Blue Ridge Taxpayer Association
July Message

TO ALL ASSOCIATION MEMBERS AND FUTURE MEMBERS

On this third writing, we hope you all enjoyed a safe and happy 4th of July. It was a wonderful day in Blue Ridge and surrounding Fannin County in spite of some early weather concerns. Beginning with a spirited Main Street parade and culminating with a magnificent firework display over Lake Blue Ridge, one and all showed their pride to be part of this wonderful Community and proud to be an American. Flag waving of all kinds was on display and regardless of personal beliefs, this activity should never be challenged…it should be embraced as our First Amendment Right. At the time of this writing we are 200 plus members strong and vigilant for the continued growth of our Community. For those of you hearing about us for the first time, these are the values represented.

Blue Ridge Taxpayer Association Vision:
Our vision is a representative local government that is based on ethics, transparency and accountability whereby elected officials respect their constituency and act on behalf of the citizens they represent.

Blue Ridge Taxpayer Association Mission:
Our mission is to provide Taxpayers of The City of Blue Ridge and Fannin County with additional eyes and ears to see and hear the nuances of actions and decisions of their local city and county government, and to keep a watchful eye on those who spend our hard earned tax dollars, while promoting awareness among citizen-voters about incompetence, waste, mismanagement and taxpayer abuse by elected officials at the local level.

“New Additions to Blue Ridge”

Nothing is more rewarding for parents than one of their children “coming of age” and becoming a prominent thread in the fabric of today’s society. Three local projects of late, stand out in the same “coming of age” tradition and, as citizens and taxpayers of this County, they should make us all beam with pride.
“The Huey has made its final landing”. This is a phrase (so simple yet so eloquent), that was coined by Jim and Elaine Owen of the Fannin Sentinel in their wonderful and fitting tribute to the restoration of Bell UH-1H, affectionately called “the Huey”. After months of logistics, fund raising, and restoration, a volunteer group of men, many of them Vietnam Veterans, saw their dream come to fruition when Bell Helicopter UH-1 70-16446 was officially dedicated, befittingly on July 4, 2015. It is now permanently displayed proudly in Veterans Memorial Park, the centerpiece of the hallowed grounds that memorialize the dedication of the brave men and women that have given their precious lives in the service of this great Country.

With much less fanfare, but no less pride, The Downtown Scenic Railroad Depot is signaling a new beginning for its valued patrons. The finishing landscape touches have been applied and the “new home” is complete and operational. A long time coming but well worth the wait!

Stay tune for coming details about the downtown streetscape and children’s park. The City of Blue Ridge has just been awarded a very generous grant from the Vaughn-Jordan Foundation in the amount of $120,000! This will go a long way in helping formulate and implement the vision and plan for the near future. Speaking of visions for the near future, what is the status of the much awaited and much needed “Gateways” that have been promised? Let’s not let motorists traveling on Hwy 515 to other destinations (Murphy, NC, and others) pass without seeing the inviting pathways to our beautiful downtown. This is vital to the sustainability of our shops and our restaurants. Merchants and taxpayers alike, let your voices be heard! This is something we need NOW!

“A Time to Put Transparency and Accountability to Practice”

As stated too many times to mention, the vision of this association is a representative local government that is based on ethics, transparency and accountability. Is there a universal feeling among the constituents that this is what we are receiving on a regular basis? Is there lingering doubt about what really transpired when purchases are made outside the guidelines established by City policy? Does anyone question how used, tax payer paid property ends up in the hands of City employees instead of disposed through proper channels? Is anyone embarrassed to see the litany of voter fraud complaints filed against taxpaying citizens only to learn the only potential violations were committed by our own election officials and those representing City government in a legal capacity? Does anyone question the veracity of some “special called meetings” and “sudden agenda changes” by City Council members, especially when some members are told they are not needed and not welcome? These questions and many more will continue to linger and fester in the minds of many until transparency and accountability is the norm and not the exception and ethics is the cornerstone to all that transpires. Let’s start playing by the established rules.

RESPECTFULLY,
THE BLUE RIDGE TAX PAYERS ASSOCIATION

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