On Oct. 4, the candidates for the Highlands Town Board of Commissioners were all given the same five questions to answer regarding current issues facing the town, as well as their reason for running. Below, the candidates answers are listed by alphabetical order of their last names.
Pat Allen:
1. Why did you decide to run for office this year?
During my 27 years as a full-time resident, I have seen so many changes due to growth but especially in the last 2 years. With almost 300 weddings annually on the plateau the entire dynamic of the area has changed. Subsequently, younger people are exposed to our area and return with friends, and many are buying or have bought second homes here. With growth comes responsibilities and I think the town board has become complacent on how to handle it. You can’t stay stuck in the way things used to be because we are no longer the same and things need to be dealt with in a responsible and well thought out manner.
2. What are your qualifications/experience that you think will be beneficial for the Board of Commissioners?
I am a registered independent voter and make my own decisions based on my belief as to what is best for the town- putting the hard-working local people and business owners first. They are the “salt of the earth” as we say and help each other in times of need. I did not grow up with wealth and understand the needs of paying bills and living paycheck to paycheck. I built my real estate business on my own with hard work and determination. Now that I am successful, I give back to the non-profits and people in need in our area. I am a negotiator and help people with resolutions that change their lives. I love Highlands and truly want to preserve the character and charm of the town. It should never be an “us against them” situation which is where we are headed without a change in leadership that allows a commonsense approach. I also am not taking donations for my campaign and therefore not being swayed by anyone.
3. How will you work with other commissioners to remedy the short-term rental situation the Town is currently facing?
First of all, the ordinance was never defined or enforced by the town. Three years ago, there was a town meeting about STR and after hearing the residents for and against them, the town manager said we would pattern our policy in that regard after Wilmington, NC. Anyone doing STRs would have a form to fill out and register with the town so if there was a disturbance, they would know who to contact. Up until a month ago that form was still on the town’s website. Rental companies were still registering when all of a sudden at a Zoom meeting a month ago all commissioners except Donnie Calloway (who has rental homes) and Marc Hehn (now running for mayor) decided to ban STRS in R1 districts starting Jan. 3, 2020. It was very loose with the current mayor asking if they wanted to ban by the end of this year. Obviously, the discussion was one-sided with no regard to the homeowners who rent their homes year after year to subsidize mortgages, the shortage of rooms for events our Chamber of Commerce plans, weddings that have been planned for over a year, and the lack of revenue for our town businesses. There needs to be regulations to control noise, trash, and parking enforced by the homeowners who allow STRS. The town has done nothing to implement or enforce restrictions and that will change if I’m elected. Their current position now has the town being sued and hundreds of thousands of taxpayers’ dollars will be wasted on something that should have been compromised. Negotiate-not litigate!
4. What will be your number one priority if you are elected?
STRS must be dealt with now that the majority of commissioners voted to ban them. This has divided the town of Highlands that I have known and loved for 27 years. When we allow that much power to the current commissioners and mayor something needs to change. There is always a compromise, and it needs to be discussed further to get us out of a lawsuit that the town finds themselves in. Hundreds of thousands of wasted taxpayer dollars!
5. In your opinion, what are the top three issues Highlands is facing?
- STRS resolution
- Employee housing
- Additional parking
Mary Alice Bynum:
1. Why did you decide to run for office this year?
I am a native of these mountains and have lived in Highlands for over forty years and operated McCulley’s during that time so as both a resident and a merchant I have a vital interest in seeing our wonderful town prosper. I want to work to make it even better.
2. What are your qualifications/experience that you think will be beneficial for the Board of Commissioners?
I have much experience as a businessperson in Highlands having owned and operated McCulleys. I have seen first-hand many of the problems facing businesses and the citizenry of Highlands. Also, I have served on several HOA boards and served as an officer in a local volunteer fire department.
3. How will you work with other commissioners to remedy the short-term rental situation the Town is currently facing?
We need to simplify the local rules and regulations governing short term rentals. We need to amend zoning regulations and require a permit with a fee that will go to the city. The permit can be pulled if there is a problem with disruptive tenants that are not in harmony with the peaceful enjoyment of the town by its residents. I want to make sure everyone has an opportunity to speak.
4. What will be your number one priority if you are elected?
Parking is a serious problem for our town. It needs to be addressed as a top priority. There isn’t much we can do on Main Street and the adjacent roads but exploring remote parking sites with shuttle services to town is an idea worth exploring. Perhaps employees could be encouraged to use this service.
I will actively solicit public feedback about infrastructure and other local government issues.
My goal will be to seek remedies for problems brought to my attention.
5. In your opinion, what are the top three issues Highlands is facing?
In-town parking, short term rentals, worker housing outside city limits and healthcare need a solution. We have too much friction between various factions in our local governing bodies. I will strive to create a harmonious working relationship and promote synergistic solutions that find common ground and common-sense solutions.
“I will work for you.”
Thomas Craig:
1. Why did you decide to run for office this year?
Over the past 33 years I have been fortunate to start a marriage, raise a family, make friends, and watch Highlands prosper. I could not be more thankful, and I want to be a part of the future of Highlands.
2. What are your qualifications/experience that you think will be beneficial for the Board of Commissioners?
I do not follow the idea, “If it’s not broken don’t fix it” because I believe the reason it’s not broken is because it was well maintained. Change is inevitable and if you try every day to do better than the day before then hopefully the change will not be detrimental. I served on the Highlands Planning board for 10+ years and our job was to discuss and make suggestionsabout the changes that face Highlands. Being a part of that group for so long made me want to continue serving Highlands.
3. How will you work with other commissioners to remedy the short term rental situation the Town is currently facing?
The five commissioners each have slightly different views on this subject, but all would like to see a compromised solution. This solution, when it arrives, will probably not make everyone happy. The legal issue of whether STRs are considered a commercial activity is yet to be settled but I have never heard of a single incident where a citation was issued because a residential property was used as a rental. There are strong opinions on both sides but there cannot be a zero-sum solution.
4. What will be your number one priority if you are elected?
Taking a serious look at the Comprehensive Plan and seeing which recommendations can implemented.
5. In your opinion, what are the top three issues Highlands is facing?
Housing, pedestrian transportation, updating the UDO.
Nicalous McCall:
1. Why did you decide to run for office this year?
We are all fortunate and blessed to be able to call Highlands home. I take great pride in the fact my family has been in the area over seven generations. Growing up here I have always believed that Highlands is more than just an idea, lifestyle or social construct. Every citizen should have a voice in the decision-making process and every voice should be weighed equally. Preserving who we are as a community is of far greater importance, than ambitions or desires of an individual.
2. What are your qualifications/experience that you think will be beneficial for the Board of Commissioners?
What should truly qualify someone to be a town commissioner? I believe the boards decisions should be made with humility. Focusing on what is best for the community as a whole and protecting our unique character and natural environment. I’ve been a member of the community my entire life and have owned multiple businesses. I currently own a restaurant downtown and understand the business community and its importance to this town. I have served in the United States Air Force studied political science at Appalachian State University. And I currently sit on the town planning board.
3. How will you work with other commissioners to remedy the short term rental situation the Town is currently facing?
There are greater issues involved in this question than just simply answering how I would work with the other board members regarding STR’s. My grandfather taught me there’s always two sides to every coin. And there has never been a truer example of this concept in the current STR issue. The truth is whether you are for or against STR’s, polarizing the issue and dividing the town is not the solution. Since I have not been asked to participate in the recent Highlands Community Coalition’s questionnaire. Preserving the history and character of Highlands, has and will always be where I stand. I am personally 100% against having STR’s in residential neighborhoods. I completely understand the concerns of those who oppose the practice. Respectfully I do not support the recent decision to ban STR’s. The impact it will have, on small businesses the housing market and peoples’ livelihoods. Far exceeds the capacity to disregard these facts in favor of my opinion as an individual. There is another side of this coin that we must take into consideration. Notwithstanding, that long term rentals and employee housing would fall under the same ban under the town’s interpretation of “commercial use.” The idea that short term rentals link to the current labor shortage, is entirely based on assumption. The assumption that the owners of those properties would rent them long-term. And made ignoring the reality, that if these properties were turned into long-term rentals each one of those houses would now have four or five persons at the addresses constantly? If you do not agree with the town’s interpretation that the wording “commercial use” allows STRS to be banned. The State of North Carolina’s legal opinion and Judicial precedent agree. The town of Highlands has allowed STR’s in the residential districts, at least since 2011 under the exact same wording currently in our UDO. If you are against STR’s you should take up issue with the town not enforcing the rules since 2011. And if you are for STR‘s you should have issue, that the properties you purchased and renovated, under the assumption that what you were doing was excepted and allowed, have now been banned, by the same people who just allowed it. All accountability belongs on the people who facilitated and allowed this for years. Not taking into consideration that you are pushing for people to abandon or sale their property, now after the fact is not reasonable. There are no members of the vacation rental or short-term rental industry, not willing to sit down with community members on the other side to solve the issue. They want to work with the town and with the neighborhood members. They are not against imposing regulations and standards. But they are against forcing people to forgo their rightfully purchased property without debate. We can solve this by coming together. As a town board member, it would be my top priority to sit down with both parties, working together to find solutions to the issues. And then work with the other board members on fixing the language in our UDO. While creating enforcement mechanisms to protect an ensure Highlands is never faced with this issue again.
4. What will be your number one priority if you are elected?
Protecting and preserving who we are as a community and our continued access to quality reliable healthcare. Nothing is more vital to this community’s future than access to healthcare services.
5. In your opinion, what are the top three issues Highlands is facing?
Housing, pedestrian transportation, updating the UDO.
The top three issues, I see in the near future for Highlands would be ensuring our continued access to quality healthcare. Addressing the recent push for exclusivity, we should welcome anyone no matter their economic or social status. And the completion of the town’s broadband project. I believe with my previous business experience, owning an Internet service providing company and electronic technology business, I would bring knowledge to facilitate this completion.
Amy Patterson:
1. Why did you decide to run for office this year?
The community of Highlands has always been, and continues to be, important to me. The natural environment, the people, the history, the character – all are worthy of our respect and efforts to protect and preserve what we have now and ensure it will continue in the future.
2. What are your qualifications/experience that you think will be beneficial for the Board of Commissioners?
Highlands has been a part of me for over 60 years. I have been a town commissioner for 30 years and worked on and with many boards during that time. I have helped guide our community and the results speak for my efforts.
3. How will you work with other commissioners to remedy the short-term rental situation the Town is currently facing?
A logical and thoughtful path will be followed to address situations that arise like the recent proliferation of short-term rentals in our neighborhoods. The current ordinances will be examined to ensure they are adequate and reflect what our community wants for the future of Highlands. Any ordinance modifications will go through the standard prescribed process including the town’s planning board, public input and evaluation regarding compatibility with the Town’s new comprehensive plan.
4. What will be your number one priority if you are elected?
The timeliest priority will be to examine and update the current ordinances where necessary to reflect the information in the new comprehensive plan from the citizens about their priorities.
5. In your opinion, what are the top three issues Highlands is facing?
How do we maintain and enhance the character of Highlands? How do we maintain and enhance our natural environment? How do we address the housing problem? And how do we do all that while maintaining a healthy, stable economy?
Eric Pierson:
1. Why did you decide to run for office this year?
I am running because Highlands is home to my children and family. I care deeply about the direction Highlands takes and want to do what I can to preserve the town and allow for not only my children, but others to live and prosper here as my family has for generations.
2. What are your qualifications/experience that you think will be beneficial for the Board of Commissioners?
I have spent the last 2+ decades doing what I can to be of service to the town. Over that time, I have constantly been active in the Town government. I have served on the Planning Board, Appearance Commission, Zoning Board, ABC Board, Town Board and currently a member of Highlands Fire and Rescue.
3. How will you work with other commissioners to remedy the short-term rental situation the Town is currently facing?
I will work with all Commissioners as I did during my previous eight years serving on the board. We will listen to the citizens of Highlands, discuss the pros and cons of whatever issue may be at hand and try to make the best decision for the community as a whole, that each of us can.
4. What will be your number one priority if you are elected?
My only priority is to try to do what is in the best interest of keeping Highlands the wonderful place it is.
5. In your opinion, what are the top three issues Highlands is facing?
As much time as I have spent in municipal government, I am well aware that there are endless issues to deal with. I am aware, regardless of what the issue may be, what benefits the town as a whole may be different from my personal opinion. What may be a big issue today, may be something that is superseded by an issue that may arise tomorrow, STRs that are a hot topic, but tomorrow, possibly a failed pump or the like at the water treatment plant. You have to be able to focus on all issues that arise and concentrate on the end goal, keeping Highlands - Highlands.