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TOW
04-24-2017, 15:44
No more tenting for hostels here in Damascus except for Trail Days

Lone Wolf
04-24-2017, 16:14
well that's crock. what genius came up with that?

Gambit McCrae
04-24-2017, 16:18
Doesn't sound like a very friendly gesture from the friendliest trail town on the AT.

Starchild
04-24-2017, 17:03
What I recall from Damascus was the number of signs prohibiting things.

TOW
04-25-2017, 11:59
I don't know how this is going to fly, the more I think about this the more it upsets me. I have complied with everything that was required of me to operate this place. I'll never forget when I went to get the license for Crazy Larry's and I had someone opposing it, I had to show parking, I had to do this and I had to do that. And then I finally got called to the zoning board and they told me they were going to wait for those who opposed me. No one showed and they gave me the license and planned on giving me the license whether the people showed up or not.

At the same time I will not get too upset about it because I understand what they are doing. I see tenting coming back but there will be rules in place and enforced. The old administration never bothered with it, the new administration is taking care of business. Besides the ordinance has been on the books for quite awhile. IMHO the new administration is working hard for a change, change that this town so desperately needs. Times are changing and we are seeing attractions spring up around us here and luring some of our tourism in different directions. So yes change is needed.

The hikers are a part of the economy here and this ordinance is unfortunate for them as well. But if I were to guess what group of folks brings in the most money here I would say the Creeper Trail folks do and I have been lucky enough to be able to get some of that crowd staying with me.

The friendliest town on the trail are actually the folks who live here and welcome the hikers, some bring hikers into their homes and it is unfortunate with this ordinance they may suffer as well. Our leaders here are as friendly as well but they have to do their jobs as they see fit, and they look at this community as a whole. I support that for the time being.

This ordinance may sink me and that is not cool. But I am optimistic as well, this ordinance may just be the best thing that ever happened with my business, with all of the hostels. Time and if the ordinance is left in effect will tell.

Gambit McCrae
04-25-2017, 16:47
Sounds like a great time to build a motel in Damascus!

Uncle Joe
04-25-2017, 16:52
I'm not sure how this would effect a private home but the ordinance itself isn't posted here. Local ordinances are there the real restrictions to freedom lie. Necessary? Maybe at times. There are necessary evils and yes any restriction to freedom for me is an evil at some level but again, some are necessary. If more people viewed them as bad we'd be slower to enact them, as we should be, even when necessary.

Greenlight
04-25-2017, 20:06
Take out a small loan, put up 10 foot privacy fencing around the tenting area. On the fence, put signs that say, "THIS AREA IS NOT PART OF THE HOSTEL." Problem solved. :P



No more tenting for hostels here in Damascus except for Trail Days

10-K
04-25-2017, 20:55
Sounds like a great time to build a motel in Damascus!

This is a mystery I've pondered many times.

Lone Wolf
04-25-2017, 20:58
there's nowhere in town to build a motel plus if there was one there would be no business Nov.-march

Gambit McCrae
04-26-2017, 07:57
there's nowhere in town to build a motel plus if there was one there would be no business Nov.-march

"The Turkey Christmas Tree Easter Hiker Motel" - - Has a good ring to it.

Puddlefish
04-26-2017, 08:38
I zeroed at Woodchuck's, and remember thinking "wow, it's right in the middle of a quiet little neighborhood." I was careful to walk in the street, and not across anyone's lawn. Woodchuck made a point of mentioning to a few guests that 10:00 pm was quiet time. Both nights I stayed it was surprisingly quiet in the evening.

I spent all too many years in a noisy apartment building, and my peace of mind varied greatly based on who my next door neighbor was. I'd imagine with different crowds of people in every night, the neighbors must hate the place, never knowing if they're going to be be woken up from sleep by some clown yelling from his tent to his buddy at the campfire.

Odd Man Out
04-26-2017, 09:23
"The Turkey Christmas Tree Easter Hiker Motel" - - Has a good ring to it.

Ever see the movie "Holiday Inn"?

BuckeyeBill
04-26-2017, 10:15
I have often heard it said that the only way to get rid of a bad law/ordinance is to enforce it. At the shop I put up a 10' cyclone fence with privacy slats to hide the "non-running, non-registered vehicles I had parked there.

dmax
04-26-2017, 10:23
I'd say it's all the people that rent out houses that don't won't a hotel. We've been saying for years that ey need some hotels. Plenty of room. Especially on the creeper towards Abington. Maybe there isn't room downtown. But I don't think downtown needs one. But plenty of areas elsewhere. Here in Erwin the super 8 gets used by a lot of hikers. And I'd say it's atleast 4 miles from the trail. It's close to other services though. So one one past the grocery store in Damascus would work great. There's even a restaurant or two around.

Odd Man Out
04-26-2017, 11:30
I don't know how this is going to fly, the more I think about this the more it upsets me. I have complied with everything that was required of me to operate this place. I'll never forget when I went to get the license for Crazy Larry's and I had someone opposing it, I had to show parking, I had to do this and I had to do that. And then I finally got called to the zoning board and they told me they were going to wait for those who opposed me. No one showed and they gave me the license and planned on giving me the license whether the people showed up or not.

At the same time I will not get too upset about it because I understand what they are doing. I see tenting coming back but there will be rules in place and enforced. The old administration never bothered with it, the new administration is taking care of business. Besides the ordinance has been on the books for quite awhile. IMHO the new administration is working hard for a change, change that this town so desperately needs. Times are changing and we are seeing attractions spring up around us here and luring some of our tourism in different directions. So yes change is needed.

The hikers are a part of the economy here and this ordinance is unfortunate for them as well. But if I were to guess what group of folks brings in the most money here I would say the Creeper Trail folks do and I have been lucky enough to be able to get some of that crowd staying with me.

The friendliest town on the trail are actually the folks who live here and welcome the hikers, some bring hikers into their homes and it is unfortunate with this ordinance they may suffer as well. Our leaders here are as friendly as well but they have to do their jobs as they see fit, and they look at this community as a whole. I support that for the time being.

This ordinance may sink me and that is not cool. But I am optimistic as well, this ordinance may just be the best thing that ever happened with my business, with all of the hostels. Time and if the ordinance is left in effect will tell.

What a well thought out, balanced, and well written analysis. It looks so out of place here ;-)
Thanks Larry for all you do to support hikers (and bikers and...)

TOW
04-26-2017, 14:22
I have often heard it said that the only way to get rid of a bad law/ordinance is to enforce it. At the shop I put up a 10' cyclone fence with privacy slats to hide the "non-running, non-registered vehicles I had parked there.Well I hope it enforces itself right on down the trail soon


What a well thought out, balanced, and well written analysis. It looks so out of place here ;-)
Thanks Larry for all you do to support hikers (and bikers and...)I been fitting out for a long time. Thank you...........

10-K
04-26-2017, 14:45
I'd say it's all the people that rent out houses that don't won't a hotel. We've been saying for years that ey need some hotels. Plenty of room. Especially on the creeper towards Abington. Maybe there isn't room downtown. But I don't think downtown needs one. But plenty of areas elsewhere. Here in Erwin the super 8 gets used by a lot of hikers. And I'd say it's atleast 4 miles from the trail. It's close to other services though. So one one past the grocery store in Damascus would work great. There's even a restaurant or two around.

There will be a hotel in Damascus at some point, no doubt about it.

Lone Wolf
04-26-2017, 14:48
there will never be a hotel/motel in or around damascus

Lone Wolf
04-26-2017, 14:51
a few hostels allow alcohol. this is what is causing the ordinance to be enforced. drunk hikers peeing and crapping on neighbors lawns and loud, drunken behavior til all hours

TexasBob
04-26-2017, 15:01
there will never be a hotel/motel in or around damascus

Is that because there is a no suitable land available, would not be economically viable or because local folks oppose it?

TOW
04-26-2017, 15:03
a few hostels allow alcohol. this is what is causing the ordinance to be enforced. drunk hikers peeing and crapping on neighbors lawns and loud, drunken behavior til all hours
I allow alcohol and there has never been one complaint lodged against me, of course I have always had porta johns

TOW
04-26-2017, 15:04
Is that because there is a no suitable land available, would not be economically viable or because local folks oppose it?
I think the main reason is the town don't want that here.

Lone Wolf
04-26-2017, 15:05
Is that because there is a no suitable land available, would not be economically viable or because local folks oppose it?

the first 2

rocketsocks
04-26-2017, 15:21
a few hostels allow alcohol. this is what is causing the ordinance to be enforced. drunk hikers peeing and crapping on neighbors lawns and loud, drunken behavior til all hoursi say if ya get caught peeing on someone's lawn you don't pass Damascus, don't collect your badge/stamp (or whatever nonsense thing it is this year) go directly to jail, and upon conditional release and a bus ticket...you go back to springer to start over. That'll learn em.

TNhiker
04-26-2017, 15:23
drunk hikers peeing and crapping on neighbors lawns and loud, drunken behavior til all hours



outside of trails days----does this happen often?

Lone Wolf
04-26-2017, 16:43
outside of trails days----does this happen often?

pretty much a month before and a month after trail days

Sarcasm the elf
04-26-2017, 16:51
And all this time I had thought that Damascus Ordinance was a type of artillery shell made out of very high quality steel. :D

Lone Wolf
04-26-2017, 17:52
now i hear the town will allow tenting at all times at The Place church hostel because it's not a business and it's donation based

MuddyWaters
04-26-2017, 18:17
now i hear the town will allow tenting at all times at The Place church hostel because it's not a business and it's donation based

This was precisely what I was wondering.

You cant restrict use of private property for non-business use easily or legally, unless it violates some other ordinances.

(And it might)

TOW
04-26-2017, 18:31
now i hear the town will allow tenting at all times at The Place church hostel because it's not a business and it's donation based
That's cool...................I approve............

dmax
04-26-2017, 19:06
There will be a hotel in Damascus at some point, no doubt about it.

There already is. The old mill. With the lack a of business it must receive, it's gotta be for sale. But if your gonna buy, wait till late November. Should go for a lot cheaper..........
im sure people hate going all the way to Abington for a hotel. And a piss full yard would sure get a lot of hikers and bikers, and leaf watchers into a new hotel...........

MuddyWaters
04-26-2017, 21:21
Park some old trailers and rvs somewhere
Accept donations

TOW
05-01-2017, 23:07
a few hostels allow alcohol. this is what is causing the ordinance to be enforced. drunk hikers peeing and crapping on neighbors lawns and loud, drunken behavior til all hours
Hasn't happened at my hostel

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TOW
05-01-2017, 23:09
No tenting allowed at all effective immediately

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dmax
05-02-2017, 06:29
Hasn't happened at my hostel

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Sounds like it doesn't happen at Larry's. It must be more problems coming out of The Place? I can think of another hostel downtown. But I doubt people are pooping infront of businesses with cameras pointed towards the street. I can see a hiker or two doing it on the way to a hostel. But could some of it be from the hikers dogs? How many more hostels are there in Damascus? I know there's a bar So maybe it's locals pooping in yards and giving hikers a bad name?

Lone Wolf
05-02-2017, 06:51
No tenting allowed at all effective immediately

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i see a bunch of tents still set up at a hostel this morning

TOW
05-02-2017, 06:51
Sounds like it doesn't happen at Larry's. It must be more problems coming out of The Place? I can think of another hostel downtown. But I doubt people are pooping infront of businesses with cameras pointed towards the street. I can see a hiker or two doing it on the way to a hostel. But could some of it be from the hikers dogs? How many more hostels are there in Damascus? I know there's a bar So maybe it's locals pooping in yards and giving hikers a bad name?
Citizen complaints buddy and the citizens are the ones that own this town. It got out of hand. I stand with the town on this decision.

There is a solution and we are going to work towards it. But until that happens it is what it is.

I don't like it one bit. But since those who had the complaints lodged against their business failed to take heed of warnings, which were given, this is the end result.

This has always been an ordinance and they allowed us the blessing of being able to make a little extra money as long as there were no complaints.

There are consistent complaints and the citizens come first or we wouldn't have Damascus at all.

And another thing that has happened is we are getting a lot of drug addicts and alcoholics along with trouble makers from the trail. They watch videos like hiker trash videos and then they want to come out and do a drug induced hike.

The list goes on.

I believe the ATC is about to put their foot down too.

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TOW
05-02-2017, 06:54
i see a bunch of tents still set up at a hostel this morning
That's between them and the town

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Lone Wolf
05-02-2017, 06:58
Sounds like it doesn't happen at Larry's. It must be more problems coming out of The Place? I can think of another hostel downtown. But I doubt people are pooping infront of businesses with cameras pointed towards the street. I can see a hiker or two doing it on the way to a hostel. But could some of it be from the hikers dogs? How many more hostels are there in Damascus? I know there's a bar So maybe it's locals pooping in yards and giving hikers a bad name?
locals? funny. it's 100% ahole hikers doing it

TOW
05-02-2017, 09:02
locals? funny. it's 100% ahole hikers doing it
Yep...................

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capehiker
05-02-2017, 09:03
And another thing that has happened is we are getting a lot of drug addicts and alcoholics along with trouble makers from the trail. They watch videos like hiker trash videos and then they want to come out and do a drug induced hike.


Seven is a giant P.O.S. and needs to be run off the trail. He's a mooch off the kindness of others and projects a party atmosphere on the trail that doesn't come with consequences. He tries to downplay this online but he's still the same old leech on society in real life. Now he's buying a van so he can be the drug dealing/ party version of Miss Janet. I'm not going to get into what I saw in Franklin, but I was blown away at how people treated him like a god. He's taking their money for his GoFundMe so he can buy drugs and make low quality videos.

Sorry for the side rant but some trail personalities need to be reeled in and put in their place.

dmax
05-02-2017, 15:06
locals? funny. it's 100% ahole hikers doing it

You're right. I'm sure it's the hikers too.... Sad, pos hikers making every hiker look bad. It'd be against the law but I wonder what the town folk will have in their water guns, shooting at the hikers, during the parade 😳

Starchild
05-04-2017, 09:37
Any updates?

TOW
05-04-2017, 12:00
Any updates?No tenting except for Trail Days. As soon as TD's is over no tenting. Not even for The Place.

TOW
05-11-2017, 11:35
Since there is a bunch of misinformation going on about the no tenting ordinance here in Damascus tenting will be allowed during trail days week

TOW
05-13-2017, 19:49
Don't be surprised if there is no tenting allowed at hostels even at Trail Days folks. There will be tent city though....

TOW
05-17-2017, 14:53
tents all over the place out here

Lone Wolf
05-17-2017, 15:33
where?......

-Rush-
05-19-2017, 14:15
I'm not going to get into what I saw in Franklin, but I was blown away at how people treated him like a god.

He just uploaded a video where he says he's in California now. Did he get run off the trail?

capehiker
05-19-2017, 17:18
He just uploaded a video where he says he's in California now. Did he get run off the trail?

I saw that the other day. I don't think he got run off specifically, but I think he started to realize his schtick was up on the AT. He has a van now which means he can run his hustle all over now. Good riddance to him.

Slo-go'en
05-19-2017, 23:28
Now that TD is in full swing, how does it look around town now?