The Spruce Pine election next Tuesday features two open Town Council seats and a new mayor — all uncontested races.
Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 4, and the polls will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. that day.
The Mitchell News-Journal asked the Spruce Pine candidates to fill out a questionnaire detailing their plans and hopes for the town.
Current Town Council Member Beth Holmes’ answers are listed first, since she is running for mayor. Staff members flipped a coin to determine which of the remaining candidates’ answers to print first.
Beth Holmes
What made you decide to run for this office? Seeing others serve selflessly after Hurricane Helene, I wanted to serve where my abilities could be best utilized. It quickly became clear that town government was where I needed to be. God guided me first to fill the vacant council seat and now in my decision to run for mayor.
We face many critical decisions for rebuilding and growth. I seek to lead with vision and forethought, advocate for state and federal funding, attract private enterprise, and seize momentum to achieve progress. I want to preserve what makes Spruce Pine special while securing a solid future.
What do you think are the most important issues facing Spruce Pine in the next couple of years?
With FEMA rebuilds and an unprecedented need to revitalize, the town faces many important issues.
How we rebuild our wastewater treatment plant, parks and pedestrian bridge can leave a lasting mark for generations. Implementing components of the new streetscape plan can change the way people enjoy downtown. Zoning updates and actively enforcing code can guide rehabilitation and further growth.
We can address infrastructure updates and ensure we are prepared for future needs by putting a comprehensive capital improvement plan in place. In all these things and more, I believe we can do more than just recover; we can be better.
What are some issues that Spruce Pine faces that are different from what Mitchell County or Bakersville is dealing with? First, unlike Bakersville, Spruce Pine has a water system that extends far beyond the town limits. The pressure is on (pun intended) to upgrade and even extend services to meet more demand, all while rebuilding a mitigated wastewater treatment plant.
Second, while there is a post-disaster fatigue affecting us all, Spruce Pine seems to suffer from a unique, pervasive negativity. While social media groups have done much of the damage, town government must work to improve in transparency, engagement, and communication. Spruce Pine is a great place to live and visit — let’s start fostering a little hometown pride.
What is your personal and professional background, and how has it prepared you for local government? Born and raised in Mitchell County, I am proud of my heritage and believe this to be one of the most beautiful places this side of heaven.
My husband and I returned to Spruce Pine to open our law practice downtown in 2004, the same year our son was born. Working in real estate, business and estates, I love getting in the details to help my neighbors through difficult situations.
My professional skills and experience in working through complex legal issues, negotiation, and diplomacy make serving as mayor a natural fit.
Larry McKinney
What made you decide to run for this office? I love this town and want to do everything I can to help our town. I always want to be a voice for the residents of Spruce Pine. I am excited to be a part of the rebuilding of our businesses, parks and infrastructure.
What do you think are the most important issues facing Spruce Pine in the next couple of years? Rebuilding infrastructure will be the biggest and most important issues facing Spruce Pine in the next few years. Everyone knows the wastewater treatment plant was basically destroyed by Helene. While we have a temporary fix for now, we need to rebuild the plant with an eye to making sure that it can stand up to another catastrophic event. We also need to continue updating the water system.
We need to continue efforts to have every building in the downtown area useable and occupied with a viable business. Residents also want to see our parks and walking bridge restored.
What are some issues that Spruce Pine faces that are different from what Mitchell County or Bakersville is dealing with? Infrastructure, including waste treatment and water, is a huge concern for Spruce Pine. The lack of a grocery store within the town limits must be addressed.
Spruce Pine lost the public works building with all of the tools and equipment stored there. The scope of loss from the storm with respect to businesses damaged or lost, revenue lost, and infrastructure damaged exceeds what Mitchell County or Bakersville may be dealing with.
What is your personal and professional background, and how has it prepared you for local government?
My experience includes serving on the council from 2009 to 2024, as well as serving as mayor pro tem from 2014 to 2024. I have served on the zoning board of adjustment and the Main Street board.
Additionally, I am a lifelong resident of Spruce Pine and have been interested in the town government for all of my adult life. I have a keen interest in seeing the town prosper and thrive.
Tessa Taylor
What made you decide to run for this office? I decided to run for Spruce Pine Town Council because I love our town, and I want to make a difference.
What do you think are the most important issues facing Spruce Pine in the next couple of years? I believe there are many important issues that Spruce Pine will face over the next few years.
Last year our town was devastated by Hurricane Helene, and it will take many years for us to fully recover. I am amazed at the accomplishments that have been made, especially in our downtown area but there is still a lot to do. I personally believe that we have a great opportunity to improve our downtown footprint and landscape while making the area more friendly for businesses and visitors. Spruce Pine needs the walking bridge rebuilt. I know this project is in the works, and I look forward to working on this for our town. Our downtown has a great opportunity to clean up some of the vacant buildings, empty lots, and dilapidated areas. I look forward to working on a plan to improve and beautify these areas and hopefully encourage new businesses in our town.
I know our water infrastructure has been an area of great concern. I believe this is a very important issue and I would love to see a long-term plan in place to continue the upgrades that have been happening since the hurricane. Our waterworks department is wonderful, and I will help them in whatever areas they need to continue improving our systems. I believe we should continue to upgrade our facilities, storage areas, pipes, systems, and work to find grants and assistance.
Growth is an issue that I hope we face in the next few years. We need housing and more industry. I believe communication and planning will help with any growth we face. I want to see more communication between groups, councils, committees, businesses, boards, and the community. Communication is key to the success of any town and community. We are all better when we are working together and have good communication. I would love for Spruce Pine to have a vision for our future. I want to work on creating short term and long-term plans and goals with community input to make our town better for everyone.
What are some issues that Spruce Pine faces that are different from what Mitchell County or Bakersville is dealing with? Spruce Pine is an incorporated town with its own local government. I believe Spruce Pine, Bakersville, and Mitchell County need to all work together for greater growth, opportunities, and to improve our community.
I think our three distinct areas need to have more communication and view each other as partners. We need to work together to bring more opportunities to the people of Mitchell County as a whole.
What is your personal and professional background, and how has it prepared you for local government? I am a lifelong resident of Mitchell County and Spruce Pine. I graduated from Mitchell High School and continued my education at Appalachian State University where I obtained a degree in elementary education.
I worked for Haywood County Schools before moving back to Spruce Pine with my husband Curtis, where we have lived the past 26 years. We have two amazing children who both attend Appalachian State University. I have served on various community boards including the AMY Regional Library Board.
I am an active member of Spruce Pine First Baptist Church where I worked as their children’s minister for 13 years. I have owned and operated a travel business, Magic and More Travel, for 18 years. I am not afraid of hard work, and I love to plan events and activities. I look forward to serving our town and helping in any way I can.