D. H. Ramsey Library Special Collections and University Archives

Western North Carolina Tomorrow

M79.14.1

 

Title Western North Carolina Tomorrow
Alt. title Western North Carolina Tomorrow Position Papers
Creator Western North Carolina Tomorrow
Identifier http://toto.lib.unca.edu/findingaids/mss/wnc_tomorrow/default_wnc_tomorrow.html
Subject Keyword

 Western North Carolina Tomorrow ; Conservation ; Employment, NC ; social action ; grass-roots organization ; environmentalism ; business ; Chamber of Commerce ; farming ; leadership ;

Subject LCSH Western North Carolina Tomorrow -- Position papers and essays
Mountain life -- North Carolina
North Carolina -- History
Western North Carolina Tomorrow -- Periodicals
North Carolina -- Social conditions -- Periodicals
Description

Western North Carolina Tomorrow (WNC-T) was a social action and leadership council created in April of 1979 to serve the 17 western-most counties of North Carolina. The intent of the organization was to support citizen involvement in the planning for future growth and development of the western region. The council was created through the Western North Carolina Associated Communities with assistance from the Center for Improving  Mountain Living (CIML) at Western Carolina University. Representatives on the board of WNC Tomorrow were appointed by the county commissioners and represented some of the leading citizens of the counties.

Publisher Special Collections, D.H. Ramsey Library, University of North Carolina at Asheville 28804
Contributor Director, Western North Carolina Tomorrow
Date 1979-11-09 
Type Text
Format 1 folder
Source D. H. Ramsey Library Special Collections, Manuscript Collections M79.14.1
Language English
Relation
Coverage temporal 1977-1979
Coverage spatial Western North Carolina
Rights No restrictions;  Copyright: Retained by the authors of certain items in the collection, or their descendents, as stipulated by United States copyright law.
Donor 78 
Acquisition 1979-11-09
Citation Western North Carolina Tomorrow Position Papers, Special Collections, D.H. Ramsey Library, University of North Carolina at Asheville
Processed by SHRC Staff ; Special Collections staff, 2008-6-04
Last update 2005-12-06 JW, 2005-12-19 ; 2008-06-08 HW
  Item List:
M79.14.1 Folder Item Description
  1 1 Newsletter, WNC Tomorrow Vol. 1, No.1, September 1979. "Western North Carolina Tomorrow: An Introduction."
    2 Letter from Clyde Ray to Resource Committee, WNC Tomorrow. November 2, 1979.
    3 Western North Carolina Tomorrow members directory.

Fred B. Bentley, President
Kermit Edney
Charles Flack
Dave Felmet
Dot Mason
Hugh Morton
James Meyers
John Parris
Roy Taylor
E.J. Whitmore
Richard B. Wynne, ACT President

Executive Staff:
Mark Freeman, Director
Jane Horton, Program Dev. Associate
Center for Improving Mountain Living
Western Carolina University
Cullowhee, NC  28723
 

    4 "Western North Carolina Tomorrow Position Paper on Conservation and Development of Natural Resources." 1979 [?]

"Western North Carolina Tomorrow strongly supports the development of land use planning and controls at the local level with the involvement of citizen representatives of all segments of the population.  Western North Carolina Tomorrow believes that land use planning and controls can be successful only if the people affected have a voice in developing the plans and the controls; if the people understand the alternatives and impact of planning or lack of planning;  and if the people support the implementation of plans and the enforcement of controls.

Western North Carolina Tomorrow believes that the impacts of land use policies or the lack of land use policies upon community life and the mountain culture are of great importance. Haphazard land development can seriously undermine rural communities as well as small towns and urban areas. Land use policies must be developed to strengthen community life by providing  for balanced, orderly growth which is not highly disruptive to the social structure of the region and which seeks to preserve those elements of the traditional culture which are of value.

The need for wholesome environment and the need for improved employment opportunities must be carefully balanced. Conservation efforts cannot afford to ignore economic needs, nor can industrial development efforts ignore the need for careful preservation of natural resources and environmental quality. Alternative methods of increasing economic opportunities while protecting the environment should be explored. Industries and developers that disregard the environmental constraints of the region should be discouraged.  Responsible industries willing to make an investment in clean water and air and in responsible land management should be sought.

Western North Carolina Tomorrow views the presence of large tracts of public lands within the region as one of our most valuable resources - one that greatly enhances the quality of life for the people and also provides economic gain through recreation and tourism  Western North Carolina Tomorrow supports policies for the careful management of our national forests, some sections to be preserved as wilderness areas, others to be set aside for multiple use.  Through careful conservation and management practices, these natural resources can provide benefits for both the people today and for future generations.

    5 "Perspectives on Regional Issues: Education" prepared for the WNC Tomorrow Regional Leadership Council. April 1979.
    6 "Employment in North Carolina, 1970-1977."

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