Questions surround helicopter ordinance

By Lisa Majors-Duff

But that turned out to be false information. Board Chairman Jay Denton, after requesting a show of hands of those in attendance for that purpose, let it be known that although a draft was in the works, it was not available for public review.

"At this time we don't have an ordinance, but it's being worked on," Denton told the crowd. "We have not forgotten you."

After hearing from their attorney about the legal implications of banning helicopter tours, commissioners instructed him to draft an ordinance that would instead place regulations on such businesses. That request followed a barrage of complaints from Qualla community residents, who said their way of life was "being destroyed" by the frequency and noise associated with Great Smoky Mountain Helicopter flights.

Though Denton indicated the proposed ordinance would be discussed during the board's next meeting - which is scheduled for 5 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 20, at the Canada CDC - Commissioner Roberta Crawford said Tuesday that discussion on the issue could again be postponed.

"I prefer not to talk about it in Canada," said Crawford, who indicated a special meeting of the board in Qualla may be a more appropriate venue for the discussion.

Regardless of when the proposed ordinance is discussed, "there's still an intent to have a public hearing" on the document, county attorney Raymond Large said.

"That's when you need to show up," Denton told the audience last week.

As of Tuesday, county Manager Ken Westmoreland and Commissioner Crawford said they had received copies of the proposal from Large, but neither would release the document on their attorney's advice. Thought the proposed ordinance would appear to qualify as a public record at this point, it remains unclear when it will be available for review.

Back to Archive: 09/13/01.