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Case against helicopter owner continued to Dec. 4By Lisa Majors-Duff |
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A technicality caused the case against the owner of a Qualla sight-seeing helicopter operation to be continued during Tuesday's District Court session.
Charges for violating Jackson County's month-old helicopter ordinance against Smoky Mountain Helicopter Tours owner Bobby Wayne Riggs of Pigeon Forge, Tenn., were dropped. A new charge was filed against company manager Jim Garst, who piloted the helicopter Nov. 4, three days after county commissioners adopted the ordinance. A new court date has been set for Tuesday, Dec. 4. "It was a technical issue that caused the continuance," said Sylva attorney Ben Bridgers, who is representing Smoky Mountain Tours. Though Garst hinted earlier this month that he and owner Riggs might pursue civil action against the county because of the ordinance, Bridgers did not confirm such a move was in the works. "Right now we are responding to the criminal charges," he said Wednesday. Responding to numerous complaints from Qualla residents, county commissioners adopted an ordinance to regulate helicopter sight-seeing operations Nov. 1. In addition to requiring such businesses to operate from the Cullowhee airport, the ordinance says tour companies must submit an operations plan that addresses such things as the general health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the county, the peace and dignity of the county, and the impact upon public institutions such as schools, hospitals, other government operations and eco-tourism. Violations of the ordinance are considered to be misdemeanors and are punishable by a $500 fine or 30 days in jail. |
Back to Archive: 11/29/01. |