject to error just as we are. In Luke chapter 21 it describes what will be taking place in the last days. In verse 16 it says "And ye shall be betrayed both by parents, and brethren, and kinsfolks, and friends;…" and in verse 28 it tells us what to do when we see these things happening "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh." I truly believe we are living in the last days and my hope for all the people of Swain County and in other areas as well whether for the road or for the settlement is that you know the Lord Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and that you will be ready to meet him in the air when he comes.

Sincerely,

Paula Parton - Bryson City

Right or Wrong, Truth or Lies
March 15, 2003

To Whom It May Concern:

In 1943 I was serving on the battlefields of Germany when I received a letter from my wife saying they had been forced off their homeland and were relocating somewhere in Bryson City. I would never see the place again where I had played as a boy, and worked and lived as a young man. It is a hard thing to have the roots of your childhood ripped out of your life. My brothers and ancestors are buried on my homeland.

We have waited for the government to fulfill their promise to build the road. Now 60 years later, it is a different government… a different America. Where promises last only to be elected and the commitment of a leader is meaningless.

Whether National, State, or County Government, when the leaders are no longer held accountable for the promises they make, we are in a mess! Some Swain County commissioners, during their campaign, referred to the North Shore Road, pledging to "…hold our United States Government accountable for a promise made to the citizens of Swain County…" Now these same commissioners have reneged on their word in hopes of getting money for their coffers. When dollars are more important than character, what will be next? When lying and deception is indicative of the heart of our government we are living in a very gloomy day.

Of course the outsiders don’t agree with the road being built! Why should they? They have no ties, no roots and no ancestors in this land that was taken from us. No one wants to preserve the beauty of that land more than the people who were raised there. But what good is that beauty when it’s kept inaccessible? It is unjust for these outsiders to even have input in this very personal issue.

This is a small town in a big nation. The choices of the government of our little town cannot be based on what outsiders say. Whether they are environmental groups or other overly zealous individuals who want to run our lives, our government is no longer OUR government. And if our leaders can be bought with dollars, they are incompetent leaders.

Sincerely, 

Sanford Cable - Bryson City

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