Letters to the editor:
[email protected]

Sprawling With Abandon

I want to congratulate Jack Neely on his excellent piece on urban sprawl ["Growing Pains," Vol. 10, No. 9]. Having spent some time delving into the issue and possible solutions, including attending conferences on Smart Growth and light rail last year, I can attest to the accuracy and thoroughness of Jack's work. While it's obvious there are no easy solutions, I want to follow up on the reference to the potential of the Nine Counties One Vision process. As someone who has been heavily involved in that process from the beginning, I have observed it from close up. I have heard consistently from throughout the region many of the same concerns. If you separate out educational issues, I would say that the vast majority of the remaining issues articulated address sprawl, loss of natural beauty and character of the region, and the need for effective regional mass transit.

While these quality of life issues have come to the forefront in the first round of meetings, the goal setting and prioritization parts of the process remain before implementation can begin (probably in June). Those who care passionately about these issues should show up for the meetings in early April and the Vision Fair in May. Then be prepared to join a task force this summer, roll up your sleeves, and get to work. Building our future is not light lifting.

Joe Hultquist
Knoxville

Foxy Vittles

I don't imagine that Metro Pulse gets many letters to the editor concerning its restaurant reviews. However, I just had to respond to Les DeLunch's most recent review of Fox & Hounds in Newport [Restaurant Rover, Vol. 10, No. 8]. While a review is just one person's experience at a particular establishment...I would like to elucidate the Metro Pulse readership to the fact that three Newport restaurants surprisingly enjoy the utmost respect from "foodies" east of Knoxville. As a resident of Morristown who is faced with a 45-minute drive to Ye Olde Steakhouse, Regas, and even the Chop House, I find myself choosing the 30-minute drive to the Newport restaurants all the time. These three establishments are the recently reviewed Fox & Hounds, The Grease Rack, and my favorite, C.J. Papadops in the beautiful Briar Thicket community featuring uncharacteristicly flat East Tennessee pastureland and the Nolichucky River flowing through. C.J.'s is owned by a transplanted Greek family and is about impossible to find (get the phone book). Interestingly, I believe that most if not all of these places get their meat from Sam's Meat Cleaver in Morristown...which has NO quality eating establishments. I think I just gave away one of our region's best-kept secrets...but I believe in sharing good things regardless of the opinion of Les! Try one out on your next trip to the mountains or etc....you'll be glad you did!

Jim Copeland Jr.
Morristown