Of late, I’ve noticed ads from the Southern Poverty Law Center in the Mountain Xpress asking our legislators to protect our air and water and help us get good jobs. State legislators, please listen to our community.
Western North Carolina’s breweries, summer camps, fly-fishing shops and rafting centers are huge contributors to our economy, and all of these businesses are contingent upon healthy and vibrant rivers, forests and mountain ecosystems. As exemplified here in WNC, protecting the environment provides jobs, sustains us with clean water and gives us incredible recreation opportunities. That is a win-win-win. How can these critical industries grow if our water is polluted, the air is toxic and our beautiful forests are ill-treated?
We, Buncombe County, want a strong economy and a healthy environment. Let’s face it — they are dependent on each other. Our elected leaders should do everything within their power to ensure that neither is neglected.
Let’s work together to protect our priceless ecosystems and grow our economy.
— Rich Preyer
Asheville
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