Canada, Cashiers groups request county assistance

By Lisa Majors-Duff

Speaking on behalf of the residents of Canada community, who hosted the Sept. 20 meeting, Ed Riley appealed to commissioners to transfer the old Canada School property, which he said "has outlived its usefulness," to the volunteer fire department. The community would like to see the building razed and the property used for recreational purposes, including a walking trail, playground, pavilion and ballfields, he said.

The area could also benefit the fire department, which also houses the community building, with needed parking, Riley said.

The benefits to the community would be many, he said, including "community pride, cohesiveness, involvement and growth."

The Canada School, built in 1951 to serve 91 students, was consolidated with Cullowhee in 1982. School officials last year deeded the property to county commissioners so it could be used to meet the area's recreational needs.

Appearing before the board for the third time, Barbara Carlton of Cashiers again requested funds for an expansion of the Cashiers Community Library. The results of a recent space needs study show the facility is in need of a larger children's area, an outdoor reading space, another meeting room and an expanded work room, according to librarian Diane Strom.

"This is not a wish list or pie-in-the-sky thinking," Strom said. "This is actual planning. It's what we are supposed to do."

Carlton reiterated her promise that she would work to raise matching funds for any contribution made by the county.

Commission Chairman Jay Denton thanked the speakers and said their requests would be considered during the next budget cycle.

A topic of concern during the regular meeting following the work session was the status of paving the remainder of N.C. 281. Community resident Charles Knight asked what the board of commissioners might be able to do to see that the road is paved.

"Just the money spent maintaining the road would have already paid to have it paved," he said.

Commissioner Conrad Burrell, who also serves on the Department of Transportation board, said the state is working on securing a final environmental assessment required by the N.C. Forest Service, which owns property on N.C. 281.

"This road is an immediate concern," Burrell said. "We are doing everything we can to get the permits... You can rest assured that we are going to get that taken care of."

In other business to come before the board, commissioners approved an order that changes how they conduct their official business. As presented by Commissioner Roberta Crawford, the order directs the county manager, instead of the chairman of the board, to assemble agenda items and disseminate information. Agendas are to be handed out the Friday before a regular Thursday board meeting, the order says.

"(The order) is simply designed to help the board work more efficiently," Crawford said.

Chairman Denton, who voted against the measure with Commissioner Franz Whitmire, pointed out during the discussion that the board adopted rules of procedure early on in their tenure that called for agendas to be handed out 24 hours before a regular meeting.

"Our agendas are working documents," said Denton. It is not unusual for last-minute items to be added or taken away, he said.

If changes were needed to the rules of procedure, why did the entire board not discuss them instead of one commissioner directing the county manager to draft an order, Denton asked. "I believe (the county manager's) task is to carry out the wishes of the entire board, not just the individuals," he said.

Commissioner Burrell, who voted in support of Crawford's order with Commissioner Stacy Buchanan, said he has had difficulty getting information in time to be prepared for meetings. He brought up the example of requesting an agenda on Tuesday and being told it was not ready. An out-of-town meeting prevented him from receiving the agenda any earlier than three hours prior to the Thursday meeting, he said.

"If you are out of town, then you're at a disadvantage," Denton said.

The agenda in question was delayed at the request of county Manager Ken Westmoreland, said board clerk Darlene Fox, who until last week assembled agendas based on instructions from Denton.

"Does this (order) mean the county manager, not Ms. Fox, will be responsible for the agendas?" Denton asked.

"Yes," Crawford said.

Also approved was a resolution in support of efforts of the Cullowhee Volunteer Fire Department to relocate its headquarters. Department officials have "some property in mind on N.C. 107," said Denton, but details were not available.

Approved for seats on the county planning board were Bill Lyons of Cullowhee Mountain and Mickey Henson of Webster. Appointments to the transportation committee were tabled. Commissioners will hold a special meeting tonight (Thursday) at 6 p.m. with members of the planning board to discuss progress on a cell tower ordinance. A 90-day moratorium on cell tower construction has been in place in Jackson County since August.

That meeting will be followed at 7 p.m. by a joint work session between commissioners and members of the solid waste advisory board, who are working on developing a countywide solid waste ordinance.

The next regular meeting of the board will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 4, at the Justice Center in Sylva.

Back to Archive: 09/27/01.