Dear Editor:

I wish to respond to Norman Smith's letter as published in the July 24-25 edition.

Mr. Smith, you wrote of your love for this county and the people in it.  And that you ran for a CLB position because you care about the future of this county.

I've read all of Cynthia Hart's articles since the first one published last winter.  Ms. Hart's love of our county and deep concern for its future is quite obvious.  I recall reading her article that mentioned big oil companies and the oil spill disasters.  They were who she referred to as "good ole boys."  None of her articles ever stated that she felt the CLB members are "all a bunch of good old boy rednecks" as you claim.  Nor have I read in any of her articles Ms. Hart call anyone a "redneck hillbilly."

I attended the recent Environmental Forum, which was rescheduled to accomodate the CLB members due to their earlier meeting.  I saw Cynthia Hart there.  And I saw Jimmie Lindsey, the only one of the current 14 CLB members who attended.

The CLB did not recognize the value of passing a resolution to keep our county clean because it did not pass.  From what I understand, Ms. Hart spoke up about the resolution before the vote.  I believe she was at that meeting and has attended past meetings.

You accused Ms. Hart and the others who have written articles about their legitimate concerns as making "broad accusations based on lies and half-truths," and as writing "propaganda" and "personal opinions and many of the facts have been left out."  Yet you go on to say "funny thing is I agree with most of what they are saying...".  Huh?  You have left me confused.

I assume you, as a CLB member, have the citizens of Cocke County's best interests at heart.  The same could be said of Cynthia Hart, Ken Porterfield, Gaylelynn Norwood and many others.

We need to focus our attention on private properties with old, useless garbage, which present health hazards, not to mention the ugly eyesore positively contributing to our negative growth and future.

Mary DeVane

Cosby