Coming back from a recent conference in Nashville mid-September, chairman of Keep Carter County Beautiful Edward Jordan gave a brief recap of what took place during his three days there, as well as bringing bags of souvenirs from the trip.

“It was a wonderful banquet,” Jordan said. “The conference was very informative and well put together.”

In early August of this year, KCCB announced Jordan received the Martin L. Kennedy Award for Outstanding Keep America Beautiful Affiliate Coordinator, as well as the $1,500 grant that came along with it from the Tennessee Department of Transportation.

As for the grant money, Jordan said they mistakenly wrote the check to him instead of KCCB, but they are working on a fix as soon as possible.

The second reading for a possible line item in Elizabethton’s city budget will take place next Thursday, and Jordan said they expect it to pass without incident.

As soon as the line item is approved, Jordan said he will write a check of $1,500 to the city of Elizabethton to go to KCCB.

In terms of the Wayfinding Grant, commissioner Ross Garland said he has reached out to Highway Superintendent Roger Colbaugh, who directed him to TDOT for the information they have been seeking: what they are and not allowed to put on signs on county roadways.

“We discussed making a couple of marquees,” Jordan said. “One in Roan Mountain, one in downtown, and one in city parks.”

KCCB debated starting with smaller signs throughout downtown or city/county parks, so they could test a proof of concept without having to necessarily follow roadside regulations.

“We cannot design them until we know what we are allowed to do,” Jordan said.

Elizabethton Parks and Recreation Director Mike Mains was in attendance to discuss a partnership for KCCB’s next replanting project.

“We have looked at a couple of different spots,” Mains said.

Part of the discussion revolved around whether they wanted to plant trees or just plots. Jordan said people told him not to do trees because it would be difficult to mow around them.

Mains said he would internally discuss the possibility of planting shorter trees.

In the meantime, Jordan said KCCB should reach out to the local Boy Scout Troop for help in maintaining their existing plots from their last planting project.

KCCB also set the date for their Poga Road cleanup to November 9 at 10 a.m. Participants will need to sign a waiver before being allowed to participate due to safety concerns, which they can do so at the site before they start.

The board named their new officers for the upcoming year. Jordan will remain as chair, Edward Basconi will remain as vice-chair and Lora Gilreath will remain secretary.