Rachel Hoskins - rhoskins@thefranklinpress.com
Newly elected members to the Bakersville Town Council took their oath of office last week. Charles Nash returned to the council and is joined by newcomer Alan Blevins. Rounding out the council are Bakersville Mayor Chuck Vines and Councilman Matthew Staton.
Mayor Vines said that not much has changed in Bakersville. While the town has not grown in population over the past few years, the storefronts are full. “We have one vacant building at the moment,” said Vines, noting that the population of Bakersville remains around 407.
“A few homes have changed hands in the past few years,” said Vines. “But our population has not grown. We have some folks who are part-time residents, some people who moved here during COVID-19.”
Vines said that the biggest challenges facing the town in the next few years revolve around infrastructure. The town and businesses as well as governmental bodies. Water comes from wells and is treated at the water treatment facility. The impending closing of Bowman Middle School will impact the town.
“I think it’s the best thing for our children, the school consolidation,” said Vines. “But it will definitely impact the town.” While the Bowman school facility will go back to the county, Vines said his biggest fear would be that it sits empty.
“The school has a major impact on the town. While we don’t get any property taxes from the school or for any of the government buildings, we sell them water and sewer services,” said Vines. “Loss of revenue from that could hurt.”
Vines said the greatest impact of the closing of Bowman Middle School to Bakersville may be social. The Bowman facility has been the focal point of the community, bringing together people and events for decades. It’s where contestants walk across the stage in the annual Rhododendron Pageant. It’s home to the town’s annual Christmas Concert. It’s been the heart of the community for decades.
“It the largest gathering place we have in Bakersville,” said Vines. “The biggest church here can’t sit more than 65 or so people. It we lose the use of the auditorium, it will be devastating.”
While Mitchell County is in the midst of a building plan for facilities in Bakersville which includes expanding the recreational facilities and adding softball fields that could attract travel teams, Vines said it won’t offset the loss of the school, the people who work there and the parents who bring their children to school each day.
With limited restaurants, some of which are not open on the weekends, Vines said the influx of recreational teams may provide opportunities for businesses to expand.
“It would be good if that happens,” said Vines.
In the meantime, the town continues to move along. And part that movement has brought a familiar face to the town’s staff. Billy Summerlin was recently sworn in a part-time chief of police for the town of Bakersville.
Summerlin, a seasoned law enforcement officer, who recently served as the Spruce Pine police chief is already making a difference.
“I’m thrilled to have him on board,” said Vines.
“He is an experienced police officer, and he gets along great with people. Most of our citizens are elderly and he’s already having a positive impact on them. I couldn’t be happier.”