Letter: Ager would be sensible leader for WNC

When did the legislative branch of our government become a nonstop softball game? Who's up to bat now? Who's ahead? I don't know the latest score, but I can tell you who's behind: You and me! Everything is a partisan issue. If the Democrats are for it, the Republicans are automatically against it. And vice versa. But daily life in the United States is not a partisan issue: It's real. We all fill up at the gas pump. We all need health insurance. And food that's safe to eat, and air that's safe to breathe and water that's safe to drink. That just makes sense. And we need sensible people to help us live our lives more successfully and affordably. Jamie Ager is one of those sensible people. His people have lived in Western North Carolina for generations. He knows the mountains, and he knows and understands its people. He knows the land and how to raise the food that comes from it. He's built a successful business, so he knows how to work with people, and he understands their needs. And Jamie Ager knows that when Tropical Storm Helene came calling in 2024, she didn't knock on doors to ask who had voted for whom. Helene hurt all of us, regardless of party affiliation, and the bills are still coming due. He'll help the people of WNC pay those bills by insisting our government finally pay its promised share. It's not a game! We need sensible leaders who understand that pointing fingers doesn't get things done. That's the kind of guy Jamie Ager is. — Jim HoltzmanFairview Editor's note: Holtzman reports that he's signed up to volunteer for Ager's campaign.