TVA has proposed a new land policy. Citizens were asked for input and they responded.

Via the Maryville Daily Times, "TVA has received nearly 4,000 responses from residents about its use of public lands in East Tennessee.

According to TVA spokesman Gil Francis, residents are overwhelmingly opposed to the sale of public lands to developers."

Read more after the jump

Tennessee Mayors are not listening.

... "Association of County Mayors unanimously approved sending a letter to TVA calling for a less restrictive land policy.

The letter, signed by Knox County Mayor Mike Ragsdale on Oct. 30, was sent to William Sansom, chairman of the TVA board on behalf of county mayors and executives from Tennessee's 95 counties.

William Minser of Maryville, a wildlife research associate at the University of Tennessee, said, "The letter from the mayors goes against everything they're hearing from everyone except the developers."

The Knoxville News Sentinel's Jack McElroy puts in his 2 cents, McElroy wants the citizens to "move on". ... "Converting public land to private development can have positive effects. It boosts the economy and increases the tax base, and the deals can be structured to boost, rather than diminish, recreational use of public land. " Too bad we can't vote McElroy out of office.

It appears it is necessary for citizens across the state to stay vigilant. If not, the overwhelming noise of those in power will silence our voices. Contact your local politicians, your state and federal politicians, TVA, and anyone else with influence to stop the privatization of land taken by TVA via eminent domain.