Robbinsville – The Robbinsville Tourism Authority met Tuesday evening, marking its newest member’s first time at the table.
Blevins Tire and Automotive owner Richard Blevins took his seat as the board’s new member, after being approved by the Robbinsville Board of Aldermen. Blevins was at the top of a three-person shortlist presented to the board.
Blevins replaces Alderman Shaun Adams, who officially stepped down from the board in January.
Blevins was also chosen for his automotive background, as the board plans its first car show and similar events.
He said his shop would sponsor the trophies for the event, currently scheduled for May 15.
“You can still get some reasonable prices,” Blevins said.
The board also decided to hold off on voting to pay $10,000 to local revitalization group REVVED UP, for the time being. The group is pushing for the painting of two murals in town and hosting a music festival, possibly featuring Robbinsville-born music legend Ronnie Milsap.
The planned murals would include a mural of Milsap to be painted on the side of the extension building and a large abstract mountain scene to be painted on the Lovelace Building in downtown Robbinsville.
The total cost of both murals and the festival would be $40,000 and REVVED UP Director John Colwell is attempting to solicit $10,000 each from the town, county, Robbinsville Tourism Authority and Graham County Travel and Tourism boards.
So far, the town has voted to put the funds forward contingent on the other three groups doing the same and the county held off on voting following a presentation at the last board of commissioners meeting.
Despite expressing concerns with the timeframe, board member Dirk Cody said he would vote in support if a motion was made.
“You know I like to ponder things,” said board member Teresa Garland. “I’m not going to make a motion today.”
Colwell said he understood the boards position, but emphasized that one of the groups would have to be the leader in approving the funds.
“We really would like to be able to have this dedication ceremony by the end of August or September,” Colwell said. “There’s no pressure to make a decision today.”
Colwell also said that there was a likelihood of receiving at least some grant funds for the plan, which is known as the Music and Arts Mutual Agreement.
“I know that we’ve got record monies coming in from the tourism revenues that are collected here from people staying in town,” Colwell said. “The town of Robbinsville stepped up, and you folks have always stepped up and supported us over the years as well.”