To the editor:

Norman Smith's recent letter expressed the feelings of many people about the ongoing attacks against the CLB. He said it so much nicer than I ever could.

The CLB has gotten a lot of flak lately from people who don't always know what they are talking about. Yes, we have problems in the community. Attacking the CLB members doesn't help one single thing get better.

I am writing to let those critical people know that the CLB members are decent people, elected by their neighbors in the community where they live. They have lived here all their lives. Their children go to school here. They try to make a living for their families here.  I'm pretty sure those that write critical letters and columns cannot say the same. If they did they might have a better idea what the CLB members face during their terms of service.

The CLB members make their decisions based on what they know their neighbors want them to do. They wouldn't be elected if their neighbors knew they didn't deserve the position. Each community sends the person they feel will represent them the best.

I don't always agree with everything the CLB does...far from it. But I do know they represent us to the best of their ability.

We live in one of the most beautiful places in the world. There is a litter problem. Jimmy Lindsey's "Can Crew" works all the time to keep it picked up. Perhaps those that are so critical of the community would do us all a favor, grab a trash bag and start walking the roads and help to clean up what dirty areas they find.

It helps to keep in mind that one mans' trash is another mans' treasure. Many Cocke Countians are the ultimate recyclers. I have learned a lot of handy tricks from them. It's amazing how many uses for odds and ends can be found around a farm. This is especially important in a community that has few economic opportunities.

In the last few months a few pictures of littered areas were printed. I'd like to suggest that people that buy land here check out what they are buying before laying down their dollars. A piece of land may be cheap because it is next to a junkyard. It doesn't make sense to complain about the junkyard after you bought the place next door. It would also help if a person looked over the land they intend to buy. It would avoid any unpleasant surprises about a pile of old tires or a barn full of "junk."

Where will the demands for a cleaner county end? Will someone insist I mow my yard to their schedule? How long until I am told I can no longer keep chickens and goats because they disturb my neighbors? Just how many cars in a yard are too many? And who gets to decide all these things?

One of my favorite things about living in this community is the "live and let live" attitude. For the most part we get along by minding our own business as long as no one is getting hurt. When someone does get hurt we pull together to help where we can.

We welcome newcomers and look forward to helping them adapt to our way of life. If you want to get to know the real Cocke County, volunteer your time in a place of need. The schools could always use help. There is a wide variety of community and civic organizations to choose from. Getting involved in local sports or by attending local churches is the best way to meet some of the finest people I know.

I hope the critics take time to meet the local people and CLB members and get to know them better. I  too moved here from far away, over 35 years ago. I know what I am talking about. I'm proud to say "when God made me a Yankee, He was only teasin'."

Sincerely,

Gaynell Thomas

Proud Cocke Countian