More folks using county transportation
Gas prices are raising user costs
By Frank Bradley SENTINEL WRITER

Maybe it's because of the higher cost of fuel. Maybe it's because more and more people are have heard about it and have decided to take advantage of it. Whatever the reason, more and more folks are using Clay County's public transportation system.

Becky Thompson, who oversees the program, reported that riding usage had risen 25 percent during the past year. She said the buses and vans had clocked in more than a half-million miles, averaging 80 to a 100 trips a day.

"We're getting a new bus and two new mini-vans," she told the board of commissioners at the regularly scheduled monthly on Thursday.

Thompson also announced that it was necessary to raise the user rates due to fuel expense that has almost doubled within the past year.

"For the people who really need it: inside and outside the Hayesville city limits and those who have to go to Murphy Medical Center, the rates will remain the same," she said. There will be increases from Hayesville to surrounding towns as well as to Asheville, Atlanta and Chattanooga, both to airports and medical trips. These increases to take effect on September 1st.

One-way fare to Asheville airport will be $50; to Atlanta or Chattanooga, it will be $85. Trips to Gainesville, Ga. will increase from $20 to $40.

Thompson said that the county is getting extra money to supplement medical trips for the elderly. Also, trips for veterans will be covered by their allowed travel pay.

Thompson emphasized that while the county's transportation department has moved to a new building, it had absolutely no effect on the increased fares. The increased fares are a result of the increased fuel cost, she said.

Reporting to the board on travel and tourism, Elizabeth McLamb and Larry Ford asked that the position on the Travel and Tourism Board that has been slotted for the county manager be replaced by a county commissioner because of the economic development component of that board.

Commisssioner Harry Jarrett has been attending the Travel and Tourism board's meetings. The county board approved the recommendation and appointed Jarrett as a member of the board.

In another matter, Joyce Battle has served the maximum time (nine years) allowed on the Nantahala Regional Library board and has to come off, according to its by-laws. Bass Hyatt was recommended as a replacement for Ms. Battle, and the board approved that appointment.

On a matter concerning the county's industrial park, a $400,000 grant for road work which was scheduled to be completed in two year was reported by the county manager as not being completely done, and he requested the board allow him to enter into an agreement to extend the contract to December 15, 2008. The board approved that request.

County manager Paul Leek asked the board to adopt a resolution concerning safety and risk management by adopting the NC manual of the association of county commissioners. He said it lays out the reporting procedures step by step and that there would be the benefit of the county getting a discount on its liability insurance. The board approved the measure.

The board of commissioners also approved a request by Lewis Cohen, a volunteer who provides mediation services for the county, to allow access to an upper entry way of the courthouse after hours due to his physical limitation and his need to access the building after normal working hours.

County manager Paul Leek and the sheriff reported that the jail kitchen is completed and they were awaiting final approval from the Department of Corrections in Raleigh to begin preparing meals, which commenced this week. Previously, meals have been prepared by Hayesville Family Restaurant; however with the new kitchen it has become more economical for the county to have them prepared at the jail. Commissioner Herbert Cheeks said the board applauded Tommy Hooper and all the help he has given the county in the past by performing this function.

The new sheriff's building is moving along with a lot of activity expected this week. Leek said they are shooting for a completion date of January.

Several months ago, the county applied for a recycling trailer to be placed on the school grounds. The county was awarded the grant of $6,000. The trailer is located out west. Plans are to send someone from Clay County to pick up the trailer at an estimated cost of $2,000.

The county had also applied for a $25,000 grant to come up with a preservation plan for the old courthouse, which it expects to be approved. The board approved a motion giving the county manager the authority to enter into a contract with a planner in Brevard, NC, who has had considerable expertise in restoring old buildings. The plan was also to determine best use of the building.

Larry Sams spoke at the public hearing portion of the meeting expressing support of the land transfer tax. Commissioners Cheeks and Stephen Sellers both said it was a matter to be decided by the voters, and it was hoped that the people would educate themselves before the vote.

Sandy Zimmerman, representing Congressman Heath Schuler, spoke to the board about the dedication of the new satellite Veterans Clinic opening in Franklin, NC, which take place next Monday at 3:30 p.m. She invited governmental officials to attend as well as veterans and the public.

She estimated that about 40 people who want to go will need special assistance and that the county's department of transportation is providing a bus. A special gathering of veterans is also expected to take place a hour before the dedication.

Bob LeKites appeared before the board and suggested the county consider a pumpkin throwing event to take place the week after Halloween. He said it could generate tourism into the county and had been a successful annual event elsewhere.

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