Jefferson County Tomorrow Updates Members On Recent County Developments
Article Submitted by Annette Loy
Jefferson County Tomorrow members met Tuesday, April 23 at 6:30 p.m. at New Market School. The purpose of the meeting was to provide citizens with an update on recent county developments of interest to the group. Several members of the Save Our Farms and Homes group(SOFAH) were also in attendance.
Serving as moderator, Annette Loy welcomed attendees. She presented information on the failure of the proposed megasite proposal. The similarities between the megasite and the intermodal proposals were discussed including the secrecy of the process of developing both proposals and the use of public money to fund these proposals. Information was shared on exact amounts of taxpayer dollars given to both the Chamber of Commerce and the Economic Development Oversight Committee (EDOC). Both of these groups are not accountable for the use of these taxpayer funds due to the fact that they are considered private non-profits.
Chamber…….. $160,000 (tourism)
EDOC………….. $188,000 (Hotel, motel tax)
The following cities also contribute to the Chamber.
Jeff City……..$50,000
Dandridge…..$36,000
White Pine……$ 3,000
Baneberry…..$ 2,251
Total taxpayer funding $ 439,251
Members of Chamber Board of Directors and the businesses they represent are: Tommy Bible, Jefferson-Cocke County Utilities-Newport; Amy Cate ,Cate Insurance Agency; Terry Dockery, Bush Brothers and Company; Conard Frye, Appalachian Electric; Steve Gadbois, Food City-Dandridge; Dale Gentry, Standard Banner; Trevor Hodgson, Overman Inc.; Bob Jarnigan, H.B. Jarnagan & Co. Inc.; Daryle Keck, First Peoples Bank; Jeremy Lawson, H&R Block-Dandridge; Dr. Kina Mallard, Vice-President, Carson-Newman University; Alyson Susong, Town of White Pine; Fred Taylor, Franklin Reality & Wal-Mart; Carol Wolfenbarger, Tennova Jefferson Memorial Hospital.
Members of EDOC are: Marty Mills, Chairman, County Commission, Appalachian Electric; Darrell Helton, Jefferson County Finance Director; Mark Potts, Jefferson City Mayor; George Ganette, Dandridge Mayor; Greg Williams, Appalachian Coop ;Max Fultz, Bush Brothers; Jay Moser, Tennessee Valley Resources; Dale Fain, Farm Credit; Alan Palmieri, Jefferson County Mayor; Daryle Keck, Chairman, Chamber of Commerce; Garrett Wagley, Chamber, Director of Economic Development.
A general discussion was held on the group’s plans to seek legal counsel for the JCT group. Plans to attend the Public Service Committee meeting to be held Monday, April 29, at 6:00 p.m. at the Dandridge Courthouse were discussed. At the last commission meeting, Anna Barreiro, Commissioner from the 6th district, made the motion to have the Public Service Committee review to cost to Jefferson County of the mandated road closures, construction of new roads and bridges and other requirements if the Norfolk Southern Intermodal becomes a reality. The concept of Community Benefits Negotiations was explained and discussed.
The meeting was adjourned, with members encouraged to attend all up-coming meetings and to stay informed on the issues.
