Editorial
VOTE NO!
On Nuclear
Dump
Regardless of your political persuasion, your vote is need
ed in next Tuesday's election. Democrats and Republicans
will go to the polls to select candidates for the November
general elections.
Democrats will choose candidates for the House and
Senate, county commission, school board and tax collector.
Republicans will be asked to choose Senate, county commis
sion and school board candidates.
While we don't wish to diminish the importance of these
races, the most important vote in Tuesday's election doesn't
involve any political office. Rather, it is a question upon
which could hang the fate of our mountains and way of life.
We urge all Madison Countians- Democrats, Republicans
and independents alike to vote NO in the referrendum con
cerning the location-of a nuclear waste repository in Noirth
Carolina. No matter who else you vote for, even if you don't
vote for any of the political candidates in Tuesday's races,
please take the time to cast your vote against the nuclear
waste dump. Nothing you do on Tuesday will be more im
portant.
Although the question on the ballot is referred to as a
"non-binding referrendum," it is vitally important that
North Carolinians express their opposition to the Depart
ment of Energy's proposal to store nuclear waste within our
borders. The bureaucrats in Washington will be watching
carefully to gauge the stregth of oposition they will face
here in North Carolina. +
A near unanimous vote opposing the nuclear waste dump
might force them to think twice before dumping on North
Carolina. For the sale of our future, VOTE NO to nuclear
waste on May 6.
By LISTON B. RAMSEY
For generations. Western North Carolina was regarded as "The
Lost Province."
The Smokies and the Blue Ridge formed natural barriers that
locked the region into economic, cultural and social isolation. The
West's life blood, its young people, was drained away as more and
more of them left for so-called greener pastures.
roriunaieiy, we naa some
good things going for us ? fine
people, natural beauty and
environmental foresight.
These assets combined to
bring about a gradual but re
markable reversal of fortunes
in the mountains.
The 1960 Census showed
that only four western
counties gained in population
from 1950 to 1960. By the 1980
Census the situation had been
turned completely around ?
every county in the region
showed a gain in population.
The progress has continued to the point where today we are riding
a crest of development never before equalled in our history.
Suddenly, all of this is threatened by a proposal to make Western
North Carolina the dumping ground for high-level radioactive
waste.
The federal government is considering building a dump in either
the Elk River Complex, which reaches into Buncombe, Haywood
and Madison counties, or at a Site east of Raleigh. We do not want this
dump, and on May 6 we will have the opportunity to let the federal
government know that we don't want it.
The May 6 primary ballot will include a referendum for or against
"the location within the State of North Carolina of a high-level
radioactive waste and spent nuclear fuel disposal site."
My vote will be "against," and I urge each and every eligible voter
todo likewise
Since the referendum will not be binding on the federal govern
ment, some people say it will be meaningless and a waste of time. I
disagree. It is an opportunity to have our collective voices heard in
Washington. It is a healthy exercise of expression of public opinion.
It is democracy at its best.
It is extremely important that we vote against the dump en masse
and that the issue carries by an overwhelming majority. Let's all
cast our vote against the dump.
To put a dangerous facility of this type anywhere in Western North
Carolina would be incredible. Experts tell us that the stored waste
would eventually leak out, the only question being how long it would
take and how large a threat it would be. Iiriagine what it would do to
property values, not to mention the environment.
Let's not let a hazardous waste dump shut the door of opportunity
that we struggled so long to open.
On May 8, vote against placing a hazardous waste depository in
our fair state.
?
Representing the 52nd House District , Mr. Ramsey is Speaker of the
N.C. House of Representatives,
The News Record
ScfvinfThe Piopte Of Madison Count* Sine* 1901
P.O. Box 369 ? Marshall, NX. 28753 ? (704)649-274 1
ROBERTT.KOENIG, Editor
CHERYL W. K0EN1G, Advertising Manager
BRENDAC. PARKER. OfHce Manager
ANDREW V. FULLER. Advertisiag Representative
W#?W? fe Dm Mot.ni.MMr ISWiHiHn C*., Me. USPS 34*440.
FaM at Marshall M.C 28753. Safcicriptiaw Kaitt m
ITaar
Heard And Seen
By POP STORY
DURING THE PAST WEEK
Some weeks I almost go bananas when I suddenly realize
that the deadline for this column is nearing and my mind
draws a blank. I think of what I've heard and seen during the
past week and wonder what I'll write. Because of a few nagg
ing physical (and mental) handicaps, I'm not in circulation
like I used to be.
During the past week, however, I attended a supper at the
Madison High cafeteria held by the younger members of the
First Baptist Church. The dinner was held to raise funds for a
trip they plan to take to Caswell. The meal was delicious and a
large crowd attended. I always enjoy the good fellowship at
such events.
I also had the oportunity to meet with Christine Streppa,
who resides on Long Branch Rd. with her husband, Art, and
their children. Chris attends UNC-A, where she is majoring in
journalism. She visited my printing office one day last week to
get information on a project she is doing for her classes. She's
busy writing a history of The News Record as a class assign
ment.
I showed her how The News Record was formerly produced
with "hot" type and she was interested in the linotype, the
flatbed printing press and the other outdated equipment I still
use.
My fellow Lions Club member Wade Huey told me all about
a recent trip he and Louise made to several western states
during the club meeting last Monday night.
I'm glad to see that our pastor, Buddy Freeman, is improv
ing after being "under the weather" for several days.
THE 0NL9 m
g^SANlWULP
HEtPTHE
AMERICAN
FARMER,,,,
IMW U
HEARD ME
SANP N15TA6
ARE TRYING
TO TAKE OVER
FARM.
i
Know Comment
BY JOSEPH GODWIN
City patrolman Kenneth Byrd had
recently recovered a man's wallet
and had just finished a brief examina
tion of it.
"Joe, Let me show you something."
he said, "let me show you how much
'identification' a man can carry in his
wallet that won't identify him.
Seeing that I did not understand
what he meant, he continued.
"Of course, by making phone calls
and writing letters, we can find out
whose wallet this is. But I'm talking
about right now. Just look at all this
stuff.
"Here are four credit cards -
Amoco, Gulf, Shell, and Exxon-with
the name 'James Gorman' on them
There is a name, but what do we know
of the man? No address
"A Social Security health insurance
card, but no address. Membership
cards in AAA motor club and
Mediplus, but no address.
"There was not one penny of money
in the wallet, but here are VISA,
MasterCard, and American Express;
but still no address.
"We don't know who James Gor
man is-or was-nor do we know
where he came from nor where he is
or was-going.
"Here is a Blue Cross-Blue Shield
card for a woman whose name is not
Gorman. She could be Gorman's
daughter or his remarried mother
Who knows? There is no address for
her and thee card does not indicate
how old she is.
"This American Express Registry
Service card has James Gorman's
name on it, but no address nor
telephone number.
"Look at this tiny little piece of
paper. All it has on it are two
numbers: FA1801 and FB1541. 1 hap
pen to know that those are code
numbers to use in replacing Ford car
keys.
This is a membership card in the
Masons--Pine Level Lodge.
Something has been spilled on it, and
I can't tell where Pine Level Lodge is.
"Let's see. Here are some more
membership cards-a VFW card from
Post Number 4538, but no address.
And North Carolina Farm Bureau.
The typed name and the signature of
James Gorman are on it, but no ad
dress.
"These look like a bunch of serial
numbers for something... just a small
piece of paper with nothing but four
long numbers on it."
Ken then put all of those temporari
ly useless documents back into the
well-worn wallet and closed it.
"Wait a minute," I said. "Look at
his driver's license. It will have an
address on it."
In a helpless tone. Ken said, "There
is no driver's license in here-no"
money, no address. As of this minute,
right now, we have no idea where
James Gorman lives, where he came
from, nor where he is going."
Noting a tightly folded piece of
paper at Ken's feet, I asked him, "Is
that something you dropped out of his
wallet?"
The paper had been folded twice. It
was quite d dirty and worn slick on
the outside. Ken picked up the paper,
opened it, and his expression changed
as he read slowly:
"So I go not knowing
-I would not if I might
I would rather walk in the dark
with God
Than go alone in the light; I
would rather walk with him by faith
Than walk alone by sight.
...James Gorman."
After a moment of what appeared
to be deep thought, Ken looked
straight into my eyes and said "Joe,
we still don't know where he caipe
from.. .but I now have an idea where
he is going."
Laurel Student Writes
To President Reagan
Amanda Gunter of Marshall sent a
letter last month to President
Reagan, protesting the proposed
nuclear waste dump being placed in
Western North Carolina. Although
President Reagan did not reply, six
did receive a letter from the Depart
meat of Energy explaining their posi
Um.
Amanda Gunter.age *. is a fourth
grade student at Laurel School, and
the daughter of Jerry and Beth
Gunter.
Following is her letter:
X8?S?3r<>~.>
nine yam old. Igoto Laurel Eiemen
tary School I have a very good
is Mrs. Barbara
hi tile best teacher I
wrote this letter is because of
the Nuclear Waste Dump. I don't
want it put in Madison or Buncombe
County. I love my state. When I grow
up and have children of my own I
want them to have a safe place to
P??y.
Now, I have got a brother and ?
sister. My sister is one year old and
my brother is three years old. I want
them to have a safe place to play.
If you DONT put the waste dump In
Madison or Buncombe I will tell
everyone I know to vote for yo6! But
if you DO put the dump in Madison or
Buncombe I will tewll everyone I
know NOT to vete for you.
I know you are a good President bit
I don't wart the Nuclear waste dump
put in Mfcd^on or Buncombe County!
PLEA^K. PLEASE. PLEASE,
don't put the Nuclear Waste Dump in
Madison or Buncombe^ ^
Reader Applauds New
Generation Mountaineers
iwfwljf owner. I have followed with
m.'U'vi your recent coverage of the
proposed nuclear waste repository . It
ha s been refreshing to read of the pro
test participation by Madison Coun
tains who are sometimes termed
by outsider There seem
to be a aew and courageous genera
, and more importantly
rilling to etert an effort to keep it
Mm - i # ? ?
inn
minerals to highway* and
toll irtt Now our 'one little eWe
^ I
lamb , the mountains wtiich canot be
removed from us, art In danger of be
ing rendered "untouchable." It ia In
deed time to stand and be counted;
riot as 'Bloody Madison', but as calm,
collected and informed Madison
County
The dtisens who have already
taken time to write letters prepare
speeches and otherwise petition
against tkl atrocity hav?
gratitude and respect, s doe The
fr-r iia . . H-i '
1 o
and '
Sylva. N.C.