County enters DOT sign fray
By Scott Nicholson

On Monday, the Watauga County commissioners responded to complaints about a state informational sign on U.S. 321.

The board voted to directed send a letter to transportation officials about the large sign which detractors say breaks up the scenery.

Commissioner Jim Deal asked the resolution include language about the scenic beauty of the area and its consideration in decisions made by the N.C. Department of Transportation. Some people had complained about a 200-square foot sign erected just outside Boone to warn travelers about potential construction delays or weather hazards for U.S. 321 between Blowing Rock and Lenoir, with construction expected to last at least the next seven years.

After that, the sign will become a permanent informational sign, with the DOT able to flash traffic information from local and regional offices.

Some residents had complained about the sign, saying it was in contrast to the DOT’s designation of the Doc and Merle Watson Highway as a state scenic byway, effectively banning billboards along a section of U.S. 421 east of Boone.

“I’m very concerned DOT would do something like that without telling us about it,” Deal said, saying a number of visitors used U.S. 321. “It is a sore spot, a blight on our environment.”

The resolution will be sent to the division DOT representative Arnold Lakey, N.C. transportation secretary Lyndo Tippett, and other state officials.

Inter-county cooperation

The board also announced a Dec. 12 meeting with the Ashe County commissioners to discuss possible joint water-and-sewer projects. The county has been meeting with Boone, Blowing Rock and Appalachian State University to pursue a possible new water intake and supply interconnections. Commissioner Keith Honeycutt also dispelled what he called a rumor linking the county’s interest in water to the development of a large subdivision being developed by Ginn Properties in the eastern part of the county, saying “They’re doing just fine on their own.”

Some of the commissioners will be meeting in Johnson County, Tenn., to discuss a possible joint tourism promotional effort between that county, Watauga, and Washington County, Va. Possible topics include theater or tour packages emphasizing the Appalachian Mountains. The meeting is Dec. 14 at noon.

Other issues

In other action, the board approved a request by the Watauga Sheriff’s Office to apply for $19,000 in crime-control grants with the Governor’s Crime Commission. A $10,000 grant would pay for officers’ overtime and $9,000 would pay for equipment.

The county would be required to pay a 25 percent match if the grants are approved.

The commissioners voted to retain Jim Deal as chairman and Billy Ralph Winkler as vice-chairman. The board also voted to appoint Rocky Nelson to continue as county manager, Anita Fogle as clerk to the board, Rene Barnes as substitute clerk, and to retain the firm of di Santi, Watson, Capua & Wilson to represent the county.

Commissioners also accepted their committee appointments for the coming year. David Blust will serve on the Blue Ridge Resource Conservation and Development Area, Children’s Council/Child Protection Team, Criminal Justice Partnership and Juvenile Crime Commission Council.

Honeycutt will serve on the Community Based Affordable Housing Steering Committee, Community Council, Economic Development Commission, Educational Planning Committee, Project On Aging Advisory Committee, Volunteer Resource Center, Department of Social Services, Cooperative Extension’s Advisory Leadership Council and Watauga Opportunities, and serve as an alternate for the Watauga County Energy Park Working Group and Watauga County Personnel Advisory Committee.

Winston Kinsey will serve on boards with the Appalachian District Health Department, Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute Watauga Advisory Board, EMS Advisory Committee, Future Forward Advisory Board, Motor Vehicles Valuation Review Commission,  Cooperative Extension’s Advisory Leadership Council, Watauga County Energy Park Working Group and Watauga County Fire Commission.

Deal will serve on boards for the Community Council, Educational Planning Committee, Watauga Medical Center Board of Trustees, Watauga County Personnel Advisory Committee, Watauga County Recreation Commission, Western North Carolina Local Government Caucus and Work Force Development Consortium.

Winkler will represent the commissioners on the AppalCART Authority, Committee of 100, High Country Council of Governments, Library Board and New River Mental Health.

The commissioners also reappointed Ric Mattar to the county planning board and Judith Wesson to the Watauga County Nursery Advisory Committee.

The board voted to cancel its second regular meeting for December and will hold its next regular meeting on Tues., Jan. 3, at 9 a.m.

• Scott Nicholson may be contacted

at nicholson@wataugademocrat.com.