Opinion

Mayor on Duty - 4.6.23

Last Friday marked the resumption of the “Community Coffee with the Mayor” at the Hudson Library. These coffee sessions are usually held on the last Friday of the month, from March to October.

Easter activities, traditions abound

The Easter holiday means a lot of things to a lot of people. From the traditional observance of Jesus’ resurrection depicted in the Bible, to the more recent customs of donning pastel outfits or searching for candy-filled plastic eggs, Easter serves as the unofficial start of Spring.

Mayor on Duty - 3.30.23

Since the recent Duke Energy power outage shut down the Highlands grid, I have had a number of suggestions and questions about the issue. Let me respond to several of these items as best I can.

Highlands sees a Spring Break boom

Spring Break is a highlight of the school year for both students and teachers.

Hospital remains vital to community

Thirty years, a snowstorm unlike anything anyone on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau had ever seen, and a momentous celebration to commemorate both.

Mayor on Duty - 3.23.23

At last Thursday’s meeting, the Highlands Town Board approved a number of items that will now move forward. Let me review several major decisions that were made. First, the board approved the new leases for the HAM Radio and WHLC antenna located on the town’s Big Bear Pen Tower.

Mayor on Duty - 3.16.23

Last Thursday, the town board and staff conducted an all-day budget workshop, aka the Highlands Town Retreat.  This event signaled the start of the budget process for the coming year.  It will be followed up by a number of afternoon budget workshops this spring.

Sunshine Week puts focus on government

It’s a fitting coincidence that Sunshine Week 2023 happens to fall during the week that both local elected bodies governing Highlands are scheduled to meet.

Mayor on Duty - 3.9.23

Last Friday afternoon, in anticipation of bad weather, I was in town hall monitoring the weather situation with our town manager and public works director.  Problems started around 2:30 with the total loss of power across the town.

Pre-K project halted despite clear need

We aren’t mad. We’re disappointed. Perhaps a parent, friend, or significant other has said those words to you at some point after making an unwise decision. Being on the receiving end of disappointment is a humbling experience.