Opinion

Mayor on Duty

This past week’s town board meeting had a long agenda. Admittedly, some of us college basketball fans wanted to get home early to see the start of March Madness; nevertheless, we stayed the course and finished town business at the meeting.

Mayor on Duty

    Two weeks ago, the Macon County Board of Commissioners held two hearings. One was on a proposed redistricting of the county. The second was a proposal to replace the county planning board and appoint a new one. I was delighted to see a nice delegation of Highlanders at the hearings.

Mayor on Duty

We are approaching the time of the year when seniors at the Highlands School are making decisions about furthering their education. Also at this time, community organizations will be preparing to award scholarships at the Highlands School Honors Day in mid-May.

Mayor on Duty

Dollywood, a monumental tourist venue, does it, but we no longer do it. Highlands is no longer closed for the winter season. Starting after Christmas, Dollywood is shut down until the middle of March; the town pretty much stays open.

Mayor on Duty

At the start of the North Carolina Legislative session, several bills were introduced that would have curtailed municipalities’ efforts to manage or implement land-use, zoning, and development policies.

Mayor on Duty

The town board meeting will be on Thursday, Jan. 15, at the Highlands Community Building next to the ball field. The first meeting will be the workshop session beginning at 6 p.m, followed by the monthly board meeting at 7 p.m.

Mayor on Duty

I have a wish list for Highlands going into the new year. Whether I get all that I believe we need as a town may or not become a reality, but I am always hopeful. First on my list is that we find a public works director and town engineer to replace Lamar Nix who retired at the end of December.

Mayor on Duty

Last Thursday was a stress-filled day for Highlands. Some may ask how such a situation could happen, with the town threatened by a potential active shooter. How could that happen in beautiful, tranquil, and idyllic Highlands? Was this event indicative of the decline of our town?

Mayor on Duty

I worry that Thanksgiving is being overlooked by marketing and promotion forces. It is not a big-ticket holiday like Christmas or Halloween, and it is being sandwiched between the two. There are no gifts to be bought nor costumes to be sold.

Mayor on Duty

I would like to thank everyone for the opportunity to serve as Mayor of Highlands for another four years. When I was first elected back in 2013, I never thought I would serve 12 years, let alone 16 years in office.