All politics are local, as this article shows, from the Mountaineer:
CLYDE — About two dozen Haywood County taxpayers — most advocating less government spending — spoke out at the public hearing on the proposed $64.2 million budget for the 2009-10 fiscal year.
About 100 filled the auditorium of the Regional High Technology Center for the hearing, and many who spoke took swipes at all levels of government, from the federal level down to the operation of county schools.
Jim Forrester of Waynesville said people fear government and have seen their liberties eroded and taxes rise a little at a time. He alleged enough funds could be found elsewhere without cutting out employees. Emma English of Waynesville, said cuts are being made in the wrong places. The need for services offered at the health and social services departments will only increase with the economic downturn, she said. “I don’t believe you need a tax increase. The answer is there if you just look for it,” she said. Al Goodis of Waynesville said 19.7 percent of the county’s citizens were 65 and older and the unemployment rate was above 11 percent in the county.
