Fun Mountain, Arrowmont, Middle East, Gatlinburg,

TO: Gatlinburg, City Commissioners, City Manager
President, GGF
CC: The Mountain Press

Reference The Mountain Press, article, Sunday, August 24th "$500M 'Burg project in the works:" and editorial "After Arrowmont".

If everyone understands the Gatlinburg of the past is gone, never to return, too many variances, too many long term leases, too little looking forward, to much "me,me,me" events will be easier to absorb. I have suggested this before I will suggest it again, plan for Casinos. They will be here much sooner than most think. Any nondisclosure affected negotiations going on? Developers of this project will most probably want casinos and soon and they will have the money to influence Nashville, Sevier County, and Gatlinburg.

Last week The Mountain Press reported the consultants had presented their report for Priority Gatlinburg. Only the most naïve will believe you did not know about this project while going through the motions of the report. All of you might want to explain your participation in the Priority Gatlinburg, I understand not all City Commissioners were present. Why? Priority Gatlinburg is null and void this project will determine the direction and future of Gatlinburg.

It is easy to understand when The Mountain Press reported that with Camp Thunder in the middle why Mayor Mike Werner would not talk about it very much and that he is pleased, talk about an understatement he should be able to appreciate a bundle. Mayor AND business owner, it does not get much better than that. I did not notice any restaurants in the article are we protecting restaurants at the light 10 end of town? David Ogle's concerns are appropriate. When folks come to Gatlinburg why experience the traffic when they can get everything they want at light 3. The park end of Gatlinburg will begin to dry up, oops their goes those businesses..

Away from downtown Gatlinburg, Arrowmont is nothing more than a craft store that offers classes. How about Walter State making room in existing buildings or new buildings and Arrowmont can become a department in the college? Arrowmont should be able to endow itself.

I will close with a caution. $500 million are a lot of dollars so do not be fooled into believing once underway you or anyone will be able to stop progress. Who will let all those millions of dollars go away because Gatlinburg has a limit on the height of structures? You will have absentee owners dictating the future of Gatlinburg. Middle East folks are more familiar with sand than they are with mountains so do not expect anything or anyone to stand in their way. Do you suppose an oil well or a mosque would fit on the property? Local developers may find themselves steamrolled also. Be careful. Try to minimize greed and keep your cards close to your vest because once the cows leave the barn it is too late to close the door.

John Jenkins
425 Patterson Lane
Gatlinburg, TN 37738



Regards, John Jenkins
865-803-8179 cell
Gatlinburg, TNEmail: jrjenki@yahoo.com
Website: http://www.greenbriersolutions.com/ Blog: http://littlepigeon.blogspot.com/
Hyperbole is the Best Thing Ever.