Opinion

A stark reminder

It’s safe to say that many of us who are fortunate enough to call the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau home live relatively charmed lives. Highlands and Cashiers, like any towns in America have problems, from drug addiction to food insecurity and everything in between.

Mayor on Duty - 12.8.22

It’s a shame that Highlands...   I’m ashamed that Highlands...  I get emails with these kinds of salutations on a routine basis.   Just this past week I received an email with the “shame” opening remark.

Officials should put people first

This week ushers in a new era in local government. Two new County Commissioners took office Monday evening and the Board of Education welcomed two new members as well. We have a new sheriff at the helm for the first time in 20 years, and the Town of Franklin swore in a new police chief on Monday.

Mayor on Duty - 12.1.22

The trout are back in Harris Lake. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission has restarted their winter pond stocking program. As a result, Harris Lake has several hundred trout for the public to harvest. The popular program was started several years ago.

Homecoming in Highlands

It’s homecoming weekend in Highlands. While the traditional homecoming festivities may look a little different here on the mountain, the objective is the same. It’s time to get out and support the home team and show pride in Highlands School.

Mayor on Duty - 11.24.22

On a plane coming back from a long weekend in New York City, I wrote down my insights from my visit there.  As Highlands’ Mayor, I always get ideas on how we can operate our town by visiting other cities. New York, arguably the greatest city in the world, is no exception.

Thanks to those who don't get a holiday

Thanksgiving may be your favorite holiday of the year. Or, perhaps it ranks somewhere between Arbor Day and Columbus Day. No matter how you view Thanksgiving, the day offers each of us the opportunity to take stock of our lives and all that we are grateful for.

Mayor on Duty - 11.17.22

The Asheville Citizens-Times recently reported that Buncombe County officials were reviewing whether short-term rentals operated by commercial companies like VRBO and Airbnb could be valued at a higher property tax rate than single family residences.

What do the results actually mean?

As election results continue to roll in across the country, races are being decided at every level of government. With the vote totals being certified, the obvious question is – What do the results actually mean? So, let’s look at what the Nov.

Mayor on Duty - 11.10.22

As I recently drove down Cullasaja Drive and by Mirror Lake I realized the Monkey Face tree was still there.  Regretfully, the monkey face image that was a natural part of that tree is long gone. The only thing remaining remnant of that glorious oddity of nature is a rotting scar on the tree.