When the Bryson City Board of Alderman adjourned Monday evening, Alderman and Mayor Pro Tem Jim Gribble ended his nearly 14-year stint with town government, serving with three different mayors and handling numerous political frays.
Gribble started his career with the town in 2006 at the request of the board to fill the unexpired term of Alderman Danny Whaley, who moved to Hendersonville. Subsequently, Gribble was elected in 2007, 2011, and 2015.
He served with Mayors Talmadge Jones, Brad Walker and Tom Sutton, the current mayor.
One of the most contentious fights Gribble said he encountered was the closing of Fry Street a few years back, pitting businesses and residents.
The issue drew huge crowds to normally subdued board meetings at town hall on Everett Street.
“The closing of Fry Street, giving the property to the Great Smoky Mountain Railroad, was probably the most contested adventure while serving on the board,” Gribble said. “It positioned the businesses and residents at odds, and I took the position with the residents, for I didn’t think public land should be given to a business without compensation.”
Gribble said the train has had numerous benefits to the town, but it is also considered a drawback for some.
“The train has brought many, many tourists which is great for shops, restaurants and rentals, but not so good for residents living on the north side of town,” Gribble said.
Gribble said traffic congestion is a serious problem at times and will need to be addressed in the future. He urged the board to work with the Tourist Development Authority and Great Smoky Mountain Railroad to solve the problem, or at least alleviate it.
He suggested traffic police or “agents” could help direct traffic in critical situations.
Gribble has spoken out about the need for enforcing ordinances, including the need for an animal control ordinance, sanitation ordinances and street and sidewalk ordinances.
At Monday’s meeting, the issue of skateboarding and riding bikes on town sidewalks came up.
Gribble, who attends Bryson City United Methodist Church, said skateboarding was a big problem around the church several years ago and “stained glass was knocked out” by a skateboarder.
Signs were in place prohibiting skateboarding and biking on sidewalks near the church.
Gribble said he had the signs removed because there was “nobody to enforce” the prohibition.
The board is currently working on its entire book of ordinances.
“Enforcement is a problem,” Gribble said. “The board has been discussing ways to improve enforcement such as hiring an enforcement officer. There’s much to accomplish and I believe that the leadership and workers are in place to solve the task.”
Gribble was also critical of the town’s water losses.
The board member said electronic meters were installed for $1.2 million a few years back and were touted as a way to reduce water losses.
“Our losses have now increased above what they were before the new meters were installed,” he said.
Gribble said the loss is about $35,000 a month -- if all the lost water was billed.
“I regret that water loss control was not accomplished during my tenure,” Gribble said.
Gribble said he hopes the town’s engineering consulting firm, McGill Associates, will “make recommendations to solve these problems.”
Gribble thanked the board during the meeting and said they have done a great job. He said Mayor Tom Sutton and Town Manager Regina Mathis are excellent.
“The board has hired three town managers while I have served,” Gribble said. “All have been excellent, but the first two chose to return to larger towns after short tenures. Our hiring Regina (Mathis) has been positive for the town. She keeps the board informed and offers reports and updates at each regular meeting.”
Gribble said he has always tried to be fair.
“I love the town of Bryson City and the people I’ve tried to serve these years,” Gribble said. “I have been honest with my thoughts and actions, desiring that all members of our neighborhood be treated fairly and equally, disregarding status,” Gribble said.
Gribble thanked past and present board members including Kate Welch, Tom Reidmiller, Stephanie Treadway, Rich Bryson, Janine Crisp, Ben King and Heidi Ramsey Woodard.
“I have high regard for all these members even though our interests were, at times, different,” Gribble said.