Officials and TN Representatives Weigh In On Government Shutdown

Smoky Mountains National Park Road Closure due to Government Shutdown, October 1, 2013 – Staff Photo by Jeff Depew

East Tennessee is feeling the impact of the recent federal government shutdown, particularly in areas that are tied economically to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. As of October 1, 2013, a government shutdown of non essential service areas was enacted, furloughing more than 800,000 government employees nationally. Locally, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park has lost nearly 400 employees during the shutdown. Though there is not a current count of total government employees in the East Tennessee area that have been furloughed, the number is expected to be significant.

In addition to the economic distress that the shutdown will create for those non essential government workers and their families, there will be localized economic fallout from the shut down of the Great Smoky Mountain National Park. Tuesday morning, Park employees began the process of clearing the Park of visitors, some of which were overnight campers. Tourism is a major player in the Tennessee economic machine and autumn in the Smoky Mountains National Park brings in serious tourist dollars. Nationally, tourism is also a driving economic force. Gateway communities to the National Park System take in around $76 million per day from visitors and that revenue is lost during the government shutdown. The Gatlinburg Chamber of Commerce has been actively assisting displaced campers and many are finding locations in the Gatlinburg area. While the majority of visitors have been understanding regarding the relocation, some have opted out of planned visits until the National Park reopens. Gatlinburg City Manager, Cindy Ogle, is concerned for residents that are currently on furlough.

“As a gateway community, we are most concerned about the impact of the closure of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  Not just because of the visitors who came to enjoy the fall foliage but because of the affect on the employees of the National Park itself.  Those who work in the Park live in our community.  We hope that the shutdown will be brief and have limited repercussion on their family budgets.”

She and the Chamber of Commerce are committed to minimizing the fall out from the recent closure and are assuring visitors that Gatlinburg is open and ready to accommodate those fall leaf lovers. Marci Claude, Public Relations Manager for Gatlinburg released this statement.

“The Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau is very sympathetic to the closure of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.  Not only is the National Park an integral part of our tourist destination, but so are those who work there. The Gatlinburg Convention and Visitors Bureau strongly encourages our legislators to quickly resolve this situation so that our visitors can enjoy the beautiful fall foliage in the Great Smoky Mountains. 

Gatlinburg is a beautiful tourist destination and a gateway to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Gatlinburg attractions, restaurants, accommodations and area campgrounds are all open for business. Leaf peepers can enjoy the fall foliage while visiting the city and picnic in one of our three city parks. All roads to Gatlinburg are open and will remain open during the shutdown.  Roads open through the National Park are Highway 441 over the mountains to Cherokee, NC, The Spur between Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg and the Gatlinburg By-pass. 

Park Visitor Centers, trails and facilities, including campgrounds are closed.   Visitors are not permitted to walk, bicycle, or ride horses on closed roadways.   CVB Information Specialists are prepared to assist displaced campers find alternative accommodations in the immediate area around Gatlinburg.”

Local elected officials are concerned about the plight of the furloughed government employees and the economic impact to families and the local economy. Jefferson County Mayor Palmieri stated that he is concerned that the fragile economic climb will not withstand a prolonged government shutdown and that the burden on furloughed government employees and their families will be significant but fears the long term impact of Obamacare on the Nation. State of Tennessee Representatives Dale Carr, Andrew Farmer and Jeremy Faison are closely watching their political counterparts on the National level and are concerned about the families that now face a serious financial plight, as well as the businesses that will see less revenue due to the shutdown. In an interview with The Post, Representative Carr, (R-Sevierville) 12th District, whose district includes the Gatlinburg area, stated…

“I am concerned about the impact to my district and have sympathy for those that have lost their income from this shutdown. It is difficult for families to not know when their next paycheck will be coming. There will certainly be an economic impact that will spread beyond the furloughed employees into local businesses and the community. It is my hope that the shutdown will be short lived and we can get back to business as usual in my district and nationally.”

Representative Farmer, (R-Sevierville) 17th District, whose district includes part of Jefferson and Sevier Counties, said…

“The government shutdown is difficult and unnecessary, impacting families of government employees and businesses. There is a reasonable solution to this situation and it has been offered by the House and rejected by leadership in the Senate. The majority of the American people not in favor of ObamaCare and the super majority of Tennesseans are against the plan.  It is evident that there are problems with the current plan and it is unfortunate that Senate leaders will not meet the American people half way. Hopefully, the shutdown will be short lived and government employees and the nation can get back to business.”

Jeremy Faison, (R-Cosby) 11th District, who represents the Jefferson and Cocke County areas including Cosby, gave the following statement regarding the shutdown…

“Thankfully we run our state far better than they run Washington, D.C.  In Tennessee we work together regardless of party affiliation.  We represent people, not an ideology. 

All the House asked for Monday night was to make Congress obey the law like everybody else in America and give it a year.  Instead they refused.  That is not asking a lot.  This is not the Republicans shutting down government.  This is our President and Senate Leader being unwilling to compromise.  This situation has nothing to do with being a Republican.  My constituents have agreed, whether you are a Republican or a Democrat, if Congress passes a law then they should have to obey the law.  The only other stipulation was for a delay in the individual mandate for a period of 1 year.  Nobody in Washington understands how ObamaCare is going to work, much less the rest of us.  Before Washington begins levying fines, let’s get this thing figured out. We put off the mandate for businesses, corporations, unions, etc..  Why can’t we put off the individual mandate?  Just give it a year.  They refused.”

While Washington debates, those living in and visiting East Tennessee wait for the reopening of one of the State’s greatest assets, both economically and aesthetically, and community members that have been furloughed struggle to make the bottom line balance.

Sugarlands Visitor Center Closed due to Government Shutdown, October 1, 2013 – Staff Photo by Jeff Depew