Bernie Branhut, 71, Avon Salesman

The issue most important to Branhut concerns the youth of Waynesville. “It’s been too long that the young person has been overlooked in this area,” he says. “There are many people in high school and junior college that leave this area because there’s no opportunity for them.”

One of Branhut’s ideas is to get a governmental commission together to help young people that are entrepreneurs stay in the area. Current business owners in town would be paired with business-minded young people in order to assist and encourage their endeavors.

Branhut’s faith in the younger population of Waynesville extends to his support for a skatepark, which he thinks should be constructed and then run by the younger generation. “I feel that the young person today can run it themselves. If you have an adult supervising, they’ll go against it,” he says. In addition to a skatepark, Branhut can envision other forms of entertainment geared toward youth, such as a music hall. Above all, though, he feels that whatever the form of recreation, it needs to be built with the input of young people.

“They should be called in, consulted, and assist with fundraising,” he says.

Additionally, Branhut would like even more revitalization in the town by having downtown businesses stay open later one night a week. He says this would attract more people to the downtown area and boost sales.

Where he stands:

Liquor by the drink: Supports and sees it as “very important to this area.” By having liquor by the drink, Branhut says, less people would be inclined to drive to other places and get in accidents. In addition, the town would experience more control, higher revenues, and increased business.

The watershed: Against any logging in the watershed, which he believes “is detrimental to the water supply.” However, Branhut would support controlled hikes and possibly other forms of recreation.

Land-use plan: “I’m all (for it),” Branhut says, but admits there are some things that may need to be worked out, such as too much focus on the smallest details. He cited a meeting of the Board of Alderman where Mayor Henry Foy demanded a potential builder plant more trees before approving the builder’s plan. Branhut says beautification is important, but “let’s worry about the trees later — let’s get these people in.”

Hugh Phillips, 45, Bi-Lo co-manager

As the co-manager of Waynesville’s Bi-Lo grocery store, Phillips interacts with members of the community on a frequent basis. Hearing shoppers’ comments and concerns so regularly causes him to have a good feel for the pulse of the community, he says.

Some things he’s heard voiced are that kids in the community have too little to do, and he wants to change that. “There’s a lot of kids on skateboards that have nothing to do in this town, so we probably need to work on something ...a nd keep them out of trouble,” Phillips says. He is interested in taking care of residents on the other end of the spectrum as well. “Senior citizens are dear to my heart, and any programs we can do (for them) are the best thing in world,” he added.

Where he stands:

Liquor by the drink: Opposed. He doesn’t drink, and doesn’t believe the possibility of increased revenues for the town warrants liquor by the drink.

The watershed: Phillips supports a compromise approach. He’s not totally against forest management in the watershed, but doesn’t think they should cut too many trees.

Land-use plan: Phillips likes aspects of the land use plan, such as limiting the height of signs and pulling buildings up to the street. However, he has “major concerns” about Russ Avenue, which he thinks has become a problem. He thinks the town should scrap the idea of having dividers in the middle of the thoroughfare and allowing right turns only because it creates too much congestion.