TownofLakeSanteetlah

June 9 showdown set for Santeetlah budget, town zoning

Randy Foster
Thursday, June 2, 2022
Lake Santeetlah – Two public hearings, two days apart last week set the stage for one day – 5:30 p.m. Thursday, June 9, when the Town of Lake Santeetlah Town Council will decide the fate of zoning that controls development of some of the most valuable residential real estate in Graham County.

Lake Santeetlah town council tweaks spending plan

Randy Foster
Thursday, May 5, 2022
Lake Santeetlah – Councilwoman Tina Emerson, who is the Town of Lake Santeetlah’s finance officer, filled in some blanks on April 28, which were left following the first budget workshop a week earlier. The town has many needs and must haves in the upcoming budget.

Council getting complaints about dinnertime meetings

Randy Foster
Friday, March 18, 2022
Lake Santeetlah – Residents and property owners of the Town of Lake Santeetlah will be surveyed to see if they are happy with the time that their town council meets – 5:30 p.m. the second Thursday of the month. The current board switched the meetings to 5:30 p.m. from daytime meetings.

Town cancels attorney contract, hires new firm

Randy Foster
Wednesday, February 23, 2022
Lake Santeetlah – On a contentious split vote of the council, the Town of Lake Santeetlah ended its contract with attorney Craig Justus and will go with another Asheville-based law firm for legal advice. At its Feb.

Gross named Santeetlah mayor; entrance shelved

Charlie Benton
Thursday, December 16, 2021
Lake Santeetlah – In its first meeting, the new Town of Lake Santeetlah council has changed many matters of town policy and leadership. New councilmember Connie Gross will serve as the town’s new mayor, after a 3-2 vote at the council’s meeting.
Graham County Clerk of Court Tammy Holloway (right) swears in the new Town of Lake Santeetlah councilmembers Tuesday afternoon (from left): Tina Emerson, Ralph Mitchell and Connie Gross. Recent appeals at both the local and state level have attempted to dispute the legitimacy of Emerson and Gross’ residency, but both challenges have been dismissed. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Graham County Clerk of Court Tammy Holloway (right) swears in the new Town of Lake Santeetlah councilmembers Tuesday afternoon (from left): Tina Emerson, Ralph Mitchell and Connie Gross. Recent appeals at both the local and state level have attempted to dispute the legitimacy of Emerson and Gross’ residency, but both challenges have been dismissed. Photo by Kevin Hensley/editor@grahamstar.com

Santeetlah appeals dismissed at state level

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, December 9, 2021
Raleigh – After a pair of local protests were dismissed, another pair of appeals have been thrown out at the state level. Through a public records request, The Graham Star obtained documents containing the official decisions of the N.C.
Graham Star publisher/editor Kevin Hensley (left) was selected to flip the coin that would break the tie for a seat on the Town of Lake Santeetlah council at Tuesday’s Graham County Board of Elections canvassing meeting. Observing the flip are election board chairman Juanita Colvard (center) and Town of Lake Santeetlah mayor Jim Hager. Photo courtesy of Beefy Rogers/Contributing Photographer

Graham Star publisher/editor Kevin Hensley (left) was selected to flip the coin that would break the tie for a seat on the Town of Lake Santeetlah council at Tuesday’s Graham County Board of Elections canvassing meeting. Observing the flip are election board chairman Juanita Colvard (center) and Town of Lake Santeetlah mayor Jim Hager. Photo courtesy of Beefy Rogers/Contributing Photographer

Election draws ire of Lake Santeetlah

Kevin Hensley
Thursday, November 11, 2021
Robbinsville – The results are certified. Now the challenges can begin. An unusually-high number of write-in candidates for the Town of Lake Santeetlah council popped up on the unofficial results after the general election Nov.

Santeetlah council approves draft audit

Charlie Benton
Thursday, November 4, 2021
  Lake Santeetlah – A local town’s draft audit was unanimously approved in a special meeting last week. The Town of Lake Santeetlah’s audit moves the paying of the town’s loan to its general fund from its water and sewer fund.

Council talks connection issues

Charlie Benton
Wednesday, October 20, 2021
Lake Santeetlah – One local municipality is looking at ways to increase its Internet speed. Town of Lake Santeetlah council member Roger Carlton gave a presentation discussing possible ways to improve Internet service for town residents at the Oct. 14 meeting.