Congressional candidates tells plans
By Dwight Otwell

Congressional candidate Heath Shuler talks to a citizen Thursday at a forum held at the Cherokee County Courthouse. Shuler is running against incumbent Republican Charles Taylor. Taylor was not present for the forum but sent a spokesperson. Rebecca Heppel, speaking for Taylor, said Shuler has taken millions of dollars from liberal Democrats. Shuler said in reference to Taylor's absence, "This (forum) is very important. It's so important that I decided to show up tonight." Shuler said we need a plan and a stragegy to get our troops home safely from Iraq. Heppel said that to withdraw from Iraq now would jeopardize our national security.

Candidate for the U.S. Congress Heath Shuler and a representative for incumbent Charles Taylor squared off against each other in a political forum Thursday night at the Cherokee County courthouse.

Rebecca Heppel, speaking for Republican Taylor, said Shuler has taken millions of dollars from liberal Democrats.

Shuler said in reference to Taylor's absence, "This (forum) is very important. It's so important that I decided to show up tonight."

On the question of illegal immigrants Heppel said restraints need to be placed on employers who hire illegal immigrants. Taylor is 100 percent against illegal amnesty for illegal aliens, she said.

Shuler said the proposal to allow immigrants to get a visa within 24 hours is not enough time to do background searches.

"There is no doubt that we have to stop illegal immigration," Shuler said. "I don't believe in amnesty or assistance to people who break the law. We need to do everything to identify the illegal immigrants and their employers."

On the question of Iraq, Shuler said we went to Iraq under false pretenses but we can't look back. We need a strategy and a plan to get our troops home safely without creating a better environment for terrorists.

Heppel said, "There are terrorist organizations that want to annihilate the United States of America. To withdraw from Iraq now would jeopardize our national security. The people in Iraq are grateful we are there."

Heppel said it is important to have conservative judges on the Supreme Court, who will protect our free speech. However, citizens don't have the right to know matters of intelligence, she said.

Shuler said he would not vote to sell off our national forests. We have to protect our environment and we should lessen dependence on petroleum.

On education, Heppel said Taylor voted against No Child Left Behind. Taylor doesn't believe that education should be regulated at the federal level but at the state level, she said.

"Local schools know how to teach our children," said Shuler. "No Child Left Behind is $40 billion of unfunded mandates."

Concerning the illegal drug pipeline coming into this country, Shuler said we have to protect our borders and ports and stop illegal drugs from coming into the country.

Heppel said Taylor was instrumental in creating a task force in western North Carolina to combat illegal drugs coming into the U.S. Agents from this task force train area law enforcement personnel on how to deal with illegal aliens, she said.

When asked about their stand on the proposed I-3 interstate, Heppel and Taylor said they oppose it.

"We already have interstates that serve the same purpose. It is an unnecessary road," she said.

Shuler said he also opposes I-3. He also opposes completion of The Road to Nowhere, which is in Swain County and is proposed to be completed through that county and Graham County.

Heppel said that Shuler has never held one political position. Over 80 percent of Shuler's funding came from outside the district, she said.

Shuler said campaign finance reform is needed.

When asked what they would do to reach out to Cherokee County voters, Shuler said that we have to realize that western North Carolina is more than Asheville east.

"I will be here in Cherokee County for you when it counts," Shuler said.

Heppel said it is her job to be available in the counties Taylor represents to answer questions. There is one representative for every two counties represented in the 11th District. The district covers 15 counties.

"You call our office and you get service, no matter what side of the political spectrum you sit on," she said.

In his closing statement Shuler said he was named as the spokesperson for the "Character Counts" program, in which he speaks to children about character.

"It's time for a change," Shuler said. "Stop raiding Social Security and cutting education. Start funding them and stop putting earmarks that help you personally. Balance our budget."

In her closing statement, Heppel said the Republican majority is the only thing standing between us and amnesty for 11 million illegal immigrants. She questioned how Shuler can take money from liberal trade unions and say he will vote against their wishes.

Taylor has brought federal dollars to the region for broadband to help in education and business. She pointed out that Shuler would be a freshman Congressman who would have to vote with the majority. Taylor, on the other hand, can accomplish needed things for this district, she said.