While the process may be slow, Carter County Proud founder Ed Jordan likes the direction.
The organization held a meeting at Smoke House BBQ Company in Elizabethton to provide an update on Carter County Proud’s status of joining Keep America Beautiful.
“The County Commissioners were gracious enough to vote on $2,000,” Jordan said. “I talked with Elizabethton City Manager Jerome Kitchens and he seemed optimistic about $1,000. These funds will go toward a one-time fee of $4,000 to allow Keep America Beautiful to come out and survey the area and provide an assessment.”
Jordan said he will be scheduling a meeting with Elizabethton Mayor Curt Alexander and various councilmen and encouraged members to do the same. The founder will also be in attendance for the December City Council meeting to request funding. When discussing the funding, Jordan added that if the city does contribute some funding, Carter County Proud would look to asking the Chamber of Commerce for any additional funding to handle the $4,000 price tag.
Following the one-time fee, Jordan added it would only take a yearly payment of $250 to keep the affiliation going.
Jordan explained that the affiliation with Keep America Beautiful would open up various grant opportunities and other items to help combat litter. With the affiliation, the group’s name would been changed to ‘Keep Carter County Beautiful’ and allow other cleanup groups, like in Watauga, to come under one umbrella.
State Rep. John Holsclaw, Jr., was on hand and praised the efforts of the group and encouraged attendees to speak with their local representatives to help push the issues of enforcement of litter laws in the state.
Along with the updates, Jordan encouraged the area be educated about litter laws and receive help enforcing them. According to state law, small amounts of litter will be punished by a $50 fine, while larger fines are reserved for larger amounts – up to $3,000. Offenders caught by the law can mail in the payment to their county clerk’s office or plead not guilty in court. If found guilty in court, the offender must pay $50 plus court costs.
The group added they would look into other ways of promoting themselves, citing success at the recent Covered Bridge Celebration, including either using banners or announcements at local sporting events.