A new editorial in the Knoxville News-Sentinel discusses Arrowmont’s future. Most significant:
“Locals need to get involved. Gatlinburg needs some rules about what happens to that property. (The Arrowmont location has) the only green grass growing in Gatlinburg. (The Pi Phi property) did so much for Gatlinburg. They don’t need to give it to a developer.”
and
Gatlinburg Mayor Mike Werner, who owns land in the development area, is pro-development. Pi Phi, according to some sources, could use the cash from a sale.
Going forward, Werner should recuse himself from any official discussions about the Arrowmont property, since he stands to profit personally.
It is my understanding that Mayor Werner does not own the land, but part of a sub-lease and it is the sub-lease for sale.
Yes, it is important for citizens and visitors to contact local officials and let them know that Arrowmont and Arrowcraft should be preserved.
and locals need to stay involved . . . I cannot believe how many now think everything is okay because of the local papers article. my distrusting nature says that is all a ploy to give us a false sense of security and then the local governing bodies can proceed just as they wish without any of us locals breathing down their necks.