Opinion

Mayor on Duty - 5.18.23

On Monday, I had the honor of awarding town scholarships to the graduating seniors at the annual Highlands School Honors Day program.   This year $56,000 in scholarships were awarded to the graduates.

Music returns to weekend lineup

Highlands gets a big part of its community feel back this week.

Mayor on Duty - 5.11.23

At the end of the day last Friday, my wife, Sallie, was exhausted, soaking wet, and sporting a black eye. But Sallie told me she had a great day. Say what?

Recognizing the hard work of nurses

You’ve heard it many times before if you’ve ever had the opportunity to listen to Highlands-Cashiers Hospital CEO Tom Neal give a speech or spoken to him face to face. He will tell you time and time again that nurses truly are the backbone of the community, not just here but across the country.

Mayor on Duty - 5.4.23

Last week I attended the annual conference of the North Carolina League of Municipalities, aka CityVision.  Let me review some of the highlights. Governor Cooper spoke at the main luncheon.

Bear Shadow opens "the season"

Planning a major event in April, in Highlands, is a tricky proposition. For the event organizers of the Bear Shadow Music Festival a mix of perfect timing and good fortune from Mother Nature came together to make the 2023 event a success.

Mayor on Duty - 4.20.23

The Highlands School has been a unique educational institution for this community, and frankly, I can’t understand why any parent wouldn’t want their children to attend this small K-12 school. Our school is one of only a few schools in North Carolina with the 13-grade format.

Getting the wrong end of cutbacks

Highlands Mayor Patrick Taylor is usually a mild-mannered guy. Known for his even keel approach to all kinds of town-related matters, Taylor has built a reputation as a guy who doesn’t lose his cool.

Mayor on Duty - 4.13.23

I was at an inaugural Earth Day convocation 53 years ago this month, and it will be celebrated again this year on Saturday, April 22. I had a little longer hair back in April 1970 and was probably sporting a set of bell-bottom blue jeans, which were the standard in those days.

Highlands roadsides in disgusting shape

If you have driven down the mountain recently there is no way you’ve missed the buildup of litter along the roadsides. It’s disgusting, it’s sad, and most of all it’s totally avoidable. Highlands’ two major arteries for vehicle travel, US 64 and NC 106, are both covered in trash at the moment.