Newland Town Council Election

Four Candidates Running for Three Open Seats

Story by Corinne Saunders

Four candidates filed for the three open seats on the Newland Town Council. The two candidates who obtain the most votes will serve four-year terms and the person with the third highest number of votes will serve a two-year term. The Newland Town Council election will be held at the Newland Town Hall, located at 301 Cranberry Street in Newland, on Tuesday, November 3, from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Incumbents Thomas Jackson, Donetta McKinney and Roxanna Roberson will seek re-election to council seats and Joshua Stapleton is also running for a seat on the council.

High Country Press asked the candidates to state their reason for running and their top three issues.

Incumbent candidate Jackson said he hopes “to provide input as we move forward economically and socially as well as try to maintain the uniqueness that makes Newland a great area to have and raise a family.” His top three issues are (1) “economic growth,” (2) to “make Newland more appealing for visitors and occupants” and (3) to “ provide activities for the teenagers of Newland as well as Avery County.”

He will accomplish the first goal by working with the local and state committees “to determine what type of businesses are in the best interest of Newland and Avery County as a whole.” Regarding the second issue, he said, “Over the past few years, the mayor and the council members have done a wonderful job of adding lights, sidewalks, parks and fishing. We will need to continue to request state and federal grants to add even more enhancements that will enrich our lives.” Jackson said he will accomplish the third goal by working with “local YMCA, musicians, [the] recreation department and civic groups to provide different activities for our youth to participate in.”

Incumbent candidate McKinney is running because, “As a long term resident of Newland, I became interested in town affairs and economic development some years ago and ran for town council. That work is still unfinished and so I am running for town council again.” Her top three issues are (1) “economic development,” (2) “job creation” and (3) “developing recreational opportunities.”

Regarding her first issue, she said, “We are currently involved in a beer and wine referendum which will come to a vote this November 3, which I believe will go a long ways toward helping Newland attract investors to develop local business establishments such as restaurants, motels, bistros and other retailers so as to help create a destination stop for both locals and tourists. Concerning her second issue, she said, “Of course, beer and wine sales will help create jobs. Also, we try and work hard with any employer already in the area and those who wish to consider locating in Newland, to make our municipal environment as attractive as possible to those employers and their employees, prospective or otherwise.” Concerning the third issue, she said, “Newland was recently designated a ‘Trout City’ by [the] North Carolina Wildlife Resource Commission. I would like to build on that sort of green designation to attract other outdoor enthusiasts to our town. We have wonderful roads for bicyclists and motorcyclists and some of the best hiking trails anywhere in the country nearby Newland.”

Incumbent candidate Roberson requested that nothing be printed, and candidate Stapleton could not be reached as of press time.