The Daily Times reports today that "Blount receives Preserve America status from Bush."

Well, actually it happened in August. And it was Laura Bush. But the big news is that it's now official. With a sign on 321. And a photo op for Sen. Lamar Alexander and Blount Co. Mayor Jerry Cunningham, the champion of Blount Co. preservation.

All snark aside, it's actually a pretty good program that "encourages and supports community efforts to preserve and enjoy our priceless cultural and natural heritage." It provides federal matching grants to help communities "develop sustainable resource management strategies and sound business practices for the continued preservation and use of heritage assets."

We also get a certificate of recognition and a Preserve America Community road sign.

(The MDT article mentions that 321 and Pellissippi Parkway were the first "Scenic Highways" designated in the state of Tennessee. They forgot to mention that State Sen. Raymond Finney recently got that designation removed for a portion of Pellissippi Parkway in Alcoa to clear the way for development.)