By David Rogers. BLOWING ROCK, N.C. — In a democratic republic where the government works for the people, there is no more important individual franchise than the right to vote. At every level — federal, state, county and municipal — voting is how we let our elected representatives know what is important to us, what we value.
Voting is a time-honored tradition. If we don’t exercise our right, there is nobody to blame but ourselves. Apathy, either not voting or not doing our own due diligence on the candidates and issues, is a democratic society’s No. 1 cardinal sin — even if we conclude that our single vote doesn’t make any difference. The voting process represents a collective voice and your vote is part of that collective.
The significance of that collective voice is what makes voter turnout so important and, in far too many cases, so sad. Just look at the voter turnout in Watauga County for the last several years.
- Nov. 5, 2024: 73 percent (Presidential)
- Nov. 7, 2023: 10 percent (Town Council); Top vote-getter, David Harwood (424 votes)
- Nov. 8, 2022: 51 percent (Congressional)
- Nov. 2, 2021: 13 percent (Town Council); Top vote-getter, Doug Matheson (393 votes)
- Nov. 3, 2020: 72 percent (Presidential)
- Nov. 5, 2019: 11 percent (Town Council); Top vote-getter, David Harwood (295 votes)
- Nov. 6, 2018: 52 percent (Congressional)
- Nov. 7, 2017: 12 percent (Town Council); Top vote-getter, Doug Matheson (394 votes)
- Nov. 8, 2016: 65 percent (Presidential)
- Nov. 3, 2015: 10 percent (Town Council); Top vote-getter, Albert Yount (317 votes)
Do you see the pattern? Maybe it’s because of all the money spent on Presidential elections or maybe we are only inclined to vote for the presumed “most important” offices, but the voter turnouts for our local elections is embarrassingly low.
The North Carolina Board of Elections website doesn’t break down voter turnout by town or precinct, only by county, but it does provide the number of votes cast for the winners, which you can see above for the top vote-getter for the Blowing Rock Board of Commissioners. With a full-time population of 1,353 (2023), Blowing Rock’s voter participation may be marginally higher than the 10-13 percent turnout county-wide, but not by much when you consider that some seasonal residents have switched their voter registration to Blowing Rock as their home since they have a vested interest in the town and its government.
The Blowing Rock Board of Commissioners is likely making the decisions that most dramatically impact the individual lives of Blowing Rock citizens, whether full-time or seasonal. As a whole, the commissioners, mayor and town staff determine how much money the municipality takes in and how it is spent in providing services to the town residents, businesses and visitors.
The governance of Blowing Rock presents a unique set of challenges compared to many other municipalities because, as a seasonal respite for affluent lowlanders and a vacation hotspot for many, especially in the summer months, governance requires balancing multiple, sometimes conflicting constituent interests. Tourism is the primary economic driver in Blowing Rock but the influx of people trying to find a place to park, whether to eat, shop, or be entertained, sometimes doesn’t mesh with the interests of residents who might just as soon close the gates and not let anybody else in their slice of heaven after they found it first.
But Blowing Rock has been a tourist destination since at least the late 1800s, long before any current full-time or seasonal resident “found it first.” In fact, without tourism and the revenue it brings into the town coffers through sales and occupancy taxes, property tax rates would necessarily be much higher, in large part to fund public safety personnel (fire and police) to help protect all of the high-end homes and gardens of the mostly seasonal residents.
Without tourism, we also wouldn’t have the many unique restaurants and “watering holes” that serve the town, nor some of the entertainment venues. BRAHM would probably be a more modest endeavor. Memorial Park would likely be scaled down, maybe a swing set and slide, horseshow pit and a basketball court. The swimming pool may not have gotten a new life a few years ago without the revenue from tourism, directly and indirectly.
All of that said, seeking a balance in serving the sometimes conflicting constituent interests is no small endeavor. So in the years where only local elections are taking place, it is more than disappointing when we see only a 10 percent to 13 percent voter turnout.
The filing period to formally run for one of the four open seats on Blowing Rock’s Town Council — Mayor and three Commissioners this year — is now closed and we can only applaud those who have put their names forward to serve, six candidates in total.
Charlie Sellers is running unopposed for Mayor and the Commissioners’ race promises to be spirited, with incumbents Doug Matheson, Pete Gherini and Melissa Pickett joined by newcomers Wayne Miller and Melissa Tausche, all campaigning for your vote. They are all intelligent, good people. Each has their own unique perspective on town government and what should be the Town Council’s priorities.
Is Blowing Rock the same place it was 20-30 years ago or is it a municipality in transition? The primary issues mostly remain the same, but here are a few to ponder:
- How much is parking still a problem? What is more important, enforcement of current ordinances, implementing paid parking in certain areas or building new capacity?
- Are the current property tax rates fair? Do they need to be raised or lowered?
- How are we doing on law enforcement, protecting people and property as well as managing the speed of traffic?
- What is the long-term solution for communications in law enforcement, fire, emergency services and public works? How do we take Blowing Rock into the 21st century?
- Is the maintenance schedule for repairing roads, sidewalks and stormwater management adequate?
- Should the Town consider relocating the school? What are the advantages and disadvantages? What other issues would such an action help solve?
- What role should the town play in economic development, since town revenues are highly dependent on collecting property, sales and occupancy taxes, as well as use fees?
- Are there areas where we need to increase or decrease town staff?
These are just a few issues bandied about in recent months. Between now and the November election, we urge you to evaluate the candidates, get to know them and whose priorities and mindset best mesh with your own. Attend the Candidates Forum. And be sure to vote. You get to vote for three Commissioners this year, which represents a majority of the Board. All elections are important, but this one could shape Blowing Rock’s future.
