Commission turns down attempt to rezone
The Anderson County Commission voted against rezoning a parcel of land at 1534 Mountain Road in Andersonville from rural residential to suburban residential. The vote was 7-9.
Several commissioners who voted against it cited opposition from nearby residents as their reason for turning down the proposal.
“We need to listen to the people; I’ll be voting no for this,” Commissioner Anthony Allen said.
“My wishes, and I’ve said this before, are that they go back and do a smaller development,” Commissioner Tim Isbel said.
Phil Yager made the motion in favor of the rezoning, and Allen seconded.
Commissioners Steven Verran, Aaron Wells, Shain Vowell, Tracy Wandell, Shelley Vandagriff, Jerry White, Allen, Joshua Anderson and Isbel voted no.
Sabra Beauchamp, Yager, Tyler Mayes, Michael Foster, Robert Smallridge, Denise Palmer and Robert McKamey voted yes.
The audience applauded as the motion failed.
Bus lines
At the same meeting, the Anderson County Commission decided to approve a contract for the Powell-based company SCU to take over school bus contracts for routes previously held by Andersonville Bus Lines.
Verran made the motion and Beauchamp seconded.
A key advantage SCU has is its price. It consistently bid $72,000 for school routes on which Andersonville bid $87,400, $87,500, $84,700, $82,700, $84,100 and $81,200. In addition to these school routes, SCU bid $97,350 for two routes involving career and technical education students on which Andersonville Bus Lines bid $116,900.
They’re from Clinch River Community School to Clinton High School, and from Clinton High School to Anderson County Career and Technical Center.
The term is six years with six one-year renewal options.
Andersonville Bus Lines disputed the contract with a failed bid protest, turned down by the Anderson County Purchasing Committee. The company tried unsuccessfully to argue it had more experience with the routes and school system.
“I do realize that we’re looking at litigation from either side either way we vote on this,” Joshua Anderson said before the vote.
All commissioners voted yes except Isbel, Wandell, Vandagriff, Anderson and Mc-Kamey.
Kids Fish Free Day is Saturday, June 8
The Clinch River Chapter of Trout Unlimited is looking for children to enjoy one of its happiest events of the year: Kids Fish Free Day, on Saturday, June 8.
It’s open to all children ages 3-16 and admission is free.
Registration is necessary so the group can plan on food.
Visit the chapter’s website at crctu.org/ and scroll down on the home page to the registration form.
Children will be fishing, tying flies, riding in boats, eating hot dogs and signing up for door prizes from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on that Saturday.
As always, the event will be at the Miller Island boat access area on the Clinch River in Norris.
Kids Fish Free Day coincides with the statewide Tennessee Free Fishing Day, so no fishing licenses are required. Cooperating in the event are the Tennessee Valley Authority, TVA Retirees Association and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency.
The Miller Island boat access is on River Road just off Norris Freeway (U.S. 441) in Norris. To get there from I-75, take Clinton/Norris Exit 122 and turn east; pass the Museum of Appalachia and turn left on U.S. 441 toward Norris Dam; just past Island Home Baptist Church, turn left on River Road; drive about a quarter-mile and take the first right into the parking lot.
The Clinch River Chapter of Trout Unlimited works to preserve and protect the Clinch River tailwater and its watershed through conservation projects and education of children and adults in aquatic natural resources. Meetings are held the second Thursday of the month.