In the last edition of The Transylvania Times, there was an article about a site just down the road from my home being considered for the construction of an Air Curtain Incinerator. Now knowing what is intended for this site, I hav... — Updated 4/5/2021

Would members of the House of Representatives and Senate react to passing sensible legislation if, God forbid, their family members were killed by a maniac with a weapon of mass destruction? Or do they not want to pass legislation... — Updated 4/1/2021

Ronald Reagan told people “You can disagree, without being disagreeable” Apples! The Master has died and the Apprentice has been fired. 1987: Unfortunately, when Reagan relaxed the rules for objective journalism, Rush Limbaugh... — Updated 4/1/2021

Benard was my bunkmate during Marine Corp training at Parris Island, S.C. We were together during infantry training at Camp Lejeune, N.C., and in the same barracks at Camp Pendleton, Calif. Benard was African-American but objected... — Updated 4/1/2021

Now come the calls for “thoughts and prayers” for the victims of the latest mass slaughter from conservatives, along with claims that mental illness is the problem, not guns. (Studies show that only about 6-7 per cent of mass m... — Updated 4/1/2021

Gerry Kilpatrick recently stated in his letter to the Times that the Civil War was “a war that historians agree was about slavery.” Wrong. The South seceded from the Union because of state’s rights, period. For him to... — Updated 4/1/2021

I would like to respond to one of your reader’s letter to the editor. The letter, among other things, criticized Kimsey Jackson, newly elected to the Board of Education. The writer accused Jackson of lack of interest “who never... — Updated 4/1/2021

I would like to propose a new political party. I call it “The Middle Party.” I understand that statistically most people would fit comfortably into this party, which would not be a home for extremes on the right or left and... — Updated 4/1/2021

It’s hard to come up with an area of our lives that COVID-19 hasn’t touched. Gathering with friends and family in our homes and in public places became a thing of the past, as did going to the movies, attending sporting events... — Updated 4/1/2021

Washington political figures of both the current and previous administrations would have us believe that they played a major role in the development and roll out of the COVID vaccines. We are all witness to partisan politicians tak... — Updated 3/31/2021

On Feb. 11, Kathryn (Kay) Speckman died of cancer. She was one of my “poet” friends and I already miss her. She and I shared many experiences in graduate schools, creative writing workshops and in classes teaching English liter... — Updated 3/31/2021

The Board of NAMI Transylvania County recently wrote an article for The Transylvania Times requesting space to hold our Family-to-Family class in July for 20 people, social distanced, and following other pandemic guidelines. I am... — Updated 3/31/2021

When will they know we are Christians? Matthew 25:37 – Then the righteous will answer him, “Lord, when was it that we saw you hungry and gave you food, or thirsty and gave you something to drink? The Georgia Republican... — Updated 3/31/2021

Well folks, we are less than three months into our new administration and President Biden’s foreign policy is a mess with China, Russia and North Korea, all upset with us. Things at home aren’t much better with gasoline prices... — Updated 3/31/2021

Among all the overwhelming events in 2020, it’s easy to overlook that it was a census year; which means it is time once again for redistricting. Gerrymandering is the drawing of redistricting maps to unfairly aid one party over... — Updated 3/31/2021

If you haven’t figured it out yet, the stories on the front page are April Fool’s jokes. (The real front page is on the back of section A.) Traditionally, we don’t acknowledge that the front stories are fake, but, in honor... — Updated 3/31/2021

I was delighted to see Jim Hyatt’s gracious welcome to Brevard that appeared in The Transylvania Times on March 22. He said I could go back to where I came from. But I’m an American and can live anywhere in this country that I... — Updated 3/29/2021

The coward who dropped the nasty notes on Brevard High School property and writes such things, in any form, should sign it. If our beautiful country was all white, think about what we wouldn’t have: Barack Obama, Martin Luther... — Updated 3/29/2021

I am compelled to write this in response to the vitriol expressed in Mr. Hyatt’s letter “Go Back to Where You Came From.” His words reflect hypocrisy and lack of humanity, qualities that have no place here or there. He calls... — Updated 3/29/2021

I want to commend the author of a recent letter with the decree (my thematic paraphrase), “Y’all Ain’t From Around Here and You Should All Head Out.” His reasoning to resolve the challenges in the county (with the usual... — Updated 3/29/2021

Thank you so very much for your excellent editorial clarifying several issues related to some of the Rand statements, putting them in context and focusing on the urgent need for facts, truth and transparency. Our decades in Europe... — Updated 3/29/2021

“A Good Samaritan spirit” is in Brevard. Throughout the years I have noticed this as I’ve read many “opinions” expressing the kindness of people in the Brevard area. This is the good-heartedness of the American people.... — Updated 3/29/2021

In 1980, Republican presidential candidate Ronald Reagan told President Jimmy Carter in a debate, “There you go again” when he accused Carter of misrepresenting his position on Medicare legislation. To paraphrase Reagan,... — Updated 3/24/2021

Everybody is so concerned about “cancel culture.” Some say we learn from our past so we should not destroy statues and other memorabilia of the Civil War, a war that historians agree was about slavery. Without expanding on all... — Updated 3/24/2021

Two very disturbing incidents have occurred in Brevard the past few weeks. The first occurred when notes espousing white supremacy and saying things such as “Make America White Again, White Supremacy Trumps Black Degeneracy... — Updated 3/22/2021