Opinion

A long wait for workforce housing

Our world is filled with nebulous terms that really don’t mean much. Over the past several years, Highlands, Cashiers, and all of Western North Carolina have been flooded with one such term – workforce housing.

Mayor on Duty - 12.5.24

A recent email from a resident was addressing the issue of workforce housing. Attached to the email was an article that called for a reduction in building code requirements and density standards as a strategy to increase housing supply.

A second shot at Small Business Saturday

If you were out and about this past weekend, odds are you heard someone mention “Small Business Saturday.” Following the Thanksgiving holiday, the popular shopping day known as “Black Friday” has become a cultural phenomenon.

Mayor on Duty - 11.28.24

I know some folks may be down and out, even depressed, at this moment in time. Some are depressed about the election outcome; others are rightfully saddened about Helene and all the folks who have been displaced.

A reminder of the important things

“As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words, but to live by them”– President John F. Kennedy   Hopefully, the meaning of Thanksgiving is not lost on anyone as we usher in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.

Mayor on Duty - 11.21.24

  The town workshop and town board meetings will be held on Thursday, November 21, at the community center next to the ball field. The workshop session begins at 6 p.m., and the monthly board meeting at 7 p.m. Both meetings can be accessed remotely by using the link on the town website.

Sometimes seeing is believing

Information is everywhere. Data is being created all the time. The flood of things we “need” to know and the things we “want” to know never stops. But sometimes, the best way to understand a situation is by seeing it with your own two eyes.

Mayor on Duty - 11.14.24

I get this idea presented to me almost every month. It goes like this. Mayor, if the town reduced residential garbage service to one day a week, operating costs and rates could be reduced.

Voting process is as solid as ever

Perhaps your favorite politician won his or her race for public office. Or maybe they failed in their attempt. No matter if you are a fan of any particular politician, party, or platform, there is another term that starts with the letter “P” we can all be happy with – process.

Mayor on Duty - 11.7.24

As mayor I get recurring advice as to what the town should do, especially about operating our utilities. I respond to many of these ideas over and over again. But these ideas just don’t go away. I guess it is a form of public brainstorming, which is part of the creative process.