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EDC elects officers, proposes bylaw change
By Lynn Hotaling
Two mayors are the new co-leaders of Jackson County’s Economic Development Commission.
Sylva Mayor Brenda Oliver and Dillsboro Mayor Jean Hartbarger will co-chair the multi-government agency charged with promoting economic development for the county. Rounding out the slate of new EDC officers are outgoing Chairman Tom McClure as vice chairman, former Forest Hills Mayor Irene Hooper as secretary and Sylva attorney Jay Coward, treasurer.
McClure had asked that he not be considered for the post of chairman, said Hartbarger, who headed the EDC’s nominating committee.
The group also approved a number of amendments to its bylaws, though those changes cannot take effect until approved by a majority of the EDC’s members – the towns of Dillsboro, Sylva, Webster and Forest Hills; Jackson County; Western Carolina University; and Southwestern Community College.
Though Jackson County and SCC have not participated in recent months, McClure said EDC members hope the two will return.
Because one of the amendments provides for the election of co-chairmen, Oliver and Hartbarger will serve in a temporary capacity pending approval of the bylaw changes.
Other recommended changes include the establishment of Sylva Town Hall as the principal office and records repository for the EDC.
Members discussed of whether Western Carolina University and SCC should be voting or ex-officio members. The two were non-voting members when the EDC was formed but gained voting status seven or eight years ago.
It was unanimously agreed that the two educational institutions should remain voting members and that in-kind services available from the two more than compensated for their lack of direct financial support to the EDC.
“Our county is growing so fast, and WCU is contributing to that growth,” Oliver said. “We’d like to have some help.”
McClure, who is WCU’s representative on the EDC, said he agreed with her.
“I think the EDC needs to meet with university officials,” he said. “If I were an elected official, I’d be on the university’s doorstep every day.”
Before adjournment, Coward commended McClure for his service as chairman.
Jackson County commissioners suspended participation in the EDC in January as part of a multi-part resolution that authorized an audit of EDC financial records.
SCC ceased participation a month later.
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