This coverage is made possible through a partnership between BPR and Grist, a nonprofit environmental media organization.
As the municipal elections in Hot Springs, North Carolina draw near, the community faces a mix of longstanding concerns and new challenges, particularly those stemming from the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. With a population of roughly 540 and a budget of $1.8 million, the small Appalachian Trail town is grappling with recovery and future planning.
Community Concerns Highlighted at Candidate Forum
A recent Board of Alderman candidate forum at Pine Hall, resembling both a tavern and a log cabin, brought these issues to the forefront. Attendees, including 27-year-old raft guide Heather Paige, expressed their priorities, particularly focusing on the continued recovery from Hurricane Helene.
“I hope that the recovery efforts continue and that there are more groups that step forward and more people that get involved in cleaning up and rebuilding,” Paige shared, indicating the personal impact of the storm on her livelihood.
Infrastructure and Voting Concerns
The forum revealed anxieties over infrastructure, particularly water and electricity services, and the potential closure of early voting sites. The Madison County Board of Elections has proposed closing Hot Springs’ early voting site, though this decision is not yet finalized. Incumbent Daniel Myers expressed concerns that this decision reflects a broader pattern of the town being overlooked in county decisions.
Board of Elections Director Ray Jacobs reassured the community, saying, “We’re always looking to make sure that voting accessibility is not impacted by Helene, or any other natural disasters or inclement weather.”
Currently, the county has three early voting locations, but the proposed changes would leave only the site in Marshall open. Despite these challenges, community members like Heather Paige are more immediately concerned with housing, citing difficulties exacerbated by the storm and existing housing shortages.
Debate Over Housing and Tourism
The housing shortage was echoed by voter Tim Arnette, who noted the proliferation of Airbnb rentals, leaving little available for permanent residents, thus affecting local businesses’ ability to hire. A debate ensued at the forum regarding regulating short-term rentals, with candidate Wendy Stancil proposing a cost analysis to encourage longer-term rentals.
In contrast, candidate Andrew Thomas cautioned against limiting short-term rentals, stressing the importance of tourism to the local economy. “We’re a tourist town,” he remarked, emphasizing the economic reliance on visitors.
Recovery and Future Preparedness
Helene’s destruction has left lasting impacts, with the town’s wastewater treatment plant among the infrastructure severely damaged. Although Hot Springs has received $10 million from the Environmental Protection Agency for water and sewer improvements, significant work remains.
Incumbent Wendy Stancil, part of the American Flood Coalition, emphasized the need for stronger communication and relationships between different levels of government to expedite aid and recovery efforts.
Newcomer Lisa Gahagan, who founded the Rebuild Hot Springs Area group, aims to bring more resources for recovery if elected. She highlighted the chaotic nature of past efforts, likening it to “flying the plane as you’re building it.”
Voter Tim Arnette stressed the importance of continuity in leadership to maintain the progress made in recovery, stating, “I just hope that whatever comes out of this election, the people who are in charge follow that lead and continue to do what is best for the town and not personal agenda.”
Early voting concludes tomorrow, with Election Day scheduled for November 4th. For more information on polling places and sample ballots, visit here. On Election Day, polling locations will operate from 6:30 am to 7:30 pm. For more details on voting, click here.
