Members of the Bradley County Commission on Monday vented their wrath at the state septic permit office and the county road department.
Wes Leverett told commissioners he was treated rudely at the septic office while trying to get a permit for field lines for a new home. He said his application was put at the bottom of the pile and the manager told him he was taking off for a two-month vacation.
Several commissioners said they and others had gotten similar treatment at the same office.
Charlotte Peak Jones said the county earlier looked into taking over the operation, but had trouble justifying that the income from permits would cover the cost. She said the matter could be checked into again.
Commissioner Mark Hall recommended getting the office manager on a speaker phone while the commission meeting was going on.
He said the manager "should consider a permanent vacation" rather than one for two months.
Commissioner Hall stated, "Maybe he needs to learn how to come early and stay late. I'd like to part company with his clown."
On the roads issue, Commissioner Howard Thompson said one business is talking about pulling its jobs and leaving Bradley County "after being aggravated to death" by the highway department over a right of way issue.
He said the right of way on one road had been 30 feet for decades, but that was widened this year.
Commissioners said the highway department removed one wall that had been okay under the prior 30 feet.
Commissioner Peak Jones said the highway department should have alerted commissioners and others prior to going to the extreme of tearing down a wall.
Questions were raised on how much authority the commission has over roads since it approves road funds and rules on road issues through the roads committee. However, Chairman Louie Alford noted that the department is headed by an elected official - Sandra Knight Collins.
It was suggested that the county attorney contact the Legislature about giving full control of county roads to the commission.
In other action, County Mayor Gary Davis said he appointed Fred Murphy of Georgetown to the Hiwassee Utilities Commission to replace Sam Bettis, who died recently.
He named Larry Sanchez to the Regional Planning Commission. Joanna Duncan previously held the post.
Commissioner Bill Winters said he has been active with about a half dozen others in ATS BridgeBuilders - a program aiming to keep teens from getting hooked on drugs.
"I have six grandkids and I want them to stay drug free," he said.
Commissioner Winters said there already are a number of agencies working on the problem, but their availability needs to be better publicized.
He said adults as well as teens will take part in an anti-drug program on Thursday night at a Bradley-Walker Valley football game.
Dr. Linda Cash, Bradley County school superintendent, said 13 students from Bradley and Walker Valley are taking part in the effort. She said, "These kids are impressive."
Dr. Cash said, "We want everybody to live and have a chance at life." She said students have been shaken by fellow students who died from drug overdoses.
The superintendent said the teens confirmed that drugs are easily available to them. She said, "You just text and the drugs are there within 5-15 minutes - to the campus or wherever. Yes, we do have a problem."