If you don’t like what you hear, get a second opinion — at least, that’s what the Waynesville Board of Alderman is doing with a report on the town’s aging wastewater treatment plant.

After a series of contentious public hearings almost a year ago resulted in outcry from nearly all quarters of Waynesville, the North Carolina Department of Transportation has officially backed off designs that would have changed the character of one of the town’s most historic and aesthetically significant streets.

The obtuse angles of the intersection at Waynesville’s North Main and Walnut streets may soon become graceful curves — or even a roundabout — by 2020, depending on what happens with the now-underway public involvement phase of the project.

When a policy that would prohibit the display of the Confederate flag in a tiny mountain mill town’s municipal parades was first proposed, it was immediately identified as both a sensitive cultural issue and a thorny Constitutional question that cast the Western North Carolina municipality as a microcosm of the complex national debate over the role of Confederate imagery in society today.

In what appears to be the culmination of a strange saga that has played out from Haywood County to Raleigh since last spring, members of the North Carolina Republican Party voted to ban four Haywood County activists from party activity.

Haywood County’s high-performing public schools will soon see a new leader after Dr. Anne Garrett announced Nov. 13 that she plans to retire March 1, 2018.

Elections in Canton, Clyde and Maggie Valley resulted in some tight races and new faces falling into voters’ good graces, but the outcomes in Haywood County’s three smallest municipalities couldn’t be more different as one moves forward, one stays the same and one still seeks to fill some holes.

When the Nudge City video gaming parlor popped up in an old auto dealer’s lot on Dellwood City Road earlier this year, it quickly caught Elizabeth Teague’s eye.

New standards and stricter definitions for manufactured homes in Waynesville could make it easier to develop manufactured home parks, under proposed changes that will soon go before the Waynesville Board of Aldermen.

The Lake Junaluska Assembly prides itself on being a place of transformation and renewal for all people, but over the next year, the hallowed local institution will itself undergo transformation and renewal as it searches for a new leader.

The passing of Clyde Mayor Jerry Walker Oct. 30 has not only left a huge hole in the Clyde community, but also in its government.

Thunder, lightning, fog and torrential downpours on an off-year municipal Election Day in Haywood County’s smallest municipalities doesn’t bode well for high voter turnout, but with showers now evacuating the area in favor of bright sunshine, there’s still time for that to change.

At 11:10 a.m. this morning, just 17 of Maggie Valley’s 1,092 registered voters had shown up to vote at town hall; adding in the 56 early votes already received, that spells turnout of only 6.68 percent.

In Canton, just three voters in the Beaverdam 1 precinct had made it to the polls by noon; two early voters submitted ballots before Election Day, giving that individual precinct in Canton a turnout rate of 4.42 percent.

Both polls were visited before lunch, but officials at Beaverdam said they don’t usually get much of a lunch rush, and voters in general tend to vote after work, or after dinner and not first thing in the morning.

Polls across North Carolina close at 7:30 p.m. tonight. For more information including registration and polling locations, visit www.ncsbe.gov. 

Look for more election coverage throughout the day on www.facebook.com/smnews/ or on Twitter @SmokyMtnNews.

Polls are open across the state and across Western North Carolina for balloting in this year’s municipal election cycle, which features several contests throughout the region that can and will change the composition of some local government boards.

In Haywood County, voters in the Town of Canton can choose from among four candidates – Carl Cortright, Brent Holland, James Markey and Kristina Smith – to replace outgoing Alderwoman Carole Edwards and outgoing Alderman Zeb Smathers, who is running unopposed for mayor. Cortright and Markey are unaffiliated, while Holland and Smith are Democrats.

Maggie Valley voters also have two aldermanic seats to fill from among five choices, but the two incumbents who currently hold those seats would like to keep them; aldermen Clayton Davis and Mike Eveland will attempt to defend their seats from challengers Allen Alsbrooks, Jasay Ketchum and Brooke Powell. Alsbrooks and Eveland are unaffiliated, and the rest are Democrats.

Important elections are also taking place in Bryson City, Dillsboro, Forest Hills and Franklin.

For more information on voting, including voter lookup, polling place information, or to contact the county board of elections in your area, visit www.ncsbe.gov. 

After a career spanning more than 14 years as the executive director of Haywood County’s Economic Development Council, Mark Clasby told EDC board members Nov. 2 that this year would be his last.

The South’s oldest Labor Day parade birthed a controversy this year that the parade’s founders probably didn’t foresee, but the nation’s Founding Fathers probably did.

For the second meeting in a row, consultants presented the Waynesville Board of Aldermen with some unpleasant realities about the town’s critical infrastructure.

After weeks of public comment, opposition by religious leaders and appeals by the local business community, a controversial “Brunch Bill” ordinance passed the Canton Board of Aldermen/women Oct. 26.

Planning board officials recommended and the Canton Board of Aldermen/women approved plans that will bring an additional 7,000 square feet of retail space to the town’s rapidly growing Champion Drive corridor just south of Interstate 40.

In an unusual move, Canton Alderman Ralph Hamlett took time at the Canton Board of Aldermen/women meeting Oct. 26 to address rumors that his recent actions suggest he does not support veterans.

The economies of Haywood and Buncombe counties are and have been intricately linked for some time now, but a forthcoming agreement between them will soon formalize an economic development partnership designed to move both counties forward in a more efficient, more effective manner.

Canton Alderman Zeb Smathers isn’t quite mayor yet, but that didn’t stop one local brewery from releasing a “Mayor Smathers Victory Ale” over a month ago, nor has it stopped Smathers — who is running unopposed — from laying out an aggressive plan designed to make the last four years of Canton progress “pale in comparison.”

Unlike Haywood County’s other contested municipal election — in Maggie Valley — two incumbents are running for reelection and seek to defend their seats from three challengers.

An electric rate study Waynesville Mayor Gavin Brown called “sobering” was presented to the Waynesville Board of Aldermen Oct. 10 and shows shrewd fiscal management on behalf of the town, but an inevitable rate increase on the horizon.

Earlier this year, a series of stories in The Smoky Mountain News focusing on Haywood County’s economy explored its various economic sectors, the businesses that comprise them, the organizations that aid them and the ultimate financial impact of them.

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 7. Until then, residents of North Carolina can vote on various days and at various times at any early voting location in their county of residence.

Haywood County

Haywood County Senior Resource Center

81 Elmwood Way, Waynesville

• Thursday, Oct. 19 – Friday, Oct. 20 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

• Monday, Oct. 23 – Friday, Oct. 27 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.

• Monday, Oct. 30 – Friday, Nov. 3 8:30 a.m-5 p.m.

• Saturday, Nov. 4 8:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

Jackson County

Jackson County Board of Elections office

876 Skyland Drive, Sylva

• Thursday, Oct. 19 – Friday, Oct. 20 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

• Monday, Oct. 23 - Friday, Oct. 27 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

• Monday, Oct. 30 - Friday, Nov. 3 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

• Saturday, Nov. 4 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

Macon County

Macon County Board of Elections office

5 West Main Street, Franklin

• Thursday, Oct. 19 – Friday, Oct. 20 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

• Monday, Oct. 23 – Friday, Oct. 27 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

• Monday, Oct. 30 – Friday, Nov. 3 8 a.m.-5  p.m.

• Saturday, Nov. 4  9  a.m.-1  p.m.

Highlands Civic Center

600 North Fourth Street, Highlands

• Thursday, Oct. 26 – Friday, Oct. 27  9 a.m.-4 p.m.

• Monday, Oct. 30 - Friday, Nov. 3 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

• Saturday, Nov. 4 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Swain County

Swain County Board Of Elections Office

1422 Highway 19 South, Bryson City

• Thursday, Oct. 19 - Saturday, Oct. 21 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

• Monday, Oct. 23 - Saturday, Oct. 28 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

• Monday, Oct. 30 - Friday, Nov. 3 8 a.m.-5 p.m.

• Saturday, Nov. 4 8 a.m.-1 p.m.

When Shining Rock Classical Academy opened in 2015, the public charter school was hailed as a victory for local proponents of school choice and promised to provide an academically rigorous, comprehensive college preparatory curriculum.

A highly anticipated public hearing that drew double the usual crowd to a Canton Town Board meeting wasn’t as contentious as it could have been, but the fight over a proposed Brunch Bill ordinance isn’t finished yet.

Inasmuch as any document can be truly hallowed on a local government level, that document is the comprehensive plan.

Haywood County native Joel R. Mashburn has been selected to serve as interim county manager following the recent and unexpected departure of former County Manager Ira Dove on Oct. 3.

The story of every small business is different and unique, but some follow an economic development narrative being heard more and more in Western North Carolina — an entrepreneur with professional skills decided to open a business in Haywood County because they wanted to be here.

When you’ve done something for as long as Mitzi Cope has, you tend to learn a thing or two — not just about business, but about life.

Its no surprise that The Smoky Mountain News’ annual Women in Business issue highlights women who are in business, but this year, we decided to focus on something a bit more meta: the daughter of a woman in business who is a woman in the business of getting women into business.

Following the resignation of Beaverdam school board member Scott Smith, Haywood County School Board Chairman Chuck Francis revealed the procedure by which his replacement will be selected.

Several well-known Haywood County employees in high-ranking positions have terminated their own employment over the past few months, leading to wild conjecture that the resignations are unusual, related or nefarious in nature.

Although Ira Dove’s tenure as Haywood County manager was relatively short, his long service to the county and the contributions he made as manager will ultimately leave him remembered as an integral piece of a rural government working to address larger issues.

Sunday morning mimosas aren’t yet on the table in Maggie Valley because a proposed ordinance that would allow the sales of alcohol before noon on Sundays is.

After realizing small but consistent gains in local business development over the past few years, the town of Waynesville has recently undertaken several initiatives designed to strengthen the economic vitality of the town while also guiding that development in a direction acceptable to the community as a whole.

To mark the start of early voting, The Smoky Mountain News will host a pair of free candidate forums in the towns of Canton and Maggie Valley.

Haywood County Manager Ira Dove has resigned; a resignation letter was sent out the morning of Oct. 4 from Candace Way, who serves as both clerk to the Haywood County Board of County Commissioners as well as executive assistant to the County Manager.

The letter, dated October 3, 2017, reads as follows.

Commissioners,

For the past 17 years it has been my humble privilege to serve with some of the finest people in making Haywood County a better place.

Whether as the attorney for social services, director of social services, or county manager it was always an honor to serve our citizens. Together we fed the hungry and gained access to medical care. For those in need, together, we protected children and adults and made public safety stronger than ever. Together, we did all this and more.

With a heart full of thanks for those who gave their full measure of commitment to public service, I recognize the time has come for me to move onto the next chapter of my career. I hereby resigned my position at Haywood County manager.

Sincerely,

Ira Dove.

Haywood County Borad of Commissioners Chairman Kirk Kirkpatrick said that the county stands by Dove's statement and he didn't want to elaborate further, but he did say that Dove is leaving on good terms, without animosity, and that he wouldn't hesitate to reccomend him for other positions. 

"We wish him well and hope he does well in whatever he chooses to do," Kirkpatrick said. 

Assistant County manager Stoney Blevins will pick up some of the slack in the meantime; commissioners this morning were in the process of confirming the he had the authority to sign necessary documents. 

Kirkpatrick also said that the county would likely begin considering a replacement process at the next scheduled meeting - Oct. 16 - and would not call a special meeting prior. 

Look for more info on this situation as it develops.

A spate of early announcements by local candidates hoping to gain seats in the North Carolina General Assembly may have voters feeling like they’ve been here before — because the candidates certainly have.

Play, it is said, is the work of children.

But a substantial population of disabled kids who’ve up until now been excluded from playing with their peers — peers of all ability levels — will soon have much work to be done.

Giggles, snickers, snorts and outright laughter echoed through the Town of Canton’s Sept. 28 board meeting as an ordinance regarding “pigs as pets” was again discussed.

Although Waynesville aldermen continue to seek a definitive answer on whether or not to rescind the town’s 15 year-old policy of banning pets from festivals, they’ve embraced a temporary measure that may help point them in the right direction.

The causes of homelessness — and homelessness in Haywood County — are varied and numerous, but according to the Haywood Pathways Center more must be done locally to address the problem regardless of source.

Thanks to the N.C. Supreme Court and the North Carolina General Assembly, the Town of Waynesville’s about to be back in the capacity use fee business.

A report recently issued by the Land of Sky Clean Vehicles Coalition clears the air about Haywood County’s greenhouse gas reductions.

One needn’t look further than industries like Sylva’s Jackson Paper, Canton’s Evergreen Packaging and Waynesville’s Giles Chemical for evidence of how rail access benefits the economy in small Western North Carolina towns.

Aloha. Aristocrat. Forester. Shasta. Spartan. And of course, Airstream and Winnebago.