Municipal elections are set for Tuesday

By Carey Phillips

Much of the attention will be on Sylva where a non-partisan format will be used for the first time. The other towns already have non-partisan elections.

In addition, Sylva residents will vote on a liquor-by-the-drink referendum. If approved, the measure would allow the sale of mixed beverages in hotels, restaurants, private clubs, community theaters and convention centers.

Sylva has the only contested mayoral election as incumbent Brenda Oliver is being challenged by Joan Hooper Stearns.

Incumbents seeking to return as Sylva commissioners are Eldon Cabe, Maurice Moody, Lynda Sossamon and Audrey Tritt. Challengers are Danny Allen, David Gates, Joel Guffey and Eldridge Painter. Five seats are available.

Not only is Sylva switching to a non-partisan election, but staggered terms will be put into effect with this year's results. The mayor and top two vote-getters for commissioner will serve four-year terms. The other three winners for commissioner will be elected for two years.

Polling places are the Jackson County Justice Center for North Sylva and the Jackson County Community Service Center for South Sylva. A few Sylva residents live in Dillsboro Precinct. They will vote at the Dillsboro Town Hall.

In Dillsboro, current board member Jean Hartbarger is unopposed for mayor. Incumbents seeking commission seats are James Cochran and Lela Jean Phillips. Other candidates for the five-man board are Lera Chitwood, Mary Moody-Bumgarner, Bud Smith and Emma Wertenberger.

Dillsboro voters will cast ballots at Dillsboro Town Hall.

Forest Hills has a contested race for a seat on its Village Council. Joseph Rossano, who was appointed to the position, is being challenged by Clarence Pressley. The election is for the remainder of a term that will expire in 2003.

Unopposed in Forest Hills are James Davis for mayor, as well as Richard Iobst and James Wallace for Village Council.

Cullowhee Valley School is the polling place for Forest Hills voters.

All Webster incumbents are unopposed for re-election. The slate includes Steve Gray for mayor and Louise Madison Bedford, Billie Jo Bryson, Jean Davenport, Skipp Englebright and Raymond Ledford for commissioners.

The polling place for Webster is the old Webster School.

Polls will be open from 6:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Only registered voters in the municipalities are eligible to cast ballots.

In compliance with a new state law, voters whose only address is a post office box have been removed from the regular voting roles and placed on a special list. They will still be allowed to vote but must supply a physical address at the polling place.

One-stop voting for those who will be out of the county on Election Day will end at 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2. Ballots may be cast at the Jackson County Board of Elections office in the old county administration building on Ridgeway Street.

Absentee ballots must be returned to the Board of Elections Office by 5 p.m. Monday, Nov. 5. Dillsboro does not allow absentee or one-stop voting.

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