[at-l] Tellico Gap

[bullard@xxxxxxxxxxxx (Jim Bullard)]

At 11:05 AM 3/13/2003 -0500, John O wrote:
>I've been in touch with Ron, his sister and the Macon County Sheriff's
>Department.
>Ron "Waffle King" Vaughn told me that he has been running an illegal hostel
>without his sister's knowledge.  When I asked him why he didn't ask for
>permission, his answer was I knew she would say no.  He said the home &
>property is used during the summer by his sister and family, who is sole
>owner of the property.
>When I spoke with his sister, who is paying for all utilities year round
>and is extremely upset her brother has taken advantage of her.  She let him
>stay there rent/utility free so he could have a place to stay and write a
>book on his travels.
>Macon County Sheriffs Department has contacted Ron's sister about this
>incident.  I have no idea what the two decided to do.
>I believe the hiking community should honor the homeowners request and stay
>away.
>
>John O

One thing not mentioned in the brief discussion of liability was that if
someone were injured while a "guest" of Waffle Man's illicit enterprise the
property owner would be liable and probably not insured for that. His
sister had good reason to say no.