Incumbent John Shearl has won the Republican Primary Election and will proceed to the November election in his bid to represent District 1 in Macon County, which includes Highlands, on the county commission.

To the Editor:

You ever watch something happen in local government and think, “There’s no way they expect us to buy this?” That’s exactly how the push to change Macon County’s voting districts feels. Commissioner John Shearl is trying to sell this as some kind of fairness reform, but once you look at the details, it’s obvious what’s going on. And it’s not fairness. 

Many counties around Western North Carolina are working to address a host of similar issues — rapidly growing populations, a housing stock that can’t keep up, aging infrastructure and struggles filling staffing vacancies. Macon County boasts the second-lowest property tax rate in the state, but with capital projects on the horizon and pay raises demanded for several county departments, tough choices will need to be made by whoever is elected to the board in November. 

To the Editor:

“No taxation without representation” the patriots cried 260 years ago. Now there is a move to change the voters’ representation of District 2 on the Macon County Board of Commissioners. Currently there are five commissioners, each representing approximately 6,000 voters in Macon County.

This is my response to an article in The Franklin Press following the December 10 meeting.

The actions of John Shearl at the Dec. 10 Macon County Commission meeting opposing the hiring of a kennel attendant and chastising current staff at the Macon County Animal Shelter at best reflect ignorance and at worst reflect obstructionism and grandstanding. 

Macon County is one step closer in the long march toward a new high school after commissioners approved financing for the more than $135 million-project last week. 

After several lengthy discussions, Macon County Commissioners approved the fiscal year 2024-25 budget by a split vote with a couple of last-minute changes to the proposed document. 

Despite increasing cost estimates, Macon County is in a good financial position to move forward with both the Franklin High School project and the Highlands School project.

The classic 1980s dance film Dirty Dancing taught all of us that “nobody puts Baby in a corner.” And if one does, that baby might just erupt from the corner with wild and salacious dance moves. 

Macon County will see a change of leadership for the coming year after the county commission unanimously voted to appoint a new member to the chairmanship.