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Anne Cabe’s resignation muddies Sylva election waters
By Lynn Hotaling
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Hensley
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Knotts
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With Anne Cabe’s surprise resignation from Sylva’s town board last week, the race for the two open seats on that board has taken a different shape.
Until Thursday (Oct. 20), one incumbent – Cabe – and two political novices – Harold Hensley and Stacy Knotts – were vying for two spots. News of Cabe’s resignation came during Sylva officials’ Oct. 20 session when Mayor Brenda Oliver announced that Cabe had resigned her post and did not intend to seek another term. (See related story on page 1A.)
According to Jackson County Board of Elections Director Lisa Lehman, Cabe’s name will remain on the ballot. However, if the Board of Elections receives written notice that Cabe no longer desires the post by Monday, Nov. 7, the day before the Tuesday, Nov. 8, election, votes cast for Cabe will not be counted.
Despite repeated telephone calls, The Herald could not reach Cabe prior to press time to confirm her intentions with regard to the upcoming election. She did not attend the Oct. 20 town board meeting and was not available to answer the questions posed to Hensley and Knotts. Cabe was appointed to the Sylva board in 2003 to replace her husband, Eldon Cabe, who died in office. She ran unopposed that fall for the remaining two years of his term.
Hensley and Knotts were interviewed last week and each answered the same five questions regarding Sylva issues.
Hensley, 68, retired five years ago as maintenance supervisor for Jackson County Schools. He was born and raised in Sylva and has lived here all his life.
Knotts, 34, was a business consultant focusing mainly on information technology before becoming a stay-at-home mom two years ago; she has lived in Sylva for about five and one-half years.
The questions asked and the candidates’ responses follow.
What measures would you like to see taken to improve traffic flow on Sylva’s portion of N.C. 107?
Hensley: I don’t know, but we do need something done. What bothers me about the road is that people can go 50 miles an hour – even loaded dump trucks – all day long, but let some kid break the 35 mph speed limit late at night and they’ll stop him every time.
Knotts: I worry a lot about traffic on 107. Commutes to work and shopping trips are taking longer, but even more importantly, I worry about vehicle and pedestrian accidents on this busy road. We need to think about some innovative solutions for improving traffic flow on 107. We should talk with other communities in Western North Carolina that have solved similar traffic problems. I’m anxious to see the results of the most recent N.C. Department of Transportation study on this issue. Sylva needs to be a partner at the table, because 107 is a crucial corridor for the residents and business owners in the community.
Would you be in favor of any measures to control future growth in Sylva, including annexation and/or extra-territorial jurisdiction? If so, for what outlying areas?
Hensley: Yes, I think Sylva ought to grow, and I think the town should continue to take in areas along 107. However, I’m not in favor of annexing any property if the town can’t provide services.
Knotts: I don’t have specific areas in mind for annexation. I will say that annexation and extra-territorial jurisdictions need to be analyzed on a case-by-case basis. I would ask the following questions when considering annexation in Sylva: Do the residents want to be annexed? Can Sylva afford to provide services to these residents? Will the annexation benefit the current residents in Sylva?
Would you favor a referendum on mixed drinks in Sylva? Why or why not?
Hensley: Yes, because everybody else has it and Sylva ought to get some of the revenue.
Knotts: It’s probably time for the people to vote again on mixed drinks. The last vote took place in 2001 and was extremely close. It would also be a good idea to have an open forum for residents and business owners in the community to discuss the issue.
Sylva residents are now paying a higher property tax rate than Jackson County’s. Do you see any way to provide tax relief, and do you feel Sylva’s residents get adequate services to justify this rate?
Hensley: I don’t know yet, but I don’t think people get adequate services. I don’t favor raising taxes on anybody in this town.
Knotts: I have knocked on the doors of over 1,000 voters and I’ve heard a lot about the services provided by the town of Sylva. Some residents have said they are not getting adequate services to justify the level of taxes. I want to follow-up on these concerns by conducting a citizen satisfaction survey in the town of Sylva. We need to know what residents think about the services that are provided and what they think about the tax rates in Sylva. In addition, I would like to see a thorough analysis of all town services to determine if there are ways to be more efficient and save money. With these steps we will be in a better position to determine if tax relief is possible.
Why should Sylva voters choose you?
Hensley: I’ve lived here all my life, and I feel like I’ve got the time to serve on the town board. I feel like I could do a good job, and I won’t go along with anything I don’t believe in.
Knotts: I pledge to work hard to make Sylva an even better place to live, work and raise a family. I will be accessible to hear the ideas and concerns of residents. I have gotten some great suggestions from residents in person and through my Web site’s online suggestion box. I have been inspired by all the people I have talked with during the campaign and look forward to having the chance to provide a voice for residents and represent this great community.
(Editor’s note: This is the final installment in a series on Jackson County’s upcoming municipal elections.)
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