The Highlands Board of Commissioners gathered at the community building to go over some of the latest initiatives that have been developing in the area on Thursday, beginning with an update regarding the Highlands-Cashiers Hospital.
HCH Chief Executive Officer Tom Neal went over recent events that the hospital went through, starting with the response they had to Hurricane Helene. He proceeded to showcase several examples, such as a food airlift and a mini mart, which helped distribute food to those affected in the community. Additionally, gas tankers were used to distribute gas to those that needed it.
Neal commented that the hurricane itself also helped them prepare better should there be another similar event in the future.
“I really feel it’s important that, as a hospital, we’re focused on how we’re better prepared next time, but also think as a community, it’s important for us to be prepared. I want to applaud the foundation and the local community agencies. They’ve rallied to help those communities,” he said.
Alongside this, Neal also provided an update on other areas of improvement that Mission Health has seen. The biggest takeaway being an investment in their colleagues. Neal also showcased the recent partnership with the Boys and Girls Club.
“This was just a great opportunity when Carmen reached out to me and said, ‘I would like to see about bringing the Boys and Girls Club here.’ And I know there’s a lot of interest from many people in this room,” he said.
Looking to the future, Neal drew key points that the hospital wishes to reach and expand upon, such as primary care expansion, a swing bed program, surgical services, emergency department and outpatient services. For labor management, he expressed they would like to see housing solutions and more recruitment.
“This is not a topic I’m bringing for any discussion. I am just bringing it forward is to say this is something the hospital is still looking at. There’s a separate nonprofit that is working with the developer. They are working through the final stages of attaining what it’s going to cost,” Neal said.
Following the workshop, the board commenced the commissioners meeting by taking the time to approve and congratulate Nick Tosco, who now serves as the town attorney, for his new position within the community.
Continuing with the mayor’s report, Mayor Patrick Taylor mentioned that there will be a power outage in the town of Highlands this Wednesday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
“I’m going to send a video out and that is we will be having the power outage on Wednesday the 26th of February, that’s next Wednesday. It’ll start at eight in the morning and go through hopefully 6 p.m. So, everyone needs to be aware of that and be prepared,” he said.
Highlands Area Chamber of Commerce went over their agenda, including the replacement of Christmas lantern wreaths in town, which has become sun bleached over time. The board approved of the purchasing of the new lantern wreaths.
Due to the dreariness of the post-Christmas winter, the Chamber requested that the holiday lights for the trees in the center of town should stay up until spring. The board agreed that lights could remain until the date of March 15.
Additionally, they also requested that their concert events at Pine could be extended one additional Saturday on May 10 from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. due to a previous event cancellation. The request was approved by the board.
The board moved forward with the Chamber building lease, which was approved for on a new five-year lease upon the request of the Chamber with the commitment of $40,000 a year going toward town landscaping.
The Rotary Club proposed the installation of a Peace Pole for the community here in Highlands. Peace Poles are generally spotted throughout the world and serve as a testament and international symbol for the message behind peace.
“In 1955, Masahisa Goi planted the first peace poll in Japan. Then over the next 20 years, they were started to be several 100 and then they started to appear around the world,” said Kath Connelly Hudson, President of Mountaintop Rotary. “Today there are 250,000 peace poles in every single country in the world. It’s our hope that there can be a peace poles in Highlands.”
The proposal was openly welcomed by the board, but additional information will be needed, such as size and where the pole will be located, especially since it will be a permanent placement.
The board moved onto the HWY 64 electrical distribution line’s upgrade bid from for a proposed total amount of $682,343.07. The board approved the bid from Southeastern Transmission and Distribution LLC.
“One thing I want to point out, if you’ll see the completion time, Southeastern Transmission and Distribution has a very nice timeline, fits in with what we need it to be,” said Lamar Nix, public works director for the town of Highlands. “And that clock starts ticking when they have a notice to proceed, which is deep into the contract document.”