I get a lot of emails and text messages about town issues. Last week, I received feedback about two events. Instead of responding to the messages individually, I am responding publicly here.
One set of messages centered around the protests that occurred on Saturday. Many of the texts were anonymous, flash messages that disappeared instantly. I do not like communications where people do not name themselves. Even at our town board meeting on Thursday, one speaker wanted to remain anonymous. State statutes do not allow anonymous comments during a public comment period. Speakers must identify themselves. Not so with an email communication, but neither does an elected official have to respond to or address anonymous feedback. Nevertheless, I will when it comes to the No Kings Protest and counter protest.
Many of these messages chided me for allowing the protests to take place here in our wonderful and peaceful Highlands. Several went on to state that all the protesters were coming from other areas and did not even live in the Highlands area. A few even went on to declare that Antifa groups would be here. Their fear was that these outside invaders intended to loot and burn the downtown area, and the mayor was standing by and letting things get out of control. One message proclaimed that I had even invited these sinister protesters to come to Highlands. All the false information that those people received makes one wonder where it comes from and why people send it when they know it is not true.
I first worried that I had somehow forgotten I had invited the protesters, so I checked with my wife, town staff, and others to see if I had inadvertently done so. Fortunately, they confirmed I had not. I did not invite the No Kings or the counter protesters.
I am not the Monarch of Highlands. I cannot stop people from peacefully assembling to express their grievances against the government, or their political or religious views, no matter what they might be. Even during that tragic time when Charlie Kirk was killed, some suggested I should not allow signs to be displayed in the downtown area. My conviction was that people had every right to assemble and express their concerns during that period of mourning. The critical concept in all these situations is that people have the right to assemble and express themselves peacefully. Peaceful assembly by citizens is a constitutionally protected right under the First Amendment.
Despite rumors that there may be disruptions during the protests, there were none. I want to thank the Highlands Police Department for their presence to ensure these protests were peaceful and did not impair commerce during this beautiful leaf season. And to the messenger who thought protesters might loot and burn stores in Highlands, I can assure you that our highly trained police force, in a tactical response, would do everything in their power to make sure that never happens.
The other issue that generated messages this past week was the closure of US 64 from 7 pm to 7 am between Highlands and Cashiers to replace failing culverts. The town and I worked to obtain information from NCDOT about the planned road closure, only to be labeled by some as the governing body that made the decision. Or some thought I should use my influence to get DOT to delay this work until after the leaf season.
While the town staff and I work with DOT staff to coordinate efforts, especially within the town limits, our coordination does not extend deep into Macon or Jackson County. NCDOT has multiple variables to address when doing road work, and I am not a monarch who controls their decisions; the town can suggest and ask, but we cannot control NCDOT.
I would point out that this kind of culvert replacement is especially important work, given what happened during Helene, as illustrated on NC 106. Also, there is the question of when would be a better time to do this extensive work, which involves digging up and replacing culverts, then repaving the trenches with asphalt. A delay into November and the winter months was not possible since asphalt cannot be laid below a given temperature. Doing the culvert work in the spring would raise the same concern that restaurants in Highlands might lose some customers and workers coming from Cashier, and vice versa.
I suspect DOT will schedule the resurfacing of portions of US 64 near the Jackson County line in the near future. Replacing these culverts is a preliminary step before such paving begins. The new paving will remove all the small bumps left by the culvert replacement.
Keep the messages coming and keep in mind that they are public records.
