Mayor on Duty

On Tuesday the quarterly joint meeting of Macon County, the Town of Franklin and the Town of Highlands was held in Franklin. These meetings provide elected officials an opportunity gather together and exchange information. The […]

The beginning of March is when town staff and commissioners begin to look at budget priorities for the coming fiscal year. I am already in general discussions with key staff members. Here is the problem, […]

Most of my week has been spent dealing with the North Carolina Department of Transportation. I will provide updates on projects this week and next week. Monday morning town manager Josh Ward told me the […]

Town of Highlands Mayor Pat Taylor said late on Friday afternoon the NCDOT notified Town Manager, Josh Ward, that the planned paving of Main Street, US 64, and NC 28, scheduled to begin in April, […]

Last Thursday’s Town Board meeting had two contentious items, the broadband public hearing and Main Street tree planting plan. Let me provide my perspective. As the presiding officer of the meeting I take responsibility for […]

This past weekend we were all victims of that frustrating winter storm. Our town electric crews were the most frustrated. With the constant falling trees, limbs and power poles, they struggled to keep the power […]

Last week was busy beyond just the Christmas Tree issue. Let me cover two other issues. First, the Land Use Committee met with NCDOT officials and Highlands Chamber of Commerce representatives to discuss the parking […]

The North Carolina Department of Transportation has approved the town’s revised plan to add planters with trees at a few locations along Main Street. The town sent the DOT the new plans after the Nov. […]

After commissioners nixed the NC DOT plan for beautifying Main Street that involved the center walkway and parallel parking, the Land Use Committee was asked to get with the agency to see if the town’s […]

The Highlands Community Building was filled with business owners and residents concerned over the parallel-parking plan that was presented at the Town Board meeting on Nov. 15. Not everyone at the meeting feels Main Street […]

Last weekend was busy. The Highlands Wine and Food Festival was once again a great success. I also want to recognize Highlands American Legion Post 370 and the Highlands Police Department for putting on a […]