A blacksmith shop is a proposed addition to the replica of historic Poe's Tavern in Soddy Daisy
photo by Sarah Ruf
Two craftsmen want to bring blacksmithing to Soddy Daisy.
Bill Carney, director of the Chattanooga Woodworking Academy, gave a presentation to the city commission Thursday night about his dream for a blacksmith shop next to the replica of Poe’s Tavern.
Hugh Bowie, a blacksmith from Choo Choo Forge, said he will give his free labor to craft old-style door hinges, nails, door handles, and more for the building.
Mr. Bowie, who sometimes demonstrates his skills at the Cades Cove area of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, told commissioners he could gather a group of blacksmiths to supply equipment and labor for an operating traditional blacksmith’s shop at the historical location.
“It is entertainment - people like to see guys sweat,” he said.
Mr. Carney said the group could provide demonstrations for visitors at the historical building as an interactive activity.
Some commissioners were concerned about insurance costs and liability. “What are the hazards of people watching (the blacksmiths)?” Commissioner Shane Harmon asked. As long as people stay out of the shop and the focus used on small things such as door hinges, the dangers are minimal, Mr. Bowie said. His blacksmith group has insurance, but he was not sure demonstrations would be covered under their current plan.
Mr. Carney estimated the cost of a blacksmith’s shop addition at around $5,000, and he was willing to bargain for it.
“To privately fund it I would be for it, but as far as me voting to spend the city’s money…I just can’t do it right now,” Mr. Harmon told Mr. Carney, citing the city’s tight budget.
“Let’s make it $4,000 and you can make that private donation,” Mr. Carney responded.
“I’ll go make $2,500 and you go make $2,500,” Mr. Harmon said.
The two continued to bargain, to the laughs of the audience.
“I would challenge the commission tonight to raise $1,000 out of your pocket, and I’ll match it, so that’ll be $2,000,” Mr. Carney said.
After a moment of silence, Mr. Harmon said he accepted on behalf of the offer of the commission. “I motion to table your request until the next commission meeting,” Commissioner Rick Nunley said. The others agreed.
Mr. Carney also asked the commission for permission to use $2,250 to pay for interior paneling of Poe’s Tavern replica. Mr. Carney said the fundraising committee thought this was a good use of the money they had already raised. The commissioners agreed, approving the amount unanimously.
The goal is to have the replica finished in time for opening day Sept. 1, 2012, Mr. Carney said.
The city initially pledged to donate $50,000 toward the endeavor. Private citizens were able to raise $35,000 of that money by selling logs with plaques and paver bricks with names engraved in them.
The city also shelled out $22,000 for stonework and to repair a chimney, said Burt Johnson, city finance director and city recorder. Work started on the replica of the first county seat of government in the spring of 2011.
A redesign for the city website is in the works. Commissioners unanimously approved a $4,700 payment to Marketing Velocity to revamp the site, which would include unlimited space and a feature tracking the number of hits the site would get.
The new site should be up in about four weeks, Mr. Johnson said. The site will be paid for with money from the rainy day fund, which currently stands at around $850,000, he said.
City attorney Sam Elliott announced that kennels are permissible in agricultural zones in an update addressing two citizens’ complaints at the April 19 commission meeting. The residents had complained of multiple dogs, strong odors, and possible zoning violations by a neighbor. While the zoning issue is resolved, nuisance violations may still be a legal problem for the neighbor, Mr. Elliott said.
The commission also approved on second reading a rezoning request by developer Roger Radpour at 9775 Daisy Dallas Road to an A-1 zoning area from an M-1 and A-1 dual zoning classification.
Servicemen and women will be honored at a celebration in the Veteran’s Park at 10 a.m. Saturday. The public is invited.