Conflict arises at county worksh

Loudon County Commission had a spirited workshop Sept. 18 that led to a heated exchange between a resident of Tellico Village and a commissioner.

Commissioners discussed four resolutions that would amend the county’s zoning map.

Jim Jenkins, codes enforcement director, addressed commission about the changes. One in particular called for the removal of an agriculture stipulation on a C-2, General Commercial District, property on Highway 11 in District 5. The county planning commission recommended removing the stipulation, Jenkins said.

Commissioner Van Shaver gave some background on the property and said the new owner wants to build storage units. Shaver said if the agricultural designation were removed, the property would need to be used for storage buildings only.

“We’re not just going to leave that property as a C-2 unregulated,” Shaver said.

Five residents who spoke during the public comment period about the parcel raised concerns about light pollution, landscaping, the topography of the area and property values.

Ben Mullins, an attorney representing the owner, said if the agricultural designation is removed, a site plan has to go back to county planners for a full review.

Mullins said if the county gives approval, stormwater engineers will review the site and make construction recommendations. Depending on what they find, there might be fewer units at the site, he said.

He promised the owner will work with neighbors about creating a buffer and other concerns.

A property in District 4 was proposed for a change from A-2, Rural Residential District, to R-1, Suburban-Residential District. Jenkins said county planners recommended denial.

Shaver said he was speaking for Commissioner Gary Whitfield, who was recovering from open heart surgery. Shaver said Whitfield wanted to make sure the property isn’t rezoned.

Commissioner Bill Geames said he had spoken with residents when planners thought the parcel was in District 1. Residents don’t want the change, he said.

Finance Director Erin Rice presented a number of routine budget recommendations and emphasized how the county’s reserves grew from $7.2 million in 2017 to $12.7 for 2022.

“The positive growth in the fund balance shows how the collaboration of all these efforts can and do impact the county finances,” Rice said. “With this being said, the county general fund balance for the year in report is $15.2 million. This is an increase of $2.5 million from the previous year.”

Rice said the general purpose school fund increased by $1.7 million from the previous year, noting school reserves are just over $11 million.

During the public comment period, Pat Hunter of Lenoir City raised concerns about county boards and appointments, the county website and a future meeting of the Loudon County Economic Review Committee.

Hunter said if a county leader or department is accused of wrongdoing, the department head should be present and accusations should not be made without proof.

Hunter also asked commission to consider a property tax freeze for seniors, a change she has proposed at various times in the past decade.

Also during the public comment period, Tellico Village resident Susan Gingrich spoke about an email she sent Commissioner Adam Waller on Sept. 9 inquiring about contact information for Loudon County Solid Waste Disposal Commission members. Waller is chairman of the LCSWDC.

Gingrich said she sent a second email Sept. 16 and copied Chairman Henry Cullen on the request. She said she had not received a response and asked Cullen if he received the email.

Cullen said he did get an email addressed to Waller. He said Waller is on a business trip and would address the request when he returns.

Gingrich, who has spoken at a number of commission meetings recently, then shared how she was mentioned Sept. 11 in Shaver’s online blog about the Sept. 5 removal of Hunter from LCSWDC and the Loudon County Public Records Committee. She said Shaver described how commissioners must sometimes make unpopular decisions for the county.

Cullen said there would be no personal attacks during the workshop.

Gingrich said she only wanted to refute what was written about her.

Speaking to Gingrich, Shaver said if Gingrich had personal issues to be addressed with him that they could talk after the meeting. Shaver asked Gingrich to address an item on the agenda.

Gingrich said she wanted to speak about the budget process, which she said was an agenda item. She then read an excerpt she wrote about the budget process in 2019 — a year after she ran for commission against Cullen.

Shaver then cut Gingrich off. After trading words, Gingrich said there is less transparency now than in 2019 because of Shaver and the fact too many people follow him.

Cullen again called for no personal attacks and asked Gingrich to sit down.

Shaver and Gingrich had another heated exchanged before Cullen again asked Gingrich to sit down.

“We don’t have to sit here and be berated and brow-beat by people just because you ran for office,” Shaver said. “You lost. I’m sorry. It’s over. Move along.”

Gingrich then said Shaver isn’t honest and that he supported Cullen when Gingrich ran for the commission seat.

More words were exchanged, including some by other commissioners, before Gingrich sat down.

In unrelated business, commissioners also discussed replacing Commissioner Will Jenkins with Commissioner Joe Morrison on the Capital Projects Committee and Surplus Property Authority and renewing a contract with Humana for retiree insurance for 2024.

The next regular commission meeting is 6 p.m. Monday at the Loudon County Courthouse Annex.