By Kim Lewicki, Highlands Newspaper
On Friday, Jan. 27, Highlands Mayor Pat Taylor announced the resignation of Town Attorney JK Coward.
James Kent Coward, Jr. of the law firm of Coward, Hicks and Siler who has served as the Highlands Town Attorney for the past nine years submitted his resignation as of Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023.
He will continue to serve as legal consultant for the next year as the town makes the transition to a new Town Attorney.
The Huff vs. The Town of Highlands case which is set for Feb. 27 in Swain County where the town intends to file a motion to dismiss. The case is being handled by Poyner and Spurill which took over the town’s STR legal issues last year.
Meanwhile, Mayor Taylor said the Town Board will start the process of finding a new Town Attorney this week.
The Town Board hires two positions – the Town Manger land the Town Attorney.
A Special Town Board meeting has been called for Friday, Feb. 3 at 3 p.m. in the Community Building to discuss the process of hiring a new Town Attorney.