Dec. 29—Prepare to laugh, cry, cheer and fume with a romp back through the top stories of 2021 through quotes from newsmakers.
JANUARY
“It is wonderful. This is the greatest thing that could happen.” — Sara Queen Brown, 99, after receiving her COVID vaccine at the county health department. Queen was the first member of the general public to get the vaccine in Haywood County after the first wave of health care workers.
“We’ve got the system and the people. We just need the vaccine, and that’s a national problem.” — Haywood Emergency Services Director Travis Donaldson on the ramp up of mass vaccination clinics at the fairgrounds being stymied by vaccine supply shortages.
“There’s a scarcity of tradesmen. They don’t have the people to fill all the jobs. It’s all the trades. There’s not one that’s exempt.” — Tom Maguire, Waynesville’s chief building inspector, on the shortage of plumbers, electricians, masons, carpenters, and other building professions.
“A guy next to us just removed the barricade right in front of us. Then thousands were starting to go, so we were like, ‘let’s go.’ We were all laughing and cheering even though there was tear gas. It was like those are our people here to save the Republic.” — Sharon Rogles, a Haywood County resident, who got caught up in the Capitol insurrection.
“If there was any potential the hackers got anything on that person, we sent them a letter. We thought it was better to notify unnecessarily than to not notify.” — Haywood County Schools Superintendent Dr. Bill Nolte on a letter sent to current and former employees following a cyber attack against the school system informing them of identity protection and monitoring services.
FEBRUARY
“It is much more successful than most people ever imagined. Those of us involved in the release had a vision it would turn out the way that it has, but I don’t think the community anticipated how people would come from all over to see the elk.” — Jim Blyth of Maggie Valley reflecting on the 20th anniversary of the elk reintroduction in Cataloochee Valley.
“It makes absolutely zero sense. There’s more people than that on an airplane sitting right side by side. We have 500 people on the Hazelwood Elementary campus every day, but we can only put 100 in a stadium? That is the most ignorant thing I have ever heard in my life.” — School Board Member Bobby Rogers on the 100-person spectator cap for high school football games.
“I truly feel the leadership and tenacity of Haywood County made a difference for every high school across North Carolina.” — Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers on lobbying efforts championed by those in Haywood that prompted the state to increase the spectator cap at football games, just in the nick of time for the rivalry game between Pisgah and Tuscola.
“That’s when I knew he was going to fire me. It was a stalemate at that point.” — Jared Pless, a firefighter at Center Pigeon Fire Department, on his refusal to submit to a COVID test as a condition of returning to work weeks after getting COVID.
“We are seeing an influx of out-of-town people able to work remotely, so they are choosing to live in the mountains rather than the hectic atmosphere of the city.” — Noah Ball, general manager of Lowell Ball construction company on one factor driving the building boom in Haywood County.
MARCH
“This is the day we’ve been waiting for.” — School Board Chairman Chuck Francis on the state allowing middle and high school students to resume school full time instead of an alternating rotation.
“People don’t really realize what nurses do until they are on the receiving end of the care nurses give. Knowing I am going into a profession where I can make a difference, even if it is just one patient, that’s what fuels me.” — Leanne Trull, a nursing student at Haywood Community College, on the groundbreaking for the $7.8 million Health Sciences building that will expand HCC’s capacity for nursing and health-related fields.
“I am glad it has finally happened. It shouldn’t have taken so long, and it shouldn’t have been such a hard thing to do.” — Tammy McDowell, a leader in the local African-American community, on a new Haywood County Schools policy banning Confederate flags and other political displays on school grounds.
“We’ve kicked the can down the road, so to speak, but eventually we have to address the situation. You can only push it so far.” — Haywood County Chief Deputy Jeff Haynes on being out of solutions for chronic overcrowding at the jail other than a jail expansion.
“This is a race against variants.” — Haywood County Medical Director Mark Jaben on the need to get more people vaccinated to achieve herd immunity to stop COVID from evolving into new strains.
“It is unbelievable. We listed a property Friday and had 15 offers within 24 hours. We are seeing buyers who are desperate to find a place because inventory is so low. It’s simply supply and demand.” — Brian Cagle with Beverly-Hanks Realtors in Waynesville, citing a home listed just under $300,000 as a case study of rising real estate prices.
APRIL
“This is an absolute gem of a property that’s flown under the radar of a lot of people. We know the bones are here to do something really cool.” — Grey Raines on plans for a $28 million overhaul to the Waynesville Inn Golf Resort & Spa. The Raines group purchased the 165 acres that make up the golf course and resort for $8.9 million.
“Please get this through your minds: we are a residential community. We are not a tourist attraction, and we do not want to become a tourist attraction. You might even get a lawsuit from us if you proceed.” — C.B. Turner, a homeowner in the Maggie Valley Country Club, on a controversial plan to turn a waterfall in his neighborhood into a public park, an idea the town has since dropped.
“Men don’t just walk off of a job they love. There’s got to be a reason.” — Janice Cheairs of the Jonathan Creek community on the mass exodus of about a third of Jonathan Creek Fire Department’s firefighters, which ultimately led to the resignation of the fire chief.
“Recruiting a new company is a hard endeavor that takes months and years. Helping existing businesses with the same type of incentives is just as important.” — Haywood County Special Projects Manager David Francis on $220,000 on economic development incentives for epsom salt maker Giles Chemical, in exchange for a $25.4 million expansion that will add 107 new jobs to its existing workforce of 270.
MAY
“To the critics, I say this. This is our community, and right now we don’t have time for your armchair quarterbacking, your excuses, and your virtue signaling. We will take this community back. You can mock us, but you won’t stop us.” — Erich Overhultz, a member of Saving Haywood, defending the clean-up of a homeless encampment under the Russ Avenue bridge following public backlash.
“Employers call me and really need people. But we have more jobs than people right now.” — Lisa Morris, manager of the Haywood County NCWorks Career Center, on the labor shortage.
“We had lines all the way out the parking lot. We had people filling up gas cans in one car and then coming back to fill up another car and more gas cans.” — Haley Holmes, employee of the Quick Pantry in Bethel, on panic buying amid a gas supply shortage caused by a cyber attack on the Colonial Pipeline.
“I won’t question the need for more jail space. It’s a complicated question, but I know this board has the opportunity to think outside the box. Do something to change directions.” — Dr. Stephen Wall, one of numerous members of the public who urged county commissioners to invest in drug abuse and mental health treatment instead of $16.5 million on a jail expansion.
“We want to have rides and attractions that compete with the best in the world, but we also want to preserve all of the things people remembered and loved about Ghost Town. If it needs to be torn down and rebuilt we’ll do that but keep the feel of this core Ghost Town.” — Matt Ferguson, part of the team purporting to resurrect Ghost Town in the Sky amusement park.
JUNE
“I have picked up drug needles, I have picked up condoms, I have picked up human feces. If you aren’t willing to give up your drugs and your lifestyle then why should the taxpayers of this town be asked to allow you in the neighborhoods where we live?” — Peggy Hannah, a member of the grassroots Saving Haywood coalition, speaking against the idea of a low-barrier homeless shelter in Waynesville, which was ultimately nixed by the homeless task force.
“You can’t have it both ways. That is just giving lip service.” — County Commissioner Chairman Kevin Ensley defending a property tax increase to fund raises for county employees, saying one was not possible without the other
“If there’s someone that’s right on the edge, we feel like an incentive might encourage them to get it. It’s an extra little bonus. Even if it’s one person, every bit helps.” — Waynesville Mayor Gary Caldwell on cash bonuses for employees who get vaccinated.
“Every time I see a pickup truck with Trump and/or Confederate battle flags, I think of all the photos of Nazis piled on trucks displaying large swastika flags…Tuesday night I was at a town meeting where anti-maskers made crazy statements that wearing masks is part of a communist plot and dangerous.” — Waynesville Town Attorney Bill Cannon in two Tweets that show a pattern of political rhetoric on his personal Twitter account, which led to his dismissal after refusing to disavow the comments.
“While the Downtown Waynesville Association has played an integral role for 30 years in creating the vibrant downtown we have today, it’s time to reassess the model and structure that was set up during downtown’s early revitalization years and ensure it reflects today’s needs of merchants and property owners.” — Carolyn Brunk, former Downtown Waynesville Association president, on the need to overhaul the DWA in light of merchant dissatisfaction with its direction.
JULY
“Max Patch was never intended to be a campground. It was almost a self-fulfilling prophecy. The question now is who will enforce it?” — Dean Bunch, Haywood County hiker, on a two-year camping ban at Max Patch to reign in overnight partying that was trashing the mountain top.
“We love Western North Carolina and as we continue to grow, we need to expand.” — Alan Keling of Drake Software, a Franklin-based tax software company, on opening a call center in Waynesville with the addition of 40 jobs to start with.
“Teachers came through again for our students in Haywood County. I’m blown away at their commitment to our kids. It warms your heart. These people are a credit to their profession and it shows.” — Jill Barker, Haywood County Schools Assistant Superintendent, on teachers stepping up to make comprehensive summer school possible, a federally funded initiative to help students who fell behind due to COVID.
“Anybody can draw a line on a map, but the reality check piece of it is essential. The purpose was to say ‘How do we get from point A to point B on the ground?'” — Elizabeth Teague, Waynesville development services director, on a greenway feasibility study to complete a 1.5-mile missing link from Waynesville’s rec park to Lake Junaluska.
“I tell people I get to travel the world every year and never leave home.” — Folkmoot volunteer Vivian Poppas on why she loves the international summer festival, which was back following a hiatus in 2020.
AUGUST
“Our children need to understand what liberty means, and liberty means the option to put this on or take this off.” — Rosa Bevis, speaking out against masks at a Haywood County school board meeting despite her mother dying from COVID.
“My ICU is currently full with COVID. This can be the difference between whether or not your child is a murderer.” — ICU nurse Katrina King on why masks should be required in school. After initially making masks optional, the school board reversed course and mandated masks after all.
“I cried like a baby. I thought about my kids and if they would find the will. Was it gone? All the stuff we worry about — gas prices going up 3 cents or ‘Oh my gosh, that tractor is in front of me and I’m late by three minutes’ — I hope we take from this that all that is just crap.” — Ben Wilson on the thoughts running through his head as he waited out the flood from a tree branch with his cat and a chicken.
“There’s rock slides, there’s power lines down, there’s houses and trailers in the river. You oughta see it. ’04 was nothing compared to this.” — Michael Williams, a Cruso resident who narrowly survived the floods, comparing the devastation to the floods of 2004.
“Just know that even from Heaven you will always be my man. Each day I miss you more as I picture you coming through the door. Our time together may have been cut short, but the happiness we shared will last a lifetime.” — Patti Lauer in a hand-written letter to her late husband Frank who died in the flood.
“They just showed up and said they were out here to help people. They had wheelbarrows, an excavator, a wood chipper. Five guys and two girls dug out our basement for about two hours, wheeled it all off and went on to help someone else. It is pretty amazing.” — Todd Graham on the outpouring of volunteers who showed up out of nowhere in the aftermath of the flood.
SEPTEMBER
“The younger generation has no clue of what this was all about because a lot of them weren’t even born then. I’m just trying to keep this alive.” — Bill Hoke, a Clyde firefighter, on a ceremony commemorating the 20th anniversary of 9/11.
“We are very, very proud. It’s the highest we’ve ever been. Hats off to our teachers who have been on the front lines and had to adapt and change.” — Jill Barker, assistant superintendent of Haywood County Schools, on the school system ranking 10th in academic performance out of 115 school districts statewide during a year wracked by COVID disruptions to learning.
“The immediate needs are dying down. People who were displaced are living somewhere. People are back to work. We are out of the emergency mode. We’re out of shock and in the grieving process.” — Ann Crawford, president of the Cruso Community Center, reflecting on the one-month mark since the floods.
“People have been asking us how the town’s doing, and I say it’s horrible and it’s beautiful. This has been a tragedy with so many homes and lives lost and it’s been devastating for businesses. We lost town hall, the police department and the fire department. At the same time, we’ve seen our community shine.” — Canton Town Manager Nick Scheuer reflecting on the community pulling together in the aftermath of flooding that inundated Canton.
“I’m not trying to browbeat anybody, I was just trying to do what I think is right.” — Joseph McElroy, owner of Meadowlark Motel in Maggie Valley, on requiring his employees to be vaccinated, which led to some staff quitting.
“Due to the resignation of the DWA executives and the lack of members on the DWA board, it has become necessary for the town to take over management of the municipal service district.” — Waynesville Alderman Anthony Sutton on the implosion of the Downtown Waynesville Association following months of controversy, prompting the town to take over the organization.
“Going into the pandemic we really didn’t have any idea of what to expect. We were pleasantly surprised. People came for something different, just to get away. People felt safe coming here.” — Lynn Collins, executive director of the Haywood County Tourism Development Authority, on an astounding 65% increase in tourism over the previous year.
OCTOBER
“If nothing else, we can give people a couple, three hours of meaningful distraction.” — Tim Surrett, member of Balsam Range and Canton native, on a free concert by the bluegrass band in downtown Canton that doubled as a flood-recovery fundraiser.
“It’s going to feel really good to have a full-scale Pisgah-Tuscola game again this year. Our county has experienced so many struggles and tragedies recently. It will be nice to have an event that everyone can celebrate and feel some sense of normalcy.” — Haywood County Schools Associate Superintendent Trevor Putnam in the lead-up to the big rivalry football game.
“This election boils down to one thing only. Who do you want to control your board? Do you want an open, unbiased board, not tied or allied with anybody? That’s what this election is about.” — John Hinton, one of the winning candidates for the Maggie Valley town board election, on wanting to end cronyism for development interests.
“We want to put books into the community, so people don’t have to wait for the annual book sale.” — Susan Trahan with Friends of the Library on ending the 40-year tradition of the annual book sale and instead opening a year-round used book store.
“All we want is some peace and quiet and to enjoy the mountains. I ask you to work with us. Make other suggestions without destroying a neighborhood and a mountain.” — Tammy Hartzog, Maggie Valley resident, on her opposition to a high-density RV park proposed by purported Ghost Town developer Frankie Wood.
“I cannot find another jail in our area that can take any more of our inmates. Unfortunately, everybody is just experiencing an explosion of arrestees that are coming in.” — Haywood County Sheriff Greg Christopher on chronic overcrowding at the Haywood jail and a lack of other jails to house overflow inmates.
NOVEMBER
“We are used to hollering over to our neighbor — not knocking on their window from our window. We’re not New York City.” — Waynesville resident Dwayne Moody on his opposition to a high-density 115-lot subdivision consisting mostly of one-sixth acre lots.
“It ain’t no gusher, but being a big line, we have to go ahead and address it. It’s not busted, but we don’t want it to get busted.” — Wayne Bolin, Waynesville’s water and sewer superintendent, on repairs to a major water line that led to a widespread water outage in West Waynesville for a day.
“There’s apparently a chip every vehicle manufacturer needs and it’s in short supply. Everybody’s hands are tied waiting on those chips.” — Lisa Burnett, purchasing agent for the town of Waynesville, on the supply chain issues holding up the purchase of replacement police cars.
“The big difference now is I won’t be tarred and feathered and considered a traitor for running against someone in my own party.” — Bruce O’Connell, GOP candidate for WNC’s Congressional seat, on Congressman Madison Cawthorn’s announcement he’s vacating the seat.
“Are your children going to be ready to buy a house straight out of college? You have a severe shortage of housing in Western North Carolina right now, and it is not getting better.” — Developer William Ratchford on why Waynesville needs a 150-unit apartment complex, to be located at the intersection of Howell Mill and the Old Asheville Highway.
DECEMBER
“A lot of people have said they are interested in interviewing, but for one reason or another, they are not a good fit or they don’t show up for the interview. We’ve gotten to the point where we’ve had to shorten our hours.” — Haley Dickerson, director of Eagle’s Nest Early Learning Center & Preschool, on how the labor shortage is impacting the availability of child care.
“We had the largest election turnout in history. We heard over and over, please, no more campgrounds in Maggie Valley.” — Maggie Valley Alderman Jim Owens on why the town will consider a moratorium on RV parks come January.
“I’ll shut the whole thing down, and I can. They have stomped me to the ground to the point they have almost pushed me out. I’m trying my best to stick it out.” — Frankie Wood, purported developer of Ghost Town, alluding that he’ll pull the plug if the town doesn’t allow his other development projects, namely RV parks and high-density housing, to go forward.
“We have to order ballots, print ballots, proof them, test the equipment. All that takes time. It is an enormous undertaking.” — Haywood County Election Director Robbie Inman on the logistics of pulling off an election, following news that candidate filing had been suspended and the primary delayed over redistricting court challenges.
“It’s going to be a learning curve. It could be a good thing if people will educate themselves on how to operate within it.” — Wayne Burgess, a resident of Jonathan Creek, on the DOT’s plans to replace the red light at J-Creek and Soco Road with a roundabout.
“I have tried to find land to buy, I have tried to find something to rent, I’ve tried to find a house to buy. I have exhausted every option. I felt hopeless. I panicked. I wasn’t sure what I was going to do.” — Tina Jones, a working single mom who resorted to living in a camper with her kids, due to the housing shortage in Haywood County.