Bristol VA & TN - one city two states two sets of rules

[underpants]

Bristol VA pop. 17,835
Bristol TN pop. 26,702
Separated along State Street

This could be very interesting to watch. I was watching Fox News (curious) and they had a story on it. Owner of Burger Bar in Virginia was on saying business across the street are open but not his. He called for a regional opening.

Bristol is really its own world in Southwest VA. “The Mountain Empire”. It’s a 5 hour drive from Richmond, roughly the same as a trip to the NYC area (given traffic).


Oh and Sullivan County is one of 6 metropolitan counties in Tennessee that will set its own rules per their own Health Departments.

https://www.heraldcourier.com/news/sullivan-county-plans-strategy-to-reopen-businesses/article_d8163782-bb2d-522d-b0b8-e0a51fbaf79a.html

[mahatmakanejeeves]

1. Bristol is closer to the capitals of six other states than it is to the capital of Virginia.

At the far southwestern end of Interstate 81's path down the Great Appalachian Valley, Bristol is closer to the capitals of six other states than it is to Richmond (West Virginia, Tennessee, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia).Jul 1, 2018

These two towns straddle the Virginia- Tennessee border. The ...

[underpants]

2. Wow. Great article. Thanks

In the end Bristol VA is going to pot.

[rateyes]

3. I grew up in Sullivan County, TN. Marched down

the middle of State Street in Bristol during a Christmas parade, with one foot in TN and the other in VA. Bought a car at a dealership that had property on both sides of the street. I made the deal for the car in VA, where I lived at the time, but walked across the street in TN to take delivery of it because the TN tax was lower. Reopening is going to be an interesting situation there for sure.

[underpants]

4. That's funny about the car

I’ve been there only once and it was just to sleep halfway through a trip.

[kozar]

5. as I still live on the Tn side.

I'll just observe from my years here, both Bristols are kind of in their own world. I believe most look at it as just "Bristol" unless you are having to give an address or phone number.
Couple weeks ago, I went out to get some supplies and it had a ghost town feeling to it. Very little traffic and people in store. Unlike when the panic mode was going around. I went to an appt yesterday, since they started doing that again , and it looked almost like race weekend again,,cars everywhere. 2 weeks ago, a majority had masks on in the stores, yesterday,, a majority did not have masks on. It makes me fearful of of the 2nd wave predictions. I'm sure a lot of cities are seeing the same thing.

Bristol Tn/Va happens to be a great example simply due to geography, of the difference between a R Gov and a D Gov. You literally, only have to walk across the street and open your eyes and mind to see it.


Koz

[rateyes]

6. I grew up in TN. Later on I lived in the Southwest

portion of VA, then over on the Chesapeake Bay. Got to say that, despite the income tax, I much prefer VA. The Commonwealth has it much more together in the way of governing.