Dear,

Marvin J and Helena B Gralnick

Turner Inscoe

John Witherspoon 

 

 

We are residents of the Big Ridge Community in Glenville, North Carolina, along with those who love and know the Ridge. We have had the privilege to live in this beautiful Quiet corner of the mountains surrounded by wild lands, beautiful trees, and native animals. This is truly a Special place. The land that you own forms a large part of the unique, natural fabric for this part of the world. It is a refuge for bear, turkey,deer,grouse,songbirds,butterflies, and Elk.

There is no other place like it, and there are few, if any ,tracts of undeveloped, unspoiled land left of this size (approximately 3000 acres).

 

We recently learned of your intentions to sell a large portion of your land to developers of BEAR LAKE RESERVE. Words cannot express the disappointment and dismay we now feel over this news.

Allowing  this land to be developed will displace the many animals who inhabit this land. It will have a very negative impact on the watershed that supplies fresh clean water to Tuckasegee,Cullowhee,Sylva and surrounding communities (including BEAR LAKES own freshwater supply).The construction and road traffic associated with the property will surely destroy the Peace and Solitude the residents on Big Ridge Community are so fortunate to enjoy.

Make no mistake, no water what the assurances the developer may provide you, no matter what evidence they may gin up to show they intend to to be good stewards of your property, at the end of the day , their loyalty lies with maximizing the return of investment for their investors. 

What's right for the land will never be at the forefront of their concerns.

Bear Lakes stated purpose of creating a more direct connection to Cashiers is an illusion . If anything it will create a more dangerous route.

 

Truth is, it is your land to sell.It is your land  to sell to whom you choose. But you do not have to sell it to Bear Lake. You might say it is too late. It is not. You have a choice. We are aware a local conservation group has been working to conserve your property, along with the State, regional and national partners. Almost 10 years in the making.

Please don't let this hard work go in vain. Pleas consider working with them to make a TRUE conservation choice for your property, one of the last remote corners of Jackson County, and indeed this portion of Western North Carolina.

Please don't take part in breaking up one  the last intact large tracts of privately owned land in this area. Please don't enable what would surely be a disruption  in the lives of those living in the quiet corner of the world. Please make it your legacy for all and not a private enclave for the Privileged few.

Thank you for taking time to read this letter.