The Monday evening county commission meeting was held to a full auditorium with standing room only.
Commissioners heard of some staggering loss of revenue from representatives of the Smoky Mountain Wedding Business Alliance. The representative showed figures in the millions of dollars that is brought into the county as a result of wedding held in the county. He claimed that weddings were down 25% over the previous year.
Other County Business:
· Public comments were made by Clark King regarding his disapproval of the commission and the way the Mountain Press reports on certain items and how the commissioners should perform their jobs according to their oath of office. John Meyers stated he was concerned about the validity of the ethics committee as none of his formal complaints have been addressed. Kim Pierce commented on the possibility of Don Parton double dipping into the county coffers by working for the sheriff’s department and the school system. J.J. Jackson’s concern was that the those in official capacity needed to review the growth as it is putting a strain on the resources of the county.
· A resolution was pass to honor Bill Parham, the late voting machine technician.
· Various other zoning and rezoning issues were discussed. Some passed, others were tabled.
· There was discussion of supporting a House Bill which would create a special account from the lottery k-12 funds. Mayor Waters commended those involved in raising funds for the new county library which is to be constructed in Sevierville.
· JoAn Trentham was appointed the county historian.
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User Comments
Good coverage of the meeting of Commission for those who were not in attendance, I attended amidst the many attendees and luckily found my usuawl 'pew', found it was interesting and hoped in the future more citizens would take the time to be informed more about the issues with which the Commission is facw=ed, generally very little discussion comes before the group, this meeting was less 'cut & dried'. As a general rule there are presentations of some type made by members of the public, for obious reasons these presentees were cut short of the purported five minutes allowable, as well as interrupted by the Moderator in midst of same as, in one instance twice, as a eminder' of time alloted, giving little consideration as to what was being said, the time factor being of greater importance. It is good to be given the podium and given the added courtesy of not being interrupted and the train of thought broken, while being allowed to make the presentation they came prepared to make. With this observance, it is hoped that in the future consideration may be had in the future for those who are able to pass the pressure point of getting through the hurdel of being censored on the subject of their interest, most finding it difficult enough to speak before the group as they are not professional speakers in the first place. One would find it difficult to asertain which hurdle is worse, the censoring to get the podium or the delivery of the message?
Has anybody even asked the question of why Sevier County does not fund the "public" library like every other county in Tennessee does? Could it be that our commissioners are too busy giving out taxpayer monies to developers as TIF's? Why do private individuals have to raise funds for the "public" library? I think the commissioners need to rearrange some of their funding priorities.
I think it was very unprofessional as well as rude for Larry Waters to constantly interrupt pubic speakers and not let them even finish a sentence. I understand time constraints but Larry let the wedding group ramble on for much longer than their alloted time. Once again, his selective enforcement of the unwritten rules appears petty and unprofessional. Show me where it says that taxpayers are only allowed 5 minutes a month to address their elected representatives? This is nonsense and mayor Waters knows it. He thinks it is the only way he can control the public criticism of his administration and it's many mistakes and injustices.
Larry's only defense when people are speaking the truth that he doesn't want to hear is to silence the messenger. That tactic does nothing to suppress the message. It only lends credibility to the message.
Mayor Waters refuses to address the situations that were brought up: Pre-screening of speakers, lack of sound and industry approved Human Resources policy and the fact that a building inspector was hired who has never inspected a building.
I met with him yesterday He did his customary shrug of the shoulders and claimed that he's just doing the best he can. When I pointed out that the buck needs to stop somewhere, he said the buck doesn't stop with him. He says that he doesn't have control over any other departments in the county and he can't oversee things like the sheriff or the ethics committee. A leader would!
He also boasted of being in power for 30 years. Two words: Term Limits.
He's the County Mayor. The buck should stop with him and not float around the county to be used as an excuse to pass off that responsibility.
Sevier County deserves much better.
I believe that John Meyers is right, the mayor doesn't address the questions raised - he wants to destroy the messenger. Sheriff Seals has been doing the same thing recently - All the charges against him and his department are "politicaly motivated." The problem is that more and more people are asking some tough questions of their elected leaders and taxpayers expect and deserve answers, not character assaults. Larry has brought a lot of these questions on himself (like the printing scandle) and he needs to answer the questions. The buck does stop with him and digging up the same old "unwritten policy manual" that only he can see won't cut it any more. Now, I'll hang up and listen to what Larry has to say. And after you answer Mr. Meyers questions, Other taxpayers have a few more. Larry, I know it was a long time ago but please remember the oath you took. It would also be a good idea to remind yourself that you work for us.
Mr. John Meyers' apology certainly is accepted - one can't always rely on the spoken word though well intended - one reason much value is placed 'on the public record' as, you sometimes see as published on SevierCorruption.com there will, occasionally, be found documents which can be legally be questioned as to the preparation & notarization by those less cautious and diligent when it comes to the integrity of the document. To off-set any misguided statement which Mr. Meyers passed on, let me put another proposition before the readers and any concerned citizen who either attended the commission meeting or read about it. The 'passing of the proposition which Mr. Taylor presented to the Commission, while quite interesting as taking the precautionary steps to 'do this one right, this time' revealed on the part of the commissioner representing that district as coming across as protecting those who expressed words in opposition to some phases of the proposal. Now, you might be interested in knowing that that Commissioner is a business partner to the developer in this instance and has been a partner, in other projects, for at least two years. Whether or not he partners up in this development will be worth watching in the future, but, while the entrance or access into that development will benefit many others, it might be that if the county will correct those problems of access and safety the delay required to get this done before the 'project' really gets under way increases the personal benefit of this Commissioner that is, if he again 'partners-up'. Watch this development as it will again come up at next meeting in March, then at some time you cab see who is really involved. The leaset you will learn from watching is a confirmation that this Commission has the duty in his employment with the County, either through the Highway Department and/or the Planning Office of Sevier County to approve various constructional and developmental phases of roadway access into subdivisions. That is, at leasst the function of his job as I am advised - the facts relating to 'partnership' of the past and in the future will be a matter of public record. - stay tuned!
It has been apparent that David Taylor has a conflict of interest in anything he does concerning zoning. He is privatly employed at Vision Engineering Co.- the company that is developing this (and other) parcels. Mr. Taylor also serves as the Chairman of the Board of Zoning Appeals for the County. How can he represent the developer at the commission meetings and ask for rezoning? The planning commission DENIED his rezoning request at the last meeting so he took it to the county commissioners. He has a Huge conflict of interest - one that has never been addressed. As long as the county commissioners and the mayor refuse to adopt a county-wide nepotism and cronyism policy things of this nature will continue. That is why it is important to demand that our mayor and commissioners adopt just such a policy. It is unethical and it should stop.
In my original post, I apologized for my comment about the unqualified building inspector being married to the neice of Mr. Hurst. I heard that from two sources. I have since found out that I was wrong. I apologize for claiming that Mr. Jenkins is married to Mr. Hursts neice. I was wrong. I am John A. Meyers and I approved this post.
When we Flies got together a short time ago, I learned from Fly on the Wall that the development start-up about two years ago where Commissioner Hurst partners with Developer Proffitt is located off-left Newport Highway and is in the general area of the Deer Park.
Check the public records of the county and you will confirm just for looking that this county employee, also County Commissioner, has
friends in high places with good connections and much success one would think - far more than just relying on those 'connections' of roadways by subdivisions to county roads. If you aren't one of those who are well healed or well hung, then it appears that it is good to be well connected, political steppng-stones are like the yellow brick road - it gets you where you wanna go!
One fly has advised that the general information being circulated in that community of Red Bank Road is that 300 houses were in the plan - noticeable it was that Mr. Taylor was slow to define specifically what was in the plan, likely another scheme to crawl along as they go....
and this process was obviously supported by the comments made by Mr. Owenby,k conveniently times before the full commission, in that 'it wasn't necessary to divulge up front the over-all plan for the purpose of rezoning.'
You notice that in these
departments most of the time where one vacancy is created by the leaving of a person, usually a well-promoted person similar in kind and caliber moves in to fill the spot? All 'brothers' in nature and spirit.
These 'political bed-fellers' as we know them track right along the line with the sub-standard policies and character patterns which seem to be inbred in all those who survive or eak out a buck on the strength of what might be labled as a gang-banging of the citizens of the county.
Sevier County's reputation for being incestuous has been far reaching for as many years as I recall, I first thought this had solely something to do with the blood lines of the county through the years, but now seems it's not just a matter of being healt a bad situation through enheritance but comes right down simply to
greed, lust topping integrity,
power waylaying conscience,
addiction for manipulation of those with low esteem where some will allow it!
Evidently, it has just become a way of life in this county.
Yep, as long as this is allowed and tolerated it will even get worse, as it appears that 'anything goes' as a means to justify the end!
Ask me no question and I'll tell you no lies.........
Sleep well All!
Just one more reason to vote all the developers off the county commission and the planning commission. It's all about trust and I can't trust very many of them; can you?See the comments on the other article on this SH web site about the new building inspector - it is all related. Lots of folks to vote out (or for someone to haul off in a paddy wagon.) The truth will out.
More and more taxpayer questions keep coming up with no answers. I guess the commissioners and mayor hope everyone will just go back to sleep. I think the whole show is starting to unravel. The strain is showing. Some of the smarter commissioners must be getting worried - some are involved in a lot of questionable stuff and when the dam breaks, I sure would'nt want to be in the group. The smarter ones have to know that and might be wise to distance themselves from the group a little.
I suggest we fire the entire body of Commissioners AND the Mayor. A fresh start couldn't be all bad.
So have everyone of you. You have the opportunity to change it. Tell me why the hell did Ron Seals get voted back in? Do you all really think you can do something about all the cruption in Sevier County, Sevierville City? Bullshit walks and money talks you know it and so do I. If you all above want to change things get up off your complaints and go door to door get as many names as you can and take it to Nashville. There is no Mayor nor Commissioner out there that can't be stoped. But you got to do it the right way. Bring in the big boys call on everybody in Nashville bring them down by making them abide by the Sunshine Law. You get it started and you will see some ass squirm. It's going to take the people as a whole not just 1 or 2 doesn't get it done. You get enough names and take it to the NEWS watch you may like what the turn out may be. I for one will join in and trust me I have been put through hell and back because of the cruption in Sevier County. People I trusted in Sevier County what a joke. Yes it was on me and I am sick of the Politics and the GOOD OLE BOYS. It can be done but as a whole, not just one unhappy person.
More and more people are ready to take back the town that the GOB's have taken from us. The time is right. They won't give it up easy because some of them may go to jail (and should.)
I have one thing to say to all you Politicans in Sevier County and Sevierville. What goes around will come around and some asses are going to be biten. It will be Victory to many people who has been treated like dirt.
All of the committees give monthly status reports. Why didn't the ethics committee make a report to the Mayor? After all, he appointed them. There is no mention of the ethics committee or ways to contact them on the Sevier County website.
Well John they have all gone into hiding and don't want any negative email. If you have not figured out that the Mushroom Principle is in effect by now you never will. It goes like this " Keep the general public in the dark, feed them crap and hope they grow to vote." Any more stupid questions? As I see from the video you are just getting stupid answers when you do get one. Welcome to Sevier County, "See" no evil, "Hear" no evil and "Speak" no evil about any of the Good Ole Boys!!!!!!!
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