Newspapers / The News-Record (Marshall, N.C.) / May 7, 1987, edition 1 / Page 4
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THE NEWS RECORD J fylfo1* ' " * ' Editorial Marshall Merchants Need To Remember Actions Louder . . . ? ^ ? ? It is time to give the Marshall Merchants' Association a firm L and necessary reminder to get on with it. The idea of an organization of town business people is a good one, through which we all, merchants and residents alike, will benefit. Unfortunately, what at first seemed a medium for town spirit may have burned out before it was lit. The familiar cries of "he didn't do this, she didn't do that, he forgot the meeting, she doesn't like so-and-so" can be heard up and down Main Street and the Marshall Bypass, as merchants try to pass the buck to the closest scapegoat. It's time to stop this nonsense and get down to the business at hand ... the business of business, the business of stopping any more stores from having to close their doors for lack of revenue, the business of pulling together to try to solve the town's economic woes. The Merchants' Association elected a young chairman to try to tackle some old problems. Perhaps his lack of expertise will hinder the group's efforts. Perhaps his lack of experience with local merchants is exactly what is needed, an injection of new blood to a community desperately in need of an economic transfusion. Whoever is at the helm of the association, there remains a need for action. Simply calling yourself a merchants' associa tion won't do it. Since forming in January, that's about all that the group has done -- elect officers and meet occasionally. The group has yet to take any positive steps to boost the town's sagging economy. Some interesting ideas - including a brochure on the community - have risen from the group's discussions. But those ideas have fallen to the wayside, ap parently the victim of personality conflicts and a lack of com munication within the group. Shying away from getting involved is exactly why the town is in the mess it's in. Merchants who will not work together deserve to have the chips fall whore they may. John Donne said "No man is an island." No business is an island either. Marshall's business people will survive together, or die together. This is a call for all Marshall merchants to take a good look at the future. It will be mighty dim if change does not come - and come soon. Merchants must put aside petty differences and work together for a change. There is no doubt the entire county would like to see the Mar shall Merchants' Association succeed, but the group has to first get organized. The members must get on the ball and stop perpetrating the old myth that Marshall merchants will never cooperate. Judical District Proposal Draws Criticism Elsewhere The proposal to gerrymander mountain judicial districts is better off dead. It would have done none of the counties involv ed any good. Splitting Haywood and Jackson off from the 30th Judicial District and pairing them with Madison and Yancey in a new district made no sense at all, except to those looking for a new home for Madison County. The root of all this was dissatisfaction among some Madison County politicial figures with Madison County's alignment in the 24th District - Madison, Yancey, Watauga, Avery and Mit A move to put Madison in a judicial district with Buncombe drew Buncombe opposition. If not Buncombe, then perhaps Haywood. But Haywood as strongly. wanted out of the 24th District because it was not to Watauga and Mitchell - that was the argument A less obvious reason is that Madison Democrats to be tried by their Republican DA, who lives in wefee interims , rossian crnzews ABOUT 1HeW6tt) OPENNESS HERE IH mnwtM the RECENT | HeaOMAAM, HOttlAREVOO I 1 P0/AI6? |CA)j!r WAM^S/AI icamt v A "?*? DO 900 THINK THE &IG&66T WSaSOOP I CANT PROBl d?Sk COMKM HER?? Letters To . The Editor Junior Chandler Was 'Guilty Until Proven Innocent' To the Editor, As a citizen of Madison County, I feel that Andrew Chandler Jr. has been unjustly sentenced to life in prison. I strongly believe that an in nocent man has been imprisoned. Charges were brought against Chandler in May 1986. As a result, Chandler was tried in Madison Coun ty in January 1987 in criminal court. Mr. Chandler was ordered a court appointed lawyer because he could not afford an attorney. This case was concluded after two weeks of ques tionable evidence. All the evidence was circumstantial; therefore, the jury came back with a mistrial. Ap proximately one week later, a meeting was held and the court decid ed to move the trial to Buncombe County without the defendant's con sent. In April 1987, Andrew Chandler Jr. was tried in Buncombe County. This case also concluded after two weeks of questionable evidence. Some witnesses for the defense were either not subpoenaed or were not permitted ' to testify. Some of the Buncombe County jurors laughed openly as Chandler's witnesses testified, as if they bad already made up their minds that he was guilty. As the state attorney laughed, so did the jury. And this was supposed to be an open-minded jury! One juror clapped her hands and acted comical with a man's life at stake. The acts displayed by this jury were purely childish. Here again, all the evidence was circumstantial, but the jury came back within 2-and-a-half hours with a verdict of guilty for 12 of the 16 charges against him. Mr. Chandler was given two life sentences and 21 years. The judge also reprimanded Chandler openly and disgracefully, as though he were not even a human being. In both cases, the outcome was a definite case of "guilty until proven innocent." All evidence was cir cumstantial and no evidence could be introduced that would help Chandler's case. I believe a 29-year-old innocent man, with two children of his own, has been unjustly sentenced without any hope for the future. The cons cience of the general public questions the justice of this conviction and we, the friends and family and communi ty, are looking at this entire matter. We will find the truth, and you can count on it! Sincerely Jerry Gail Ounter What More Do You Need t To the Editor. In rwpooae to the petition cir culating around in Madison County in to Andrew 'Junior" * feels Mr. ing for tba majority of I ty. I ferent backgrounds can find enough evidence to convict this man, he must be guilty or he would have been set free. I sat through this trial in Buncombe County. I didn't believe at first that such a crime could ever occur here. It's time the people in this county wake up and face reality. What more proof do these people need? Would the crimes have to be committed in their presence for them to believe it really happened? I suppose had all the acts been committed in their presence, the people that can't believe this would still say this didn't happen Five of seven children testified. Two were much too young. Five parents testified to the change in their children after they started to ride the van. Three pediatricians, certified specialists in determining child sexual abuse, testified. Four eyewitnesses that rode the van testified. Five witnesses that saw the van in the areas in question testified. One protective service worker testified. Wake up! What more do you need? Mary Searcy Marshall The Children Didn 't Lie To the Editor, I am saddened. The events of the past months have made me realize a deep problem exists in this county. I once thought that 'Bloody Madison' referred to an act that oc curred decades ago. I was wrong. "Bloody Madison" now means that many people here still believe blood is thicker than water, and many relatives back their own, whether right or wrong. Recently, I have seen a petition cir culated for signatures in an attempt to free a guilty man who was tried and convicted by a Jury of his peers. This happened to be in another a county. Threats of violence plus outright lies placed against assurances through trial -by-jury only add up to one thing: The people who have sign ed the petition must realize that the guilt he carries is now shared by each of you. His guilt haa been proven. Your guilt is being proven by your signatures, because you are attemp ting to help a sickness in this county be denying its edttanoa. Blood is thick, but guilt ia undeniable Your ugly threats will return to haunt you. The cure to this knows he was and is guilty of those heinous crimes he was convicted of. And anyone who has any doubts ought to take the time to go to the cour thouse and read the transcripts. Mr. Chandler is behind bars, where he belongs. Now, let's let those very young, in nocent victims Anally get on with their lives, and try to forget the nightmare they were put through. Diana Laws Marshall Heard And Seen By POP STORY Going Visitin' By POP STORY "Bill" and I finally visited the attractive home of Arthur and Florence Duck on the Burnsville Highway last Sunday after noon. I had previously been to their home but it was "Bill's" first visit there. As always, Florence and Arthur were most cordial and gave us a tour through their home which we enjoyed. While Florence was showing Bill the many displays of her handwork and interesting wall decorations, etc., Arthur and I compared our physical problems with our cataract. We also discussed his expertise at growing hugh gourds and other plants and flowers. Both Arthur and Florence are lovely people and are active in many projects which promote progress in the community and are considered to be two of the most popular senior citizens in the area. We thoroughly enjoyed our visit with them. Florence also commented that she has been a regular reader of this column for many years. The Month of May Each year during the month of May, I marvel at the beauties of blooming flowers, the budding of trees and the gorgeous scenery in this area, including the dogwood and other colorful flowers. Truly, we live in the moat beautiful section of the state. For this we give thanks for our many blessings.
The News-Record (Marshall, N.C.)
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May 7, 1987, edition 1
4
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