Opinion

Mayor on Duty - May 12, 2022

Cost of energy is a huge national issue and a major driver of inflation.  At the last town board meeting our energy consultant informed us that Duke would be increasing wholesale electric rates in the coming months.

Mayor on Duty - May 5, 2022

Last Thursday I went to Asheville to participate in a round table moderated by North Carolina Attorney General, Josh Stein.  The Attorney General came to Asheville to assess the state of healthcare, especially to see how the 2018 sale of Mission Healthcare to HCA was progressing.

Plateau Pickup a necessary endeavor

With Easter in the rear view mirror, spring is officially in full swing on the Highlands-Cashiers Plateau. It’s the perfect time to do some spring cleaning, both at home and in the community.

Mayor On Duty - April 21, 2022

Last week I attended the Newly Elected Officials Seminar in Asheville. The event was sponsored by the University of North Carolina School of Government and the North Carolina League of Municipalities.

Letter to the Editor - Kudos to The Highlander

Thank you for your series of articles about what some other towns are doing to manage short-term rentals. It is good journalism and an interesting addition to the ongoing dialogue about how to handle the problem.

Mayor on Duty

Highlands is moving toward spring, and activities will pickup in Highlands.  I’m ready for the cold days and nights to go away. Stillwell and Associates have begun replacing the old, outdated waterline on Moorewood Drive.

Movies are back at Highlands Playhouse

You may have heard some buzz from Tinseltown in the past couple of days. Or maybe you’ve seen a social media post. Or maybe you’ve gotten caught in a discussion regarding the consequences of telling a bad joke.

Mayor on Duty

I attended the recent broadband meeting that Senator Corbin and Representative Gillespie hosted two weeks ago.  There was a strong turnout of people throughout Western Carolina where broadband accessibility is a vital issue. Just in Macon County we had people from Otto and Nantahala in attendance.

Mayor on Duty

I’ve written this column for over eight years.  I try to keep things positive.  Unfortunately, I can’t do that this week. I have to respond to the lawsuit that Commissioner Hehn has filed against Josh Ward, our town manager. At last Thursday’s town board meeting I expressed disappointment that Mr.

Mayor on Duty

I was ready to write about the town retreat, and then about tonight’s board meeting. But then I drove to Founders Park on Monday to begin a road-running workout. I came upon a depressing site. The photo shows a trash bag stuffed in the top of a bear resistant street can.