Dillsboro's new mayor urges use of 'fresh vision'

By Rose Hooper

As they went around the table sharing their views and visions Monday night, new members and incumbents on the Dillsboro Town Board agreed this is their goal ­ their charge ­ during their term in office.

"One reason people come to Dillsboro is because we are a town where everyone knows and speaks to each other," said newly-elected Mayor Jean Hartbarger. "Tourists like that feeling of our small-town friendliness. We don't want to loose that extended family feeling, that sense of community.

"One of the goals I would like to see accomplished is strengthening the bond between the local people and the merchants," she continued.

Emma Wertenberger, who is new to the board but not to board meetings, said one of her concerns is how the town looks overall.

"We want to preserve what our town has, especially the quaintness," she said. "We need to address the style of any new buildings or additions."

But where do you draw the line when telling people what to do with their businesses, new member Bud Smith asked.

"Part of what makes us a viable community is how we look. How do we recommend that new business owners maintain our sense of community without us pushing anything on them?" said Smith, who said he is especially concerned with maintaining the quality of the Dillsboro.

Growth is inevitable, pointed out Mary Moody Bumgarner, also new to the board.

"Our town is going to change, especially in the next five years," she said. "We need some long-range planning to handle that growth."

Incumbent Lela Jean Phillips said, "We know we have to grow, but let's keep what we can the same. Sometimes outside growth can destroy what's within."

Phillips also pointed out that "the reason we get repeat business from the tourists is because of our old ways, our old businesses and our old homes."

Smith suggested working with the merchants association to label the historic buildings with plaques so tourists can take a walking historic tour of the town.

"Dillsboro used to be one of the few small town featuring crafts. Now more towns are doing that," said Hartbarger. "Tourism is becoming more and more competitive."

Dillsboro needs to keep its competitive edge, agreed incumbent Jim Cochran.

"We have to always be moving forward, but not forget the importance of heritage," he said. "Somehow we need to develop a blend, a compromise of sort, as we plan for smart growth."

As members talked about smart growth, they discussed HCH Corp.'s proposed residential development that would join Jarrett Hills. A project of Jim Dukes Environmental Planning Inc., the development would meet a growing need in this county, specifically housing for senior citizens, members said.

The development would include town houses, duplexes and a manor house with retirement units on approximately 12 acres off U.S. 74-441.

Cochran, Dillsboro's representative on the Tuckaseigee Water and Sewer Authority board, said the development would impact TWSA, as well as the town.

HCH plans to hook into the existing system servicing Holiday BP rather than asking for an extension from TWSA, according to town clerk Herb Nolan. Even so, Cochran said, "the development will still impact the pipes down the line." A pumping station may even be needed, he said.

To the issue of development, and to all others facing Dillsboro throughout, Hartbarger urged members to "approach everything with a fresh vision. Even if it is something we can't do anything about, I want us to approach it positively and without any cynicism."

Back to Archive: 12/20/01.