• Inside •

Volume 11, Number 4 Internet PDF Version at www.HighlandsNewspaperPDF.com Thursday, Jan. 24, 2013

FREE every Thursday

SUMMER HOUSE

2089 Highway 106828-526-5577

‘Home Furnishing Center’

The

Letters ............................. 2Obituaries ...................... 3Wooldridge ..................... 4Salzarulo ........................ 5Coach’s Corner ............... 6HS Sports ........................ 6Spiritually Speaking ....... 8Classifieds ...................... 13Events ............................. 14

Mon.-Sat. 9a-5p

•See REVAL page 10

•See POOL page 7 •See PARK page 7

Jeremy Keener was named “Fireman of the Year” at Satruday’sannual Fire & Rescue Awards Dinner at the Community Building.He is pictured with Fire Chief Ryan Gearhart. Keener and Roger L.Wilson were also given “Perfect Attendance” awards for 2012.See more photos on page 14.

At Saturday night’s annualawards dinner, Highlands Fire &Rescue honored their own.

Jeremy Keener was namedOutstanding Fireman of the Yearand retiring chief James “Pop-corn” Manley was honored withthe Fire Axe award for being chieffor 10 ½ years and a watch and

Photo by Jim Lewicki

Dept. salutes Keener;says good-bye to Manley

plaque for 33 years of volunteerservice. Manley was also present-ed a plaque from the town by May-or Pro Temp and department vol-unteer Eric Pierson.

In a heart-felt presentation,Administrative Assistant and life-long member of the department,

•See DEPT. page 11

At the Macon County Mid-Year Review meeting held Satur-day, Jan. 19 at the SCC campuson Siler Road commissionersand the public learned what thecounty has accomplished for2012-’13 and what it is consider-ing accomplishing for 2013-’14.

In the midst of discussingnumerous topics spanning thecounty’s fiscal health, NCACCLegislative goals, redistricting, theupcoming tax valuation, EMSand IT needs, Capital Improve-ment Projects, Employee Classi-fication and CompensationPlans, Highlands came up.

Recently, County Commis-sioner Jim Tate and County Man-ager Jack Horton met with High-lands Commissioner Brian Stie-hler and Town Manager Bob Fryeto discuss the state of the pool atthe Highlands Rec Park.

The county has committedand is in the midst of completelyrefurbishing the Franklin Recre-ation park’s pool and pool houseand while those negotiationswere in the works, talk about tak-

ing care of Highlands’ poolemerged.

“The county is very interest-ed in upgrading our current recre-ation facilities which is proven bythe current large capital invest-ment that is being made to com-pletely re-do the Macon Countypool in Franklin as well as thepotential purchase and addition ofthe Parker/Meadows property fora baseball/softball complex,” saidCommissioner Jim Tate. “As partof this deal, there has been con-sensus on the Macon CountyBoard of Commissioners to helpHighlands upgrade its pool, aswell.”

Exactly what will be done isstill up in the air – both it and thepool house could be repaired or anew pool complex could be con-structed.

“The county with the assis-tance of Highlands RecreationDirector Lester Norris has beeninvestigating the costs associatedwith the repairs to the Highlandspool, but they are potentially soextensive, that it might be betterto completely re-build the poolversus putting a "band-aid" on it,”said Tate.

Since the pool is on townproperty and not county property,the county can’t make any deci-sions regarding this alone.

“We have asked the town to

Town/County ‘talking’about Highlands Pool

At the Mid-Year Review meet-ing Saturday with Macon CountyCommissioners, Tax Administra-tor Richard Lightner set the tim-er for the upcoming reval – thetwo-year countdown has begun.

“It’s good that we delayed the

Reval work has begun for 2015 implementationreval because verified sales are up25% which means our criteria isgood and we now have good com-parables,” he said.

At the last reval in 2007, Ma-con County’s tax valorem was $9.3billion. Lightner said it won’t be

higher than that in 2015, in factit’s likely to go down by at least25%.

In 1975, it became law thatrevals had to reflect 100% marketvalue so when the recession hit,the county put off revals until the

market rebounded. A reval can beput off for eight years max. Shortsales and foreclosures don’t meetthe criteria for revaluation so theydon’t play into the equation.

Commissioners voted to de-

Redistrictingtopic at Sat.

meetingThis past election cycle, High-

lands citizens became alarmedwhen they learned RepublicanSteve Higdon of Ellijay could be-come their representative at thecommission board table.

That and other aspects of Ma-con County’s voting districtsspurred discussion about redis-tricting.

There are three districts inMacon County – District 1 is theHighlands district, District 2 is theFranklin district and District 3 isthe Nantahala district.

District 1 includes High-lands, Flats (Scaly Mountain), El-lijay and Sugarfork.

Sugarfork extends past theHighlands nine-mile Fire Districtdown Buck Creek Road and cross-es over to encompass an areasouth of the Cullasja River alongUS 64 west. Sugarfork’s pollingplace is the old school house atPeek’s Creek Road.

Ellijay runs from behind theold Walmart and includes the oldCullasaja Elementary School onUS 64 west up north and includesthe south side of the Cullasja Riv-er.

At Saturday’s commissionmeeting, Commissioner Jim Tateasked that the board discuss re-districting due to the geographicboundaries and term limits.

Page 2 - Highlands Newspaper - Thursday, Jan. 24, 2012 - 828-526-3228

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Locally owned and operated Kim & Jim Lewicki

All Rights Reserved. No articles, photos, illustrations, advertisements ordesign elements may be used without permission from the publisher.

Adobe PDF version at www.HighlandsInfo.com265 Oak St.; P.O. Box 2703, Highlands, N.C. , 28741

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• THE PLATEAU’S POSITION •• LETTERS•

LETTERS-TO-THE EDITOR-POLICYWe reserve the right to reject or edit submissions.

NO ANONYMOUS LETTERS WILL BE ACCEPTED.Views expressed are not necessarily those of Highlands Newspaper.

Please EMAIL letters by Sunday at 5 p.m. There is a 500-word limit without prior approval.

Dear Editor,The following letter is written in re-

sponse to Fred Wooldridge's column in theDecember 27/Jan. 3 edition of HighlandsNewspaper, but is not intended as a per-sonal attack against anyone.

These questions are worthy of period-ic introspection for individuals and for so-ciety as a whole in order to properly under-stand those disgraceful elements of Amer-ican history, when white people of the farright political persuasion, either margin-alized or enslaved all minority groups andraces. Not to do so, leaves the ground tilledand fertile for the reoccurrence of the samesorts of injustice and inequality.

As far-right conservatism has againconsolidated its power base primarily inthe old confederate south, we have seen aresurgence of disdain, by some in this move-ment, towards the rights and dignity of bothwomen and working class people of all rac-es, usually resulting in meaningful incomeand economic disparity along the samedemographic lines. Similar themes of in-tolerance seem to be continually regurgi-tated, repackaged, and then trotted out assomething new by the far right winged ide-ology throughout American history. Per-haps it’s always been about who does thework, at what price, and who ultimatelypays that price.

Of all the groups out there who mightbe collectively angry, including women,Hispanics, the LGBT community, youngAmericans, disenfranchised Americans,native Americans, Asian Americans, andAfrican Americans, to name but a few, itwould seem that old white men would havethe least to complain and be angry about.

If the right questions are asked by theangered, then answered truthfully with aminimal amount of humanity, there wouldbe no need to be angry or to hide.

It is still perfectly OK, with no apolo-gies necessary, to be an old white man andliving here in Highlands with its uniquequalities and special small town appeal, en-joying residual or inherited privileges. Butdo yourself and others a favor and lose theanger and resentment.

Highlands is a welcoming communi-

Forbearance forangry old white men

ty for all that wish to contribute to its idealsof neighborly community inclusion andgoodwill, and should not be contemplatedas a hideout for intellectual and moral lazi-ness, even if cleverly disguised or cynicallyconstrued as humor or satire.

Charlie DasherHighlands

Dear Editor,Just a short comment about Fred Wool-

dridge's column in the Jan. 10 edition, "Iwould kill for a grinder pump."

Now that we have finally lived throughthe anguish of the Swanson Years we arefacing the Fred Complex.

Something is wrong. Fred was begin-

Speaking of grinderpumps in distasteful

ning to get crazy and real nasty policicallyabout four months prior to Swanson leav-ing.

I have been watching the commentseach week, and speaking here and there toacquaintances. All agree, Fred just keeps go-ing. Why, my wife of 53 year would ask.

"What is in the male gene that createsa desire to be vulgar, and base, and bath-room oriented?" This is school yard behav-ior, and juvenille and needs adult supervi-sion.

It should come to an end!Westley Anthony Jacomino, Jr.

Franklin

Dear Editor,Since I wrote my letter concerning

Rep. Meadows “NO” vote for the increase

Do your homework

in the funding for the flood insurance bill(H.R. 14), a subsequent writer referred to“pork” in the bill as the reason for Mead-ows’ vote. I cannot allow this misinforma-tion to go unchallenged and corrected.Here, in its entirety, is the bill that Mead-ows voted on:

"SECTION 1. TEMPORARY IN-CREASE IN BORROWING AUTHORITYFOR NATIONAL FLOOD INSURANCEPROGRAM.

(a) Section 1309(a) of the NationalFlood Insurance Act of 1968 (42 U.S.C.4016(a)) is amended by striking`$20,725,000,000' and inserting`$30,425,000,000'.

(b) The amount provided by this sec-tion is designated by the Congress as anemergency requirement pursuant to sec-tion 403(a) of S. Con. Res. 13 (111th Con-gress), the concurrent resolution on thebudget for fiscal year 2010, and as an emer-gency pursuant to section 4(g) of the Stat-utory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 (2 U.S.C.933(g))."

Do the math.This bill authorized an additional

amount of $9.7 billion to cover flood in-surance claims only. The writer claims thatMeadows voted no because of $23.8 bil-lion of pork in the bill. What?! $23.8 bil-lion in $9.7 billion is impossible! The writ-er obviously did not bother to read andunderstand the bill before responding tomy letter which ran Jan. 10th.

I do not support spending any moneyfor pork, from either party. Additionally, Ido not support any amendment to a billthat is not germane to that bill. But, get itstraight: There was NO pork in this billand Meadows did not fulfill the responsi-bility of his office!

Jim HartjeOtto, NC

Dear Editor,Fred’s letter in the January 17th editioncertainly edified us literary idiots and milktoast thinkers on the subtle nature of sat-ire.Unfortunately, all the hidden meaningsthat you have infused in his writing overthe years has gone right over my little peabrain head.Oh! oh, did I just write satire?

Patrick TaylorHighlands Resident

To Fred Wooldridge,‘The Voltaire of Highlands’

Highlands Newspaper - Thursday, Jan. 24, 2012 - 828-526-3228 - Page 3

The Hen House488 E. Main St. •787-2473

Closed the month ofJanuary

Will Re-Open FebruaryWeekends only

• OBITUARIES •

Overton "Tony" Chambers II, 81, of High-lands, NC, died Saturday, January 19, 2013 athis home on Tartan Ridge after a long battle withcancer.

Tony was born July 14, 1931 in Chicago,IL to Overton and Dayis Deitrich Chambers.He was predeceased by his sister, Jan Chmar(Col. Paul Chmar) of Highlands.

Tony first came to Highlands in 1936 wherehe spent his summers. During that time, Tonystayed at Tricemont Terrace until his family’shome was completed on Buck Creek Road. As ateenager, he met many people that became life-long friends - one of whom also became his wife.Tony married Isabel Hall June 15, 1951 and theyshared many loves together - travel, music,friends, family and each other.

Tony attended Evanston High School, andgraduated from Lawrenceville PreparatorySchool. He then went to Dartmouth College andgraduated with a BA in English. While in Dart-mouth, he was a member of the Zeta Psi Frater-nity, sang in the Glee Club, and was a member ofthe Dartmouth Outing Club.

After graduation, Tony returned to High-lands. He was a self taught blacksmith and manyhomes in Highlands have railings, fire placescreens and tables of wrought iron made withhis hands. He was a member of the SouthernHighlands Handicraft Guild. Also during thistime, he taught at Tamassee School in Salem,SC.

Tony worked at Life of Georgia in Atlantafrom 1957-1971 in the corporate office and be-came a Life Fellow. While in Atlanta he attendedSt. Martin in the Fields Episcopal Church. Hewas a Boy Scout leader and was the father andgrandfather of four Eagle Scouts. He was instru-mental in bringing his Scout troop to Highlandsto "Camp Buck Creek" so he could share hislove of Highlands with others.

He moved back to Highlands in 1971 towork at Tudor N. Hall & Associates and Village

Overton"Tony" Chambers II

Service. He worked as a real estate agent and in-surance salesman. He later purchased the real es-tate division of the business and became ownerand President of The Chambers Agency, REAL-TORS.

Tony was a member of The Church of theIncarnation in Highlands, NC where he served asa Senior Warden, and multiple times as Vestrymember, Lay reader, Chalice Assistant and formerchoir member.

Tony was a former member of the Jayceesof Highlands. He was a member and past Presi-dent of the Highlands-Cashiers Board of REAL-TORS and served on multiple committees. Hewas a member, past president and Paul HarrisFellow of the Highlands Rotary Club. Togetherwith his wife, Isabel he received the Robert Du-Pree Award from the Highlands Chamber of Com-merce in honor of their continuing support of High-lands.

Tony was a member of the Highlands Writ-er’s Group and the Blue Ridge Writer’s Group.He had written and published two novels, TheInheritance and Lost & Found. He also pennedRemembering Highlands, a book of short storiestold by his wife Isabel Hall Chambers about grow-ing up in Highlands.

Tony traveled extensively, and enjoyed camp-ing, hiking, beach trips, skiing, skeet shooting,dancing and having the occasional hootenanny withfriends and family. He also enjoyed researchinggenealogy and reading. He loved all kinds of mu-sic, and played the accordion, mandolin, and bag-pipes. He was a piper and member of the High-lands Pipes and Drums. Tony loved Highlandsand its local people. He enjoyed sharing his loveof the area, and wanted others to experience it thesame way.

Tony is survived by his wife, Isabel HallChambers, three sons - Overton Tucker (Jean-nie), Thomas Tudor(Vickie) and Timothy Gilbert(Karen) all of Highlands. He left nine grandchil-dren: Spencer Chambers (Mandy), Royce Cham-bers, Sam Chambers (Jessica), Adam Chambers,Kasey Chambers, Amanda Chambers, BessieChambers, Erin Britt (Travis), and Susan Floyd.Five great grandchildren, and many nieces, neph-ews and a lifelong list of friends also survive.

In lieu of flowers, it has been requested thatdonations be sent to The Church of the Incarna-tion Bell Endowment Fund, The Highlands His-torical Society or the charity of your choice.

Bryant-Grant Funeral Home was in chargeof the funeral services held Wed., January 23, 2013at the Highlands Church of the Incarnation.

Online condolences may be made atwww.bryantgrantfuneralhome.com

Lillian "Pete" McCallLillian "Pete" McCall, age 90 of Highlands,

NC, died Sunday, January 20, 2013. She was bornin Oconee County, SC, the daughter of the lateFred and Annie Sisk Chapman. She was marriedto Bill McCall, who died October 16, 1986.

She retired from People’s Department Storeas a salesperson. She was a loving mother, grand-mother and great-grandmother and she loved tocrochet and quilt and volunteered at HighlandsHigh School lunch room. She was a member ofHighlands First Baptist Church where sheworked in the nursery for several years.

Mrs. McCall is survived by two daughters,Frieda Bennett and Mary Jane McCall both ofHighlands; five grandchildren, Pam Bennett, KeriDowning, Nicolaus McCall, Amy McCall andQuinton Wood and one great-grandchild, TylerDowning. In addition to her parents and hus-band, she was preceded in death by a son, MikeMcCall and a sister, Vallie Jester.

Funeral service were held Wednesday, Jan-uary 23, 2013 at Highlands First Baptist Church

with Dr. Mark Ford officiating. Burial was inHighlands Memorial Park.

Memorial donations may be made to FourSeasons Hospice, 171 Hospital Drive, Highlands,NC 28741 or Tamassee DAR, PO Box 8,Tamassee, SC 29686.

Bryant-Grant Funeral Home is in charge ofarrangements. Online condolences may be madeat www.bryantgrantfuneralhome.com.

• LOOKING AT LIFE •Page 4 - Highlands Newspaper - Thursday, Jan. 24, 2012 – 828-526-3228

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The greatest generation…the winter of 1945 (Part 2)

•See WOOLDRIDGE page 9

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Fred Wooldridge andFrisky

(It’s the winter of 1945. World War 2 has just ended. Iam nine years old and live in the Highlands area of Louis-ville, KY. My parents own and operate a mom and poprestaurant in a working class neighborhood. My best friendis my dog, Frisky, a mutt terrier mix.)

As usual, my parents’ alarm went off just before 5AM. When you owned and operated a restaurant in a working class neighborhood, the OPEN neon sign

had better be flashing by 7 AM. The restaurant had a reputa-tion for quick meals long before fast food ever became pop-ular. It was called The Nook and guaranteed a worker couldwalk in the front door, sit down, order, be served, eat fast,pay the bill and be out in 30 minutes or less.

As my parents walked out the door of our home eachmorning, they would wake me, making sure I was standingtall and wide awake before leaving. After I brushed my teethand combed my hair, I hurriedly put on my school uniform

and prepared for work. I waited tables at ourrestaurant each morning until it was time forschool.

For Black folk….or Negro folk as most peo-ple called African Americans back then, thingswere much different. They received even fasterfood service through a back window off the kitch-en. All food for these folks was “to go.” Businesswas always brisk.

Lucinda, our head cook and my favorite per-son ever, was responsible for getting orders outthe back window. She always plopped an extraheap of hominy grits in breakfast orders for theregulars. We called them “the back window peo-ple.”

Cherokee Laundry, directly across the streetfrom The Nook, employed more than 100 peo-ple of color and most workers ate inexpensivefood from our restaurant. They received a lot of food for littlemoney. Unfortunately, these workers were not even allowedto walk into the restaurant, even to use the pay phone or thebathroom. If persons of color were seen inside our store forany reason it would have destroyed our business. It’s justhow things were right after the war.

The filthy shirt from Frisky’s friendly attack in my class-room yesterday sat on a nearby chair, still waiting to bewashed. I grabbed my apron, my backpack containing books,a yo-yo that could hesitate and a worn out baseball that fitperfectly in a side pocket. I pulled on my Navy pea coat andrubber boots and prepared for another day of school. Justbefore leaving, I raised the shade and looked out my bed-room window. I couldn’t believe my eyes. It must havesnowed hard all night as the snow was at least a foot deep,with 3-foot drifts against the walls of Saint Bridget’s Churchacross the street, and it was still snowing large wet flakes.

Adrenaline filled my body. I called to Frisky, “Let’s go,boy.” Leaving through the kitchen, we hurriedly ran downthe three wooden steps and pranced into the deep snow.

Frisky was impervious to cold weather andsnow. His legs were so short he had to bunnyhop to his favorite spot to attend to morningduties. He was so weird looking. “Are you abunny?” I called to him, laughing.

When I tried to leave through our sidegate, the snow was so deep I couldn’t get itopen. I looked at Frisky, tail wagging and pa-tiently waiting for the gate to open. It was de-cision time. Do I go back through the houseand let Frisky trash the floor with his wet, dirtyfeet or do I pick him up and dirty my coat andpants? Either way I would be punished. I stillhadn’t received punishment for the shirt Friskydirtied yesterday in my classroom.

I pondered a moment and then remem-bered a trick I learned from our veterinarian. Igrabbed Frisky by the loose skin behind his

neck with one hand and grabbed his skin back toward hishind quarters and lifted him, careful not to let his bodytouch my clothes. He was so funny looking, hanging therein that position. I leaned forward and dropped him over thefence. He fell unharmed in the soft snow. I tossed my back-pack over and easily hopped the fence.

Directly across the street from my home on Hep-burn Ave. was Saint Bridget’s School I attended each day. Itsat directly behind the church. Both buildings looked coldand gray. The falling snow and snow drifts gave the groundsan eerie look resembling a haunted house. I knew therewould probably be no school today.

Hepburn Ave. was one of the oldest streets in the High-lands area of Louisville, KY. Posts with two steel rings at-tached at the top of each one were spaced evenly down thestreet as far as the eye could see, left over from the horse andbuggy days.

Actually, Oscar Ewing Milk Company still had onehorse-drawn truck that traveled Hepburn Ave. The horse knew

Reserve your spot forReserve your spot forReserve your spot forReserve your spot forReserve your spot forVVVVValentine’alentine’alentine’alentine’alentine’s Day!s Day!s Day!s Day!s Day!

Highlands Newspaper - Thursday, Jan. 24, 2012 - 828-526-3228 - Page 5

• THE VIEW FROM HERE •

Dr. Henry Salzarulo•

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Diets are fickle friends.That's not coming froma guy who could eat ev-

erything in the house and notgain a pound. That's comingfrom someone who has beenon some kind of diet nearly dayof his life. Some were restric-tive, but balanced.

I've been a vegetarian. I'veprobably eaten about 10,000grapefruits.

Most of my diets were se-riously deficient in one, ormore, nutrients essential forlong-term health a survival.

I've eaten only fat, and nearly no fat.There were whole decades when I wouldeat what a call, the resignation diet. Youmight know as the surrender diet, or theacceptance diet.

Once I followed an 8,000 calories aday diet. I weighted about 175 pounds, 33"waist, but was still a little soft. I had a littlefirming up to due, but was definitely insight of my goal.

I was dating a dietician. Today shewould have taught Zumba in her sparetime. Her master's thesis was, The Epidem-ic of Obesity in America. We had gotten toknow each pretty well when she asked mewhen I was going to get rid of my belly. Itkind of threw me for a loop. For a longtime after that, I pretended not to care. It'shard to fool people though, when you'retrying to force your 42" waist into 36" jeans.

For many years, exercise has been amajor ally in the Great Caloric War. Butthe most successful diet ever, in terms ofnumber of stone lost, was the scotch anddill pickle diet. I invented it myself, fol-lowed it for nearly a full semester in med-ical school.

I started the day Patty Hughes brokeup with me and continued until I startedreeling at the sink while shaving. I startedaround 248. By the time I took my Armyphysical, I didn't need a waiver to join. Ofcourse, it didn't last and pretty soon I was

The ups and downs of dietingtrying to will my 48-inch bodyinto a 44-inch uniform. I don'tknow why none of my com-manding officers ever men-tioned it.

I've been doing pretty wellfor several years. I've reducedthe wild swings from 70 or 80pounds to 20 or 25. At every val-ley, I think I've finally got thehang of it. I won't tell you myexact weight, but I do really wellright now. Even when I put inmy real height, my BMI is inthe healthy range.

I owe my success to regu-lar exercise and strict adherence to my per-sonal interpretation of the Atkins Diet.Thank you Dr. Atkins. In case you don'tknow, there is a line of low carb diet foodcalled Atkins. I have one for breakfast, andfrequently for lunch. They're pretty amaz-ing. One tastes almost exactly like a Moundsbar. If they just used a little more salt inanother one, they could make you thinkyou were eating a slightly stale Payday. TheReese's tastes like candle wax mixed withsaw dust, but the brownie rocks. There aresome I haven't tried, like the popovers.They've got other stuff, mostly proteinshakes and a variety of snacks. Believe it ornot, Atkins makes low carb pasta, too. Inever tried it. I did order some zero calorieKorean noodles once. I honestly can't re-member what they were called, but theycontained absolutely no digestible materi-al, and came packed in water. The plasticpackage warned that when opening thepackage, one would notice the smell ofdead fish. Don't be alarmed, they cautioned.Most of the odor would go away whenrinsed in warm water. I had ordered a vari-ety pack – a pound of penne, a pound oflinguine, and some rigatoni. I tried to killthe fishy taste with Garlic Prego, but endedup throwing the rest of it away, and hopingthe bags didn't break before the garbageman came.

I took Marley for a long hike this morn-

ing, and then went for a bike ride. When Igot home I was starved. My resolve waveredfor a few minutes and I exceeded my dailycarb limit with Atkins Bars.

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Page 6 - Highlands Newspaper - Thursday, Jan. 24, 2012 - 828-526-3228

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• HS SPORTS •

Usually, when I write thiscolumn, it is from an outsider’s perspective because

I do not play professional sports, Ionly watch them (and accordingto my wife, I watch them entirelytoo much, but that is a differentstory). However, with the SuperBowl now set between Jim Har-baugh’s 49ers and John Har-baugh’s Ravens, the whole broth-er against brother storyline haslanded right in my wheelhouse.

My brother and I have a longhistory of unfriendly competition.It all started when we were kids,because let’s be honest, where elsewould it start?

Playing games with Christo-pher required a couple of things.First and foremost, it required pa-tience, because if I was to win tooeasily, he would erupt in a violenttantrum that usually resulted insomething being broken. That“something” could be anything atall really…toys, glass, myhead…pretty much whatever hegrabbed out of rage at that particu-lar point and time.

Secondly, brotherly games re-quired a firm grasp of imaginaryrules. Keep in mind that these rules

could be changed at any minuteto benefit the necessary party, andoften were a point of contentioneven in the simplest game.

Finally, it was really impor-tant to have a good exit strategy,especially in my case, because los-ing to your younger brother isfrowned upon in most circles. Inthe event that losing became apossibility, it was necessary to “ac-cidentally” press the reset buttonon the Nintendo or abort thegame by invoking the always con-troversial “Mom strategy” (whichinvolves causing bodily harm toyour opponent to the degree thatMom must be summoned --therefore ending the game with-out a clear winner or loser but of-

ten resulting in early bedtime ora butt kicking.)

It is due to my years of expe-rience with brother againstbrother battles that I can honest-ly say I do not envy the Harbaughbrothers whatsoever as they pre-pare to face off in the Super Bowl.

The media will want you tobelieve that this is a feel-good sto-ry about how they are one bighappy family and show the par-ents wearing half 49er half Ravenshirts, etc. Trust me when Isay…that is all a bunch of horsepucky.

These two guys have beenfighting a battle of oneupsman-ship their whole lives, and it willall come to a head a week fromSunday. This truly is the SuperBowl for these two guys, becausethe loser is going to have to hearabout it for the rest of his time onearth -- it is the ultimate trumpcard in the grand schema of theHarbaugh sibling rivalry. Even ifthe loser goes on to win 2 or 3Super Bowls, they will still haveto live with the fact that they losthead-to-head to the other one,and that, my friends, is not some-thing I would wish upon anyone.

By Ryan PottsTuesday night, the Lady High-

landers hosted the Lady Tigers fromRosman High School in a non-con-ference matchup.

The Lady Highlanders strug-gled against the Rosman man-to-man defense early, and their turn-overs allowed Rosman to build a19-6 lead at the end of the first quar-ter. Early in the second quarter, theLady Highlanders fought back witha 6-0 run to cut the lead back downto single digits, but another Ros-man surge gave them a 17-pointhalftime lead that the Lady High-landers would not threaten again.Emily Shuler led Highlands with11 points in the 48-27 defeat.

The Highlanders came intoTuesday night’s game with Rosmanlooking to continue their winning

Lady Highlanders fall to Lady Tigersways after trouncing conference ri-val Hiwassee Dam the night be-fore.

This had all of the makings ofa “trap game” for the young High-landers, who were facing a senior-laden Rosman team that has playeda tough schedule and was betterthan their record would have themappear.

The trap was sprung early forHighlands, as Rosman’s defenseand a general malaise from theHighlander offense led to an ugly15-13 halftime lead for Highlands.The Tigers came out ready to playin the second half, and the High-landers continued to struggle, asRosman built a 7-point lead thatthey would take into the fourthquarter. In the fourth quarter, theHighlanders turned to their upper-

classmen, and they delivered.First, Tyler Munger capped off

a 10-0 run with a driving layup togive the Highlanders the lead. Then,with the Highlanders clinging to a1-point lead in the final seconds,Taylor Osteen drew a huge chargefrom Rosman star Hunter Reese togive the Highlanders the ball. Af-ter Osteen made 1 of 2 free throws,the Highlanders fouled DuranScruggs. Scruggs calmly sank bothends of a 1 and 1 to tie the game at38, and set up the Highlanders fora last second opportunity. Frommidcourt, the Highlanders ran aplay designed for Osteen, but hewas doubleteamed and foundMunger in the corner for a 3-point-er as time expired. With the win,Highlands improves to 10-5 on theseason.

Harbowl? Brother vs. Brother is a frightening concept

Highlands Newspaper - Thursday, Jan. 24, 2012 - 828-526-3228 - Page 7

consider the projects at the upcoming re-treat Feb. 14 on the status of the High-lands pool. I believe that the county isready to invest in the project, but com-missioners aren’t sure what we are invest-ing in or how to do it,” said Tate.

Tate said he would rather see thecounty assist the town with a new poolversus making a substantial investmentin repairs, but said it’s not his decision.

“We are currently determining exact-ly what repairs are needed and whetheror not we should be looking at a full re-build or a new pool,” said Town ManagerBob Frye. “We will be discussing this inmore detail at our retreat next month. TheMacon County Commissioners have toldus they will contribute funds to the poolrenovation, but we have not determinedamounts, yet.”

Over the years there has been talk

about making the pool available year-roundrather than just for a three-month period,which would mean covering the pool. Thiswould not only expand exercise options inHighlands during the fall, spring and win-ter months, but it could open the door to aswim team at Highlands School.

“As to making it a covered pool, thecurrent location makes that impossible aswe could not construct a building over thepool that would be safe and stable,” saidFrye. “Plus, building a new covered poolroughly doubles construction costs andcosts to operate roughly triple.”

Tate said the type/location/size of apotential new pool or even if it will hap-pen, is up to the town but the county willhopefully assist with its creation financial-ly.

– Kim Lewicki

... POOL continued from page 1

... REDISTRICTING continued from page 1Citizens living in Districts 1 and 3

can only vote, or run for the Macon Coun-ty Commission, once every four years. Butcitizens living in District 2 can run foroffice every two years, because the threeseats held by commissioners from Dis-trict 2 are staggered.

“For instance, if I had lost, I couldrun again in two years, but if Paul had losthe would have to wait four years,” saidCommission Chair Kevin Corbin. “Thereis an inequity on the two extreme ends ofour county.”

Commissioners Corbin, RonnieBeale and Ron Haven represent District2. Commissioner Paul Higdon representsDistrict 3 and Commissioner Tate repre-sents District 1.

“It’s not fair to citizens or those run-ning for office,” said Tate. “I think we canmake this function a little better thanthat.”

Corbin said a solution might be toalign the commission like the schoolboard where there is one representativefrom Districts 1 and 3; two representa-tives from District 2 and one-at-large rep-resentative. “That would bring some eq-uity,” he said.

Chairman Corbin and Vice-ChairBeale suggested County Attorney ChesterJones decipher the state statute on redis-tricting and return to the March commis-sion meeting with information on the re-districting process.

Redistricting can only be donethrough legislative action but the countycan make a recommendation.

“There are a lot of criteria and I think

one is population,” said Beale. “But theremight be a way to ensure that Highlandshas representation that knows more aboutthat community up there versus someonewho lives down off the mountain.”

Corbin said Highlands has a dispro-portionate number of people who claim tolive in Highlands but who live somewhereelse.

Tate said they are taxpayers; they arejust not voters, because they claim residen-cy somewhere else.

According to the 2010 census, District1 has 6,348 people; District 2 has 23,605and District 3 has 3,969.

“If you divide our population of 33,922by five commissioners, that’s 6,784 peopleper commissioner. District 3 is under, Dis-trict 1 is about on par and District 2 is inbetween,” said Tate.

Of course in the season, the popula-tion in Highlands and its immediate envi-rons swells to as much as 30,000.

County Manager Jack Horton offeredsome history.

Before 1978, there were three MaconCounty Commissioners. After that it be-came what it is now, five commissioners –one each from the Highlands and Nantaha-la districts and three from the Franklin dis-trict on 2-year staggered terms.

Horton said Commissioner Miles Gre-gory was the last commissioner from Dis-trict 1 to live off the mountain. After 1978all District 1 representatives were fromHighlands.

If redistricting is allowed it’s presumedEllijay and Sugarfork would be part of Fran-klin’s District 2 and Scaly Mountain andHighlands, would be District 1.

– Kim Lewicki

PULL OUTRandy Reed, Pastor

828-421-9172 • 165 S. Sixth StreetSundays: Worship – 11

HIGHLANDS CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCHHIGHLANDS CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCHHIGHLANDS CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCHHIGHLANDS CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCHHIGHLANDS CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCHPastor Dan Robinson

670 N. Fourth Street (next to the Highlands Civic Center)Sunday: School 9:30 a.m.; Morning Worship 10:45 a.m., Evening

Worship, 6:30 p.m.Wednesday: Prayer Service, 6:30 p.m.

HIGHLANDS UNITED METHODIST CHURCHHIGHLANDS UNITED METHODIST CHURCHHIGHLANDS UNITED METHODIST CHURCHHIGHLANDS UNITED METHODIST CHURCHHIGHLANDS UNITED METHODIST CHURCHPastor Paul Christy 526-3376

Sun: School 9:45a.; Worship 9:09 & 10:50.; Youth Group 5:30 p.Wed: Supper; 6; 7:15 – children, youth, & adults studies; 6:15 –

Adult choir (nursery provided for Wed. p.m. activities)Thurs:12:30 – Women’s Bible Study (nursery)

HOLHOLHOLHOLHOLY FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY FAMILY LUTHERAN CHURCH – ELCAY LUTHERAN CHURCH – ELCAY LUTHERAN CHURCH – ELCAY LUTHERAN CHURCH – ELCAY LUTHERAN CHURCH – ELCAChaplain Margaret Howell

2152 Dillard Road – 526-9741Sundays: Sunday School and Adult discussion group 9:30 a.m.;

Worship/Communion – 10:30HEALING SERVICE on the 5th Sunday of the month.

MACEDONIA BAPTIST CHURCHMACEDONIA BAPTIST CHURCHMACEDONIA BAPTIST CHURCHMACEDONIA BAPTIST CHURCHMACEDONIA BAPTIST CHURCH8 miles south of Highlands on N.C. 28 S in Satolah

Pastor Roy Lowe, (828) 526-8425Sundays: School – 10 a.m.; Worship – 11

Choir – 6 p.m.Wed: Bible Study and Youth Mtg. – 7 p.m.

MOUNTMOUNTMOUNTMOUNTMOUNTAIN SYNAGOGUEAIN SYNAGOGUEAIN SYNAGOGUEAIN SYNAGOGUEAIN SYNAGOGUESt. Cyprian’s Episcopal Church, Franklin

828-369-9270 or 828-293-5197MOUNTMOUNTMOUNTMOUNTMOUNTAIN BIBLE CHURCHAIN BIBLE CHURCHAIN BIBLE CHURCHAIN BIBLE CHURCHAIN BIBLE CHURCHPastor: Clayton Lopez • 828-743-9704

Independent Bible ChurchSundays:10:30 a.m. at Big Ridge Baptist Church, 4224 Big Ridge

Road (4.5 miles from NC 107)Weds: Bible Study 6:30 p.m.; Youth Group 6 p.m.

OUR LADY OF THE MOUNTOUR LADY OF THE MOUNTOUR LADY OF THE MOUNTOUR LADY OF THE MOUNTOUR LADY OF THE MOUNTAINS CAAINS CAAINS CAAINS CAAINS CATHOLICTHOLICTHOLICTHOLICTHOLICCHURCHCHURCHCHURCHCHURCHCHURCH

Rev. Dean Cesa, pastor – Parish office: 526-2418Mass: – Sun: 11 a.m.; Thurs & Fri.: 9 a.

SCALSCALSCALSCALSCALY MOUNTY MOUNTY MOUNTY MOUNTY MOUNTAIN BAPTIST CHURCHAIN BAPTIST CHURCHAIN BAPTIST CHURCHAIN BAPTIST CHURCHAIN BAPTIST CHURCHRev. Dwight Loggins

Sundays: School –10 a.m.; Worship –11 a.m. & 7Wednesdays: Prayer Mtg. – 7 p.m.

SCALSCALSCALSCALSCALY MOUNTY MOUNTY MOUNTY MOUNTY MOUNTAIN CHURCH OF GODAIN CHURCH OF GODAIN CHURCH OF GODAIN CHURCH OF GODAIN CHURCH OF GOD290 Buck Knob Road; Pastor Alfred Sizemore • 526-3212

Sundays: School – 10 a.m.; Worship – 10:45 a.m.; Worship – 6p.m.

Wed: Adult Bible Study & Youth – 7 p.m.SHORTOFF BAPTIST CHURCHSHORTOFF BAPTIST CHURCHSHORTOFF BAPTIST CHURCHSHORTOFF BAPTIST CHURCHSHORTOFF BAPTIST CHURCH

Pastor Rev. Andy CloerSundays: School – 10 a.m.; Worship – 11Wednesdays: Prayer & Bible Study – 7

UNITUNITUNITUNITUNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIPARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIPARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIPARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIPARIAN UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP85 Sierra Drive • 828-524-6777

Sunday Worship - 11 a.m.Child Care - 10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.

Religious Education - 11 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.Youth 8th - 12th grades meet the 2nd Sundays 5 - 7:30 p.m

WHITESIDE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHWHITESIDE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHWHITESIDE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHWHITESIDE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHWHITESIDE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHCashiers, Rev. Sam Forrester, 743-2122Sundays: School – 10 a.m.; Worship – 11

BLUE VALLEY BAPTIST CHURCHBLUE VALLEY BAPTIST CHURCHBLUE VALLEY BAPTIST CHURCHBLUE VALLEY BAPTIST CHURCHBLUE VALLEY BAPTIST CHURCHRev. Oliver Rice, Pastor (706) 782-3965Sundays: School – 10 a.m., Worship – 11

Sunday night services every 2nd & 4th Sunday at 7Wednesdays: Mid-week prayer meeting – 7 p.m.

BUCK CREEK BAPTIST CHURCHBUCK CREEK BAPTIST CHURCHBUCK CREEK BAPTIST CHURCHBUCK CREEK BAPTIST CHURCHBUCK CREEK BAPTIST CHURCHSundays: School – 10 a.m.; Worship – 11

GRACE COMMUNITY CHURCH OF CASHIERSGRACE COMMUNITY CHURCH OF CASHIERSGRACE COMMUNITY CHURCH OF CASHIERSGRACE COMMUNITY CHURCH OF CASHIERSGRACE COMMUNITY CHURCH OF CASHIERSNon-Denominational-Contemporary Worship

242 Hwy 107N, 1/4 miles from Crossroads in Cashierswww.gracecashiers.com • Pastor Steve Doerter: 828-743-9814

Services: Sundays 10am - Wed. - 7pmCatered dinner - Wed. 6pm

CHAPEL OF SKY VALLEYCHAPEL OF SKY VALLEYCHAPEL OF SKY VALLEYCHAPEL OF SKY VALLEYCHAPEL OF SKY VALLEYSky Valley, GA

Church: 706-746-2999Sundays: 10 a.m. – Worship

Holy Communion 1st Sunday of the monthWednesdays: 9 a.m. Healing and Prayer w/Holy Communion

CHRIST ANGLICAN CHURCHCHRIST ANGLICAN CHURCHCHRIST ANGLICAN CHURCHCHRIST ANGLICAN CHURCHCHRIST ANGLICAN CHURCHRector: Jim Murphy, 252-671-4011

Worshipping at the facilities of Whiteside Presbyterian Church,Cashiers

Sun.: Holy Communion - 9 a.m.; Adult Forum - 10:45 at Buck’sCoffee Cafe, Cashiers

Mon.: Bible Study & Supper at homes - 6 p.m.Wed.: Men’s Bible Study -8:30 a.m., First Baptist Church

Thurs.: Women’s Prayer Group - 10 a.m., Whiteside PresbyterianChurch; Healing Service at noon

CLEAR CREEK BAPTIST CHURCHCLEAR CREEK BAPTIST CHURCHCLEAR CREEK BAPTIST CHURCHCLEAR CREEK BAPTIST CHURCHCLEAR CREEK BAPTIST CHURCHPastor Jim Kinard

Sundays: School – 10 a.m.; Worship – 11Wednesdays -- 7 p.m.

COMMUNITY BIBLE CHURCHCOMMUNITY BIBLE CHURCHCOMMUNITY BIBLE CHURCHCOMMUNITY BIBLE CHURCHCOMMUNITY BIBLE CHURCHwww.cbchighlands.com • 526-46853645 Cashiers Rd, Highlands, NC

Senior Pastor Gary HewinsSun.: 9:30am: Sunday School

10:30am: Middle & High School; 10:45am: Children's Program,.10: 45am: Worship Service

Wed.: 5pm Dinner ($7 adult, $2 child), 6pm CBC UniversityEPISCOPEPISCOPEPISCOPEPISCOPEPISCOPAL CHURCH OF THE INCARNAAL CHURCH OF THE INCARNAAL CHURCH OF THE INCARNAAL CHURCH OF THE INCARNAAL CHURCH OF THE INCARNATIONTIONTIONTIONTION

Rev. Bruce Walker • 526-2968Sundays: Education and choir rehearsal, 9 am, Holy Eucharist Rite

II, (sanctuary), 10:30 amThursdays: Holy Eucharist, (chapel), 10 am

FIRST BAPTIST CHURCHFIRST BAPTIST CHURCHFIRST BAPTIST CHURCHFIRST BAPTIST CHURCHFIRST BAPTIST CHURCHDr. Mark Ford, Pastor • 526--4153

Sun.: Worship 10:45 a.m.; School – 9:30 a.m.Wed.: Men’s Bible Study 8:30 a.m., Prayer Meeting – 6:15 p.m.,

Choir – 5 p.m.FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHFIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHFIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHFIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHFIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Dr. Lee Bo wman, Pastor • 526-3175Sun.: Worship – 11 a.m.; Sun. 8:30a communion service June-

Labor Day; School – 9:30Mondays: 8 a.m. – Men’s Prayer Group & Breakfast

Wednesdays – Choir – 7GOLDMINE BAPTIST CHURCHGOLDMINE BAPTIST CHURCHGOLDMINE BAPTIST CHURCHGOLDMINE BAPTIST CHURCHGOLDMINE BAPTIST CHURCH

(Off Franklin/Highlands Rd)Rev. Carson Gibson

Sunday School – 10 am, Worship Service – 11 amBible Study – 6 pm

HIGHLANDS ASSEMBLHIGHLANDS ASSEMBLHIGHLANDS ASSEMBLHIGHLANDS ASSEMBLHIGHLANDS ASSEMBLY OF GODY OF GODY OF GODY OF GODY OF GOD

• PLACES TO WORSHIP •John 3:16 Proverbs 3:5

Page 8 - Highlands Newspaper - Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013 - 828-526-3228

• SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING•

•See SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING page 11

Dr. Lee BowmanFirst Presbyterian Church

One of my favorite Peanuts cartoons starts out withLucy at her five-cent psychology booth. CharlieBrown stops by for some advice about life. “Life

is like a deck chair, Charlie,” she said. “On the cruiseship of life, some people place their deck chair at the rearof the ship so they can see where they’ve been. Othersplace their deck chair at the front of the ship so they cansee where they’re going.”

The good ‘doctor’ looked at her puzzled client andasked, “Which way is your deck chair facing?” Withouthesitating, Charlie replied glumly, “I can’t even get mydeck chair unfolded.”

You might have your own version of Charlie Brown’sdilemma in your life. It may involve a vocational choice.It might be a decision to commit your life to anotherperson — or the difficulty you have in doing so. It mightbe a resolve to give up self-destructive behavior pittedagainst the realization that this behavior has an addic-tive quality about it that makes it seem impossible to giveup. You might be filled with the desire to make a changein your life, but that ‘risk management’ side of you isparalyzed at the thought of making a change in the statusquo.

As I’ve thought about the push-pull dynamic we allexperience at various points in our lives, I’m remindedof old Zebedee — James and John’s dad. He was the onewho couldn’t get his deck chair unfolded — or as Mat-thew tells the story, didn’t have the wherewithal to leavehis fishing nets to follow Jesus. Peter and Andrew, alongwith James and John sprang to their feet when Jesuscalled them, but Zebedee wasn’t quite ready to make amove.

His behavior makes perfect sense — in part becauseit’s our own from time to time. But he’s also a cautionaryfigure for us — a reminder that we can’t stay in the boatour whole lives and still be a follower of Jesus. There’s apoint at which we need to be open to the truth that Jesusknows more about what’s possible for us than we our-selves do.

The hitch is that we don’t often see the day-to-daydecisions we make as responses to an invitation fromJesus. Follow me, Jesus said. To be a follower of Christ isto be intellectually open to the possibility that the lifeyou live might be more than your own. It is also to beemotionally undefended enough to recognize the gra-cious and mysterious God who pursues us — like a shep-

God nevergives up

on us

Highlands Newspaper - Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013 - 828-526-3228 - Page 9

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the route so well, he automatically stoppedat each house needing a milk delivery. Hewas never tied. Last summer I fed the horseleftover apple cores and we became goodfriends. Once, while sitting on my frontstoop, the horse spotted me while the milk-man was several doors down and took theliberty of walking in our front yard, drag-ging his truck across the sidewalk. He waslooking for his apple core. I flipped out!The poor horse was harshly switched as pun-ishment for his behavior. Even though I can’tremember that horse’s name, I loved thatole mare more than ever now. I guess I feltsorry for her.

Frisky was waiting for me in the frontyard and so off we went in the deep snow tomy parents’ restaurant a block away. Friskyknew the drill. He would have to wait inour restaurant’s storeroom until it was timeto play or go to school.

When I walked into the restaurant, Ifound my dad taping a large poster to thefront plate glass window. I walked up to seewhat he was doing. I instantly rememberedthe poster from last Christmas. It depicted a

jolly Santa Claus wishing everyone a MerryChristmas while choking Adolph Hitler withone hand and holding Tojo by his tail withthe other. Santa’s foot was crushing Mussoli-ni’s back. Even though I knew I should keepmy mouth shut, I didn’t.

“Sister Marianne says the war’s over andit’s time to heal,” I said, holding my breath.

My dad spun around, pointing his fin-ger at me. I could tell by the tone of his voicehe was angry.

“Oh yeah, well, ask our veterans whoare missing arms and legs if the war is overfor them. Also, while you’re at it, ask Sisterabout how our supposed good friends, theJaps, snuck in and destroyed our Navy.”

Dad stood there momentarily staring atme before speaking again, “Sister Marianneneeds to stick to teaching the three “Rs” andnot be preaching on the war. You tell her I’mpaying a lot of money for you to get an edu-cation and not have you lectured on the war.Now get your apron on and get to work. Lu-cinda needs your help in the kitchen.”

• Part III will be presented next Thurs-day

... WOOLDRIDGE continued from page 4

Larry RogersConstruction Company, Inc.Excavating • Grading • Trucking

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Page 10 - Highlands Newspaper - Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013 - 828-526-3228

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Before After

lay the 2011 reval due to the recession – amove that was contested by many who rea-

losers when new values are established,said Lightner.

Macon County has a large second-home resort influence on overall values.Historically, these values trended higherthan values in less desirable areas and oth-er less popular counties.

“The recession has caused all typesof properties in all geographical locationsto back slide but at different degrees ofdevaluation,” he said.

Western North Carolina and MaconCounty saw a large slide in market valuesof high-end second homes, vacant lots andvacant acreage. The large decline in valuedidn’t materialize in the average-to mod-erate-valued homes and similar vacantlots.

“To do a reval, we needed informa-tion to determine the degree of changefor each property type but until recentlythat hasn’t been available due to few ornonexistent sales data,” he said.

There are 45,000 parcels of land thatmust be revaluated. If Lightner’s office doesit inhouse, it will cost $300,000. If the jobis contracted out, it will cost $1.4 million.Commissioners agreed to continue to dorevals inhouse.

The date 2015 implies that MaconCounty has two years to have this projectcompleted but Lightner said the task hasstarted and will be completed in the fallof 2014 with the values set to go in to af-fect Jan. 1, 2015.

From Jan. 2013 through Dec. 2013,field work which includes data collectionand photographs of all 45,000 parcels willbe conducted; from Sept. 2013 throughMarch 2014, all sales will be organized bytype, location and year and constructioncosts, rents and other data will be gath-ered; from Sept. 2013 through Feb. 2014,GIS maps will be reviewed for TOPO andzoning which will be applied to parcelsculminating with new construction anda review of sales for 2013; Jan. throughJune 2014, a schedule of values will bedeveloped based on market sales, con-struction costs, income and use-value andthen proposed values will be tested againstrecent property sales; June-Aug. 2014, thevalues will be presented to commission-ers, a public hearing will be set, followedby adoption by commissioners and theschedule of new values will be advertised.

Property owners will be notified ofthe change in value Nov. 15, 2014 throughFeb. 13, 2015 with appeals accepted Jan.3, 2015 through Feb. 13, 2015.

The Board of Equalization, whichhears and rules on appeals, will hear cas-es from April 17, 2015 through June 15,2015.

– Kim Lewicki

... REVAL continued from page 1soned that if values decreased so would tax-es.

But Lightner said if a reassessment hadtaken place in 2011 as scheduled, the aver-age or moderate housing units would haveseen a large net increase while high-valued,second-home properties and speculativeproperties would have seen a decrease.

“The question now is ‘Since we waitedare we any better off?’ The answer is with-out a doubt, yes,” he said. “The market isimproving and there are more varied salesof different types of properties. Plus, fore-closures are stabilizing and there is nowenough data to develop a schedule of val-ues.”

Once the new values are set, the nextquestion is what will the taxes be?

While values are part of the net tax ques-tion, commissioners must consider budgetneeds, other revenue sources, long-term fi-nancial commitments and collection rates.The county’s collection rate for 2012 was96.38%.

If the overall values decrease and theoverall budget needs stay constant, the taxrate will have to increase to get the sameamount of revenue prior to the reval, saidLightner.

“We are going to see a 25% drop in val-ue so the tax rate can’t be the same as it was.We still want a revenue neutral tax rate butvalues have decreased so the tax rate is goingto have to go up for the county’s revenuesand thereby services to remain the same,”he said.

In 2013 the tax rate was 27.9 cents per$100 value; back in 2006 it was 38.4 cents.

He said different classes of propertiesincrease and decrease at different intervals,so resulting tax bills will be similar to simi-lar types of property and different from oth-er property classifications.

As in all projects, there are winners and

Highlands Newspaper - Thursday, Jan. 17, 2013 - 828-526-3228 - Page 11

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Bob Houston discussed Man-ley’s career and the leadershiphe has provided the departmentthrough its many changes.

Chief Manley was electedchief by department membersJune 2002 following the deathof Chief Mike McCall. He servedon the force January 1980through Dec. 2012 with a three-year absence for military service.It was Houston who recruitedManley and five other "sons offireman."

In Manley’s “good-bye”speech, he thanked his co-work-ers and reminded town officialswho were present – Commis-sioners Gary Drake, Brian Stie-hler and Town Manager BobFrye – that the men of the High-lands Fire & Rescue Departmentare volunteers who give theirtime and service to the town andthey should be treated accord-ingly.

Officers for 2013 were alsorecognized: Chief Ryan Gear-hart, Asst. Chief Robbie Forrest-er – the department’s two full-time employees, Fire CaptainMatthew Wilson, 1st. Lt. RogerWilson, 2nd Lt. Jimmy Petrone,Rescue Captain Eric Pierson,Rescue Lt. Jimmy Tate and Sec-retary/Treasurer Lenny Metrick.

New members were wel-

comed: Matthew Harner, JasonTardo and Brett Walters. There arenow 26 members – four short ofthe 30-member roster.

Perfect attendance awardswere given to Jeremy Keener andRoger Wilson. Honorable Men-tion was made of Jimmy Petronewho missed two meetings andZeke Chastain who missed threemeetings.

Service pins and certificateswere given to John Crowe andMatthew Wilson for 10 years ofservice; and to Jimmy Petrone, EricPierson and Jody Zachary for serv-ing 15 years.

According to the depart-ment’s annual report, there wereseven more calls during 2012from 2011.

The total number of fire-re-lated calls was 223, one less thanin 2011.

Calls inside town limitsamounted to 38% (85); and callsoutside town limits amounted to62% (138).

Fire loss in town is estimatedat $12,000 and $745,000 outsidetown limits.

Rescue and First-respondercalls increased over 2011 – 208versus 200.

Inside town limits amount-ed the 51% or 106 calls, outside

... DEPT. continued from page 1

•See DEPT. page 14

herd who searches high and lowfor one lost sheep, like a womanwho tears her house apart search-ing for one lost coin, like a fatherwho abandons decorum andeven courts shame as he runsdown the road from his house inorder to welcome his prodigalchild home again. Following theChrist means risking yourselfwith the God who has risked ev-erything out of love for you.

The whole Bible — from be-ginning to end — is an accountof the extraordinary lengths towhich God will go to win us backand give us life. Even when wehave the awful tendency to beddown with darkness and backaway from life, God is calling usaway from the darkness so thatwe can become children of light.

You may remember the 1971film entitled Harold and Maude

that deals with this tension be-tween darkness and light, or in themetaphor of the film, betweendeath and life. It’s a quirky lovestory about an unlikely couple.Harold is twenty years old andobsessed with death — so muchso that he has staged several fakesuicides, attended the funerals ofcomplete strangers and drives ahearse. Maude, on the other hand,is eighty years old and is equallyobsessed — only with life insteadof death. She’s always looking forthe next new experience.

I know this premise maysound like a non-starter, but thefilm packs a punch. In one sceneHarold and Maude are sitting onthe floor in her home whenHarold comes to the realization,“I have never lived. I’ve died a fewtimes, but I’ve never really lived.”And then he tells Maude a story

about an accident he had in achemistry lab, which left him pre-sumed dead. When the policemenarrived, he was able to watch hismother’s reaction to the news.“She put one hand up to her fore-head and the other one shereached out, sort of groping forsupport. Then she collapsed intheir arms. I decided right thenthat I enjoyed being dead.”

Maude looked at Harold for awhile in silent compassion, andthen spoke. “I understand. A lot ofpeople enjoy being dead, butthey’re not dead really. They’re justbacking away from life.”

The incredible good news ofthe call to follow the Christ is thatno matter how far we have backedaway from life; no matter howmany ways we have dulled oursenses and settled for the hell thatwe know rather than risk gettingbeyond it; no matter how muchwe find ourselves like CharlieBrown, afraid to unfold the deckchair so that we can engage thelife we have been given; God hasn’tgiven up on us. And that’s noth-ing short of astonishing.

... SPIRITUALLY SPEAKING continued from page 8

Wednesdays!

You know us as RUNNERS, butdon’t forget we are also NCREAL ESTATE BROKERS.

You can count on us every stepof the way to get you to thefinish line. We train hard for

races, and we will work equallyhard for you!

Richard Betz 828-526-5213Martha Betz 828-200-1411Country Club Propertiesbetzrealtor@gmail.com

Allan Dearth & SonsGenerator

Sales & Service, Inc.

828-526-9325Cell: 828-200-1139

email: allandearth@msn.com

J&J Lawn and Landscaping

John Shearl, Owner • 1663 S. 4th St. Highlands

Serving Highlands & Cashiers for20 years!

Phone: 526-2251Toll Free: 888-526-2251

Fax: 828-526-8764Email: JJlawn1663@frontier.com

Page 12 - Highlands Newspaper - Thursday, Jan. 24, 2012 - 828-526-3228

Larry HoustonRock Work

Walls • Fireplaces • Patios • PiersAll Rock Work • Stucco

(828) 526-4138 or (828) 200-3551

Cut n PatchQuilt Shop

Please Call for hours & directions526-9743 • Highlands

Custom QuiltsFabrics, Notions

515 Wyanoak Drive • Highlands828-526-4946 or 828-200-0268

tinacrogers@frontier.com

Michael David RogersNative grown trees and plants

Erosion Control SpecialistLandscape Installation

& Maintenance

215 N. 4th St. • Highlands(828) 526-2412 • www.schmittbuilders.com

Renovations & RemodelsFire & Water DamageCommercial Projects

HighlandsAutomotive

Service and Repair

(828) 787-2360 2851 Cashiers Rd, Highlands • highlandsautomotive.com

CERTIFIED

Russell Marling & Chris Hall, owners, welcome Tudor Hall, service manager

1908

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Service Directory Ads

$17/week

Add $5 for color

highlandseditor@aol.com

Grading & Excavating • Certified Clearwater Contractorwww.wilsongrading.com

Edwin Wilsonwilsongrading@yahoo.com

Phone (828) 526-4758Cell (828) 421-3643

NC Lic. # 28972

Miller's Plumbing Service, LLCBuddy Miller, Owner

• Water Cop Installation& Winterization

• Remodels & NewConstruction

Cell 828-371-1707millersplumbing99@yahoo.com

Manley’s TowingService

Owner-Operator James Popcorn Manley526-0374 • 342-0583

24-Hour TowingLocal and Long Distance Hauls

Highlands Newspaper - Thursday, Jan. 24, 2012 - 828-526-3228 - Page 13

Need quality asphalt paving?Call Bryson Grading & Paving – now a fullservice asphalt company specializing in

commercial and residential asphalt services.Also available:

Gravel, brown decorative gravel, boulderwalls, fill dirt, sand, topsoil, red clay.

Other services?Utility installation and repair, driveways,ponds, dams, hauling and lot clearing.

Call 828-526-9348.Brysongrading@gmail.com

LomaLindaFarm@frontier.com • www.lomalindafarm.com

Loma Linda Farm

Highlands, NC (828) 421-7922

NC License #10978

Dog Boarding • Day Care • Dog Park

• Complete line of office supplies• Laminating • Fax Service

• Greeting Cards • Laser paper• Ink Cartridges • UPS services

95Highlands Plaza526-3379

FAX: 526-3309

“It’s good to do business in Highlands”

Whiteside CoveCottages

5 new log cabinsnestled in the

hemlocks on 25acres at the base

of WhitesideMountain.

800-805-3558 • 828-526-2222

L. Stephen Foster & AssociatesL. Stephen Foster & AssociatesL. Stephen Foster & AssociatesL. Stephen Foster & AssociatesL. Stephen Foster & AssociatesProfessional Land SurveyorsProfessional Land SurveyorsProfessional Land SurveyorsProfessional Land SurveyorsProfessional Land Surveyors

Serving Macon, Jackson and TransylvaniaServing Macon, Jackson and TransylvaniaServing Macon, Jackson and TransylvaniaServing Macon, Jackson and TransylvaniaServing Macon, Jackson and Transylvaniacounties for more than 45 yearscounties for more than 45 yearscounties for more than 45 yearscounties for more than 45 yearscounties for more than 45 years

828-743-4154828-743-4154828-743-4154828-743-4154828-743-4154sfoster@fosterslandsurveying.comsfoster@fosterslandsurveying.comsfoster@fosterslandsurveying.comsfoster@fosterslandsurveying.comsfoster@fosterslandsurveying.com

L. Stephen Foster, PLSL. Stephen Foster, PLSL. Stephen Foster, PLSL. Stephen Foster, PLSL. Stephen Foster, PLSStephen “Stuart” Foster PLSStephen “Stuart” Foster PLSStephen “Stuart” Foster PLSStephen “Stuart” Foster PLSStephen “Stuart” Foster PLS

We are your Barber, too!

$15Hair Cuts for Men

210 S. 3rd St • Helen’s Barn Ave & S. 3rd St.

atChurch Street Hair

828-482-9374

RESIDENTIAL / COMMERCIAL FOR RENT

HOME w/ACREAGE – trout stream, HVAC, fireplace, hardwood floors,new carpet, free water & lawn care. $750. (678) 488-9677. (st. 1/24)

CLEAN DUPLEX, close to town. 2 bed, 1 bath. Appliances, garage.$750/month plus utilities and security deposit. Nonsmoking. Pets? Call 828-508-0664. (st. 1/10)

DOWNTOWN CONDO FOR RENT, Spacious 2 bedroom, fireplace,wood floors and a great deck to enjoy the views. 6 month minimum call 828-421-4681. (st. 11/28)

LARGE 4B/3BA HOME – Close to town. Handicap accessible withlarge circular drive with ample parking. Long term lease. Furnished or unfur-nished. $2,000/mth. Call 808-443-7353. (st. 11/15)

PROFESSIONAL OFFICE SPACE RENT. Includes broadband inter-net, off street parking easy access. Color copier scanner fax. $250 per month.two blocks off Main St. Call 828-342-1621. (9/6)

ARCHITECTS PRIVATE HOME WITH STUNNING FEATURES.Three bedrooms plus den with three full baths, an open living area, two, stonefireplaces, three decks overlooking stream and private stocked trout pond. FullPrivacy. Designer furnished. Walking distance to town. Rate dependant onterm. Non smokers only; not pets. Deposit required. Weekly, monthly oryearly rental. Call 678-358-9675 or 770-639-2682. (st. 8/16)

3 BED, 2 BATH HOME ON LAKE SEQUOYAH. Unfurnished. Dockand boats. Nonsmokers. $1,000/mth plus utitlities. (pets?) Call Tony 828-332-7830. (st. 7/12)

COMMERCIAL MAIN STREET LOCATION with plenty of parking.Great for retail or office space. For more information call 828-342-9158. (st. 7/12)

WANTED

LOCAL BUILDING COMPANY needs framing and finish carpenters orcrews. Call 828-200-0949. (1/24)

RENTAL WANTED IN HIGHLANDS. Family of three. Small indoordog. Call Bart Reese at 828-200-3767 or Mary Elizabeth at 828-200-3655. (1/10).

ITEMS FOR SALE

CLASSICAL GUITAR, excellent condition, used very little, soft case.828-526-4201 (st. 12/20)

MOUNTAIN DULCIMER, made in Kentucky, never played, instructionbook, soft case. 828-526-4201. (st. 12/20)

SERVICES

HANDYMAN SERVICE – Electrical, plumbing, pressure cleaning, painting,carpentry, yardwork. References. Call Al Edgar at cell: 332-7271 or 369-6245. (2/14))

HIGHLANDS HOME CARE. Home monitoring and cleaning, PetSitting, and Baby Sitting. Highlands family operated for 20+ years, call 828-421-4681. (st. 11/28)

HIGHLANDS-CASHIERS HANDYMAN – Repairs, remodeling, paint-ing, pressure washing, minor plumbing and electric, decks and additions. FreeEstimates. Insured. Call 421-4667. (2/9/13)

MARK’S SEDAN SERVICE. Airport Transportation. Easy Pick UpProcedures. Mark9398@live.com. 828-524-2149. Cell: 239-292-3623.(st. 9/27)

HOUSE CLEANING, YARD WORK & HONEY-DO PROJECTS.Done by Highlands couple with references. 828.482.2050.

MOLD AND MUSTY SMELL IN YOUR HOME? Call for freeinspection. 828-743-0900

HOME MAID CLEANING SERVICE Who doesn’t want a clean house?For quality work, friendly service and free estimates, give “Home Maid” aring. (828) 371-1702 (st. 8/2)

PROFESSIONAL COMMERCIAL AND RESIDENTIAL CLEANINGby Rondel Contract Services. Call today for all your cleaning needs. 828-342-4546. Ask for Paul. (st. 5/17)

CRAWLSPACE MOISTURE PROBLEMS? Musty smell in yourhome? Call 828-787-1673. (St. 4/28)

J&J LAWN AND LANDSCAPING SERVICES – Complete Land-scaping Company, Design, Installation and Maintenance. Also featuring Plants,Trees, Hardscapes, Water Features, Rockwork, Fencing, Drainage, ErosionControl and RR-Tie work. 20 years serving Highlands area. 828-526-2251.

• CLASSIFIEDS •

Page 14 - Highlands Newspaper - Thursday, Jan. 24, 2012 - 828-526-3228

Monday, Jan. 28• Mirror Lake Improvement Association meeting at the Civic Center at

6 p.m.• North and South Jackson County Republicans will meet on Monday

at 6:30 pm at Ryan's in Sylva. Come early to eat. The agenda will coverConfressman Mark Meadow's D.C. swearing in and also plans for theJackson County Republican Party Convention to be held on Friday, March22nd at the Jackson County Senior Center in Sylva.. For additional informa-tion contact Chairman Ralph Slaughter @ 828 743-6491; emailjacksonctygop@yahoo.com or go to http://www.jacksoncountygop.com/

Tuesday, Feb. 5The Highlands Dialogue Winter-Spring discussion series continues on

Tuesday at the Hudson Library from 10–11:30 a.m. The topic: “Jefferson,Militias, the Second Amendment and its Possible Irrelevance for PrivateGun Ownership.” Handout available at the Library. Coordinator: RodneyRoe.

Tuesdays, Feb. 12 to April 30• A 12-week course designed for family members of individuals with

serious mental illness. It will help you learn to cope successfully with thismajor challenge in your life, and that, in turn, will help your love one as he/she works toward recovery. Topics include facts about brain disorders,medications, communication techniques, problem-solving, stress reduction,community services and advocacy. Trained volunteers with lived experi-ence teach Family-to-Family. All materials are provided free. Class size islimited. Free for families & friends of individuals with: Clinical Depression,Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Panic Disorder, Obsessive CompulsiveDisorder, PTSD, Borderline Personality Disorder and Co-occurring Addic-tive Disorders. 6:30 to 8:30p. Pre-registration required. Call Ann 828-369-7385 or Mary Ann 828 524-1355.

Thursday, Feb. 14The League of Women Voters of Macon County will sponsor a pro-

gram with County Commission Chair, Kevin Corbin. Mr. Corbin who willprovide an update on important issues and plans for the coming year.Theprogram will be at noon at Tartan Hall in the Presbyterian Church in Franklin.Attendees are welcome to bring a bag lunch. The public is invited.

Upcoming Events

Registered NursesPhysical TherapistActivities Assistant

Medical Records Manager

2013 officers: Chief Ryan Gearhart, Asst. Chief RobbieForrester, Fire Captain Matthew Wilson, 1st Lt. RogerL. Wilson, 2nd Lt. Jimmy Petrone, Rescue Captain EricPierson, Rescue Lt. Jim Tate, Secretary/Treasurer Len-ny Metrick.

Awards for Service: For 10 years, John Crowe (not pic-tured) and Matthew Wilson and for 15 years, JimmyPetrone, Eric Pierson and Jody Zachary.

Perfect Attendance: Jeremy Keener and Roger L. Wil-son. Wilson has received the award consecutively for23 years.

Bob Houston presented retiring chief James “Popcorn”Manley, the longest standing chief in the history ofthe fire department, with the “Fire Axe Award” for 101/2 years of service.

Mayor Pro Temp, Eric Pierson presented Manley witha plaque from the town for his service.

... FIRE DEPT. continued from page 11

town limits was 49% or 102 calls.Major equipment purchase and improvements in-

clude: the purchase of the 2012 Ford (E-One) mini-pump-er for $161,600; Turnout gear (coats, pants, boots and glovesfor $63,185 of which a FEMA grant paid $54,881. Prepara-tion for the FEMA grant cost $1,200.

The final payment for the Ladder 12 Truck for $51,000was made. Equipment, hose, radio for the mini-pumpercost $12,100. It coast $1,940 to paint the inside of the Lad-der 12 building and $590 was spent on a portable genera-tor/inverter.

Not including travel time, 2,167 manhours were spenttraining – 28 firemen completed 17 area fire & rescueschools at various community colleges. This includes 880hours for two members who attended the fire academy inShelby, NC.

Local training and meetings totaled 1,531 manhours;and 1,784 manhours were spent on fire, rescue and first-responder calls.

Bobby Houston, administrative assistant for the de-partment said due to the many hours of training requiredto become a certified fireman and rescue technician inaddition to the hours spent on calls, it continues to bedifficult to get qualified applicants. The department has24 volunteer members, two-full-time paid members andone part-time administration person.

Fire alarms increased form 90 in 2011 to 112 in 2012which amounts to 50% of fire-related calls and most ofthe alarms are false.

The department continues to bill Jackson County forfire protection to Jackson County property owners in theHighlands fire district. In 2012 $27,600 was requestedand $6,908 was received. It was used to pay for JacksonCounty property owners inside the town limits.

Separate from Jackson County, Highlands Falls Coun-try Club paid $5,375 for its Jackson County property own-ers; Cullasaja Club paid $10,346 and Wildcat Cliffs Coun-try Club/Cowee Gap paid $2,400. These amounts pay forcoverage until July 1, 2013.

The NC State Insurance Department survey/inspec-tion results improved the in-town fire rating from 5 to 4;and improved the out-of-town rating with in the five-mile district from 9 to 5. The lower rating number usuallymeans a substantial savings on fire insurance premiums.

– Kim Lewicki

Highlands Newspaper - Thursday, Jan. 24, 2012 - 828-526-3228 - Page 15

Helens Barn Ave

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HouseTown Hall

EMS

H w y64w

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Main Street Inn & Bistro on Main526-2590 • www.mainstreet-inn.com

H-C Players

H-C Chamber Music

Police

78

Hwy. 64w to:

///Bridal Veil FallsDry FallsCliffside LakeBust Your Butt FallsCullasaja Falls

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HistoricVillage

5

11

15

15

19

19

23

21

23K-H PARK

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26

3341

2934

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