| Sources |
- [S47] Sevier County, Tennessee and its Heritage, Sevier County Heritage Book Committee, (1994, Don Mills, Inc.), 377, 384.
- [S106] The Mountain Press, 20 Aug 2014.
Wear named VP of operations at Island
JAKE OLD
PIGEON FORGE —
Last week, Pigeon Forge Mayor David Wear said he accepted the position of vice president of operations at the Island in Pigeon Forge, and earlier this week, Island developers officially announced that Wear would take on the job.
Wear said his two roles — one as a public servant and the other with the private development in the city — will not create a conflict of interest.
"I've consistently separated my service from my livelihood," Wear said. "I've given time and effort to this city because I love it, and I've done so with integrity and honesty."
The job of city commissioners is part-time; Wear was previously employed by the Sevier County Economic Development Council. He has served on the Pigeon Forge City Commission for six years, and as mayor for four.
"We specifically sought out David due to his experience with city government and his knowledge of business recruitment and tourism," Bob McManus, president of LeConte Village LLC and owner of the Island, said in a statement earlier this week.
"David's job will be to help recruit, grow, market and build the Island in Pigeon Forge. These are natural skills that David has and will apply to his job as vice president of operations. He's a perfect fit."
When development of the Island began several years ago, Wear and others voted in favor of it. Wear said he did so to benefit the community, and had no previous knowledge that he would be offered the job.
"I was one vote out of a five-member council who took up that issue, and it was a blighted property in the middle of Pigeon Forge, and we felt like, with improvements, that property could produce money for the city, and I don't regret that decision whatsoever," Wear said.
"The Island job offer came out of the blue, and it was something that me and my wife, my family, my friends – we discussed it, and I made sure I understood all aspects of the job and what they're asking me to do."
Wear said that if business relating to the Island comes before the city commission, creating a conflict of interest, he will abstain from voting.
In a recent commission meeting, he abstained from voting on an ordinance clarifying the zoning text with regards to distilleries. Ole Smoky Moonshine's second distillery is slated to open at the Island.
Wear abstained from voting on items relating to the economic development council when he was employed there.
"Out of an abundance of caution, if there's a direct or indirect conflict, I'll abstain or I'll let it be known," Wear said. "I will not leverage my position against the public. It goes back to my six years of integrity and honesty in my service to this city."
There's a line of separation between public service and the private livelihood of those who serve, Wear said, and he intends to maintain that separation.
"The idea of a conflict, if you follow that too far, local people won't be able to vote on anything," he said. "How far do you take it? Do I abstain from voting to pave a road because it's by my house? It's something I've thought about, and it's something I will continue to think about."
jold@themountainpress.com
- [S58] Marriage Certificate.
Groom's Name Bride's First Name Bride's Maiden Name County Date of Marriage File #
WEAR DAVID W KEESHA A MYERS SEVIER 07-27-2002 45013
- [S58] Marriage Certificate.
470235 DAVID WESLEY WEAR KEESHA ANNIKA MYERS
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