Will he or won't he?

State House Rep.-elect Jonathan Jordan still isn't saying whether he'll fight to keep Mount Jefferson State Natural Area. Apparently, he's waiting to see which direction the political winds are blowing. Here's a hint for any newly minted freshmen legislators who are carrying the burden of representing Ashe County: there's a blizzard going on at Mount Jefferson in more ways than one.

Every government body in Ashe has signed on to saving the park. The Ashe Chamber of Commerce and Ashe Board of Realtors have joined the fight, too.

On Sunday, the Winston-Salem Journal added to the avalanche of support for the park with an excellent pontification on the park's value. The Journal points out the park's annual budget is only $165,000. With the attraction bringing in more than $3 million in tourist cash, the math here is easy.

Jordan reckoned last week that Governor Bev's proposed budget cuts are aimed at causing a firestorm in his district. That could be, but Jordan ain't going to win friends and influence people by refusing to offer a full-throated endorsement of Mount Jefferson.