Mayor on Duty

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 […]

Mayor on Duty

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 […]

Mayor on Duty

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 […]

Mayor on Duty

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 […]

Mayor on Duty

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 […]

Mayor on Duty

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 […]