Board discusses COVID-19 response
Robbinsville – The next leg of the much-discussed Corridor K improvements is drawing closer to reality.
As part of Tuesday’s Graham County Board of Commissioners meeting, N.C. Department of Transportation Division 14 Representative Dirk Cody laid out the concept, which will see improvements made along the existing corridor of N.C. 143 – beginning at the intersection with U.S. 129 – and ending at N.C. 28 in the Wolf Creek community.
Passing lanes at Stecoah Gap on either side of the road – as well as climbing lanes along the corridor – could be constructed to help with the flow of traffic.
The board objected to the idea of tunneling through the mountain. Division Project Development Engineer Wanda Austin noted that a tunnel would only improve commute time by five minutes, at best.
“If we can move forward in any direction to use the money we have appropriated for the roads in this county, it’s vital that we do that, even if it improves only a few miles,” said board member Connie Orr.
Other news and notes from the meeting included:
* Graham County Senior Center Director Wanda Hill brought forth the request to apply for a Home Community Care Block Grant. The total will be $130,172 – which the county will match – and the motion passed unanimously.
* The board also unanimously approved the purchase of a new ambulance. The winning bid was from Southeastern Emergency Vehicles and comes with a 3-year warranty, for a total cost of $16,899.95. Funds will come from a grant that was applied for by the county.
* County manager Becky Garland brought the need for new radio’s to the board’s attention, in light of connectivity issues emergency and sheriff’s officials are having in the outlying portion of the county. After some discussion, Garland agreed to speak with Sheriff Joseph Jones to get some more details on what is needed.
“We’re looking at every opportunity – with FEMA money – to enhance our system,” Garland elaborated. “We don’t want to just go in and buy all of our wish list; however, this (the coronavirus pandemic) has been such a big game-changer for all the counties in North Carolina and it’s causing us to all look at our systems for the next disaster.”
* During public comment, Graham County Health Department Director Beth Booth addressed some questions on statistics and availability of test kits within the county.
Booth explained that private providers are not obligated to report if a test for COVID-19 has been conducted – an action protected by executive order from Gov. Cooper – but Booth pointed out that people are getting tested on a daily basis.
The number of test kits available in Graham County fluctuates daily, but Booth noted that three different vendors are providing testing kits to Tallulah Health Clinic, Smoky Mountain Urgent Care and the health department itself.
“I know that availability of test kits has been an issue across the nation, but it is not an issue in our county at this time,” Booth stated. “Could that change? Absolutely. But right now, we have plenty of test kits to test those that come in.”
“It’s been a trying time for lots of people,” added Graham County Commission Chairman Dale Wiggins. “I think everybody wants to do their best. We understand that we’re interfering with people’s lives, but hopefully our interference will save some lives. That’s the best outcome we can have.”