The largest community in Graham County is administered by the smallest board of its three municipalities.
Robbinsville (population 693) is represented by three aldermen, while the towns of Lake Santeetlah (population 52) and Fontana Dam (population 27) are both represented by four-member boards, respectively.
While the small board creates its own issues – with quorums and representation, when it works as it should – a further wrench has been thrown into the process, with Alderman Shaun Adams having served in absentia since last June, a result of a dispute with Robbinsville Mayor Steve Hooper that eventually led to a restraining order being filed.
This setup effectively results in every vote made by aldermen Brian “Taco” Johnson and Debbie Beasley either unanimous or a tie, which Hooper then has to break. Also, with the functionally two-member board in place now, it would only take one alderman falling ill or otherwise not being able to attend a meeting to cause the board to not meet the quorum required for it to conduct its business.
So, what can be done to rectify the situation and expand the Robbinsville board by a seat or two?
In a phone conversation on the subject, Robbinsville town attorney Ellen Davis said that while it would take some time and a change to the board’s charter, there was a way to expand the board. She said the charter would have to be rewritten over a set period of time, with the changes being finished prior to the next board election, which will fall in November.
In the board’s December meeting, Davis suggested that they might consider increasing the size of the meeting.
“It’s not something that’s done in a hurry,” she said.
Chapter 160A of the North Carolina State Statutes offers explicit instructions on changing a municipality’s charter. Any charter amendment relating to the election of the mayor or board will also have to be made effective at least 90 days prior to the election of the mayor or other city officers.
The board would also be allowed to make any changes affected by the main change in the charter – for example, increasing a quorum from two to three members, as the board’s overall size is increased from three to five seats. The amendment would also have to remain in effect for at least two years. Such a charter amendment could be presented at a meeting, or by a special election.
The Robbinsville Board of Aldermen does a decent job of conducting the town’s business and representing the interests of its constituents. It just could be more effective and do an even better job if it were expanded. This is worth considering, folks.
Charlie Benton is the staff writer for The Graham Star. He can be reached by phone, 479-3383; or email, news@grahamstar.com.