Mayor on Duty

I want to express my gratitude to all who participated in the public hearing on STR amortization last week. Your input was invaluable in our understanding of this complex issue. The next crucial step will be […]

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

Tonight is the August meeting of the Highlands Town Board of Commissioners. It will begin at 7 p.m. at the Highlands Community Building next to the ballfield. The meeting can also be accessed remotely by going to the […]

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 […]

What do Saint Francis of Assisi, Lao Tzu, John Muir, and Henry David Thoreau have in common? It is a realization that we are a part of nature and at our best when connected to […]

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 […]

On Thursday night, Feb. 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 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. Thankfully, the […]

Tuesday, January 23, 2024, will be a day Maconians will remember for years to come. On that day, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction, Catherine Truitt, came to Franklin to present a state check of […]

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 […]

This Thursday, the Highlands Town Board of Commissioners returns to work for the new year. Our monthly workshop meeting will begin at 6 pm, followed by the business meeting at 7 pm. Both sessions are […]

Cost of running the Town 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 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 […]

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, […]