County approves loan for Cullowhee recycler

By Lisa Majors-Duff

The vote followed a recommendation from Tom McClure, chairman of the county's revolving loan committee.

"I think (Thomas) has made a good-faith effort," McClure told the board. "He has a good business and good potential."

Thomas requested the loan to finalize his purchase of a trash hauling business from Tim Foxworth. The two-year loan will be secured by the equipment and Thomas's home, McClure said.

In another matter concerning the county's revolving loan program, McClure recommended the board offer to settle an 8-year-old loan originally made to Hensley-Dean sign company. Shortly after the company went bankrupt in the mid-1990s, Authur Stephens agreed to carry the loan but has never made a payment, McClure said.

The offer to settle, the first in the history of the program, would be based on the county receiving 50 cents on the dollar, or about $15,000, McClure said.

"Rather than continue to carry it, I recommend we settle it," McClure said. "Our alternative is that it will sit on the books forever and we'll collect nothing."

Board members approved the recommendation.

Finally on the subject of county loans, board members approved a revised agreement concerning funds loaned to Southern Lumber as a result of changes made by Macon Savings Bank, the primary lender.

"The loan is performing well, and all payments are coming in on time," McClure said in making his recommendation. "They're seeing an increase in business. About $2 million since you approved the loan."

Southern Lumber Co. of Sylva received $218,000 from the county's revolving loan fund in early 1999 as part of a total $1.6 million loan package required to build a 36,000-square-foot expansion of the hardware business on Skyland Drive. The new agreement requested by bank officials will not change the county's status, McClure said.

In other business to come before the board, commissioners approved a memorandum of agreement to join the Eastern Band of Cherokee, the state and the nation in the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Project Impact, an effort to build a disaster resistent community. According to the agreement, the Eastern Band's Local Emergency Planning Committee, which has been actively involved in community hazard and disaster planning, will take the lead in giving direction and structure to the program.

In his presentation to the board, Paxton Myers of the Eastern Band outlined the benefits of "Masters of Disasters" kits designed to teach school children disaster safety basics. He'll next meet with the Jackson County Board of Education to discuss how many kits might be required in the schools.

In his update for board members, Chairman Jay Denton reported that construction of the county's new construction and demolition landfill on Mineral Springs Road is under way, and construction on the new jail on the Justice Center campus is scheduled to being in early May.

Denton also reported that he and other county officials have discussed a water study to be conducted by the Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority in the coming year. Such a study, he said, would be used to determine if the county will have enough water to meet future demands.

On the recommendation of their architects, commissioners approved the expenditure of $124,315 for furniture at the new Scotts Creek Elementary School, which should be ready for students this fall. At their last meeting, board members approved the necessary funds to furnish the school's library.

The county's scrap tire contract with Millsaps Tire Haulers for $44,608 was approved, as was a budget amendment requested by Sheriff Jim Cruzan to move funds from supplies to salaries.

Also approved was a resolution creating the Glenville-Cashiers-Sapphire fire district, which will be served primarily by the Sapphire substation. The new fire district makes it possible for those located within the district to receive decreased fire insurance fees.

Before going into closed discussion to consult with their attorney, commissioners named Chairman Denton to serve on the TWSA review committee to be headed by Sylva Mayor Brenda Oliver.

The next meeting of the Jackson County Board of Commissioners will be held Thursday, May 10, beginning at 5 p.m. with a special session to discuss the 2001-02 budget. This session will be followed by a regular meeting of the board at 7 p.m.

Back to Archive: 04/26/01.