What direction is Highlands headed?
That is the biggest question as the political season begins to heat up at 4118 feet.
The candidate filing period for municipal elections in 2023 opened on Friday and two Highlanders made their way to Franklin to submit their paperwork and kickoff their candidacy on the first day. Jeff Weller and Rachel Wilson will both be on the ballot when Election Day rolls around on Tuesday, Nov. 7.
On Monday, incumbent commissioners John ‘Buz’ Dotson and Brian Stiehler both filed for reelection.
With eight days left for candidates to enter the race officially, it’s all but certain there will be more names added to the ballot.
This year there are three seats on the town board of commissioners up for grabs as incumbents Dotson and Stiehler, as well as Marc Hehn will have their terms end. Hehn has announced that he will not seek reelection in 2023 following a four-year stint on the board.
In order to run for the Highlands Board of Commissioners, a person must be a registered voter in Macon County (for at least 30 days prior to filing), a resident of the Town of Highlands, at least 21 years of age, and able to pay the $5 filing fee.
While that all may sound easy enough, and being on the town board isn’t ever going to be confused with Congress, taking on the title of Highlands Town Commissioner is an important role.
Just in the past four years the town board has had to navigate – COVID-19 and related issues, a surge of properties being turned into short-term rentals, the building/leasing of a broadband network, the construction and staffing of a new fire department, and a host of other important topics.
Surely the next four years will produce its own slew of quandaries and conundrums for the board to assess and take action upon.
Prior to the election there will be ample opportunities to get out and meet the candidates, ask them questions, and make decisions on who will serve the town best. It will be up to the voters to decide which direction Highlands is headed.