Monteagle Election Issues

The following letter appeared in the March 6th edition of the Sewanee Messenger.It clearly delineates the problems of a planned large development on the South Cumberland Plateau.

Letter to the Editor
Monteagle Elections
Monteagle will hold city elections on Tuesday, April 8th.Iva Michelle Russell is challenging incumbent Charles Rollins as mayor. There are significant issues that are ongoing challenges for Monteagle. Note worthy among the challenges are: 1). The nearly 1100 unit project proposed by New Life Development (part of New Life International of Brentwood TN) at Cooley’s Rift, 2). A failing sewer system and 3). The well-publicized inadequate water supply brought on by an unchecked growing demand and insufficient rain.

The decisions made on these and other issues will have an impact not only on the citizens of Monteagle, but also on the region as a whole. New Life Development has recently submitted the third proposed plan for Cooley’s Rift to the Monteagle planning commission. This latest plan calls for nearly half of the nearly 1100 units to be in Franklin County. A previously submitted plan had most of the units in Grundy County. The demand for water from Monteagle and SUD, infrastructure costs (e.g. sewer and other services) and the overall long term economic impact are largely unknown. This project will nearly double the demand on the already failing Monteagle sewer system.

Franklin County Residents in the Deepwoods area who have property that has been annexed into Monteagle are eligible to vote in this upcoming election. The decisions made by Monteagle will have a very direct impact not only on their lives, but also on the region as a whole. It is now well past time for citizens of the area to play an active role in the future of the South Cumberland Plateau by becoming knowledgeable on the issues and participating in the upcoming election.

Robert L. Childress
Sewanee