County asked to withdraw support of shooting range
By Frank Bradley Sentinel writer

Although the Clay County Commissioners had only expressed its support in a previous meeting for the Forest Service to authorize the construction of a Shooting Range on public property if a suitable site could be located that would meet all safety and requirements, some residents of the county took opposition to that support.

At a public hearing on Thursday, Aurelia Stone, who is the chairperson of the Tusquittee Chapter of the Western North Carolina Alliance, addressed the board requesting they withdraw their support for a shooting range until a public hearing could be held to gather further input from citizens.

The letter read by Stone asked that the commission apply the "same sense of fairness regarding any project that has the potential to affect property values, quality of life, infrastructure issues, general safety and the wishes of the citizens of Clay County."

In the March Commission meeting, the board had by a two vote majority thrown its support in favor of building a range if it met all necessary requirements. Commissioner Harry Jarrett had abstained in that vote.

Several persons had spoken out in favor of constructing a shooting range saying that it would provide a safe place for gun owners to practice, that it would allow a place to teach gun safety, that it would provide an opportunity for a competitive shooting team. There had been no opposition to the proposal at that meeting.

In all fairness, the board only agreed to offer its support is a suitable site could be found. Commissioner Stephen Sellers reaffirmed his support saying, "If it's ok from the environmental impact study, I'm ok with it."

In its regular meeting, the board voted to increase fees for the county land fill, but only slightly. Citing the increase in fuel cost as well as a $2 tax per truck load of trash levied by the North Carolina Department of Revenue, County Manager Paul Leek estimated that the cost to operate the county land fill would increase about $50,000 more this year. An increase of 1/2 cent per pound, raising the cost from 3 1/2 cents per pound to 4 cents per pound to take effect on 1 July of this year. Additionally, the cost of a resident permit will be raised from $65 per year to $70 per year to take effect on January 1, 2009.

The county manager announced that bids for work at the industrial park came in lower that was anticipated and he recommended that the board reject all bids in order to change the scope of work to do the entire project instead of only part of it.

"I think we've got enough money to do the whole project."

The board reappointed Pam Nichols and Cecilia Phillips for another three-year term to the Clay County Nursing and Adult Care Home Community Center Committee; Michael Anderson was reappointed to the Clay County Rural Development Board, and Melvin Cantrell, Ricky Landcaster were reappointed to the Clay County Child Fatality Board. Bill Worley was also appointed to that board filling a vacancy.

The commissioners passed a resolution declaring April Sexual Assault Awareness Month, which urged all citizens to participate fully in activities and event to observe it with the goal of eliminating sexual violence through education and community action, promoting equality, safety and respect among all individuals.

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