Letter to Gatlinburg City Commissioners Which They Ignored

Mayor Werner:
Vice Mayor Helton:
Commissioner Hayes:
Commissioner Montgomery:
Commissioner Smith:


I moved to Gatlinburg seven years ago. Our family has vacationed in Gatlinburg since 1963 and have seen the area change drastically over that time. Over those years it was evident Gatlinburg did not believe in planning ahead and that anywhere you could find a place you were allowed to build something, regardless of appearance or how it fit in with the mountains. It appeared the dollar was the only thing that was important and the affect on the city was of no consequence. It appears to continue to be that way even with the Gateway Foundation and other attempts by special interest groups that will ultimately fail due to the lack of support by City Government and city management. I remember the Mountain View Inn and now that land is a disgrace to any city as well as the area along the East Parkway that appears to be an annex for the sanitation department, and the city, specifically you as the leaders of the city, permit it. There is nothing quaint about Gatlinburg and other than for being in the mountains Gatlinburg no longer has anything to do with the mountains. Most of the problems began before any of you were in office but since you are all business people I imagine you are the cause of some.

This past summer we traveled in several of the western states. Something we noticed, in several states including Montana and South Dakota, but also in Illinois, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Missouri and other states, was the abundance of casinos. It seemed that in every town and city casinos were everywhere: gas stations, restaurants, book stores, bars, many times we saw one or more at each corner of intersections. It occurred to me that is the future of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge and maybe even Sevierville unless cities plan now for when casinos become legal in Tennessee.

I believe casinos are not currently allowed in Tennessee but it is just a matter of time. I imagine 10 years ago the idea of Tennessee having a lottery was unexpected but it happened and casinos will not be far behind. Now is the time to zone to prohibit or control the locations of casinos or Gatlinburg will become a quaint mountain town full of tattoo shops, motorcycle shops, vulgar T-shirts shops and casinos beckoning families to come enjoy all that Gatlinburg has to offer.

Now is the time to decide what place casinos will play in Gatlinburg. When they become legal in Tennessee it will too late.

I am assuming that you as individuals and business people will not be leading the way to get casinos legalized.

Sometime the businesses of Gatlinburg will have to begin to work together, led by the City Commissioners as well as business people, to do what is best for the city and not individual bank accounts. I expect the alternative to be no bank accounts.


Respectfully submitted,