Lake Santeetlah – The 2023 election cycle features two municipal races within Graham County: Fontana Dam and Lake Santeetlah.
Seven candidates are vying for five seats on the Santeetlah council, which has been the center of disputes and controversy for several years.
The Graham Star contacted each of the Lake Santeetlah candidates with the idea of printing a Q&A for our Nov. 2 print edition, where we asked each qualifier the exact same question and published their responses, verbatim. Of the seven, only three provided answers. Diana Simon was the lone candidate to decline our offer, citing her commitment to an NPR interview about the race. Simon received the largest number of votes in the 2021 election, but has also filed eight separate voter challenges concerning the outcome of the race. Only one has been heard and was dismissed; its appeal has not made it to a higher court as of yet.
Despite the limited response, we wanted to honor the time taken by the three candidates by publishing this as a free article here on grahamstar.com. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 7; also running is Kevin Haag, Jim Hager and Ralph Strunk. Chris Griggs is on the ballot, but has withdrawn from the race.
Meet three of those in the mix below.
Alan Davidson
* Introduce yourself to the readers/voters. Just a brief piece about your background and your time spent in Lake Santeetlah (when you first moved there, etc.) My name is Alan Davidson and I live at 118 Sequoyah Trail in the Town of Lake Santeetlah. I'm running as a candidate for town council. I felt it important to introduce myself and give a brief description of who I am and why I've decided to run for office in our lovely town. I'm well into my 50s in age. I grew up and attended grade school and college in Georgia. I've spent 35 years working in the private sector, primarily within various areas of the real estate industry. I served in many roles beginning with mowing lawns at age 13 in my neighborhood in Atlanta, to being a maintenance man in my 20s, a property manager/contractor in my 30s, to eventually a developer commercial real estate business manager in my 40s and 50s. I have experienced nearly every aspect of that industry from on side to the other. One thing I'm definitely not is a politician or a bureaucrat, but I've always been motivated to get involved when I see something important that needs changing or defending. I'm a private sector businessman that pursues solutions to problems, not power or influence. I just simply want things to be right. My family first came to Santeetlah in 1988 and immediately fell in love with it. We have owned a home since 1990, and spent countless gatherings enjoying this majestic setting with friends and family members. All those years, I dreamed one day of retiring and living here full-time in my family's home.
* What made you want to join the Lake Santeetlah council? Unfortunately, I've been disappointed and somewhat troubled by the direction the town has been taken by members of the government and community in past years, and feel those changes will – in the end – destroy everything that makes this town so special. I've already noticed significant negative changes to the town from what I remember just 10 short years ago. Because of that reason, I decided I must move to Santeetlah, run my businesses from here, and get involved trying to turn back the misguided direction I feel some have decided to take the town.
* Why are you a good candidate for the board? If elected, I'll proudly represent the town and work tirelessly to maintain and upgrade all public works, as well as steward its future in an effort to protect the rare and highly sought-after value of beauty, peace, and tranquility in a residential community. I'm not someone that can be easily manipulated or intimidated by individuals or groups. I will always maintain my independence and listen to and consider all points of view.
* The Lake Santeetlah Council has a recent history of hostility. How will you ensure harmony amongst the council in the future? As I see it, everyone that lives or owns property in this town has a voice and should be heard no matter if I, or anyone disagrees with that opinion. I've regularly felt the cold dismissal for my opinions and concerns, by some, ever since I moved here and began speaking out about those issues. I feel there's no place for that kind of behavior in a healthy, respectable community. I hope you'll consider supporting me for Town Council on Nov. 7. I'm always available to talk to, answer any questions you might have, or be of assistance in anyway I can. Feel free to call me on my cell phone at 828-283-9500. You can view my campaign video at alanforcouncil.com.
Tina Emerson (Incumbent, Finance Officer)
* Introduce yourself to the readers/voters. Just a brief piece about your background and your time spent in Lake Santeetlah (when you first moved there, etc.) Hello, my name is Tina Emerson. I'm a wife, mother, and part-time real estate and financial manager. I was an economics major in college and worked in banking as a branch manager, a loan officer, and as a termination specialist with the Resolution Trust Corporation – a division of the FDIC – during the savings and loan crisis. My husband John and I have two grown children. I'm actively involved in a labrador-retriever rescue, fostering many abandoned labs and fundraising for the rescue organization. John and I have owned residences in Lake Santeetlah since 2014 and I have been actively involved in the Town of Lake Santeetlah activities for several years before my election to the town council in November 2021. I'm currently the finance officer for the Town. In the proposed budgets for the last two years, I've worked to improve the water system by updating the water-pumping system, changed the water-billing system, and budgeted for new water tanks and meters. Within the budget for the last two years, I've spearheaded the Capital Reserve Road Fund, setting up this long-term account for future road repairs and paving, which – at the end of this fiscal year – will have more than $50,000. We also converted the town's financial software to a government-based accounting system, and set aside money for a new truck and salter. Furthermore, the council budgeted for current road paving projects of Indian Trail, Little Falls, Sequoyah and Thunderbird Trail. After Mayor Connie Gross identified the opportunity and it was approved by the Town Council, I wrote the Golden Leaf Foundation grant for storm water repair, which the town was awarded $72,697. Realizing the importance of the town's employees, the current council significantly improved the employee's retirement benefits, salary and other benefits package while at the same time decreasing the property tax millage rate from .00296 percent to .00209 percent.
* What made you want to join the Lake Santeetlah council? I wanted to be on the town council last election in order to bring transparency and integrity to the town council. I believe the council works for the citizens and homeowners, and everyone has a right to know what their government is doing. I believe in being a good steward of the taxpayer's money, and using it wisely to make improvements to the town's capital: water, roads and employees. I will continue this line of thinking if re-elected.
* Why are you a good candidate for the board? The Lake Santeetlah Council has a recent history of hostility. How will you ensure harmony amongst the council in the future? (Candidate combined answers). I believe the town council could work together in harmony if everyone put the best interest of the town first and came to meetings as if they were going to a job meeting. Professionalism during meetings will go a long way towards harmony, no matter who sits at the table. I have enjoyed working with the town staff and council during the past two years and I'm looking forward to representing the homeowners and citizens of the Town of Lake Santeetlah again with an honest, fair and transparent government.
Connie Gross (Incumbent, Mayor)
* Introduce yourself to the readers/voters. Just a brief piece about your background and your time spent in Lake Santeetlah (when you first moved there, etc.) Hello, for those of you who do not know me, my name is Connie Gross. My husband and I have owned several properties here in the Town of Lake Santeetlah for around 35 years. I currently serve as mayor and served as a councilwoman for the Town of Lake Santeetlah from 2015-17. I am a retired real estate agent for a large company in Key Largo, Fla. Prior to that, I owned and operated a hair salon there for over 16 years. I served the public within Key Largo on the volunteer ambulance corp as an EMT, and on the board as the president. I worked alongside my father to bring Advanced Cardiac Life Support to Monroe County, Fla. I currently represent Graham County for the regional library board. The board covers four counties, and includes five libraries and a book mobile. I was on the board of directors for the Graham County Animal Advocates for four years until the organization was handed over to Graham County. Along with rescuing animals, I planned events and organized fund raisers. I am the mother of three sons and three grandsons. My husband Jack and I have been married for 48 years. He is a retired firefighter/paramedic, having served for 31 years. One of the things I have always loved about Lake Santeetlah is the relaxed atmosphere. I love the lake and am lucky enough to be able to cruise the lake almost every day. My dog also enjoys the ride. I am a member of Cedar Cliff Baptist Church. I pray for guidance and strength to fill the position of mayor every day.
* What made you want to join the Lake Santeetlah council? Why are you a good candidate for the board? (Candidate combined answers). When I became a council member, I looked for expert advice from professionals and trusted our town staff and other council members to uphold their integrity and complete their jobs at hand. I needed to learn about our banking system, software system, auditing system and our budget. When I started on the council, the town had multiple accounts at multiple banks. Our old software system had not been updated or supported for years. Our auditor was not familiar with government services. Our old attorney sometimes ran the council meetings instead of primarily supporting the council with legal advice. Our front entrance project was started without a survey. We discovered that the Town of Lake Santeetlah Tourist Development Authority was not formed correctly with the state of North Carolina. We immediately passed a resolution to stop the TDA from collecting any more money so that the TDA could fix the problem. They have still not done so under the leadership of Diana Simon. Over 1,100 linear feet of road has been repaved. In addition, we were awarded a $72,690 grant from the Gold Leaf group, which was brought to my attention from Sen. Kevin Corbin. Scott Kamps has overseen providing direction on the project and is doing a great job. Our current budget provides the resources for town “must haves” and capital reserve projects. We were able to reduce the property tax rate for the town to keep property taxes as low as possible. I have worked hard to make sure the Town of Lake Santeetlah was represented at Robbinsville and Graham County events. Jack and I hosted the 3rd Annual Volunteer Firefighters and First Responders BBQ at Ernie Maniere Park. Over $6,000 was raised, in addition to the $5,000 from the TOLS budget. This event is held to help fund the firetruck that the Town helped purchase. Volunteer Lt. Scott Kamps gave an update on the new building the town helped to fund from last year’s event. Life-changing experiences happen to all of us. These professional volunteers are trained in what they do. After 22-plus days of no internet service at the town hall, I contacted Zito and worked my way up the chain of command to find someone to help with the service provided to everyone in our town. Several homeowners came to me frustrated about their Zito service. I asked for input from all homeowners and submitted those concerns to someone who can make a difference. We are still being helped by our representatives from Zito. Our service has been much better, and I will continue to monitor the problem and hope to help you to continue to get results. The latest hot issue that the council tackled was zoning. First, the zoning document is a living document. Laws that are passed that affect the document. Difficult statutes to enforce must and need to be handled by changes to the document. Two things I’ve learned are that property owners want zoning, and modifications are needed for the town and homeowners. The current document does not fit the needs of our community. Clear language for rental homes, setbacks and non-conforming homes and variances is needed. If every non-conforming home needs a variance, then something isn’t right. Variances should be the exception, not the norm.
* The Lake Santeetlah Council has a recent history of hostility. How will you ensure harmony amongst the council in the future? My focus on the council will continue to be on roads, and the water system and other major upgrades. I recently have been working closely with Zito Media to get our internet service fixed and improved. In the next few months, Zito engineers will start mapping our town to upgrade our internet with fiber optics. I continue to look for ways to improve our town, being careful not to waste your tax dollars. I strive to show good leadership even when facing obstacles. When given lemons, I make darn good lemonade. To ease the tensions at the meetings, I have asked our security officer to attend our meetings. Amazingly, our meetings have been calm and effective. In closing, I would like to ask for your support and vote in the upcoming election. The past two years have been filled with many ups and downs – but through them all, I have had the privilege to work with an amazing group of people. I have looked to experts for advice before making decisions. I have no personal agenda or motive for advantage by being mayor of the town. My hope is that whoever is elected to the next council, that no personal agenda – and serving with integrity – is foremost in each council member’s mind. Our town is a unique mix of cottages and large homes, we are all from various places and backgrounds and as such, need to be respectful and listen to all on all issues.