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Newport Street Festival and Christmas parade could be cancelled
Although the decision has not been finalized, there is that there will not be a Newport Harvest Street Festival or Christmas parade this year. The Cocke County Partnership Board of Directors meeting Thursday was told because the Cocke County Legislative Body decided against funding the Chamber of Commerce and Tourism offices in the new budget, there are no funds to pay staff and costs associated with the events. The Cocke County Legislative Body recently approved a new budget which removed $244,000 from Partnership funding and appropriated nearly that amount to give county employees a two percent raise. A final decision on whether the events will be held, will be made by month's end. The street festival is planned for the first weekend in October and the Christmas parade in December. Newport also recently decided to end it's annual Pigeon River festival because of the cost to the city. Newport Mayor Connie Ball, a member of the board which was established in 1982, said if the street festival and parade are cancelled "the community will be disappointed but it wasn't our decision." The board also decided against depositing dues payments from new and renewing chamber members because of the uncertainty regarding the viability of the organization. The new county budget also ends funding for economic development at year's end, meaning the Partnership would close it's doors. As a result, Partnership President Don Hurst pointed out that all of the existing industrial property would have to be sold by year's end. "We may have to have a fire sale and we will have to liquidate all the contracts that are currently in place with the Partnership," added Hurst. He went on to say that he anticipates all the current Partnership staff will leave if the organization is shut down. Chamber Executive Director Valerie Fancher has already left, at least partially because of the uncertainty regarding future funding for the organization. The Partnership board asked the staff to delay an unraveling of the organization until additional information is forthcoming. It will meet again on September 18. State law requires economic development in every community, and any operating board must have the support of the three local mayors. In addition, the state must approve a board that is modeled after a board formed a number of years ago in Wilson County. The boards are conceived as providing a mechanism and forum for promoting ongoing cooperation and planning among the local governments in each county. "The purpose of these boards is to foster communication among governmental entities, industry, and private citizens on economic and community development," according to the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR. Hurst said economic development is important, "but community development is what's important to make economic development happen." Newport Mayor Connie Ball voiced concern that the community may loose it's Three Star certification, if the Partnership is disbanded. "If you aren't in compliance, you can't apply for new state grants," Hurst told the board. He also reported that local Partnership employees currently sit on approximately 50 state, regional and local boards. The board also was told that any employees of a newly formed organization will face "a learning curve" and will not be prepared to immediately carry on activities of the community organization. Member Linda Wester said she is concerned that much of the community doesn't have a good understanding of the importance of the Partnership and the various services it provides. And member Marie Bittinger suggested employees of the organization be offered severance packages if the Partnership is disbanded. Cocke County Mayor Vaughn Moore reported that he has been contacted by a national firm that may be interested in purchasing the former Ace Products site on the Industrial Road, but wants to know if an environmental study has been done on the site. Hurst earlier had reported that there is a landfill full of tires on the site, but there are few other environmental issues. The board gave approval for Moore and Newport Mayor Ball, who chairs the Economic Development Commission, to meet with representatives of the firm. Any decision regarding the sale will be up to the Economic Development Commission (EDC) which owns the property. Mayor Ball chairs the EDC which will meet next week.
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Return to Today's News Stories - Front PageThursday, April 29, 2021
US 411 Project News
Mill Creek Wildfire Update
More Bad News For Smokies' Fans
Wednesday, April 28, 2021
Mill Creek Wildfire doubles in size
Goodbye Smokies?
Keep Cocke County Beautiful
Cocke Co. High School Remote Learning today!
Tuesday, April 27, 2021
The fireflies are coming!
Burnout Operations on MillCreek wildfire today
Gas prices drop
Tennessee keeps all US House seats
Monday, April 26, 2021
Boat accident victim ID'd
Traffic stop yields drug arrest
Cocke County Wildfires
Friday, April 23, 2021
Leaving WNPC
Mathis announces candidacy
Newport drug roundup
Cruise Against Cancer
Jobless numbers
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