State lawmakers fumed yesterday at federal regulations that require routing a four-lane segment of US 411 around a Benton, Tenn. cemetery named for a Native American princess who may not be buried there. Benton-area business and govermment leaders want to convert the existing two lane highway through town to four lanes. State transportation officicals said that can't be done because it would disturb the Nancy Ward cemetery and the Clemmer House. The cemetery is on the National Register of Historic Places and the Clemmer House is eligible for that designation because of the brick pattern used in its construction. TDOT alternative calls for building a bypass around the community, near Chattanooga in southeast Tennessee.
Locals say there is no hard evidence that is the case.
Ken Bishop, who owns the Clemmer House, has offered to tear it down and donate the property to the state if the state will simply widen 411 through town. But Transportation Commissioner Bruce Saltsman said it can't be done because federal law prohibits the state from using federal highway funds for any project that requires the use of any land from a historic site. State Rep. Frank Buck, D-Dowelltown, asked Saltsman what right the federal government has to prohibit Bishop from tearing down his own house. Saltsman said it won't make any difference because the land is also classified as historic. Contact your local state representative and state your opinion.