To the Editor: 

Regarding the Oct. 25 article, “The heart and soul of Waynesville is on the ballot,” I was born in Hazelwood, am a lifelong resident of Haywood County and owned a small business on Main Street for many years.

Town elections are seldom exciting, but the race in Waynesville is generating a lot of buzz.

The slates are now set for November’s municipal elections in Western North Carolina, and although a number of surprise candidates ended up filing — making some races very competitive — participation is lacking in several others, indicating a general lack of interest. 

A bill advanced by Rep. Mark Pless (R-Haywood) to make school board and municipal elections in Haywood County partisan has fallen short, but could eventually be revived. 

A bill introduced by Haywood County’s two state House representatives would make all of the county’s municipal elections — as well as school board races — a partisan affair.

Only 10% of Bryson City residents cast a ballot in this year’s municipal election, which is not unusual for the small town. 

The Town of Franklin elected one incumbent and two newcomers to the town council board during the Nov. 2 municipal election. 

Beating out two incumbent board members, Natalie Newman took the top spot in last week’s Sylva Board of Commissioners election . 

Municipal elections in Maggie Valley drew a record number of voters in a contest that boiled down to growth and investment in the small mountain town. 

Municipal elections in Western North Carolina will be held in some jurisdictions on Tuesday, Nov. 2, but in-person early voting is now available.