Monday
03/17/2008 11:00 AM

I called TN Rep. Eric Watson's office (423) 339-0939

Talked with: Andrew
I explained that Rep. Watson told me at the Republican breakfast in Ducktown that Polk Co.
can designate our roads as NO THRU ROADS, but Co. Commissioner John Hoyt Pippenger
says some advisor in Nashville tells him that we cannot designate that road as a "NO THRU TRUCKS"

Andrew said he would make some calls and will call me back

Thursday, May 22, 2008 I called back to Rep. Watson's office 339-0939

"NUMBER DISCONNECTED"!?!?

Date: Thu, 22 May 2008 08:31:56 -0700 (PDT)

Subject: Dangerous Georgia Log Trucks and Chip Trucks in Polk and Bradley Counties
To: rep.eric.watson@legislature.state.tn.us
 

Rep. Eric Watson
205 War Memorial Building
Nashville, TN 37243

Dear Rep. Watson,

I want UPPER RIVER ROAD (or even the "concrete" MULL? RD) designated as "NO THRU TRUCKS". These trucks go loaded up 411 to Bowater Rd or through Cleveland, but take a short cut empty back through Charleston, Chatata Valley Road, Upper River Road, Benton Pike and Mull? (concrete) Rd back to 411. They come from Georgia, they run people out of the road, they speed, they damage the roads, they don't contribute to our coffers and THEY'RE GOING TO KILL SOME INNOCENT FAMILY SOMEDAY.

I grew up here

I first spoke with you back in 2006 at a Republican breakfast at the Hardees in Ducktown concerning the empty GEORGIA log trucks and chip trucks that fly through here after dropping their loads at Bowaters. They fly through here, nose-to-tail. Typically two or three at a time, but sometimes there's six in a row.

I'm 56 years old and when I was growing up here there was a sign just after you turned off Benton Pike onto the Upper River Road that said "NO THRU TRUCKS". It was white enamel with black letters.

You told me that these were county roads and we (the county) could designate them as we see fit. So, I first contacted John Hoyt Pippenger in 2006 and he said he would research it. After months he finally told me that he contacted someone in Nashville (I think it's someone who gives them legal advice???) and was told Polk County could NOT designate their roads as such. I asked why there are TWO (2) "NO THRU TRUCKS" signs on Bates Pike and TWO (2) on Kinser Road and Bates Pike and asked why Bradley County can so designate, but Polk County cannot. (I got no satisfactory answer.)

So, in 2007 I called your office and talked with an "Andrew". I told him what you told me and what John Hoyt Pippenger told me and asked what to do. He said he would contact you and get back with me. (I NEVER HEARD BACK FROM HIM.)

In the meantime, I've emailed anyone I could think of in the State (Governor's office, THP, etc..), but they tell me they can do little.

I contacted Channel 9 and they came out. (The reporter must've thought I was in Bradley county because when it aired, she talked with Tom Collins.) He basically said not enough people have been killed by trucks!!?!?!?

On 3/17/2008 I called your office and talked with an "Andrew". I repeated my same question from last year. It's been over TWO MONTHS this time and still no return call.

I called the 339-0939 number today and now it's been disconnected!?!?!

I've thrown together a website with some pics. www.NoThruTrucks.com
It's a work in progress and I have lots more to add.

(I own my home here and I also own a home in Bradley County that I purchased for my parents, so I believe I have a right to voice my concern about both counties.)

Hoping for a reply.




cc:copy

Contact Rep. Eric Watson
Accessibility is important to me. Please feel free to contact
me about ideas for legislation, your concerns, road
projects, or scheduling a time to come and speak with
your club, class or group.
State Capitol Office;
Rep. Eric Watson
205 War Memorial Building
Nashville, TN 37243
rep.eric.watson@legislature.state.tn.us
District Office;
Rep. Eric Watson
185 Old Kinser Rd
Cleveland, TN 37323
 

Thursday
05/22/2008, 11:58 AM

Andrew called me saying he just received my email

He said he just called T-DOT

Doesn't understand why John Hoyt was told that Polk County cannot designate our own roads.

Will call or email me as soon as he hears

Mr. Rucker,

Over two (2) years have passed since your April 2006 email to me and they empty log trucks and empty chip trucks still go by my house all hours of the day and night.

I have three (3) questions for you:
1. Can Polk County designate a county road as a NO THRU TRUCKS zone?
2. If so, what is the procedure?
3. If not, will see that TDOT will designate one or all of these roads (Mull Rd, Benton Pike or Upper River Road) as a NO THRU TRUCKS zone?

I spoke with Eric Watson and he told me that he believed that Polk County can designate our roads as NO THRU TRUCKS.

BUT, I contacted my Polk County Commissioner, John Hoyt Pippenger, and he tells me that he was advised by "Nashville" that Polk County has no power to designate our roads as NO THRU TRUCKS.

I contacted Bradley County Road Commissioner, Tom Collins, but he basically says that not enough people have been injured (YET) by these trucks to warrant such a designation.

I have created a website: www.NoThruTrucks.com to shine a light on this danger that no one seems to care about.

I am adding photos as well as copies of emails, phone calls, etc.... daily.

Sincerely,




cc:others

I was told he was out of the office day today.

I called Eric Watson's office

So, I called (423) 339-0939 and got his voicemail.

I left my name, numbers and the reason for my call.

He repeated that T-Dot confirmed that the Polk County may establish a road as a NO THRU TRUCKS

He said T-Dot had sent me an email in lieu of his expected return call.

He suggested I call Mike Stinnett, the county mayor.

I called County Mayor, Mike Stinnett at 423-338-8023. Got voicemail and left message

Polk County Mayor, Mike Stinnett left me a voicemail. (I didn't receive it until late that night, so I sent the following email:)

Hello Mike,

I made the call to you to see if you're for or against designating Benton Pike or Upper River Road (or even Mull Rd) as NO THRU TRUCKS zone.

If you're for it, will you help get it done?

I've made several contacts to John Hoyt and he tells me that he's talked with someone in Nashville who tells him Polk County does not have the right to do so. I've been in contact with TDOT and they tell me the county can do so as the state has no authority over county roads. There are precedents in Bradley County as they have Kinser Rd as well as a stretch of Bates Pike posted as NO THRU TRUCKS.

These empty log and chip trucks run nose-to-tail through here all day and into the night.

They're 99% Georgia trucks taking a shortcut through here, dropping their loads in McMinn County and taking the money to Georgia. There are no stores on the route they take that they wouldn't pass if the travelled their loaded routes.

Polk County realizes no benefit to this dangerous traffic, but it endangers those who live and drive this road. The damage it's doing to the road surfaces should be of concern as well.

I cannot for the life of me understand why any Polk County official would be against my proposal, but it seems none are for it.

I have created a website to shed light on this problem: www.NoThruTrucks.com

Thank you for your phone call. I'm sorry I missed you.

I look forward to your reply.



 

Polk County Mayor, Mike Stinnett returned my call.

He said he had received my email. He said that nothing had been done because John Hoyt Pippenger had concerns that there has to be a legal reason for changing the designation (traffic accidents, etc...). I pled my case saying that there was precedent in Bradley County of numerous "NO THRU TRUCK" designations. He said he would contact the county attorney to see if it was legal. He said he would be on vacation next week and should have an answer by the time he returned. I thanked him.

From: pippenger@comcast.net
Subject: FW: Dangerous Georgia Log Trucks and Chip Trucks in Polk and Bradley Counties
Date: Mon, 28 Jul 2008 20:10:42 +0000

I have responded in the following attachment
J. Pippenger
---------------
As I have indicated previously, I checked with Gary Hayes, who is the county
representative from the County Technical Assistance Services (CTAS), and have been
informed that the county has no legislative authority to designate the road as “No Thru
Trucks” under the current state laws. However, the state is right, (TDOT) any designation
on a county road is done by the county which leaves us with the same issue that we have
discussed before, "when can a county designate roads." To this date, I have still only the
same answer that we had about a year ago: 1. The county can designate against trucks
when that class or style is shown to cause more instances of wrecks and destruction or 2.)
when that class shows to cause more road damage than the normal wear and tear that is
expected of road use (these requirements, to my knowledge, deal with counties, specific
designations for specific classes of vehicles, and directly with the road that is in
question). The safety issue was also discussed according to one of your e-mails when you
had contacted Tom Collins in Bradley County who advised that the stats do not support
such a designation at this time (paraphrasing) and both these issues are generically
referred to in the e-mail from A. Woods which I have copied below.

As far as my refusal (?) to present this issue to the county commission, one of my
e-mails reflects that:

"I do agree that the log trucks can be a hazard and aggravating on Benton (Pike)
Road and will be happy to present a designation decree to that effect to the county
commission, but not until someone can find a legal way to do so."

This is the only mention of hesitation on the subject of "Not Presenting" that I
could find in my e-mails to you. If there is another with different wording, let me know. I
do not take this as refusal, and I did not intend for it to seem that way. So the real
question is what should I do about what I believe to be the requirements that we don't
meet that are listed above and the fact that as far as the state law is concerned -we don't
have the power to designate these roads.

I believe there are three options,

1. We find information that supports one of the qualifiers above fully or enough
supporting information for both qualifiers that would pass legal muster and I will present
the recommendation to the commission.
2. You put the issue in front of the commission for consideration (requires approval from
the chairman, vice chairman or county executive – of which I think your request would
be well received from the chairman Mark Bishop) or
3. We have state law changed so that counties may designate roads without cause – this
would also help us with some rafting bus issues that some commissioners may have in
mind.
I will be glade to assist in any of these three areas, just let me know.

Also I talked to TDOT and Mr. Woods at Rep. Watsons office after I received
your e-mail today, thinking that someone may have found some new information that
deletes the general requirements listed above for a particular vehicle/bicycle designation.
Mr. M Barns (the person who sent out the e-mail to Rep. Watsons office) advised me that
the letter should not have been interpreted as the county has the power to designate these
roads, just that they are county roads and designation power would be left to the county
for implementation – this does not reflect the county having such power without cause
(the 2 discussed above) and Mr. Woods could not tell me of any legislative power that
authorized the county to proceed without cause.
I know your getting frustrated with all this and I am sympathetic, however the issue of
not having cause such as what is listed above has not changed. It ties my hands to the
point of not introducing something for resolve that I know we have no power to do. I will
do what ever I can to try to interpret widely in most cases but when you flat out know
you can’t do something; there is very little room for broad interpretation. It has been
almost a year, maybe a little over since I have gotten in the legal aspect of this issue. I
don’t think anything has changed but I am asking the County Executive for a legal review
of the laws dealing with designation and I also have a call into CTAS to see if they are
aware of any changes.

P.S. remember I was born and raised driving Mull, Benton (Pike) and Upper River roads
and my family drives them on a daily basis. I am aware of the danger.
The information above is correct and true to the best of my knowledge,

John Pippenger,
County Commissioner, District 1. Polk County
-----------------

Email Noted Above
Subject: RE: Attn: Andrew Wood
Date: Tue, 6 Mar 2007 14:53:41 -0600
From: "Andrew Wood" <andrew.wood@legislature.state.tn.us>

I have contacted the state about your concerns with Benton Pike and Upper River
Road. These roads are county roads and the Department of Transportation said you
should contact Mr. Hood the Polk County Superintendent of Roads. The state said that in
some cases "no thru trucks" have been issued but there must be an alternate route for
them. He could not give me much more info than that because those are county roads. I
will get back with you on the other issues. I hope this helps.
Andrew

 

Thank you for the email.

How can I help?

Phil

Captain Howard,

All this time has passed and the empty Georgia pulpwood trucks are still flying by our houses nose-to-tail. (Sometimes six at a time.)

I want this Benton Pike/Benton Pike or Upper River Road to be designated as a "No Thru Trucks" road, but no one will do anything. (Upper River Road had a "No Thru Trucks" sign on it when I was growing up here in the 50s and 60s.)

I am at a loss to what to do about the dangerous situation here.

I talked to Eric Watson and he said "It is a county road and your county can designate it a do as you wish." BUT, county commissioner John Hoyt Pippenger tells me he has asked someone who advises the commission (from UT?) and they tell him that the county can not designate the road as a "NO THRU TRUCK" route.

Can you help?



 

I have not been Captain since May of 2006. I am not assigned to the
Chattanooga District. The District Captain is Capt. Cheryl Sanders.

Lieutenant Lucious Howard
Tenn. Highway Patrol
7601 Kingston Pike
Knoxville. TN. 37919

865-594-5800 Ext. 1105
Fax 865-594-5812
E-Mail Lucious.Howard @state.tn.us

 

Mr. Collins,

Thank you for only taking SIXTEEN (16) MONTHS and multiple emails to reply to me!
(I have pasted below my initial April 24, 2006 email to you that you didn't even have the common courtesy to reply to.) (I waited over a year before I contacted the TV station!)

While you're quoting stats.....
What were the deadly statistics involving trucks that caused there to be "NO THRU TRUCKS" signs posted at the intersections of Bates Pike and Kinser Road?
(see attached photos.)

What were the deadly statistics involving trucks that caused there to be "NO THRU TRUCKS" signs posted at the intersections of Bates Pike and Durkee Road?
(see attached photos.)

How about at the intersection of Bates Pike and Randolph-Samples Road?
(see attached photos.)

I saw your interview on TV with the reporter.

I've had several people approach me about it since then.

They told me that it appeared that you think people must die before you'll put a sign up on Upper River Road.

I purchased a new home for my parents in Cleveland and, being a property owner in Bradley County, I believe I have the right to tell you that I am very disappointed in your decision and your reasoning.

The railroads don't put up and multi-million dollar crossings until after a fatal accident.
Is that what it's going to take to get a $50 sign?

I'll pay for the sign if your department is that strapped.

This is ridiculous!

I drive that road all the time. I'll often meet three trucks at a time. It's really fun driving around the bluff, wondering if I'm one day going to have to choose between a truck and a 100 dive into the river.

You had a nice road there. Someone spent a lot of tax money to resurface it not that long ago. Now when you drive on it, the roadbed is noticeably deteriorated. There are dips in it that were not there even a year ago. I notice them more on the Southbound side. (I wonder why?)

I estimate the 90%+ of these empty log trucks are from Georgia. They take their logs to McMinn County and come back through Bradley County to spend their money in GEORGIA!

I pray you're right. The road is safe. That no one gets killed or even hurt.

If anyone ever gets hurt as a result of these trucks travelling unchecked, I hope you can live with it. (I'll blame MYSELF for not trying hard enough and not pestering you, and everyone else I can think of, enough to stop them.)

I am frustrated that no one seems to give a damn about this.

If I have done anything to cause you to be stubborn about this, I will apologize if that means your putting up the signs.

All I want to do is protect my friends, my family, even strangers and myself from these trucks.

I have created a website to expose the dangers these trucks pose.

I am going to paste the related emails I've sent and received there for all to see.

www.NoThruTrucks.com should be up and running soon!

Thank you,

Sincerely,


 

Dear Mr. Collins,

Ray Rucker at TDOT gave me your name to contact about stopping the pulpwooder semi-trucks from taking a shortcut through Bradley County after they drop their load at Bowaters.

I was under the impression that TDOT had control over traffic on these roads, but according to Mr. Rucker, you do.

I recently just moved back to my parents' home where I grew up and I have grave concerns about the constant traffic of empty pulp-wood trucks on this populated road.

When I grew up here there was a "NO THRU TRUCKS" sign in this neighborhood. That allowed the milk trucks to service the local dairies, but stopped this type traffic. I drive this route all the time and can find no signage to prevent this unwanted traffic.

Here's the situation:
The loaded pulpwood (and wood chip) semi-trucks from Georgia travel North on Hwy US-411 to Delano, they turn left (West) on Hwy 163 (aptly called "Bowater Road"), to US 11-N and then left to the drop site in Calhoun TN. This is a good route. The roads are wide and well-suited for truck traffic.

Here's the problem:
When these trucks drop their logs, they take a short-cut back with their big trucks, and huge empty trailers. That takes them right through our neighborhoods.

Here's their short-cut route after they leave Bowaters:
They go South on US-11, cross the Hiwassee River bridge into Bradley County, turn Left in Charleston, cross the N.S. RR track, turn right on Railroad? St, Turn Left on Chatata Valley Rd, Turn Left on Upper River Road, go until it dead ends and Turn Right on Benton Pike, travel 2 miles and turn Left on Mull (concrete) Rd, go 1/4 mile and turn Right on US 411. It is not uncommon to see a truck every 5 minutes on this road.

This route is narrow, curvy, populated, kids ride their bikes on it, my parents drive on it, cousins (Dwight Tinsley) live on it at River Point, my friends live and drive on it, etc...... If you meet a truck you have to sometimes get off the road as they are always hugging the center line. (Around the bluff is really dangerous.)
Look at the damage they have caused to the Railroad St. in Charleston! River Road is in good shape, but it won't be if they are allowed to run nose-to-tail out of here from daylight until after dark.

Bottom line, this high amount of truck traffic is a very dangerous, unsafe situation. (I'm not even mentioning the speed in which they travel because I don't want the focus to be on writing them speeding tickets. I want the focus to be forcing the return the route in which they came.)

BRADLEY COUNTY GETS NO BENEFITS FROM THIS TRAFFIC (Bowaters is in McMinn County and 99.9% of these trucks are from Georgia), but we who travel and live on this route suffer risk of injury and death as a result of this heavy truck traffic.

(NOTE: Five (5!) trucks have passed while I was composing this email.)

I formally ask you return this road to a NO THRU TRUCKS designation.

Simply, have them go back the way they came.

(There goes another truck.)

Thank you for your time.

What will you do?

Sincerely,

 

Mr. Collins,

Thank you for only taking SIXTEEN (16) MONTHS and multiple emails to reply to me!
(I have pasted below my initial April 24, 2006 email to you that you didn't even have the common courtesy to reply to.) (I waited over a year before I contacted the TV station!)

While you're quoting stats.....
What were the deadly statistics involving trucks that caused there to be "NO THRU TRUCKS" signs posted at the intersections of Bates Pike and Kinser Road?
(see attached photos.)

What were the deadly statistics involving trucks that caused there to be "NO THRU TRUCKS" signs posted at the intersections of Bates Pike and Durkee Road?
(see attached photos.)

How about at the intersection of Bates Pike and Randolph-Samples Road?
(see attached photos.)

I saw your interview on TV with the reporter.

I've had several people approach me about it since then.

They told me that it appeared that you think people must die before you'll put a sign up on Upper River Road.

I purchased a new home for my parents in Cleveland and, being a property owner in Bradley County, I believe I have the right to tell you that I am very disappointed in your decision and your reasoning.

The railroads don't put up and multi-million dollar crossings until after a fatal accident.
Is that what it's going to take to get a $50 sign?

I'll pay for the sign if your department is that strapped.

This is ridiculous!

I drive that road all the time. I'll often meet three trucks at a time. It's really fun driving around the bluff, wondering if I'm one day going to have to choose between a truck and a 100 dive into the river.

You had a nice road there. Someone spent a lot of tax money to resurface it not that long ago. Now when you drive on it, the roadbed is noticeably deteriorated. There are dips in it that were not there even a year ago. I notice them more on the Southbound side. (I wonder why?)

I estimate the 90%+ of these empty log trucks are from Georgia. They take their logs to McMinn County and come back through Bradley County to spend their money in GEORGIA!

I pray you're right. The road is safe. That no one gets killed or even hurt.

If anyone ever gets hurt as a result of these trucks traveling unchecked, I hope you can live with it. (I'll blame MYSELF for not trying hard enough and not pestering you, and everyone else I can think of, enough to stop them.)

I am frustrated that no one seems to give a damn about this.

If I have done anything to cause you to be stubborn about this, I will apologize if that means your putting up the signs.

All I want to do is protect my friends, my family, even strangers and myself from these trucks.

I have created a website to expose the dangers these trucks pose.

I am going to paste the related emails I've sent and received there for all to see.

www.NoThruTrucks.com should be up and running soon!

Thank you,

Sincerely,