Commission discusses EDA resolut

Loudon County Commission considered a way to handle the dispute over the Loudon County Economic Development Agency last week during a workshop.

Commissioner Van Shaver presented a resolution designating Loudon County as the lead in conflicts over EDA issues between Loudon, Lenoir City and the county. Shaver said such an approach makes sense because the county is the majority funding stakeholder.

EDA was formed as a joint venture between the three governments to provide economic and community development programs.

Shaver said the county pays nearly 70% of EDA operating costs, including salaries. He mentioned examples of a possible conflicts as annexations involving urban growth boundaries.

“... I would think the county has a little more weight than the cities do since we’re paying $177,000 and Loudon’s paying ($39,000) and Lenoir City is paying ($35,000),” Shaver said.

He requested commissioners review the document and send him proposed changes.

Loudon County Commission voted Aug. 7 to have a committee review a 2008 interlocal agreement that governs the EDA. Commissioner Gary Whitfield requested the review committee be able to look over Shaver’s resolution as well.

A letter dated July 26 from Henry Cullen, commission chairman, indicates the county voted June 26 to withdraw from the agreement. The action becomes effective Aug. 1, 2025.

In an unrelated matter, Shaver asked commissioners to consider removing Pat Hunter from the Loudon County Solid Waste Disposal and Public Records commissions.

Shaver said he takes full responsibility for recommending Hunter for the two panels, which he added he now believes was a mistake.

Commissioner Rosemary Hines Quillen asked if the two entities could vote to remove Hunter or if there was another process besides removal by commission.

Shaver said commission was the ultimate appointing body and had the power to appoint and remove. He cited the example last year of commission removing every member of LCSWDC except Hunter.

Shaver and Hunter have openly disagreed at commission meetings about public records and other matters.

Hunter was not present at the workshop, but several residents spoke against her removal.

Rich Anklin of Tellico Village said based on his observations at meetings that removing Hunter has no merit.

“You may not like Pat, but she’s one of the most intelligent women I have ever met and that’s from my 45 years of manufacturing experience,” Anklin said. “She has an encyclopedic memory. She has pieces of paper she can pull out in a heartbeat.

“You guys want to take her off that committee, either one of them?” he added. “Have fun, because you’re going to die without her. There’s nobody on that committee, specifically the solid waste, that understands the processes, procedures and the things needed to be done, and Republic’s going to run right over you.”

Monty Ross, a representative for Lenoir City on the LCSWDC, said members of the panel have been working well together and appealed to the county to let them continue.

Ross said Hunter has important historical knowledge that benefits the solid waste commission.

Commissioner Chase Randolph said two members of the solid waste commission told him Hunter was unreasonable and that they no longer wanted to work with her.