e NEWS RECORD
Editorials
Costly Chickens
Come Home To Roost
Some very expensive chickens are about to come home to
roost on Madison County's doorstep. These costly cluckers are
the result of decades of neglect on the part of our county of
ficials. While leaders of long ago must bear the responsibility
for the expensive repairs needed to the county's buildings, it is
today's taxpayers- and taxpayers in years to come- who will
be saddled with the bills.
The centerpiece of county government, the Madison County
Court House, is in desperate need of major renovations. Struc
tural engineers have determined that the entire roof must be
removed and replaced immediately. Although cost estimates
are not yet available, you may rest assured that the final bill
will be a six-figure expense.
Built at the turn of the century for $30,000, the building has
never received the necessary maintenence required. Many
decades of neglect have brought us to the present-day pro
blems we must now face.
The emergency presented by the courthouse is just the tip of
an iceberg that will drain Madison County's limited resources
for decades to come. Our county jail and nearly every school
building are also in need of major renovations and replace
ment.
Madison County is rapidly approaching the dawn of the 21st
Century with facilities constucted when the present century
was young.
Make no mistake about it- these ancient facilities must be
restored or replaced. It won't be easy and it will cost millions
of dollars, but the future offers us no alternatives. Our past
history of neglect must be stopped and reversed, before
tragedies of unimaginable proportions strike us.
Rebuilding Madison County's facilities is the greatest
challenge facing the people of this county as the 20th Century
draws to a close. We must summon the courage to make the
committment that previous generations have denied.
GIs Deserve Better
The tragic death of 248 U.S. servicemen casts a pall on this
holiday season for Americans everywhere. The men,
members of the 101st Airborne Division, died in a fiery air
crash last week as they were Returning home from a
peacekeeping mission in the Mideast.
The circumstances surrounding the death of these men
raises questions that must be answered. The men were aboard
a private aircraft charted by the military to transport person
nel.
Millions of Americans are asking why our government, with
the largest Air Force in the history of man, would pay private
air carriers to transport military personnel? In the wake of
the tragic crash, we learn that millions of tax dollars are spent
annually on such charters.
The Pentagon responds that the private aircraft are used in
order to have a ready supply of aircraft for transport in the
event of war. By using private aircraft, the Pentagon argues,
military craft are left available to transport heavy equipment.
It seems to us that the brass hats in Washington have their
priorities backwards. Our military men and women should be
transported in military aircraft. If privately-owned aircraft
must be used at all, it would seem that the hauling of heavy
cargo would be more appropriate.
Letters Are Welcome
The News Record welcomes letters to the editor for publica
tion.
Letters may be on any subject of interest to our readers. In
order to be considered for publication, letters should be no
longer than 700 words and contain no libelous statements. All
letters are subject to editing and will not be returned.
Letters must bear the signature of the writer along with a
telephone number so that we may verify authenticity.
Opinions expressed in letters to the editor do not necessarily
reflect the opinions of the editor and publisher of The News
Record.
Letters should be addressed to:
The Editor,
The News Record
P.O. Box 369
Marshall. N.C. 28753
The News Record
Sarving Th? People Of Madtion County Since 1 90 1
P.O. 6ox 368 ? Marshall, N.C. 28753 ? (704)648-2741
' '' ' ' ~
Heard And Seen
By POP STORY
WEATHER CURTAILS PAGEANT
Despite rainy and uncomfortable weather last weekend, the
annual Christmas Pageant was presented on Thursday and
Friday nights before a chilled, wet, and sparse audience of
less than 200 but rain and bitterly cold weather caused
cancellation of the pageant on Saturday night.
On Thursday night the pageant had to be delayed for about
an hour when firemen were called to a house on fire on Brush
Creek.
However, in spite of the elements, members of the cast were
present as were the singers and other performers who did an
outstanding job despite the odds.
Ed Fender, director of the pageant for the past two years,
expressed his thanks and appreciation to members of the cast,
the firemen, and others who participated and cooperated and
stated that "it was a learning experience last weekend and I
am looking forward to next year's pageant."
TWO SPECIAL EVENTS
There are two special events which I always enjoy every
year. One of the occasions is the annual picnic held in the sum
mer on the beautiful lawn at the home of Leonard and Lib
Baker near Walnut when members of the Marshall Book Club
and their spouses enjoy getting together and the other occa
sion in the annual Christmas Party for the members and
spouses of the Marshall Book Club held at the home of John
and "Tom" Corbett on the Walnut Creek Drive in Marshall.
This party was held Monday night and included singing of
Christmas Carols and solos by Virginia Teague and John Cor
bett, and piano seclections by this writer. Delicious
refreshments followed the program in the beautifully
decorated home. Ruth Gregory, program leader, briefly
reviewed two books and read an appropriate poem.
BEING HONEST
Pastor Ray O. Jones stated his feeling well as he wrote of a
conversation he had with his 9-year-old. The youngster had
asked him "What's it like to be a preacher?" Pastor Jones
replied, "Being a pastor is something like many others' tasks
in life and yet is unlike anything else in all the world. It's like
being loved and unloved, wanted and unwanted, understood
and misunderstood, it's joy and sadness. It's heaven and just
to be honest, a bit of hell at times.
(Submitted by Everett Barnett)
Letters To The Editor
Defends Ledford's Integrity
Dear Mr. Koenig:
This letter is written by an in
dividual with no bones to pick with
anyone. However, I hate to see a good
man who. in my opinion has no desire
except to help the county and the peo
ple in it, subjected to criticism that I
do not believe is warranted.
I have seen articles in your paper
which definitely reflected adversely
on Mr. James Ledford, chairman of
the Madison County Board of Com
missioners.
For over 16 years, I have been at
Wolf Laurel in active management.
During that time. I have dealt with
James Ledford as an individual and
for the Bald Mountain Development
Corp. I have never known anyone up
here to be more accomodating than
Mr. Ledford to more willing to go out
of his way to help not only our com
pany. but any individual who was in
trouble or had problems with cars,
trucks, etc.
We have always received coopera
tion from the people in charge of the
county.
I have never entered into politics in
any way and most of the people could
be Democrats. Republicans or in
dependents as far as my personal
knowledge is concerned.
It is not for me to say whether the
charges* against Mr. Ledford were
politically motivated or otherwise.
However, I do know that Mr.
Ledford's invoices for servicesto lye
and our company over the years heye
been equal or below any quotations
we've.had from other sources.
In 1971. the tax valuation of the part
of Wolf Laurel in Madison County was
$78,716. That same tax valuation to
day is $15,231,660.
Mr. Ledford and other members of
the county government are in many
ways responsible for the success Wolf
Laurel has had. In my opinion, Mr.
Ledford is not only a good
businessman and an asset to the
county, but is also absolutely honest
in his dealings with everyone I have
known.
Yours very sincerely.
Kondren Mitchell. President
Bald Mt. Development Corp.
Route :t. Mars llill
Applauds Weaverville Changes
Dear Editor,
My congratulations to my fellow
citizens of the town of Weaverville for
their insight and good judgement in
the recent election. The results prove
once again that when the voters see
the need for a change, and become
concerned enough, then change can
be brought about. Weaverville is a
fine place to live. Hopefully, with a
much-needed new town administra
tion, it can become even better.
The business of operating our town
has for too many years been carried
txtln a somewhat clandestine man
ner Perhaps the prime example was
the appointment of a town manager
who happened to be the son of the
mayor. Strangely enough, this posi
tion was not advertised so that
qualified applicants could be con
sidered. I question the legality and
ethics of that move.
Hopefully, the new mayor and
council will make needed changes
and operate the town's business in an
open and business-like manner. Then
the voters will plainly see the wisdom
of the recent changes.
K.S. Edwards
Weaverville
Criticizes Citizen Article
Dear Sir:
An article entitled "Store Owner
Earns Respect In Shooting" detailing
the deaths of Junior Gunter and Jef
frey Bullman by G. Dale Neal in the
Dec. 6 edition of The Asheville Citizen
is a classic example of unprofessional
journalism. Mr. Neal showed com
plete disregard for two already suf
fering families by reopening wounds
The article was not necessary. It
gavf no new insights into the case and
did not provide the public with any
pertinent information that had not
already been published. It only allow
ed Sheriff E.Y. Ponder to use the men
as scapegoats, to take the blame for
countless burglaries that he has been
unable to solve. Neal made further
unfounded implications by mention
ing the Gahagan murders which have
no bearing on this case whatsoever.
Mr. Neal further misdirected the
public by referring to Junior Gunter's
prior court record. Everyone in
Madison County knew Junior had a
record and had served his time. But
Neal failed to present Mr. Cook's
record. Sheriff Ponder should have
said, "They all had their problems."
I have always thought there are two
sides to every story.
Sincerely yours,
David Guntrr
Marshall
Know Comment
BY JOSEPH GODWIN
A couple of our friends visited us to
day driving a new blue car that turn
ed me green with envy.
Leon and M. P. came in a new
Chevrolet Blazer 4x4. Lest you
misunderstand, let me hastily state
that I did not covet their Blazer; I did
not want their Blazer; I wanted them
to have it.
Their Blazer simply made me want
something equally satisfying, in ap
pearance and driving comfort.
There is nothing sinful in wanting
something like that -is there? After
all. I have driven my old yellow
Volkswagen so long that I am better
known by the car I drive than I am by
the column I write!
Betides, my yellow VW has more
than 200.000~that's two hundred thou
sand ! -miles on it. ?
Today. I wanted all of my friends
and most of my enemies to drive
along our street and see our friends'
new Blazer parted in our drivewaj
I( si i nis thjii ii^vouJd f ee1 goodto
the time I was driving, I was hoping
that somebody I know would see me.
Then surely I would have my minute
or second-of glory as he assumed
that Joe really does have a fine new
machine. That didn't happen!
Where and how does one dump such
terrific load of envy as mine? There
are at least two ways: rationalize and
actualize.
One form of rationalization is call
ed "sour grapes." Should I use this
method, which is an attempt at self
deception. I would say. "Just think of
all the gas that thing drinks. Every
time you crank that thing, it's just
like flushing a commode with unlead
ed gas!
"And those tires! When they wear
out. M. P and Leon will-have to pay a
whole arm and a leg up to the knee to
replace them
"Think about how high off the
circuit flounders."
Another form of rationalization is
called "sweet lemon." This is essen
tially the opposite of "sour grapes."
Should I decide to use this method,
wttich is also an attempt at self
deceit, I would say something like
this:
"My VW is one of the finest cars on
the road. Why worry about those
200,000 miles? It still has more good
miles in it than those things Detroit is
ipHling out t^#se days. You know,
they just don't make cars anymore
like they used to!
"My little yellow car has excellent
radial tires all arounrl -plus a new
spare The paint is good.
"Although the motor has been
unleaded stuff that gas-guzzlin'
Blazer drinks."
In spite of its popularity,
rationalizing-sour grapes or sweet
lemon is not an appropriate, mental
ly healthy way to handle envy. A bet
ter way is to actualize.
Should I choose this method, I will
recognize and admit my envy. Then I
will recognize and admit that envy is
a creeping killer.
Deciding whether my present
bucket of rust and rattle best meets
my needs, I will carefully, cautiously
thoroughly, patiently consider all
angles. In other words, I'll weigh the
pros and cons.
If and when I decide that my VW is
overdue for retirement, and the
beautiful Blazer would best serve my
purposes I'll turn off the envy and
ikT| will save all
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