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County leaders approve Cashiers library bid
By Derek Hodges
County leaders voted Tuesday (Sept. 6) to approve a bid for expansion at the Albert Carlton Cashiers Community Library.
The base bid submitted by Blue Ridge Enterprises of Mount Airy was $1.6 million. That bid represents an increase of $173,000 over construction estimates.
The project was bid before with only two companies submitting bids. Under state law, a project must be rebid unless at least three bids are received. The same two companies bid the second time, and Blue Ridge Enterprises of Mount Airy, the low bidder, received the contract. Both Companies increased their bids slightly the second time, county Manager Ken Westmoreland said.
Work should begin on the site soon, Westmoreland said.
In other business Sept. 6:
Cable franchise
Commissioners approved on their first reading a new franchise agreement with Mediacom to provide cable access to areas in the county. The municipalities are also going through the re-franchising process.
Officials heard complaints about the cable company from George Rogers, a contractor who spoke at an Aug. 15 public hearing. Rogers, who has worked on a contractual basis for Mediacom, pointed out what he felt were inadequacies in the service Mediacom provides local customers.
Mediacom’s Maggie Blythe told commissioners she has checked into Rogers’ complaints and found most of them to be untrue. She credited them to complaints from someone who was told he would no longer work for Mediacom.
“The gentleman who spoke at our last meeting was working as a contractor and was not privy to all facts,” Blythe said.
The franchise agreement will get a second reading and vote from commissioners Monday, Sept. 19.
Qualla Fire Department
Officials approved a request by the Qualla Fire Department to enter into up to $700,000 of debt to renovate their current fire station and build a substation.
The substation is to be located in the Holly Cove community. It will include living quarters, a space for representatives of the sheriff’s office to work, four bays and an ambulance bay.
Qualla Fire Department officials said the new facilities will be a nice addition to their services.
SMHS fireworks
County leaders voted to allow a fireworks display on the campus of Smoky Mountain High School. The show will take place during halftime at the football game against Franklin on Friday, Sept. 16.
Prior to the game commissioners, along with school leaders, will join with the school’s Touchdown Club in a tailgate party. The party will be held at 6 p.m. in the Fairview youth complex parking lot and will include food sales, free air games for children and a live DJ.
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