To the editor:
In his letter of Aug. 14, Mr. Bill Ennis bemoaned the requirements of “slope of 25 percent or greater” as  “overkill.” His reasoning being that “government is expensive.”
Well, cleaning up after an environmental man-helped disaster is ever more so!
Ask the people in Maggie Valley, N.C.; they know.
Unfortunately, all slopes in North Carolina are at risk of landslides, and that includes Polk County. Let’s not precipitate them by carelessness.
Mr. Ennis states, “There has never been property damage… due to slope failure in Polk County.” Really? How about those properties under Chocolate Drop? And only land clearing caused that problem.
He also states: “…[There has] never been… personal injury or loss of life….” You mean to tell us those are the requirements needed before we take action?
Ennis also said, “In most situations people are responsible and do the right thing.” Like you, Mr. Ennis, I do think people are basically decent. However, “it takes one rotten apple to ruin the barrel.”
Besides, all homes are not built by the future residents who want good sound homes. Permits have been given without close regard to existing restrictions and the building process not adequately checked. Just come to my street to see two such examples.
So, no. Let’s not wait. Let’s be proactive. It is easier and yes, much, much cheaper, regardless of what you think, to take measures to protect our slopes than to try to “repair” them once destroyed.
Sadly, till all men act with conscience, integrity, and honesty, we shall need the government, police and judges for our safety, and rules on development to protect our beautiful Polk County.
– Marie King, Tryon