Statement from David Willard, Director of Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts and the Arrowmont Board of Governors in Response to the August 30 Knoxville News-Sentinel Article
September 2, 2008
For Immediate Release:
On Saturday, August 30, 2008 it was made public that Lee and Lori Reagan,
along with Allen Cox, met with Josh Flory of the Knoxville News-Sentinel,
to discuss in more detail the plans for the property that Arrowmont leases and the surrounding acreage.
In the front page article written by Flory, the Reagans revealed that
“Arrowmont is in [the] initial plans of [the] site’s development group.”
David Willard, Director of Arrowmont School of Arts and Crafts, and the
Board of Governors have not been given the opportunity to view, discuss or
respond to the plans mentioned. In the article, it is stated that Wendy
Drochelman, Pi Beta Phi Fraternity’s director of marketing and
communications, says that “discussions would be between Arrowmont and the
development group” regarding the “spot for the school” after the sale is
completed; however, to date, the information has only been shared with Pi
Beta Phi Fraternity leadership and not with Arrowmont or the Board of
Governors.
In response to the Knoxville News-Sentinel article, David Willard says
he is encouraged to hear that the Reagans are concerned about the future
of Arrowmont. Mr. Willard and the Board of Governors welcome the
opportunity to discuss their plans. Arrowmont’s Board of Governors planning
committees are exploring several options for the future of the school.
We are overwhelmed with the tremendous show of support and confidence from the
community and our constituents and will continue to keep you informed about
Arrowmont’s plans.
Thanks so much for the thoughtful clarification of some issues regarding this sale. And I think you should be VERY concerned about the Reagan’s plans for the school…they’ve done SO well in the past – Fun Mountain, Carousel Mall, Godiva Giggles (phone listing) NO LONGER AT THIS LOCATION AS OF 2/22/2008 (Carousel Mall), etc.
Can’t believe there isn’t a TN State Bank sign out front already!
And NO Middle Eastern money…PROVE IT…and satisfy everyone. We’re not as dumb as we look. We’ll be able to figure out the BIG words.
Interesting that the developer hasn’t been sharing the information with Arrowmont and as they have had to do since the beginning, they are getting the news second hand. As for the money – most of the claims are that t is “mostly” local money… hhhmmm wonder where that other money is coming from?