Mayor — pick one

(The candidates are not related.)

Steve Gray, 50, president and CEO of the Sylva Herald

Gray has been on the town board for nine years, six as mayor and three as an alderman.

Gray said he is running for another term because “I really want to see Webster stay as it is.”

“It’s a nice place to live,” Gray said, citing the perfect mixture of a country atmosphere while being close to town.

Sam Gray, 30, seventh-grade math teacher at Cullowhee Valley Elementary

Gray moved to Jackson County from Madison County one year ago.

“This Sylva and Webster area are loaded with very intelligent people. I find it frustrating that there is a lack of the proper channels of debate,” Gray said. “I think me running for mayor would give people a podium to come and talk. I think I could serve as a facilitator for discussion and bring about some innovative ideas.”

Alderwoman — pick five

Billie Bryson, 61, retired librarian at Western Carolina University

Bryson has been on the board for eight years.

“As long as people liked what I did I figured I would run again,” Bryson said.

Louise Bedford, 74, retired art teacher

Bedford has been on the board for eight years.

“I have enjoyed the feeling that we have helped preserve this little town and its historical flavor. We have done some ordinances that I think have been very good for the town and will prove useful in the future,” Bedford said.

Jean Davenport, 57, eighth-grade teacher at Smoky Mountain Elementary

Davenport has been on the board for eight years.

“When I moved to Webster 26 years ago it was sparsely populated and I have watched it grow and grow and grow and grow,” Davenport said. “Our zoning ordinances preserve the dignity of the community. We have worked really hard not to prohibit growth but to have a say in how it is going to happen.”

Laura Spaulding, 39, teacher at the Jackson County school of Alternatives

“I had a friend of mine talk to me and I thought it would be a good time to get involved. I have two teen-age daughters and I felt like it was time for me to get involved,” Spaulding said.

Frances Berry, 63, retired administrative assistant for the Secretary of State in Nevada

Berry moved to Webster two years ago when her husband got a job with the University.

Berry said she was asked if she would run.

“I thought since I am retired and I would like to do some civic duty, then why not,” Berry said.

Sharon Myers, 58, real estate paralegal

Myers has lived in Webster since 1977. Her husband served on the town board in the past.

“The town board we have now won’t listen to us. They will look at you straight down their nose and say ‘we’ve already decided,’” Myers said.

Barbara Collins, 66, retired DSS child support enforcement

Collins has lived in Webster 43 years.

“I just have lived here that many years and I wanted to do something actively and try my best to help the community anyway I can,” Collins said

Dawn Breakiron

Breakiron did not return phone calls requesting comment for this article.