This site is an unofficial site provided by Mayor Pat Taylor and is devoted to keeping the residents of Highlands, North Carolina informed on the actions, plans and issues Mayor Pat is working. This website is not associated with the Office of the Mayor of Highlands or the office.
It is spring, and wildlife, like humans, are out and moving about. We should all be vigilant and wise in our encounters with wild creatures. Although they may look cute and cuddly, wild creatures are not our friends and certainly not our pets.
A recent event illustrates the problem of humans interacting with wild animals. The wildlife officer who worked with Highlands in implementing our BearWise program was on NBC Nightly News this past weekend, addressing the dangerous situation that occurred in Asheville.
A group of people saw several very young bear cubs in a tree. Instead of just leaving the cubs alone, these folks took them out of the tree to take photographs with them. That action was irresponsible on two fronts. Young cubs in the wild do not need to be held by humans. They can live and survive with their mother bear, provider, and defender. Second, it was fortunate for those reckless humans that the cubs' mother was not in the area. If she had been, those folks could have been seriously injured or even killed. And if that had been the tragic case, no one could have blamed the mother bear; she would have been doing what she instinctively does to protect her young.
If anyone sees someone interacting with wildlife like this incident, please call 911 so law enforcement and wildlife officials can intervene to protect both the animals and the people involved.
We have had a BearWise program in place in Highlands for several years. In fact, we were the first community in the region to adopt the programs and its bear protocols. Without BearWise, I can't imagine what our garbage and sanitation situation would be at this time. While the town still has breaches of bear-resistant containers, the program has successfully curbed bears from coming through the town and eating the garbage we generate.
Very soon, the town will pass an ordinance requiring restaurants to secure large tanks that contain several hundred gallons of grease. This past week, bears turned over two grease tanks at a local shopping center. Our fire department had to go into hazmat mode to prevent the grease from running into a stream that flows into our drinking water system. The new ordinance will require these tanks to be secured in such a manner that large bears can not turn them over.
Let me also remind folks to keep a safe distance from any bear you may encounter. While large bears appear to be slow and lumbering, they can charge a person with amazing speed. If you are looking to take a photo of a cute bear, and you are 30 feet away from the bear, and if that animal charges, there is a high likelihood that your escape would not be possible. Everyone is encouraged this time of year not to put out bird feeders or at least take the feeders inside at night. Bears love seeds; they are a magnet to hungry bears.
If a homeowner is having trouble with bear interactions on their property, please call the Highlands Police Department at (828) 526-9431. The department has a code enforcement officer who can assist in addressing the problem. The town website also has a link to BearWise information.
MAYOR PAT
Subject: Press Release - Monkey Bite 4/21/24
Highlands Police Department responded to a peculiar incident over the weekend when a monkey, belonging to a visitor to the Highlands area, escaped and bit a pedestrian in the area of Lower Lake Road.
At approximately 6:30pm on Sunday the 21st, the Highlands Police Department received a call from the bite victim requesting assistance. When officers and medical personnel arrived at the scene, the bite victim was provided with first aid. Medics from Macon County EMS assessed the wound before releasing the patient who advised they would visit the Hospital for further treatment.
Officers spoke with the monkey’s handler who told them that the monkey had slipped from his harness and was currently loose in the woods. The monkey’s handler was able to use some food provided by one of the officers to encourage the monkey to return and safely capture it without further incident.
Macon County Animal Control responded to the scene to help investigate the incident and ensure public safety. No charges have been filed at this time, but the investigation is still underway.
Highlands Police Department would like to thank Macon County EMS and Macon County Animal Control for their assistance in this matter. We would also like to thank our community for their continued support.
Sergeant Tim BroughtonHighlands Police Department
Investigations/Support Services
Feb 26,, 2024
Twenty years ago, Erin Bronk, then a US Forest Ranger, had a great idea of creating a sky bridge over US 64 down to Dry Falls. Visitors would be rerouted to park in a US Forest Service parking lot just off Paul Walden Way, do a short hike down to the falls, and cross the highway by way of the sky bridge. However, the full plan that Erin and her team developed was never realized
Jan 9, 2024
Last Friday, I signed a stack of town checks in my office. Fridays are check signing days. The process begins at the first of the week when invoices come to the town clerk. Our clerk also doubles as our accounts receivable officer. She verifies the invoices, and by the end of the week, the checks are ready for the required two signatures.
Jan 3, 2024
Sometime during my first term as mayor, I was invited to a meeting at the Lakeside Restaurant, where hospitality and food service folks had gathered, along with Chamber of Commerce representatives. Folks from outside Highlands and Eleven Events were also there. I recall the meeting took place in late summer.
And you can download all my 116 Articles
Sign up to hear from us about specials, sales, and events.
On Thursday, April 18, the town board will hold its monthly meeting and workshop. Both sessions will be at the Highlands Recreation Center since the Highlands Community Center continues to be under renovation. That renovation project is going well, and I anticipate the meetings returning to the community center around June or July.
I get a lot of information from folks on an array of topics, such as electric vehicles, solar energy, water and sewer, and, you guessed it, short-term rentals. I ponder the information I receive, and some of it inspires me to think creatively.
See all my Videos on Youtube
Beyond being the Mayor of Highlands I am also a husband, father, grandfather and a POTTER. Check out my other career as an artist and potter.
Reach out to Mayor Pat with an email to discuss an issue or ask a question. The email and response can be just for you or the public- your choice.
Paid for by Mayor Pat Taylor
Copyright © 2021 PatTaylor - All Rights Reserved.
We use cookies to analyze website traffic and optimize your website experience. By accepting our use of cookies, your data will be aggregated with all other user data.