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November 14- 

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.  Never do I get the suggestion to cut daily commercial service, which is the source of those recurring sanitation deficits

November 7- 

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.  This article is one of a two-part series where I will address some of these ideas.

October 31

In the past, I obsessed over roads and paving, probably because, as a boy, I rode around South Georgia with my father looking a roads under construction. My father was a state highway engineer, and I was fascinated with highway construction. I cherish those memories of my father driving his old Plymouth station wagon, going about 3 miles an hour on a freshly paved road, checking for correct grades and the dreaded inclusions.

October 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 Walhala Road, aka NC 28, in 1938, and the Dillard Road, aka NC 106, in 1940.  What I mean by a built road to Highlands is that drivers and passengers would not have to get out and push their cars through ruts and mud on what was built originally for wagons.  These new modern roads provided the prospect of continuous traffic flow without delays.

October 17

The town and residents are now entering an assessment period for Hurricane Helene's 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.  Preparation for the approaching Helene was made by the town and by many residents.  Still, honestly, no one at WNC anticipated the severe impact and loss of all utilities and communications services.

October 10

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.  People didn’t respond to the needs of their neighbors, friends, and community because of expected approbations and expressions of gratitude; they gave their support because they are good, decent human beings who love people and their community.

October 10

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.  People didn’t respond to the needs of their neighbors, friends, and community because of expected approbations and expressions of gratitude; they gave their support because they are good, decent human beings who love people and their community.

September  26

In a 4 to 1 vote, the town board decided to move forward with the amortization amendment to the current STR ordinance.  While I advocated for a more cautious approach to reducing STRs in R1 and R2 by stricter enforcement of the grandfathering provision, I will support the board’s decision.  

September  19

The Highlands Town Board of Commissioners will meet on Thursday, September 19th.  At 6 p.m., there will be a board workshop followed by the official monthly meeting at 7 p.m.  Both meetings will be at the Highlands Community Center next to the ball field.  The meetings can be accessed remotely by a link on the town website.

September  12

I want to express my gratitude to all who participated in the public hearing on STR

amortization last Thursday. Your input was invaluable in our understanding of this complex issue. The next crucial step will be the board's decision at the regular meeting on September 1Hochatown

article I wrote, the WSJ article, "This Texas City is Too Hot, Short on Water and Booming," isalso a cautionary tale.

September 5

A while back, I wrote about an STR boom town called Hochatown. I recently read a Wall  Street Journal article by Matt Wirz about another type of boom town. Like the Hochatown article I wrote, the WSJ article, "This Texas City is Too Hot, Short on Water and Booming," is also a cautionary tale.

August 22

After last Thursday’s long board meeting, I came away with a confirmation that I have had for quite some time. That is, Highlands has multiple pressure points when it comes to future growth and the development of the town.

August 12

The meeting has a full and interesting agenda, beginning with the board's discussion of short-term rental amortization.  In July, the Highlands Planning Board voted unanimously not to amend the current short-term rental ordinance to amortize and thereby eliminate the grandfathered short-term rental use in R1 and R2 neighborhoods.  The commissioners will now review the planning board's recommendation and decide whether or not to move forward with amortization.

July 23

It began at my Community Coffee with the Mayor in June and has continued since then. A number of folks at the coffee were upset by the large number of trees that had just been cut down at a home-building site in an old neighborhood in town.  The question to me was, why the town allowed this to happen when it was a clear violation of the town tree ordinance.

July 15

We should all be proud of our Highlands and Cashiers community for its valuing of the arts and commitment to life-enhancing experiences in the arts, sciences, and social support endeavors.  These commitments make the plateau a place where people not only want to visit but, more importantly, want to live and invest their hearts and treasures in the fabric of the community.

July 10

We should all be proud of our Highlands and Cashiers community for its valuing of the arts and commitment to life-enhancing experiences in the arts, sciences, and social support endeavors.  These commitments make the plateau a place where people not only want to visit but, more importantly, want to live and invest their hearts and treasures in the fabric of the community.

July 1

In recent years, my reading has centered around the American Revolution, the creation of the U.S. Constitution, and the first American president, George Washington.  I now have a more in-depth picture of these critical events in our nation’s history than what I learned during my schooling.

June 25

As a matter of safety, I have asked our law enforcement agencies to continue to be on the lookout for aggressive and reckless drivers, but the real enforcement has to come from all of us motorists in being mindful, calm, and patient.

June 117

Change is inevitable, so I was not shocked when I got the call this weekend stating that Old Edwards Hospitality Group and all its properties had been sold.  The surprise came when I learned that OEI had not been sold to a large hotel and resort corporation like Marriott, Wyndham, or Hilton but rather to a couple with the experience and commitment to operating facilities like OEI.  

June 11

Last week, I attended the annual celebration event of the Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust, the oldest organization of its kind in North Carolina.  Mercedes Heller was the keynote speaker and honoree.  She faithfully served as the land trust president for several years, and many of the organization’s achievements occurred under her watch

June 3

A few weeks ago, Sallie had several paintings accepted into an art show in New York, so we decided to attend the opening and make it sort of weekend vacation.  The show was not in Manhattan but rather on Long Island in Queens. 

May 28

The Highlands Playhouse has been a fixture in the town for a long time.  Originally built as the auditorium for the Highlands School in 1931, in the late 1930s, the Highlands Little Theater used the building for summer productions.  In 1952, the building was acquired by the Town of Highlands, and in 1972, the theater company acquired 501(c)(3) tax exemption status and then became known as Highlands Community Theatre. 

May 21

On the last Thursday’s town board agenda was the topic of the status of STR legislation.  I can report that Senator Tim Moffett's SN 667 is still in play.  Our town attorney stated it still can come before the legislature anytime before the speaker closes this short session.  The title of the bill says it all: "An Act to Limit the Regulation of Short-Term Rentals by Local Governments to Protect Property Rights and to Establish Guidelines for Regulating Short-Term Rentals.  

May 7

The proposed budget will be big, maybe as much as 45 million dollars.  In past years, the town budgets have hovered around 28 to 30 million dollars.  Budgets like the forthcoming one include all operations and revenue sources needed to operate every department, such as electricity, water and sewer, roads, police, and recreation.

April 29

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. 

April 22

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. 

April 16

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. 

April 9

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. 

April 2

Sallie and I have been on the road this Easter week, traveling and visiting our children who work in Washington, DC.  As I have said before, when we visit other communities, I frequently compare them to Highlands. Sometimes, I get insights into how the town can do things differently and better.  Sometimes what I observe in our travels confirms that what our town does and how it operates is very good, just as it is.

March 26

Very soon, Highlanders who have braved the winter months will see an influx of new visitors and the return of seasonal and second homeowners.  I now characterize many of our residents as transitory residents who, while leaving Highlands for periods during the winter, usually November through May, never fully sever ties with the town as once done by many homeowners in the past.  

March 19

Thursday, March 21, will be the March meeting of the Highlands Town Board of Commissioners.  This meeting will have two sessions: Workshop and the Board Meeting, both open to the public.  The workshop will begin at 6 pm at the Highlands Recreation Department.    responded, "But there is good news, Mayor.  About half of that 16 million will be covered by state grant funding." 

March 12

After the town retreat last Thursday, I talked with Lamar Nix.  Lamar smiled and told me, "Mayor, you know we just identified about 16 million dollars in needed capital funding."  I reluctantly acknowledged his assertion.  Lamar responded, "But there is good news, Mayor.  About half of that 16 million will be covered by state grant funding." 

March 5

So, I've always thought the Highlands Town Retreat is a misnomer; we don't retreat anywhere.  And the board and staff only get drinks and one free lunch.  This year, the choices are tea, cokes, water, and pizza or sandwiches.  Our retreat enclave will be the Highlands Recreation Center.  It begins at 9 am, Thursday, March 7, and ends by around 4 pm.  It's not really a retreat but rather an all-day budget workshop.  Let me highlight some things to be reviewed.  

February 26

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. 

February 19

The governmental process can be slow, and as some have observed in Highlands, we do it cautiously and painstakingly deliberate.  At the business roundtable last Thursday night, that concern was expressed: Highlands needs to be dynamic and open to change.  But, as elected representatives of the town residents, the mayor and board members need to always take a deliberate and critical analysis approach to adopting new town policies and committing tax dollars to projects. 

February 12

Thursday night, February 15, the Highlands Town Board of Commissioners will meet at the Highlands Recreation Center.  The proceedings can also be accessed by a YouTube link, which is located on the town website.  The monthly town workshop will begin at 6:00 pm, followed by the official business meeting at 7 pm. 

February 5

The Gorge Road is a vital link for the two cities in Macon County., Franklin and Highlands.  The photos show just how vulnerable the section of the road at the falls really is.  Hopefully, the repairs in the first photo will be completed in the next few days.  Luckily, the sections in the other photos did not fail.  If those walls had collapsed, repair and restoration work would be much more complicated and longer in the making.Asheville and its problems serving the 18-county region.

January 23

I reluctantly write this piece but feel compelled to do so.  To be clear, our Highlands-Cashiers Hospital has been a great asset to our community over the past five years.  Tom Neal has provided outstanding leadership, which has made many of us very proud of our medical facility.  Our hospital is not the problem.  The problem lies with HCA Mission in Asheville and its problems serving the 18-county region.

January 18

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. 

The town manager plus the finance director or mayor both sign the checks.  As a standard practice, the town manager and mayor are the signatories.

January 8

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.

December 27

I want to talk about taxes as we go toward the new year, specifically sales tax revenues.  The Town of Highlands is projected to take in about 1.6 million dollars in sales tax for this fiscal year.  We will also take in about 3 million in property tax that also goes to the town.  These revenues, coupled with various fees and state grants, make up our general operating fund revenues.

Sales tax revenues are about 25% of the Highlands general fund.

December 20

The Christmas season gives us time to slow down and reflect.  I did just that after the December town board meeting.  I realized that meeting marked the tenth anniversary of my first swearing-in as Mayor of Highlands.  It continues every day to be a humble honor to serve as mayor.

I have tried over the years to communicate with Highlanders.  Fifty-two weekly newspaper articles multiplied by ten equals 520 articles.  The same goes for weekly radio shows.  

December 12

A critical shortage of workforce housing plagues communities and economic development across the nation.  What are the factors that contribute to the shortage?  Let’s start off with off-the-chart building costs, high land prices, interest rates, and investment companies buying houses only to charge high rents.  While the expanding short-term rental market contributes to the problem, some advocates believe that strict zoning and building codes that limit density and construction options also aggravate the situation.

December 5- 

At the end of November, the North Carolina General Assembly adjourned their long session.  There were over 1,500 bills introduced.  Our staff and I tried to track bills that could impact Highlands, especially bills dealing with short-term rentals (STRs), land use, housing, zoning, and utility management.  We were not alone; the staff of the North Carolina League of Municipalities did the same.  The league staff just published a 32-page report on the status of legislation in this past session that could impact towns and cities. for others.  Regardless of whether their candidates won or lost, everyone was relieved to some degree that the election was over and that they were free to return to normal community life.

November 28.

On election night, I went to a couple of parties for the candidates awaiting election results.  Needless to say, these kinds of events can be exuberating for some candidates and very disappointing for others.  Regardless of whether their candidates won or lost, everyone was relieved to some degree that the election was over and that they were free to return to normal community life.

November 15.

iI wish I could say it's over, but I can’t.  The drought and related restrictions on water use and outside burning remain in place.  The small amount of rain we got over the past weekend did nothing to alleviate the crisis except give firefighters a short period to recover and reset.  The forest fires continue.

October 30- Are we in a drought period?  Yes, indeed, but we are not at a point where the mayor has to declare a water emergency or institute a burning band.  At least not yet.

But to illustrate where we are, our water plant operators routinely pump water from a weir just below the plant to make a daily supply of water.  They can't do it right now because the water flow is so low that their pumps could literally dry up Big Creek.  Fortunately, the town has a pump station at Big Creek next to US 64 and a major intake station about 50 yards away from Sequoyah Dam. 

October 24- The decision on the addition of the Shelby sidewalk was finally made at the town board meeting last Thursday.  The proposed sidewalk on NC 106 will not be located on the side of the road where the Shelby Place Homeowners Association land is situated.  The board decided to locate the sidewalk on the opposite, north side.

October 9- Like almost all businesses now, the Town of Highlands faces a potential worker shortage in the coming months and maybe years.  This past year, we have had a number of veteran, highly experienced workers retire.  And they did not take early retirement; for the most part, they put in about 30 or more years of service to the town.

October 2-  I was at a Southwest Regional Planning Organization meeting last week, where elected officials from towns and counties met to address regional concerns. It was a celebration of sorts in that the state budget had just been approved. Our legislators, Representative Karl Gillespie and Senator Kevin Corbin, have obtained a lot of support for the counties and towns of Western Carolina.  The items in the budget that our legislators secured were much needed and essential for this area.  Those funds will directly impact the citizens and the quality of life in WNC.

September 12-  For nearly 35 years, there have been several efforts to secure funding to dredge Mirror Lake. With the state appropriating 5 million dollars in the new budget, the restoration of the lake will become a reality in the coming months and years.  ...Representative Gillespie and Senator Corbin also secured five million dollars to replace the 1965 pre-water clarifier tank at the Highlands Water Plant and for related upgrades.  

September 12-  This new workshop format will allow the board and staff to discuss upcoming town issues, and it will be open to the public.  This first workshop will review several items. First on the agenda will be a presentation by Principal Holdbrooks about placing an illuminated sign at the Highlands School. Another item will be a review of street lighting policies followed by a discussion of the need to pave Arnold Road, a private road just outside the town limits. It is the road to the town sewer plant.

September 12-  We are in the season of wonderful community events.  This past weekend, the entire community enjoyed a well-done Dazzling Dahlia Festival.  I want to thank the festival’s organizing committee and the Highlands Historical Society for all the hard work and volunteer hours that they put in for this community celebration.  It is a festival featuring the beauty of nature, and the gardeners of the plateau that combined make this such a beautiful place.

September 4-  I attended a wonderful tribute to the late Katheryn Willoughby at the Shakespeare and Me Bookstore last Friday afternoon. Mrs. Willoughby was the owner and operator of the bookstore for many years and an honored and loved resident of our community.  

... So, while at the tribute, I honored her memory by buying a book, Searching for Home Waters: A Brook Trout Pilgrimage, by Michael Steinberg.

August 29-   I began my coffee presentation by acknowledging the recent article in Travel and Leisure about Highlands being the best small mountain town.  Yes, and as a result, more will come, and many will decide to live here. The big challenge for Highlands will be to make wise decisions for measured growth, a sustained economy, and controlled development.  

August 22-   At the last town board meeting, commissioners and the mayor made a major change in the way we have been doing things for decades.  The decision was to jettison the system of board committees in favor of a new workshop model.  Not that the committee system was wrong, but this new workshop system may be better for communicating among ourselves and citizens about town issues. The workshop process may be more dynamic in addressing town issues.

August 17  So, the agenda for this meeting is rather short, but who knows how long the meeting will last?

The homeowners on Little Bear Pen will be first on the agenda to do a presentation about installing a warning light at the entrance to their subdivision that empties out to US 64 on a hazardous curve.  

August 3- As I worked in my pottery studio in the afternoon, the cable news folks started talking about an impending storm front that ran from Georgia to New York.  The television forecasters were predicting heavy winds and rain along this front as it moved to the Atlantic coast. These predictions got my attention. Josh Ward contacted me to say the town crews were on standby in case the town experienced high winds, rain, and lightning.

August 3- The period of July through August is an easy, laid-back time in Highlands. Residents and visitors are enjoying the wonderful cool summer temperatures, and the air is full of beautiful blooms blanketing the mountains.  But, after Labor Day, not only will the tempo pick up as the fall colors change the landscape, the upcoming municipal elections will certainly bring its own ‘airing’ of the issues facing the candidates.

July 26- As of last Friday, Highlands has a robust field of candidates that filed for the three open board positions. I want to thank those Town of Highlands residents who filed for the election.  It is a brave act of citizenship to offer to serve as an elected official by undergoing the rigorous process of an election.  Whether a candidate is elected or not, they are all community winners.

I know everyone will look forward to an open discussion of the issues during the period before election day.  

July 17- Before July, I was optimistic that the North Carolina Legislature would pass a budget and adjourn sometime in July; however, when the legislators reassembled on July 11, things went south very fast. Out of the blue, SB 90 was introduced. If passed, this bill will make major changes to public education in the state. Also, funding issues like pay increases for state workers and teachers emerged.

July 5- This past Saturday, Sallie and I had the honor of attending the Benefactors Breakfast that kicked off Community Day at the Bascom Visual Arts Center.  It was good to be with friends and realize that the Bascom has been thriving since the facility's opening in May 2009.

The director of the Bascom, Karin Peterson, spoke to this group of supporters about the Bascom being a part of a creative community in Highlands and Cashiers.  The center has a vision concept where they invite people to think, see and create.  I like that concept because I see it manifested throughout this mountain community. 

June 27- This past weekend I participated in the Village Square Art Show in Founders Park, created by Cynthia Strain 18 years ago and who just retired last year as the coordinator.  The Mountain Top Rotary Club now organizes the art show, and the proceeds of the event go to nonprofit endeavors in the community. The Mountain Top Rotary Club volunteers are commended for all the hard work they put forth in making this a successful event.  

June 20- Last Thursday night, the Highlands Town Board passed the budget for fiscal year 2023-24. The budget will be over 29 million dollars, with about 8 million in the general fund. The remaining portion reflects the cost of operating our enterprise funds, such as sanitation, water and sewer, and electricity.  

June 13- This past winter, Highlands and other area communities lost power due to a failure of key components in the Duke Energy system. Duke Energy is addressing this problem by building a self-mending grid network.  In the immediate future, they will have installed a system where if one service area loses power, an automated system will reroute the grid to restore power to the affected area.  This will contain areas where power is lost, and their crews will focus work there to reconnect the grid.  This new system will benefit the Highlands and Cashiers areas.

June 6- A furlong is a horse racing distance measurement of one-eighth of a mile. A typical horse race is a mile or eight furlongs. The North Carolina legislative procedures can be likened to a horse race, and this current session is in the last furlong of the race.  The whips are out, and there is a mad rush to get budget bills over the finish line before adjournment.  The race will probably be over in Raleigh sometime later this month or in early July

We have a new belt press!  Some might say so what?  But most may ask, what in the world is a belt press? Or why does it matter?

May 30- I write this weekly column to keep folks informed about what is going on in Highlands town government, so let me share what has just happened at our sewer plant on Arnold Road.  

We have a new belt press!  Some might say so what?  But most may ask, what in the world is a belt press? Or why does it matter?

May 24- So, on this Memorial Day, I hope we will all remember the fallen and those veterans who continue to fight the internal battle from the trauma of war.  America loses over 20 veterans to suicide every day.  These men and women are today’s causalities of war.

And on this somber day, Americans should remember the Gold Star families of the fallen and lost. Parents, spouses, and children carry a tremendous and continuous burden of loss and despair. They too, have given to and served our nation in the most profound way.

May 15-  On Monday, I had the honor of awarding town scholarships to the graduating seniors at the annual Highlands School Honors Day program.  This year $56,000 in scholarships were awarded to the graduates. College students who are still in school at colleges, universities, and technical schools are also given scholarships.  I want to thank everyone in the community who supported this important program for our young people.

May 10-  At the end of the day last Friday, my wife, Sallie, was exhausted, soaking wet, and sporting a black eye. But Sallie told me she had had a great day. Say what?

We had just completed the first day of competition in the Three Rivers Fly Fishing Festival, during which I had organized a fishing trip by canoe down the Cullasaja River from Cooks Sawmill to Franklin for my son, his wife, Sallie, and myself. It was an ambitious attempt to catch trout on a scenic wild river, to say the least.

May 3- 

Last week I attended the annual conference of the North Carolina League of Municipalities, aka CityVision.  Let me review some of the highlights.

Governor Cooper spoke at the main luncheon.  I, along with other mayors and elected officials, was glad to hear the governor say that municipalities should have more autonomy in making zoning and development regulations rather than having legislators in Raleigh make those local decisions.

April 24-    

Let me cite a couple of proposed bills that underscore this position. First, there is HB 409-Regulation of Accessory Dwelling Units (ACD). Are ACDs a major issue for some communities? ....  This bill would allow across-the-state ACDs in all single-family residential zones. ...The bill also so has no parking limits or capacity limits.  What? Yes, no limits like what local governments might require

April 18-   

The Highlands School has been a unique educational institution for this community, and frankly, I can’t understand why any parent wouldn’t want their children to attend this small K-12 school. Our school is one of only a few schools in North Carolina with the 13-grade format. The school has an excellent record of students going on to make outstanding achievements both here in Highlands and across the country. 

April 10- I was at an inaugural Earth Day convocation 53 years ago this month, and it will be celebrated again this year on Saturday, April 22.

I had a little longer hair back in April 1970 and was probably sporting a set of bell-bottom blue jeans, which were the standard in those days. When I attended the convocation, I had both a concern for the environment and as well as myself, as I was also worried about a draft physical and that I was over my head on both accounts.

April 3- One resident asked about sewer connections. About half of the town is connected to the sewer, and the other half is not.  Heavy rock formations have deterred the development of the sewer system throughout the entire town. Nevertheless, I do believe the town needs to revisit this issue and determine how much it would cost to extend the sewer system throughout the entire town. I know the price tag would be high. Given the investment, the board would have to consider making it mandatory that residents connect to any new extensions.

March 29-  Since the recent Duke Energy power outage shut down the Highlands grid, I have had a number of suggestions and questions about the issue. Let me respond to several of these items as best I can.

Since the outage, our town manager, public works director, and I have reviewed many power-related issues with a Duke Energy representative. In fact, we routinely converse with Duke Energy concerning operations and the administration of our wholesale contract with them.

March 22 - At last Thursday’s meeting, the Highlands Town Board approved a number of items that will now move forward. Let me review several major decisions that were made.

First, the board approved the new leases for the HAM Radio and WHLC antenna located on the town’s Big Bear Pen Tower.  These leases will now be published in the newspaper during a 30-day period before the final lease can be signed.

March 15 -Last Thursday, the town board and staff conducted an all-day budget workshop, aka the Highlands Town Retreat.  This event signaled the start of the budget process for the coming year.  It will be followed up by a number of afternoon budget workshops this spring.

March 7- Last Friday afternoon, in anticipation of bad weather, I was in town hall monitoring the weather situation with our town manager and public works director.  Problems started around 2:30 with the total loss of power across the town.  

March 1- Last Wednesday, our town manager Josh Ward, and I took the five-hour drive to Raleigh to attend the North Carolina League of Municipalities Town and State Dinner for 2023.

This event always takes place at the beginning of the legislative session, and during the reception and dinner, municipal officials had an opportunity to meet with their legislative delegations to discuss local needs and requests.

February 21 - I was optimistic, and the staff was too, that the town would receive a state grant to replace the aging pre-clarifier tank at the water tank. The town had resubmitted the grant we applied for last year.  The project is a big-ticket item, somewhere around 3 million dollars.

Our town manager gave the bad news at the town board meeting last Thursday night that we did not get the grant. In fact, our application scored so low that the state folks managing the grant process told us we neededn’t apply again.

February 8 - As mayor, I like getting positive feedback, all elected officials do, it makes for a good week and last week was a very good week.  After writing this column last week, where I proposed a program where businesses collected voluntary donations for preservation, I received overwhelming and enthusiastic feedback.  Everyone sent me messages stating such a program was long overdue and would be great for the community and efforts toward preserving this unique, beautiful environment.

February 1- These coastal towns, like St. Simons, are surrounded by a unique ecological environment of the vast marshlands and tidal estuaries.  To Georgia's credit, they have worked to preserve these unique spaces while promoting some tourism and development.  Highlands, located on this high and narrow plateau, has faced the same challenges.

January 25- The Town’s Planning & Development Director is implementing the provisions of the newly adopted Short-Term Rental Ordinance. The Town Board approved the ordinance on September 15, 2022. Since then, several questions have arisen about the requirements and enforcement of the new regulation.

January 18- The new year is well underway.  Thursday, January 19, will be the first meeting of the year for the Highlands Town Board.  It begins at 7 PM at the Highlands Community Center next to the ball field.  You can remotely access the meeting through the town website.

Several agenda items are carryovers from last year.  I hope the board will take final action on several of these items.

January 11-  Part 1 – The Local Government Process:  I am not the Kim Jong-il of Highlands. Nor am I “Boss Hogg” directing town employees and the police to follow my commands. I sometimes suspect a few folks on social media and others who send me emails might have that impression.

January 3- After difficult events, it’s wise to review and reflect. Case in point, “the big freeze,” just before Christmas. Highlands hasn’t had extreme below-0 temperatures in over a decade. 

Visitors are now in Highlands year-round.  The full parking on Main Street in December underscores that shift.  Our peak electric and water usage is no longer around July 4th, or October, it occurs around Christmas. Many people were in Highlands during the holiday when maximum power demand and water usage occurred.

December 28- At the beginning of the new year, it is always good to look ahead.  What does the new year portend for Highlands?  I not that good at predicting the future but let me take a shot at predicting what will happen and what needs to be done, if not this year, in years to come.

December 15- I know Santa is making his list and checking it twice; and I’m making a list also, a list of things the town will do next year.   Let me identify a few items on the mayor’s wish list.

December 7- Last year we dodged a bullet with the winter storm that brought 12 inches of snow.  Before the storm there were predictions of 16 to over 20 inches of snow.  As the mayor those projections made the hair on the back of my head stand up straight.  I had visions of the Blizzard of 1994 where Highlands was shut completely down for about two weeks.  

December 7- 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.  Although I could not disagree more in their thoughts on their choice of words.

November 29- 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. 

November 21-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. 

November 14- The Highlands Board of Commissioners meeting is this Thursday night, November 17,  starting at 7 pm at the Highlands Community Center.  The meeting will begin with public comments.

Like in October, the November meeting agenda is long.....

November 7 - 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.

November 2- I rediscovered the community core and future of Highlands this past Monday.  I encountered it at the annual Halloween Main Street Celebration.  This annual event had a tremendous turnout where folks were able to just have fun and enjoy one another.

October 26 - The town board meeting last Thursday was a marathon session, with almost every item on the agenda taking longer than anticipated.  Let me hit some of the highlights, or rather the “longlights.”

October 20- Thursday is the start of early voting. It continues to November 5.  I don’t know why we call it early voting anymore; a whole lot of folks now vote well before Election Day on November 8.  The early voting format has become a standard way ballots are 

October 12 - I served as a chauffeur as we traveled that long I-40 corridor.  At every stop we saw that election signs were everywhere.  When we arrived in Raleigh I noticed the same cornucopia of election signs, but I also noticed a sign among the many that said, “Save Our Neighborhoods.”  I immediately thought it referenced the short-term rental issue. 

October 4 - The town was spared the remnants of Tropical Storm Ian this past weekend.  Earlier in the week town staff and I had worried that we might have very heavy rains and high winds in the 50 to 80 mph range. If that had occurred power lines would have most likely gone down.

September 22 - As the mayor I continually meet with community groups, both here in Highlands and also in the Western Carolina region.  These meetings constantly reminded me of our shared concerns.

September 22  It has been and will continue to be a time of gatherings this fall in Highlands. The first great gathering was on Saturday night with the inaugural event at the new Highlands Performing Arts Center. What a great new venue! BRAVO Amici was a wonderful first act to open this spectacular venue

September 14   Thursday night is the September Highlands Board of Commissioners meeting; it will begin at 7 pm at the Highlands Community Center next to the ball field. Public comment is the first item on the agenda.

September 7,   The staff and I meet with various groups that support and supply the town on a routine basis, and this past week Josh, Lamar Nix met with folks from Duke Energy.  It was a good meeting.

August 31,   Sallie and I labored this past weekend, along with about 60 other artists and craftspeople, by participating in the Highlands Arts and Crafts Exhibition at Founders Park.  While I had not participated for over 8 years, we set up a tent and display in both shows this year, the one in June and this past weekend.  It is sheer hard work to be in such an event.

August 24. At the board meeting last week, I did a rather long mayor’s report concerning initiatives I want  the board address in future meetings.  Let me briefly review several of these items.

August 17, - At the board meeting last week, I did a rather long mayor’s report concerning initiatives I want  the board address in future meetings.  Let me briefly review several of these items.

August 10, 22 We got it, you got it too!  What?  We have all recently received our Macon County 2022 Property Tax Notice, aka tax bill.  The bills go out every August and are due by January 5th.

August 10, 22 We got it, you got it too!  What?  We have all recently received our Macon County 2022 Property Tax Notice, aka tax bill.  The bills go out every August and are due by January 5th.

July 27, 22  I have complied with the Save Highlands attorney’s public document request, and all my emails concerning STRs have been sent to Derek Allen.  There may be a few I have overlooked or missed, but I have made a good faith effort to fully comply with the request

July 27, 22  The impact of climate change, including massive droughts, wildfires and the loss of habitat for creatures that share space with us on this big “blue marble” can be distressing. Both the dolphin tour and turtle walk made me think about our own special space on the Highlands Plateau.  

July 20, 22  My call for stakeholders to propose compromises concerning STRs underscores the community stalemate on this combative issue. I asked stakeholders to publicly put forth any proposed compromise. I wanted the community to see if there was any common ground.

July 13, 22 The purpose of this public meeting is to review proposed unified development ordinance amendments regarding short term rentals. Bob Hagemann of Poyner Spruill will present proposed amendments to the Board. These amendments were generated by the Board’s work group and also discussed by the entire Board in an attorney/client closed session.

JULY 6, 22 In a special meeting this past Thursday, the Highlands Town Board passed the Highlands Comprehensive Community Plan in a 4 to 1 vote. I wish the vote had been unanimous, but unanimous votes on big items like this plan and yearly budgets don’t seem to be possible.

JUNE 22, 22 At last Thursday’s Highlands Town Board meeting, commissioners passed a 27.3-million-dollar budget for this coming fiscal year. I hope that budget number increases by September. Let me explain, I’m not talking about more spending or a tax increase.

JUNE 15, 22  My heart almost stopped when Josh Ward told me that the public hearing concerning STR amendments had not been properly advertised as a legal notice in the Highlander. That oversight invalidated the subsequent actions of the Town Board in amending the UDO ordinances related to STRs; therefore, the process will have to be done all over again.

JUNE 7, 22 The time after Memorial Day is a very active period for organizations in Highlands. I have had the opportunity to attend many of these events in recent weeks, and unfortunately, I have missed some also.

JUNE 2, 22 I support the difficult decision that the Highlands Board of Commissioners made by a vote of four of the town commissioners to limit the spread of short-term rentals(STR). That vote impacted the future use of their homes and families, as well as my own.

MAY 25, 22 The Highlands community has been polarized over short-term rentals. The amendments to the zoning ordinance concerning STRs that were passed by the Board last Thursday night did not completely resolve this divide.

MAY 11, 22 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 Power would be increasing wholesale electric rates in the coming months, and he recommended the town approve a rate increase very soon to address this impending increase that the town will pay for wholesale electricity.

MAY 4, 22 Last Thursday I went to Asheville to participate in a round table on the State of Healthcare moderated by North Carolina Attorney General, Josh Stein, who came to Asheville to assess the state of healthcare, and to especially to see how the 2018 sale of Mission Healthcare to HCA was progressing.

APRIL 28, 22 Last Friday afternoon the weather was warm. Sallie was on the front porch listening to the birds. She asked me to join her. We began to hear voices talking over the Billy Ray Cyrus 1992 hit song, Achy Breaky Heart. We realized it was coming from a nearby neighborhood house.

Several weeks ago, I expressed the concern about a national trend and spread of ghost kitchens.  A ghost kitchen a commercial kitchen that is operated in a residence, sometimes in secret.  I see a parallel with the rapid expansion of STRs in the past few years.

APRIL 19, 22 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. While I was recently elected to a third term, I like to attend these events to learn about new issues and brush up on old ones.

APRIL 12, 22 We are getting close to the end of the school year and the graduation season. Highlands School usually has a senior graduation class of about 25 to 30 students. Being one of only three K through 12 schools in the state, our whole town celebrates the accomplishments of our hometown seniors.

MARCH 30, 22 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.

March 16, 22 Realizing that someone had carelessly attempted to place their household trash bag in the street BearWise can was distressing. What the photograph does not show is a half-eaten lunch plate that was left on top of the can. What are some people thinking?

MARCH 8, 22 I want to touch several big-ticket items that will be presented. This review illustrates how a few hundred thousand here and there adds up to major budget needs. They are not frivolous expenditures, but essential needs that impact the basic operation of the town.

February 2022 Highlands dodged a bullet March 10 Highlands Town Retreat I want to thank everyone for a very successful and civil public hearing last Thursday night that addressed the Highlands Planning Board’s recommendations concerning short term rental amendments to the UDO.

February 2022 Highlands dodged a bullet with the recent major snow storm. We had no widespread power outages. Nevertheless, town needs to address the problem of how folks can report power outages when town hall is closed

There is a growing movement for residents to use solar energy panels to power their homes. The solar systems save overtime energy costs and contributes to green energy solutions to address climate change.

In Highlands we are getting an increase interest in the use of solar energy.  

The town has relied on the Macon County emergency dispatch call center for years. With a continual increase of residents living here, especially in winter, that system and arrangement has become overloaded. 

I attended a ZOOM meeting last week concerning racial equity and approaches to policing. The police chief from Jacksonville, NC gave a comprehensive presentation concerning his department’s community policing initiatives.

Are your customers raving about you on social media? Share their great stories to help turn potential customers into loyal ones.

On Monday night the Highlands Planning Board completed a review of the draft proposal for amending town ordinances related to short term rentals. 

Let me give you an account of the worries of a mayor.  Recent worries started at the first of last week with a vague forecast of an impending winter storm

Let me cover several current items.  Some of this information comes from questions folks have sent to my website in recent days. COVID, Waterline on Moorewood Rd., town lighting, and power.

We are about to see 2021 fade away and 2022 rise before us.  Looking back, even though it had some challenging moments, 2021 was much better than the COVID dominated 2020.Looks like the Omicron variant will spread this winter.

I was a rainy day on Saturday when wreaths were placed on the graves of American veterans. Nevertheless, Phil Potts, Mike Murphy and Derek Taylor had organized this national event for Highlands, Wreaths Across America. 

Thursday is the December meeting of the Highlands Town Board of Commissioners. The meeting is at the Highlands Community Center next to the ball field. It begins at 7 pm with public comment.

I loved the Highlands Christmas Parade this year.  I am always honored as mayor to lead the parade just behind the color guard.  Sallie, our grandchildren and Lucy, our dog, had a great time walking in the parade and passing out candy.