Commissioners oppose I-3
By Dwight Otwell Editor

The Cherokee County Board of Commissioners went on record Monday as opposing construction of I-3.

Commissioner Ernest Jones made a motion that the board adopt a resolution opposing the proposed Savannah, GA to Knoxville, TN interstate. County Attorney Scott Lindsay will draw up a resolution and the board will vote on it at the next county commission meeting, on March 6.

John Clarke, chairman of the Clay/Cherokee chapter of the Stop I-3 Coalition, and five Cherokee County residents attended the Cherokee County Board of Commissioners meeting Monday to ask the board to approve a resolution opposing the highway. The five Cherokee County residents were Judy and Jim Pierce, Aurelia Stone, Bob Massey and Lynne Jones.

“We encourage all levels of government and citizens to get involved now,” Clarke said. “This lays the groundwork on whether we will be heard. They show (the highway going through north Georgia) straight through the Smoky Mountains. We have to watch these folks closely.”

“We have the most beautiful valley in the United States,” Commissioner Barbara Vicknair said. “I don’t want to see an interstate go through it.”

Commission Chairman Dana Jones was absent.

Clarke said projections are that the highway will cost about $25 million a mile.

Clay and Macon counties in North Carolina have adopted resolutions opposing I-and four Georgia counties have adopted resolutions.

In a letter to the Cherokee County commissioners, Clarke wrote, “The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has not yet selected a contractor to conduct the study but we expect they will be doing so soon. Our aim is to influence the process now to make sure that adequate provisions are made for public participation, transparency, involvement by all levels of government and a full consideration of the astronomical costs of building any such road.

“The FHWA will in the very near future define how the study will be conducted. That in turn, will have a significant impact on our ability to influence the outcome of the study later.”

The Clay County resolution, adopted in December, stated that the Clay County Commission objects to and opposes the construction of the proposed Interstate 3 because neither Clay County government nor its citizens have been included as participants in the feasibility study and planning process. The resolution stated that the opposition is because of the possibility of negative ramifications surrounding the construction of I-3 in the form of lost ad valorem revenue, environmental impacts and lost tourism revenue.

In another matter, Ernest Jones said Sen. Dole’s office told him that there is federal money available for a new jail. The funds must be used for security and computers. He said the county is looking into obtaining federal money for those purposes.

Cherokee County Sheriff Keith Lovin said it could be a significant amount. In another matter, the board approved a motion that Lovin work with County Manager David Badger to sell eight surplus Sheriff’s vehicles.

The board approved a motion authorizing the upset bid process for .77 acres of land which the county wants to sell off of Caney Creek Road. The county has been offered $4,000 for the county-owned property. Other bidders can come in, before a deadline, and bid 10 percent over that price.