Opinion

Local elections should stay nonpartisan

The makeup of Macon County’s registered voters has changed considerably over the years. New voters are moving in, and some existing voters are changing their party affiliation. Since 2004, the gap between the number of registered Republican and Democratic voters has increased from 599 to 7,335.

Mayor on Duty - 7.27.23

Highlands is moving into a period of evaluation and reflection concerning where we are as a community and where we should go into the future.  We do this every two years with the fall municipal elections.

Another step toward connectivity

Several years ago during a Macon County Economic Development Commission meeting, former county commissioner Ronnie Beale made it clear that broadband connectivity was going to be an issue for Western North Carolina for a long time.

Mayor on Duty - 7.20.23

Before July, I was optimistic that the North Carolina Legislature would pass a budget and adjourn sometime in July; however, when the legislators reassembled on July 11, things went south very fast. Out of the blue, SB 90 was introduced.

Football season will be here shortly

It may be 80 degrees and sunny right now. But soon enough, the crisp air of fall will be sneaking into the mountains of Western North Carolina. The fall brings leaf season, an influx of selfie-seeking day trippers, and perhaps most importantly – football.

Local political season underway

What direction is Highlands headed? That is the biggest question as the political season begins to heat up at 4118 feet.

Mayor on Duty - 7.13.23

It is the time of the year when I again get this question. Mayor, what are you going to do about the town providing more parking? My response is always that Highlands has more parking places in the downtown area than almost any town of comparable size in Western Carolina.

Mayor on Duty - 7.6.23

This past Saturday, Sallie and I had the honor of attending the Benefactors Breakfast that kicked off Community Day at the Bascom Visual Arts Center.  It was good to be with friends and realize that the Bascom has been thriving since the facility’s opening in May 2009.

Highlands shines brighter than the fireworks on July 4

Baseball Hall of Fame member Ted Williams once said, “Baseball is the only field of endeavor where a man can succeed three out of every 10 times and be considered great.” Williams was of course referring to players with a .300 batting average being labeled as All-Stars.

Mayor on Duty - 6.29.23

This past weekend I participated in the Village Square Art Show in Founders Park, created by Cynthia Strain 18 years ago and who just retired last year as the coordinator.