Is it any wonder that citizens in Sevier County don't trust our elected officials when they claim to care about the beauty of the mountains?

At the first public meeting hosted by a NY firm who was the only bidder (only after they were urged to bid) on a $60,000 mountain and hillside study, only two elected officials cared enough to hear what their citizens had to say. Of all of the elected officials in this county and all of the municipalities, only two County Commissioners showed up.

Ben Clabo and Phil King had the gumption to listen to their Sevier County neighbors.  All other elected officials were _______  ( you fill in the blank – AWOL, negligent, arrogant, etc.)

No wonder people are losing faith in the local leaders.  They don't even care enough to attend a meeting. The purpose of which is to build consensus and seek fair solutions to minimize the destruction of the natural beauty of our number one tourist attraction: the mountains.

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