Commentary Why make it hard? I’ve been in the newspaper busi-


ness for more than 15 years, seven of those with the Weaverville Tribune. In all those years, I can count less than a couple of dozen times that I’ve had to put a request in writing. I know that once was to the U.S.


Clint Parker


Forest Service case involving an over-zealous ranger years ago. Even in requests to state and lo-


cal big governments like Asheville, I have seldom, if ever, had to put a request in a letter and mail it. Verbal request are usually good enough and email requests at the very most. It seems that Weaver- ville Town Manager Mike Morgan asked for an email or written re- quest for a while, but even than has not been done in some time. We’re a small, weekly newspaper


dealing with small governments and everybody is usually on a first- name basis with everybody. We


envelope, put a stamp on it and find a mailbox. When we asked Woodfin ABC


for a report, it was given to us in less than five business days. We stopped by and picked it up. Of course, we did not have any


trouble matching Woodfin’s profit and loss statement numbers to those reported on the state ABC Commission’s Web site. I’m not ready to say that the


Weaverville ABC is trying to hin- der our reporting of their financial health, but we are going to get an expert to go over the numbers and give us their opinion.


A thought on Morgan It is customary in this business


for people to ask for coverage of their good events and stories. I’m so thankful for those requests because that’s a really fun part of this job.


Matt Tate But often the people who decline


to tell their good or even heroic tales resonate just as deep in my mind. Case in point: Last August, the


American Red Cross recognized Weaverville Town Manager Mike Morgan for an action I would con- sider heroic. I won’t tell the story


the offer. I love it when I get to tell a good


story, but I also have deference for those who decline the spotlight. Morgan announced he will be


retiring this year. He may not re- member that exchange, but it will be a lasting memory for me.


Annual BlackHawk car show Te 4th annual BlackHawk Band Car Show will be held from 10


am to 2 pm on May 15 at North Buncombe High School. Enter a car for $10 before Saturday (May 8) or $15 afterward. Door prizes, live music and food will be available. For more information, contact Tony Elkins at 279-1953.


here, but trust me, a potentially tragic event for an individual was avoided thanks to Morgan. When I asked Morgan for the story, he respectfully turned down


sometimes ask about each others’ families or events that have oc- curred in our lives when talking about business. However, Weaverville ABC has


felt compelled to ask us to put our requests in writing, place it in an


Our Mission


Our mission at The Weaverville Tribune is to deliver fair and accu- rate articles on the people, places, and events in North Buncombe. We hope to help further a sense of commu- nity and understanding for the residents of the area..


PO Box 2293 • Weaverville, NC 28787 Volume 8, Issue 18


The Weaverville Tribune is a publication of Tribune Papers in association with Mountain Sentinel, Inc. Publisher & Sr.Editor Editor


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Contact Us: Phone:


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828-484-4203 828-484-4204


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Clint Parker Matt Tate Bob Leary


Patrick Braswell & Steve Jencks Pat Starnes


editor@weavervilletribune. com


www.weavervilletribune.com


Mail: P.O. Box 2293 Weaver- ville, NC 28787


The Weaverville Tribune is published weekly by The Asheville Tribune and Mountain Sentinel, Inc. at 40 N. Merrimon Avenue, Suite 308, Asheville, NC 28804. It can be picked up at 40 N. Merrimon Avenue and many other locations throughout Buncombe County. Periodical postage USPS permit No.023736 at the Weaverville, NC Post Office. POSTMASTER send address changes to The Weaverville Tribune, PO Box 2293, Weaverville, NC 28787. Subscription price $24.99 a year in Buncombe County, $25.99 a year outside Buncombe County, $26.99 a year outside North Carolina.


Letters to the Editor


Second-hand alcohol Dear Editor, We are constantly bombarded


with whining about second-hand smoke. A drunken driver causes a crash


that kills another driver. A drunken spouse returns home and beats up his wife and child. A drunken teenager winds up pregnant after attending a party. An alcoholic suf-


fers through a slow agonizing death due to a picked liver. All this sounds to me like the ef-


fects of second-hand alcohol. Te media is slack to report on


cirrhosis of the liver, but actively re- ports on lung cancer. You can’t turn on the radio or TV without being swamped with ads promoting beer and liquor. It’s so biased how society eagerly


accepts alcohol and abuse, but is really quick to “demonize” anyone who dares to puff on a cigarette.


Why is this? When you are driving your car,


who would you rather have com- ing toward you from the opposite direction? Another driver who has just consumed a six pack of beer or a drive who has only smoked a pack of cigarettes? I drink and smoke, too, but why


condemn one “illness” while glori- fying the other?


Jamie Harwood Weaverville, NC


North Buncombe standout owns state home run mark


North Buncombe’s Cody Geyer


etched his name in the record books Tuesday (May 4) with the 45th home run of his career, a state record. Te blast was much-needed in the


BlackHawks’ 3-2 victory against Er- win, bringing North Buncombe to .500 on the regular season (12-12) and earning the team a first-round home Mountain Athletic Confer- ence Tournament matchup with the Warriors on Tursday (May 6). * In other BlackHawks news, the


girls’ soccer team held senior night Wednesday (May 5) against Reyn- olds with second place in the con- ference on the line. Results were not known as of press time. * Te tennis team competes in


NCHSAA individuals this week- end.


Tis special to the Tribune. Papers look for interns Te Weaverville Tribune/Leicester Leader will be accepting interns this summer. Graduating high school seniors


and college students with an interest in community journalism will be considered. Interns will work one-on-one with the editor in a variety of capacities and be asked to write and photograph their own stories. Interns will be paid hourly up to 10 hours per week. Some weekend or night assignments may be included. Computing and writing skills are required. Access to a digital camera and knowledge of the North and West


Buncombe communities is preferred, but not necessary. To apply, send a resume or related information to wteditor@weavervilletribune.com. For more information, call 484-4203.


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