Opinion

Food and Wine gives us time to relax

They say in life, timing is everything. While that adage applies in many aspects of our daily grind, it also applies to events going on around us.

Mayor on Duty - 10.31.24

In the past, I obsessed over roads and paving, probably because, as a boy, I rode around South Georgia with my father, looking at roads under construction. My father was a state highway engineer, and I was fascinated with highway construction.

School expansion shows commitment

During the time of the year when you don’t have to go very far to hear a politician saying something, anything, about their upcoming election bid, it was a short quip from NC Sen. Kevin Corbin that should make everyone in Highlands sleep a little easier.

Mayor on Duty - 10.24.24

Way back in the good old days, there were no roads to Highlands, just what we now would consider mountain trails. The Gorge Road between Highlands and Franklin was built in 1929, the Walhalla Road, aka NC 28, in 1938, and the Dillard Road, aka NC 106, in 1940.

NC106 closure an issue of travel time

When the news broke on Thursday night that NC106 was going to be closed near the Blue Valley Overlook in both directions, the reaction around town was a collective “Ugh.

Mayor on Duty - 10.17.24

The town and residents are now entering an assessment period to Hurricane Helene response. What did we do well and what can we do better? I will focus this article on how each one of us should prepare for the next storm.

When competition overshadows good work

Being competitive is one the many behaviors that make us human. Throughout our lives we compete for all kinds accolades. Whether it’s a youth basketball trophy, a spelling bee certificate, the attention of others, or simply to better our previous best mark at a task.

Mayor on Duty - 10.10.24

I am thankful for many things, even amid the tragedy and disaster of Helene. Let me express my gratitude to this community. I will never be able to fully thank everyone for their support in the recovery after the storm.

Turning the page towards recovery

Last week’s newspaper was focused on the destruction caused by Hurricane Helene, and the efforts in the immediate aftermath to get electricity, internet, and cell phone service turned back on.

Mayor on Duty - 10.3.24

This is my immediate journal and recollections as mayor during a storm and state of emergency. It begins last week. At the start of last week I and our staff became aware and started tracking the disturbance in the Caribbean. By Wednesday the governor, county and town declared a state of emergency.