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Aiken Standard, Aiken, S. C., Monday, June 15, 1987 Page 5ACounties Band TogetherForm New/State/CUMBERLAND GAP, Tenn.CumberW -AmW IB -T 4b lt;*. ” rfc r 'S—4b 4b 4b y « — — -— — —--^ dPNine of the poorest, most landers gathered in early May at(AP)remote counties in Tennessee,Virginia and Kentucky are tired of ma^9n °f statehood.being ignored and aren’t going to take it anymore. So they have “seceded” to form their own state — of mind.proclaThetion of the United States in general and the state of Tennessee andthe commonwealths of Kentucky _________________________________ and Virginia in particular haveeach other than we do with our fallen short of providing the levelcommoncommunitiesstates,” said Virginia broadcaster David Hartley, who is credited the proclamation says.the 51st state After three meetings, the _____________ group’s ranks have grown to 70,Business leaders in the nooks said Jackie Eperson, owner of abrainstorming CumberlandCumberlandMountainsgimmickto the hilly region’s parks, lakes, and historical sites._________MiddlesboroA governor is to be elected this fall, followed by an inaugural ball in November to which the governors of the three states are invit-“We’re not a Dollywood or a ed. The state flag sports threes and nine stars formingire will be a Legislature a: pssinnal members. ThereGatlinburg, but the whole area has the mountains and the history,” said Sandy Leonard, executive director of the Claiborne County Chamber of Commerce in Tazewell, Tenn.The group contends the area is left out when the states dole out dollars for tourism promotion and road construction.“We’re removed by so many miles that we tend to get the short end of the stick,” said Hartley, who manages WSWV radio in tiny Pennington Gap, Va., and plans to run for “governor.”“We’re all isolated to some degree. We lack interstates. We have the economic problems.“C.”a state constitution. There is a state poem.Cumberlanders have even written President Reagan “just to let him know what’s going on,” said Ms. I^eonard, who serves as Cumberland’s press secretary.The nine counties, dubbed “colonies,” are Knox, Harlan and Bell in southeast Kentucky; Wise, Lee and Scott in southwest Virginia; and Claiborne, Hancock and Hawkins in northeastern Tennessee.Hartley says Cumberland’sWe’re a tongue in cheek outfit message is simple:gimmick“We do exist.Wilted Midu/ect ^eekc Relief
Newspaper Details
Aiken Standard
Aiken, South Carolina, US
Mon, Jun 15, 1987
Page 5
Full Page
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USA 06 Jul 2020
Other Publications Near Aiken, South Carolina
Aiken Daily Mail
Aiken County Rambler
Aiken County Register
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Aiken Standard
