We thank and praise all of our first-responders — police officers, firefighters, paramedics, hospital staff and 911 dispatchers, among others — for their efforts in the face of danger and for their dedication in putting their fellow citizens’ needs above their own during and after the ravages of Tropical Storm Helene in our area in late September. 

For starters, we particularly are impressed with the tireless efforts of  local police offcers, who, despite Asheville City Councilwoman Kim Roney’s drive to defund, if not even abolish, the Asheville Police Department, nevertheless put their lives on the line to help — and even save the lives of  —  people who were endangered by Helene. (Roney is running for re-election on Nov. 5.)

While we recognize Roney’s right to her viewpoint, we feel compelled to noted that our police officers and other first-responders continue to deserve our full support, as they demonstrated – during and after Helene clobbered our area — bravery and compassion above and beyond what could be expected of human beings.

It takes a special kind of person to be a first-responder. They have to do things most people would not do, and see things most people will never see (or want to see). If one is a first-responder, that individual must go into places most people are trying to get out of.

Often famous actors, entertainers or athletes are touted as heroes, but in our view, when it comes to being heroes, we think first responders are the real heroes.

Also, they deserve our respect. They perform tough, dirty jobs that most of us could not — and, perhaps, would not — do. 

They are awesome — and they deserve our thanks and our praise.