Overwhelmingly, municipal officials take pride in their nonpartisan service, but once they’re elected, they don’t just leave their party hats at the chamber doors.

Webster voters ended one of the most competitive elections in the town’s history by choosing a mix of new and familiar names to lead them through coming years of growth, traffic and tax debates. Five candidates sought three seats, reflecting renewed interest in local government after years of uncontested races.

To the Editor:

For many months the Webster area has been without a post office. This has placed a considerable burden on the approximately 200 people who hold Webster post office boxes, as well as other community members needing to mail a package or pay a bill. The extra driving to the Sylva P.O. is particularly challenging to seniors and to those dependent on the postal office for delivery of medications. 

For most of its history, Webster’s elections have been sleepy affairs. At times, there weren’t even enough people willing to step forward and serve. This fall, that dynamic looks much different. 

“I’m really excited to see the number of people in this race,” said Dale Collins, an incumbent Webster commissioner who won his last race as a write-in with just 14 votes.

In a move that evokes imagery from the biblical battle between David and Goliath, the tiny Jackson County municipality of Forest Hills is fighting back against county commissioners for their vote to withdraw from the Fontana Regional Library system late last month. 

To the Editor:

My family has called Webster, N.C., home for six generations. In the past I have served the community as the vice mayor of Webster, president of the Webster Memorial Cemetery Fund and currently serve on the Webster Board of Adjustments and as a board member on the Webster Historical Society.

While most of the river access points and parks are open along the Jackson County Greenway, there has been some damage that will take some time to clean up since the FEMA cleanup group has to remove debris before the county can start its own cleanup and repairs.  

Jackson County was largely spared the damning effects of Hurricane Helene from which its neighbors to the east are still reeling. However, heavy rains and high winds have left thousands without power, water and telephone or internet service.  

Franklin, Webster, Bryson City and the Village of Forest Hills all have multiple seats up for election this year on their town boards, and each candidate running for those seats is doing so unopposed. 

The candidate filing period for November’s municipal elections that opened on July 7 ends this coming Friday, July 21, at noon, and although things are starting to solidify in some races, there have been and may continue to be some surprises.