Opinion

Protecting access to open meetings

A group of North Carolina legislators have introduced bills to amend the state constitution to further protect the public’s access to meetings and records.

Mayor on Duty - 6.13.24

What do Saint Francis of Assisi, Lao Tzu, John Muir, and Henry David Thoreau have in common?   It is a realization that we are a part of nature and at our best when connected to the amazing natural world of the land, water, air, plants, and animals.

Thinking about dad this weekend

“Every father should remember, one day his children will follow his example – not his advice.” – Charles Kettering   Maybe you’ll spend Sunday casting a line in a local stream. Or perhaps you’ll spend a leisurely day poolside.

Mayor on Duty - 6.6.24

A few weeks ago, Sallie had several paintings accepted into an art show in New York, so we decided to attend the opening and make it sort of weekend vacation.  The show was not in Manhattan but rather on Long Island in Queens. We stayed at a hotel in Rockaway Beach.

Rev your engines for motoring festival

You can almost smell the exhaust. Hear the sound of a perfectly tuned engine as it revs up first thing in the morning. Feel the grip of the tires as they hug a sun-soaked mountain road. It’s that time of year once again as the Highlands Motoring Festival gets set to kick off its 2024 festivities.

Mayor on Duty - 5.30.24

It will be a hard decision: what is the future of the Highlands Playhouse building?   First, some background. Originally built as the auditorium for the Highlands School in 1931, in the late 1930s, the Highlands Little Theater used the building for summer productions.

Friendly advice for the class of 2024

This week, the class of 2024 turned their tassels at Highlands School, Blue Ridge, and Summit Charter. The morning was filled with mixed emotions, as is always the case. Proud parents shared smiles and even a few tears with their graduates, who are moving on to a new stage in life.

Mayor on Duty - 5.16.24

Thursday evening, May 16, the Highlands Town Board will convene at the Highlands Recreation Center.  Progress is being made on the renovations at the Highlands Community Center next to the ball field, and I believe we will be there for the July meetings.

Traffic backing up a sign of the times

It’s getting to be that time of year yet again. Residents of Highlands and Cashiers know it all too well. With more visitors coming to town, the traffic headaches have begun at locations all across Macon and Jackson counties, with Highlands and Cashiers topping the lists of high-traffic areas.

Mayor on Duty - 5.9.24

The budget planning season is coming to a close, as the last budget workshop was held last Thursday.  The next budget stop is the presentation of a proposed budget for FYI 2024-2025 at the town board meeting on May 16. The proposed budget will be big, maybe as much as 45 million dollars.