This is taken from Ira Lapides’ website, you can read more here.
8/22/08
SAVE ARROWMONT !
Given that my opponent has taken so much PAC money from the associations that represent realtors and land developers I would be interested in hearing his stance on the issue of selling the Arrowmont School property. The sale of a piece of our communities heritage to these tree-cutting, mountain-top clearing builders of Gatlinburg’s future is absurd but can a candidate who is so indebted to these special interests do more than give lip service to any attempt to stop such development. I have heard a person within the Association of Realtors say that “Doug has always done what we want”. Does this mean he would resist the wishes of a few who want to profit at the expense of many? Would he oppose the loss of a gem within our community or vote to profit his developer friends who want to build 850 rooms requiring 1500 employees and a water park which will fail as an attraction? Why don’t you call Mr. Overbey and ask him?
This is a letter I sent to the Pi Phi Grand Council:
Dear Grand Council. Many of us are in shock over the prospect of potentially losing Arrowmont. But this situation is actually not about Arrowmont at all. It’s about the land; the land that Pi Beta Phi has had stewardship over for 100 years; a proud, honorable stewardship. No one denies the land is valuable. It grows more valuable daily. So selling it today, or selling it later really doesn’t matter. There will always be a developer waiting. Unless there is a financial crisis and the land must sell under duress, I cannot understand why you would walk away from that stewardship. If your true goal is “…another opportunity to benefit the community”, then I ask you to look again at what you choose to accomplish. The Smoky Mountains are already in a state of decline due to pollution, and worsening. Does it benefit a community to add to that pollution? Isn’t the benefit to the community to maintain that small part of the city’s heritage that can never be replaced; a validation of their roots and an anchor for a city in danger of losing itself in commercialism. Your land is indeed in the heart of Gatlinburg. It perhaps is the heart of Gatlinburg. I am imploring you to reexamine your true motives here and remember your stewardship pledge to this area. Gatlinburg needs this testimony to its original state and you already have a tenant that embodies the vision of preserving and promoting this most precious piece of regional and cultural heritage. The community you have dedicated yourselves to needs you to stand strong…for their benefit.
Respectfully,
Barbara J Cashman
Greensboro NC