Last Friday I went to the GSM Sustainable Tourism Townhall which the DT covered here Link...

State Route 321 will be protected from the Loudon County line to the Park

Dr. Van West, Director, Center for Historic Preservation, MTSU did a wonderful job of defining what things can be. From a new cenus of Blount County Century Farms to using those items in our local history that might not be of um, great delight to all.

Below, in five separate posts you will find questions that were presented at the Townhall. Since you most likely could not be there, now is your chance to answer each and every one of these. Please, take the time to answer these and perhaps we can get word to Nashville about what the rest of us want. After all, there were very few people in that meeting who were not wearing suits.

The Planning Commission will hold a called meeting to begin revision of the Policies Plan and other plans of the County on October 30 at 5:30 P.M. in Room 430 of the Courthouse.

You may have missed the announcement of this very important meeting since it is not listed under the Meetings listing on the county website. It is rather hidden under the Plans listing.

Why are we changing the Blount County Policies Plan? Have the residents of this county changed their opinions as to what they want for Blount County? Do we no longer love the rural beauty or have we made the choice to become the bedroom for Knoxville and Oak Ridge?

Could it be....... 411 South as strip mall city or Pollywood West?

Could it be....... because SBUD is now in the sewer bid'ness?

Could it be....... to offer even more protection to Townsend and The Privileged Side of the Smokies?

Read the documents then come to the meeting.
Link...

This Tuesday, Oct 9 is going to be a very important night in Blount County.
Back to back committee action down at the courthouse.

Using the pointers R. Neal gave us yesterday at the Democratic Luncheon, let's talk about these issues one by one.

I heard Commissioner Wendy Pitts Reeves say something the other day and it really is worth talking about. While I can't phrase this the way she would, I will go ahead and ask the question.

What is so special about Blount County? Where or what are our favorite places? The places / things we most want to protect? The places or things that are at greatest risk of being lost?

Before everyone logs in and says the GSMNP, I want to point out that it is part of Blount County but that is not in our control. So what other places or things do we have here that really need protection and why?

Don't you just love it when you don't hear about changes in our local utilities until after they have been approved?

On Aug 2, 2007 SBU went before the Utility Managment Review Board seeking to extend their services to include sewer systems. It was approved. The hearing this Thursday is just a dog and pony show because according to the UMRB permission has all ready been granted by the State. Now all SBU needs is the farce of a public hearing and the mayor's signature.

Remember who elected him? This is a developer's dream come true.

Back when the Sports Complex was such a hot issue the topic of on-site wastewater systems came up. Folks complained about this and that and the fact that the county has zero control over them.

We still don't.

Just because SBU has been granted areas which can amount to the rest of Blount County as a sewer district ( for areas not covered by any other wastewater utility) does not change a thing with all those systems currently in place. Unless of course those privately held companies either sell or give the systems to SBU.

GIVE? I nearly dropped the phone when the gal at URB in Nashville told me that. This does make sense in case a small utility fails and can not pay for repairs. Then again, the TRA is responsible in making sure that does not happen.

Why do I call this a developer's Christmas? It is. All wrapped up in a bright red bow. When dealing with these smaller private / public utilites the developer is the one who pays for all the equipment then the developer has to give that to the utility. With SBU being the utility they will have the authority to set the rules on who pays for what.

Can I make this any clearer? Nothing has changed the face of Blount County the way on-site sewer systems have. Mountain top development was nearly impossible on the scale we see it today.

I was ask if it is possible that SBU can make the developers pay for the building of these new on-site and other type of wastewater treatment facilities then the developer would give the system to SBU to operate. Yes. They could.

That is the one of the questions we all need to ask. How will SBU work to control urban sprawl in Blount County?

UPDATE! This Thursday there is a public dog and pony show on whether South Blount Utility will get into the sewer games!

notice of public hearing on supplemental petition of south blount county utility

district of blount county, tennessee, for authority to furnish sewer and sewer disposal services
all members of the public take notice that a public hearing will be held on september 20, 2007, at 5:30 p.m. eastern daylight time, in the county commission courtroom, 4th floor, blount county courthouse, maryville, tennessee on the supplemental petition of south blount county utility district of blount county, tennessee for authority to furnish sewer and sewer disposal services pursuant to t.c.a. § 7-82-302 (e). the address of the principal office of south blount county utility district of blount county, tennessee is 808 w. lamar alexander parkway, maryville, tn 37801
all interested members of the public are invited to appear and participate in the hearing.
jerry cunningham, county mayor of blount county, tennessee
sept. 13, 2007

Well look who is getting into the on-site sewer bid'ness.

Link...

4. PRELIMINARY PLAT: HICKORY COVE SUBDIVISION; TAX MAP 25 &
36, PARCEL 218; 112.5 ACRES AND 127 HOME SITES; ZONED R-1,
RESIDENTIAL AND AGRICULTURAL; HOLROB – HOWARD MISER
STATION PARTNERSHIP; VISION ENGINEERING

There will be a decentralized sand filtration sewer system that is going to be maintained by the South Blount Utility District.
A home owners association will be created to maintain the common areas of the development. The interior roads of the subdivision will have sidewalks, which will hopefully be able to connect with Middle Settlement Elementary on the western side of the property. Mr. Wantiez stated that the Blount County Street Department would not