Week of  3/13/02
   
 
 
Jackson tables mural, museum proposal
By Don Hendershot
After many in the community voiced opposition, Jackson County commissioners have decided to collect more information before deciding whether a mural and museum project should be approved.

Members of the Sylva Garden Club, Jackson County Arts Council and other concerned citizens said the proposal should not be rushed through.

Ruth Walsh told commissioners that the club had been restoring and maintaining the area proclaimed in 1976 as the Jackson County Bicentennial Park for 40 years. She and other garden club members urged commissioners not to approve a mural in the park.

A plan spearheaded by Catch the Spirit of Appalachia (CSA) would, among other things, place a mural in Jackson County’s Bicentennial Park and create a heritage museum affiliated with the Smithsonian in the first floor of the old Jackson County Court House.

Chairman Jay Denton said he felt commissioners “jumped the gun” in giving tentative support for such a plan without first consulting with the garden club and the Jackson County Arts Council.

Dr. Perry Kelly of the arts council said that a mural in the park or any other public art required careful study. He also said creating a Smithsonian satellite would be “involved.”

Local author, playwright and storyteller Gary Carden was also present to urge caution. Carden said he felt there were innumerable options and countless resources available to help the county design some type of heritage program that hadn’t been considered.

In a letter to the editor in the March 7 Sylva Herald, Carden wrote: “I merely want my culture depicted with integrity and honesty.”

Amy Garza, one of the founders of CSA, said she appreciated the issues raised by the garden club. She said CSA could place the mural any place that was appropriate.

“We grew up in that nature. We want to save it. My child will be the eighth generation of my family in Jackson County.”

She said the county “needs a place for mountain people to call home, and there’s no better place than the Jackson County Courthouse.”

Commissioner Roberta Crawford said she would like to see a design committee and more in-depth plans.

“We need to step back and take a look,” said Denton.

Commissioners decided to table the issue for further study.

Panning board Chairman Jack Debnam presented the board with a draft Wireless Telecommunication Facilities Ordinance.

Commissioners scheduled a 5 p.m., March 25, public hearing at the Administration Building to receive public comment on the proposed ordinance and a special meeting 7 p.m., March 25, that could result in a vote on the ordinance.