Thank you for taking the time and effort to explain these issues in an easy to understand manner. Too often government issues become bogged down into ‘bureaucracy-speak’ with terms and acronyms that the general public (myself included) are unfamiliar with. I appreciate your dedication to helpfully clarify and educate.✌🏻
I appreciate the information and encourage you to think now about "hills to die on." What troubles me is the subtle "ineveitablity" proposition woven into your piece on annexation-expansion- population growth and urban growth boundaries. Am I mistaken about what I "read" as resignation - capitulation- to our lack of policy... or lack of Power??? As to policy and Power to control our UGB - if ever there were a "hill to die on" that would be a worthy one. As I have had the recent displeasure to discover, County Ordinance 17-71 and Planning Commission's By Laws have created a government structure in which Joe Kernel serves as a one-man planning commission, replacing the statutory Planning Commission. For that reason, we have no true planning done by anything like an appointed commission... And - no matter how beautifully you write, Chairman Blount-- the dominance of Council's Handler(s) (whom Council naively keeps in place) will lead to an all to predictable result. You will be told you have no Power - that annexation/expansion limitations can't be enacted... To which I will reply: Baloney! If this comes off as "edgy," you read my tone correctly. (Transparent? Yes!) This Council is young - and inexperienced-- but if it lacks the wisdom to make the course-corrections that it was elected to make, those failures will not be forgotten. I end with this suggeston: that Greenville take lessons and quickly learn from other local governments. Many have said "No" to unbridled growth in meaningful ways, imposed moratoriums, and fired County Administrators.
In my newsletter, I aimed to present a realistic assessment of the current state of our policies and the challenges we face in managing growth. My intention was not to convey resignation or capitulation but to highlight the structural and procedural hurdles that exist within our local governance framework. 
I share your passion for proactive policy-making and assertive action to manage our county’s growth effectively. Identifying strategic priorities and advocating for meaningful change are indeed crucial steps. My approach is intended to inform and engage our community in understanding the complexities involved, rather than deflecting responsibility. By acknowledging the limitations and challenges we face, I believe we can better strategize and mobilize efforts to enact effective policies that reflect our collective vision for Greenville’s future.
On a side note, thanks to your “baloney” remark, I am now starving and headed to the store so I can fry up some for a lunch sandwich!
it seems that this current letter actually mentions every complaint and issue i brought up in my last 2 communications with you/followers-lol...the only way to handle the overdevelopment and severe strain on the outdated/overwhelmed infrastructure and the tremendous stress on the environment is to initiate a hold on the overly aggressive developers/investors/builders/HOAs etc etc ...is to stop it/the extreme damage for 3-5 years bud...if not the existing power lines/sewers/water mains/hydrants/underground cables/gas lines etc will crumble under the stress/overuse and insurmountable influx of families-you cant feed all of these residential/commercial and industrial projects on the existing utilities-35 years of underground experience in utility installation/repairs and upgrades tells me that you and the other non thinking council members are seeing dollar signs not common sense-here in my new development i moved into 5 years ago is already and has already been tested-we had a main break here about 14-15 months ago-6 inch(maybe 8 inch)water main-the emergency shut down couldnt be done for a few reasons-one being that greenville water doesnt test or repair the valves as often or as fast as they should be-there should be 2-3 crews out at night checking main line valves to make sure that in case of an emergency the valves are not only operable but in working condition-for two the existing/older mains for gas/water and sewer were installed to handle a smaller amount of usage/consumption by not replacing them with larger ones the pressure/stress and wear and tear/ volume are straining their usage guidelines-lastly i dont think the money being raked in by greenville water/rewa/metro connects is being utilized correctly to ensure for protections on any accidental catastrophes(piedmont gas/duke energy too)-if you dont put a hold on the overdevelopment you are creating many accidents waiting to happen-sorry but its completely true-these entities are in over their heads bud-this isnt atlanta and youre tempting fate-enjoy your afternoon
oh and one more thing-i guarantee that every head manager at all of these entities i mentioned will look you in the eye and tell you the existing infrastructure and themselves can handle the excessive usage/strain...i lived it/saw it/heard it all before....lol
i am replying to the last segment of your newsletter not the hurricane clean up but even that proves the need for upgrades/improvements to emergency preparation-again enjoy your afternoon-theres still a lot of storm debris left and its february(sort of proves my point on preparedness)
Councilman Blount: Thank you for your transparency around the proposed development for Inn at Altamont. If I'm not mistaken, when this post originally went out, there was also information around a TR City Council meeting around the Annexation that was scheduled for February 15th at TR City Hall. However, as I look back at the post this seems to have been removed. Do you happen to know if this is still happening?
You are not mistaken. I got some bad info and had to go correct it after. They did not currently have it on the agenda, but as soon as they do, I will make sure to post it and let everyone know!
I have no problem w the Inn at Altamount other than I wish they could use appropriate, tasteful architecture like the Grand Bohemian downtown that is built to look like a mountain lodge.
Instead the renderings for the Inn at Altamount look like the bland, generic (cheap?) looking exterior that blemishes the landscape in so many places.
If they truly want to build a luxury resort, they really ought to search out the architect firm that designed the Grand Bohemian.
Based on the renderings, it looks like it will resemble an overpriced Hilton Garden Inn.
I was kidding, you mentioned grabbing a slice of pie and I was kidding., it was a great set-up line. Wow, I, stupidly it seems, thought you would connect the dots and get a chuckle. I guess important people don't like to chuckle at themselves. Sorry. 😎
It’s not necessarily what I took from it, rather what the public might. I have learned that it doesn’t take much for people to take off with an incorrect narrative. I can laugh at myself for being big, bald, or country fried….but not about being in it for the money. It’s been quite the opposite scenario. No offense taken, just wanted to clarify for anyone who may have taken it the wrong way!:)
All I was doing was taking your innocent statement and twisting it into what I considered to be a humorous gotcha. I made no insinuation of any inappropriate behavior. I guess my problem is I like to laugh. After I posted that I expected you to reply by saying it was a very good piece of blueberry pie, or something similar. I had no idea it would be considered even a remote accusation.
Haha, I'll never try to bribe ya, instead I'll eat the whole Cheesecake; mmmmm...
Two things, since I don't factually know the entity I mentioned is receiving FEMA funding I'll not mention their name. Also, the fact FEMA is being asked to pay for our local clean-up is quite telling. Our so-called conservative elected politicians are willing to grift off of the largess offered by the Biden administration. I guess we are not capable of taking care of ourselves, we need, or expect big brother, who is deeply in debt, to pay for what we must not think is worth paying for ourselves.
Pathetic, but hopefully the new sheriff will stop such vote buying.
Fred, thanks for your comment. I guess I was wrong making my "final" comment.
I should know by now, given my advanced age, at this point in time here in the United States, the elected politicians and unelected bureaucrats who have been allowed to control what is considered to be the educational system, have won the war. They have produced legions (Mk 5:9) of semi-literate people who can read, but without a capacity to think; not to mention their other successes.
Fred, if I offended you I hope you accept my humble apology, because I would never, EVER, want to offend you; and I'm not yoking! [sic]
Now that we are, hopefully, reaching the conclusion of the county's Helene clean-up efforts, I want to ask a couple of questions. First, is the county legally compelled to perform & pay for such clean-up efforts? If so, what are the applicable laws; if not, what compels the county to undertake the tasks/cost?
Secondly, once the effort is deemed complete, will taxpayers be able to access the cost numbers related to the total clean-up efforts? It will be interesting to see how much was paid, and to whom and for what.
On a related note, recently I was informed a fairly large privately held entity which I believe is in your district is receiving funds, some of which were said to come from FEMA, to help pay for what is mostly cosmetic repairs. Is the county contributing funds to similar entities for similar repairs?
Finally, as Chairman of County Council I guess we shouldn't be surprised to learn you want to grab a slice of the pie ..... .
1. The County is assisting with the debris cleanup because it is a service we feel is important as an emergency service to taxpayers due to the size and scope of the storm damage, especially for those whom could not otherwise handle it financially themselves. 100% of it is paid back to the County through FEMA.
2. Yes, the taxpayers will get a full cost expenditures dispute it being 100% recouped. That’s transparency that citizens deserve!
3. I do not know which company or entity you are referring to but happy to look into it if you would like to provide that info through county email for me to address. Once that is addressed, I can also look at the last part of the question, but I have not personally signed off on or seen through finance committee, ANY funds going to assist companies/entities with cosmetic repairs.
4. I am happy to address all parts except the last one which is unwarranted, unfair, and uncalled for in my opinion—Especially considering my family operates at a severe deficit since my choosing to become an elected official. The pie I was referring to in the newsletter was very clear in both subject and intention. I take this role very seriously as do I my integrity. Even if this is in a joking matter, I simply don’t think it’s appropriate.
I really thank you, Benton. You heading us in the correct direction.
I echo April Moseley's comment down below.
Thank you for taking the time and effort to explain these issues in an easy to understand manner. Too often government issues become bogged down into ‘bureaucracy-speak’ with terms and acronyms that the general public (myself included) are unfamiliar with. I appreciate your dedication to helpfully clarify and educate.✌🏻
Another outstanding report! Smart planning is essential! From the military: "Prior Planning Prevents Pi**-Poor Performance"!
I really appreciate your willingness to keep us informed!
I appreciate the information and encourage you to think now about "hills to die on." What troubles me is the subtle "ineveitablity" proposition woven into your piece on annexation-expansion- population growth and urban growth boundaries. Am I mistaken about what I "read" as resignation - capitulation- to our lack of policy... or lack of Power??? As to policy and Power to control our UGB - if ever there were a "hill to die on" that would be a worthy one. As I have had the recent displeasure to discover, County Ordinance 17-71 and Planning Commission's By Laws have created a government structure in which Joe Kernel serves as a one-man planning commission, replacing the statutory Planning Commission. For that reason, we have no true planning done by anything like an appointed commission... And - no matter how beautifully you write, Chairman Blount-- the dominance of Council's Handler(s) (whom Council naively keeps in place) will lead to an all to predictable result. You will be told you have no Power - that annexation/expansion limitations can't be enacted... To which I will reply: Baloney! If this comes off as "edgy," you read my tone correctly. (Transparent? Yes!) This Council is young - and inexperienced-- but if it lacks the wisdom to make the course-corrections that it was elected to make, those failures will not be forgotten. I end with this suggeston: that Greenville take lessons and quickly learn from other local governments. Many have said "No" to unbridled growth in meaningful ways, imposed moratoriums, and fired County Administrators.
In my newsletter, I aimed to present a realistic assessment of the current state of our policies and the challenges we face in managing growth. My intention was not to convey resignation or capitulation but to highlight the structural and procedural hurdles that exist within our local governance framework. 
I share your passion for proactive policy-making and assertive action to manage our county’s growth effectively. Identifying strategic priorities and advocating for meaningful change are indeed crucial steps. My approach is intended to inform and engage our community in understanding the complexities involved, rather than deflecting responsibility. By acknowledging the limitations and challenges we face, I believe we can better strategize and mobilize efforts to enact effective policies that reflect our collective vision for Greenville’s future.
On a side note, thanks to your “baloney” remark, I am now starving and headed to the store so I can fry up some for a lunch sandwich!
it seems that this current letter actually mentions every complaint and issue i brought up in my last 2 communications with you/followers-lol...the only way to handle the overdevelopment and severe strain on the outdated/overwhelmed infrastructure and the tremendous stress on the environment is to initiate a hold on the overly aggressive developers/investors/builders/HOAs etc etc ...is to stop it/the extreme damage for 3-5 years bud...if not the existing power lines/sewers/water mains/hydrants/underground cables/gas lines etc will crumble under the stress/overuse and insurmountable influx of families-you cant feed all of these residential/commercial and industrial projects on the existing utilities-35 years of underground experience in utility installation/repairs and upgrades tells me that you and the other non thinking council members are seeing dollar signs not common sense-here in my new development i moved into 5 years ago is already and has already been tested-we had a main break here about 14-15 months ago-6 inch(maybe 8 inch)water main-the emergency shut down couldnt be done for a few reasons-one being that greenville water doesnt test or repair the valves as often or as fast as they should be-there should be 2-3 crews out at night checking main line valves to make sure that in case of an emergency the valves are not only operable but in working condition-for two the existing/older mains for gas/water and sewer were installed to handle a smaller amount of usage/consumption by not replacing them with larger ones the pressure/stress and wear and tear/ volume are straining their usage guidelines-lastly i dont think the money being raked in by greenville water/rewa/metro connects is being utilized correctly to ensure for protections on any accidental catastrophes(piedmont gas/duke energy too)-if you dont put a hold on the overdevelopment you are creating many accidents waiting to happen-sorry but its completely true-these entities are in over their heads bud-this isnt atlanta and youre tempting fate-enjoy your afternoon
oh and one more thing-i guarantee that every head manager at all of these entities i mentioned will look you in the eye and tell you the existing infrastructure and themselves can handle the excessive usage/strain...i lived it/saw it/heard it all before....lol
i am replying to the last segment of your newsletter not the hurricane clean up but even that proves the need for upgrades/improvements to emergency preparation-again enjoy your afternoon-theres still a lot of storm debris left and its february(sort of proves my point on preparedness)
Councilman Blount: Thank you for your transparency around the proposed development for Inn at Altamont. If I'm not mistaken, when this post originally went out, there was also information around a TR City Council meeting around the Annexation that was scheduled for February 15th at TR City Hall. However, as I look back at the post this seems to have been removed. Do you happen to know if this is still happening?
You are not mistaken. I got some bad info and had to go correct it after. They did not currently have it on the agenda, but as soon as they do, I will make sure to post it and let everyone know!
I have no problem w the Inn at Altamount other than I wish they could use appropriate, tasteful architecture like the Grand Bohemian downtown that is built to look like a mountain lodge.
Instead the renderings for the Inn at Altamount look like the bland, generic (cheap?) looking exterior that blemishes the landscape in so many places.
If they truly want to build a luxury resort, they really ought to search out the architect firm that designed the Grand Bohemian.
Based on the renderings, it looks like it will resemble an overpriced Hilton Garden Inn.
I was kidding, you mentioned grabbing a slice of pie and I was kidding., it was a great set-up line. Wow, I, stupidly it seems, thought you would connect the dots and get a chuckle. I guess important people don't like to chuckle at themselves. Sorry. 😎
I look forward to seeing the answers.
It’s not necessarily what I took from it, rather what the public might. I have learned that it doesn’t take much for people to take off with an incorrect narrative. I can laugh at myself for being big, bald, or country fried….but not about being in it for the money. It’s been quite the opposite scenario. No offense taken, just wanted to clarify for anyone who may have taken it the wrong way!:)
All I was doing was taking your innocent statement and twisting it into what I considered to be a humorous gotcha. I made no insinuation of any inappropriate behavior. I guess my problem is I like to laugh. After I posted that I expected you to reply by saying it was a very good piece of blueberry pie, or something similar. I had no idea it would be considered even a remote accusation.
Well for future reference, I like cheesecake!;)
Haha, I'll never try to bribe ya, instead I'll eat the whole Cheesecake; mmmmm...
Two things, since I don't factually know the entity I mentioned is receiving FEMA funding I'll not mention their name. Also, the fact FEMA is being asked to pay for our local clean-up is quite telling. Our so-called conservative elected politicians are willing to grift off of the largess offered by the Biden administration. I guess we are not capable of taking care of ourselves, we need, or expect big brother, who is deeply in debt, to pay for what we must not think is worth paying for ourselves.
Pathetic, but hopefully the new sheriff will stop such vote buying.
I'm not kidding this time! 👁👁
Fred, thanks for your comment. I guess I was wrong making my "final" comment.
I should know by now, given my advanced age, at this point in time here in the United States, the elected politicians and unelected bureaucrats who have been allowed to control what is considered to be the educational system, have won the war. They have produced legions (Mk 5:9) of semi-literate people who can read, but without a capacity to think; not to mention their other successes.
Fred, if I offended you I hope you accept my humble apology, because I would never, EVER, want to offend you; and I'm not yoking! [sic]
Have another slice of pie? 🥧
Chairman Blount,
Now that we are, hopefully, reaching the conclusion of the county's Helene clean-up efforts, I want to ask a couple of questions. First, is the county legally compelled to perform & pay for such clean-up efforts? If so, what are the applicable laws; if not, what compels the county to undertake the tasks/cost?
Secondly, once the effort is deemed complete, will taxpayers be able to access the cost numbers related to the total clean-up efforts? It will be interesting to see how much was paid, and to whom and for what.
On a related note, recently I was informed a fairly large privately held entity which I believe is in your district is receiving funds, some of which were said to come from FEMA, to help pay for what is mostly cosmetic repairs. Is the county contributing funds to similar entities for similar repairs?
Finally, as Chairman of County Council I guess we shouldn't be surprised to learn you want to grab a slice of the pie ..... .
💰💰💰😎
Thanks!
Thank you for the questions:
1. The County is assisting with the debris cleanup because it is a service we feel is important as an emergency service to taxpayers due to the size and scope of the storm damage, especially for those whom could not otherwise handle it financially themselves. 100% of it is paid back to the County through FEMA.
2. Yes, the taxpayers will get a full cost expenditures dispute it being 100% recouped. That’s transparency that citizens deserve!
3. I do not know which company or entity you are referring to but happy to look into it if you would like to provide that info through county email for me to address. Once that is addressed, I can also look at the last part of the question, but I have not personally signed off on or seen through finance committee, ANY funds going to assist companies/entities with cosmetic repairs.
4. I am happy to address all parts except the last one which is unwarranted, unfair, and uncalled for in my opinion—Especially considering my family operates at a severe deficit since my choosing to become an elected official. The pie I was referring to in the newsletter was very clear in both subject and intention. I take this role very seriously as do I my integrity. Even if this is in a joking matter, I simply don’t think it’s appropriate.
Conservative Contrarian, your last comment that begins with "Finally" is what gives true conservatives a bad name. If a yoke, it was in poor taste.
Councilman, thant you for you posts.