Non-profit proposes mural project; county to consider technology position

By Lisa Majors-Duff

Sisters and Catch the Spirit of Appalachia co-founders Doreyl Cain and Amy Garza presented their ideas to Jackson County commissioners last week (Feb. 7). Their plans include a 10-year mural project and the transformation of the old county courthouse into a Smithsonian museum affiliate.

The first in "The Majesty of Mountain Heritage Mural Program," the sisters said, would be located in Bicentennial Park and begin to tell the story of the region with a primeval nature scene that predates human existence. Human history will begin with the story of the Cherokee, they said.

"Our goal is to be instrumental in helping to establish a new appreciation for the Cherokee and their relationship to the Southeast and these mountains for thousands of years," Garza said. "We move through time to include new families that settled the region in the last few hundred years."

With approval from the board of commissioners, the sisters say they'll unveil the first mural during the April 27 Greening Up the Mountains festival in downtown Sylva. From this point, the project will include both Jackson and Swain counties in an effort to reach surrounding communities, they said.

Funds for the project have already been secured from Harrah's Cherokee Casino, and plans call for additional money to be sought from the newly-established Cherokee Preservation Foundation, Garza said.

In addition to the mural project, CSA has contacted officials with the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., about that museum's affiliate program, with a goal of establishing a Smithsonian presence throughout the nation. Plans call for transforming the county courthouse into a local and regional heritage center with the Smithsonian's assistance.

"The museum will honor both native and newly-settled people of Jackson County and stand as a showcase for local artistic talent heritage and history," the sisters said. "It is a choice location that leads directly to the newly restored Hooper House, future home of the Jackson County Chamber of Commerce, a visitors center and Sylva Partners in Renewal offices. The nearby park and walk down Main Street are inviting for walking and exploring downtown."

Though commissioners were generally supportive of allowing the courthouse to used as a museum after the Sheriff's Department vacates the building this summer, questions remained. For example, the second-floor courtroom is under contract to Kudzu Players, the local theater group, for plays. Also, county office space is at a premium, said Chairman Jay Denton.

In other business to come before the board, Economic Development Commission Chairman Tom McClure presented commissioners with the results of the EDC's eight-month study on what impact, if any, a second asphalt plant would have on Jackson County. (APAC-Harrison Construction has operated the county's only other asphalt in Dillsboro since the 1960s.)

As reported Jan. 31, the EDC voted unanimously to recommend the county adopt a polluting industry ordinance and a land use guidance plan. McClure then gave board members an example of a polluting industry ordinance, which addresses such businesses as solid waste facilities, mining operations, concrete plants, incinerators, junkyards, slaughtering plants, motor sports facilities, amusement parks and chip mills.

Commissioners and EDC members will meet Tuesday, Feb. 19, at 5:30 p.m. to discuss the issue in greater detail.

Also last week, commissioners voted 4-1 to advertise a newly-created position for technology support. Currently the county employs one person, whose main job it is to fix computer problems as they arise. The new person, Chairman Denton said, would be asked to bring Jackson County into the electronic age.

The county has spent approximately $50,000 so far this year on contracted services in the area of technology, with another $10,000 projected through June 1, finance officer Darlene Fox said.

"We could continue to out-source with local vendors," Denton said, "but we need someone on staff. There are kids out there with web sites, and we still don't have a fully functioning, interactive web site."

"I agree," said Commissioner Franz Whitmire. "The longer you wait, the further behind you'll be."

"This should have been done three years ago," Commissioner Conrad Burrell added.

Before voting in favor of the new position, Commissioner Stacy Buchanan requested advertising for the new position be postponed since the issue "was sprung on us and it wasn't in our packet."

"This needs to be hashed out at our budget retreat (Feb. 22)," said Commissioner Roberta Crawford, who voted against the measure.

Board members accepted an "unqualified opinion" on their annual audit report from Crisp, Hughes, Evans accounting firm. They also approved an order permanently closing the Jackson County Home Cemetery to future burials.

The next meeting of the Jackson County Board of Commissioners will be held at Thursday, Feb. 21, at the Justice Center. The 5 p.m. work session will include a joint meeting of county leaders, included elected officials from Sylva, Dillsboro, Webster and the Village of Forest Hills. A 7 p.m. regular meeting of the county board will follow.

Back to Archive: 02/14/02.