About the Opinions page and other Letters to the Editor
Many voices enliven
the Opinions page
What a treasure The Black Mountain News is to the community. And it gets better every year. I have been a 32-plus-year subscriber (and resident,) and I am always amazed at the improving quality of the guest columnists and guest commentary.
I am sure the editor (Paul Clark) is grateful for the contributions as we readers are. In the Jan. 14 issue, we had a poignant and succinct article about corporate tax invasion and near malfeasance of corporations, written by Jim Heid. Then below that, a summary of a speech by Martin Luther King (by Beth Keiser) when he spoke of being “possessed by fear” and how applicable that is today.
And as always, there is Barbara Hootman's seasonal view of our local area of natures wonders.
So many people write and express their thoughts. I am always reminded of the many reasons I have to be grateful to be alive and in this community of “contributors,” from the variety of churches, to the individual voices, to the protesters, to those that gave “their all” for us to have the power of the vote.
Please take the time to vote, and do not be fearful of our future. And always be grateful of where we live. We've got it good. So very good.
Doug Brock
Black Mountain
Please stop feeding the ducks
Barbara Hootman’s articles are a joy to read. She paints such beautiful pictures of everyday things and turns them into extraordinary glimpses of priceless jewels. Her article last week (BMN Jan. 21) was no different, and I was glad it was chosen for the front page. It was a rich and powerful piece of investigative journalism entitled, “With Handfuls of Corn, Jersey Joe Feeds Ducks Daily,” a genre that she does not usually try to attempt.
Placing names along with human emotions to something you find offensive, destructive and vile is helpful. Obviously, feeding waterfowl is not good for anyone either man, duck or goose. Waterfowl tend to congregate, and it attracts more ducks and geese than the environment can handle. The lake becomes more susceptible to algae blooms, and things die. It destroys the environment, polluting lakes and streams, along with untold destruction downriver in carrying diseases to other waterfowl estuaries.
It promotes disease and large kill-offs of not just waterfowl but valuable fish, turtles, snakes, newts and salamanders. People become sick along with their lake and are susceptible to all sorts of diseases. Waterfowl tend to be more aggressive, as demonstrated at our very own Lake Tomahawk, because they lose their natural fear of man. The list of negative impacts on feeding waterfowl is extensive and should be reviewed by everyone.
Many might recommend to the people feeding waterfowl that they concentrate on less destructive civic duties. But most of the time, and I am sure in this case, the people are already so involved in their town and helping others that this is runoff of their already overflowing hearts. However, I implore them to please stop feeding the waterfowl and let the waterfowl become wild again. It is the way everyone likes to see them.
Weston Hall
Black Mountain
Niece thanks people
who saved her aunt
I want to publicly thanks several people. On Saturday after our recent snowstorm, my aunt, Dot Jones of Black Mountain, had to be taken to the ER. First responders Tim Guffy and Chris Synder made their way through the snow to get to her. They got her down snow-covered steps and safely to Mission Hospital.
After spending several hours in the ER, Mission Hospital gave Dot a voucher for a taxi to take her home, alone. The taxi driver dropped Dot off on West College Street. Dot fell in the snow and was there in the snow until someone driving by saw her and called the police. It was around 15 degrees and about 10 inches of snow.
I want to thank the person who saw Dot and called the police. I want to thank the Black Mountain Police Department for sending a car to pick up Dot's sister, Precious Hill, and transporting her to Dot's home.
Cheryl A. Harper
Arden