Dear Editor:

I've been reading the articles the past several weeks about the our county government, and quiet frankly am disappointed that we have a newspaper that will print anything anyone has to say whether it be fact or not. I guess that's what it takes to sale papers but it could also be the reason that they've had to scale back the paper to stay in business.

I had decided to just keep quiet until I read an article from a lady entitled Disrespecting Cocke County.  I love this county and people in it too much to let someone make broad accusations based on lies and half-truths. At the end of that article, the writer had listed things the CLB had failed to do that were a disservice to the county. The only problem is she had no idea what she was saying, like most of the articles and opinions I've read lately.

The number one disservice that she listed was the "CLB had never mentioned a tax sale until they heard from several angry citizens". If she had ever attended some of our finance meetings she would know that this was false.

The number 2 disservice was that the CLB had failed to recognize the importance of passing a resolution to keep our county clean. Again if she had attended any of out prior meetings, she would know that several of the members voted in favor of the resolution both times it came for a vote in the past.

It's very easy to sit back and paint the CLB with a broad stroke and say they are all a bunch of good old boy rednecks. However, this is far from the case. In fact, the folks that are writing and submitting these articles are doing the county disservice themselves by not getting all the facts before they print some of their propaganda.

I was born and raised here in Cocke County and have lived here all my life, but I assure you that does not make me a redneck hillbilly as some folks try to make us out to be. I am proud to say I am from Cocke County and even prouder to serve it and the people of the 3rd district. I have 3 young children growing up here so I promise you I care about the future of this county. That's why I ran for this CLB position. I've spent many sleepless nights worrying and praying about how to vote on some of the issues we have had come up, as I'm sure others on the CLB have also. I've spent the last 4 years on the finance committee trying to cut as much waste as possible and still keep the county running with no tax increases.

The statement was made that the concerned citizens are tired of their taxes being increased. Who increased them? The CLB has not raised taxes since 2003. That is a fact that I am quite proud of.

Am I saying that we on the CLB are perfect? Absolutely not. But most of these members do care about the county and try to do the right thing. We do not always agree, a fact that once troubled me. I thought everyone should see the issues the same way I do. But I came to realize that these folks are elected the same way I was and they have the right to vote anyway they see fit and I respect them for that. If you do not agree with how your CLB representative votes, that's what elections are for.

I am sure this is going to invite more letters about the CLB or even me personally, but that's ok. I will not get involved in any contest to see who can write the most letters. I only ask that folks understand much of what they are reading are personal opinions and many of the facts have been left out. Not one member of these organizations have called me and asked how I felt about any of the issues they have been railing about. Funny thing is, I agree with most of what they are saying. But to me, they loose much of their creditability when they start making generalized unfounded statements and then try to circumvent the system we have for voicing their concerns and being heard.

I deeply respect anyone's right to voice their opinion, that's what makes our country great, but please get all the facts before you go off on any tangent without knowing what you are talking about. Grand standing for the media and giving half-truths helps no one.

In the end, most of us want the same things. We want our county to move forward and to grow. These are goals that are very achievable. But we can't do it by alienating everyone else that doesn't agree with us. There is always some common ground that can be found as long as we have civil and factual dialogue between all parties involved. My hope is that we can all work together to make Cocke County a better place for our children and grandchildren to live.

Sincerely,

Norman Smith