Transportation seminar termed success

Transportation seminar termed success Oct. 2, 2008 The Sylva Herald   To the Editor: By all accounts the Sept. 25 Jackson County Transportation Seminar was a success. Thanks to the support of the Southwestern Rural Planning Organization and the Jackson County commissioners, the Jackson County Transportation Task Force was encouraged by professional traffic planners to include quality of life issues into the comprehensive transportation plan. The professional recommendations were, "Build towns, not sprawl; Fit, don't flatten the mountains; Smarter roads, not wider ..." Some of these modern design models are currently being utilized by the town of Waynesville in its effort to redesign and improve Russ Avenue. Waynesville went through a series of community meetings before a long-term plan was created. Thursday's speakers stressed the importance of public involvement in the creation of a long-term plan, stressing the importance that the final design reflects the values of the surrounding community. The Smart Roads Alliance advocates for similar opportunities for public involvement in the planning of Jackson County's transportation future. Much of the ground work for this was done during the Smart Growth meetings in 2003. The overlaying result of these meetings was the desire that our county maintain its rural character and scenic beauty. Further opportunities for public involvement will ensure that these values will be represented in the final transportation design. Jeannette Evans Cullowhee (Evans is chairman of the Smart Roads Alliance.)