Are Haywood County Governing Bodies Being Transparent With Us?

Trans·par·ency:  The quality or state of being transparent and open to public scrutiny. A critical element of a Constitutional Republic and of those who have been elected to represent “We The People.”

As voting residents of Haywood County, especially those in Waynesville, Maggie Valley, Canton, and Clyde, we all deserve transparency from our elected officials. This expectation applies not only to the Haywood County Board of Commissioners but also to the mayors of our cities and the councils that govern our communities.

After attending numerous meetings of the County Commissioners and local assemblies, I have become increasingly concerned about the lack of dissent regarding Requests for Approval. Reflecting on the last County Commissioner’s meeting I attended, I realized that not a single committee or council member opposed any petitions, initiatives, or funding requests.

Determined to understand this phenomenon, I reviewed the minutes from every committee and council meeting held this year. What I found was alarming: it seems impossible that no Request for Approvals have been received, that our elected officials have not disapproved so far in 2025.

This raises an important question: are our elected officials holding closed meetings to discuss requests before the scheduled public sessions? During these discussions, did they decide which requests to approve and which to reject? If requests for approval were received and disapproved, why were they not presented, discussed, and rejected at the public meetings? This creates the impression that they are withholding evaluation and decision-making information from their constituents. As a result, this lack of transparency suggests that either every request is always approved or, if some requests have been disapproved, these governing bodies are choosing to hide that information from the voting residents.

To support my concerns, I analyzed data on all Requests for Approval made during public meetings from January 1, 2025, to the present. The results were striking: over 95% of requests received unanimous approval without opposition, while 5% faced opposition from only one or two members but still gained approval. This statistic is more than just a number; it indicates a troubling trend where vital decisions are not being communicated effectively to the voting taxpayers.

This trend raises deeper questions about how our local government makes decisions. Are officials carefully evaluating each request, or merely rubber-stamping approvals? The absence of any disapproval during meetings or recorded in the minutes shows a dangerous complacency that erodes our democratic values.

The absence of opposing votes creates an illusion of harmony, but it conceals issues of accountability. If our elected officials avoid saying "no" when it is necessary, can we trust they are acting in our best interests? Similarly, if they disapprove of Requests for Approval behind closed doors without explaining their reasons to the public, then again, can we trust they are acting in our best interests?

Transparency is crucial for effective governance. It fosters trust between elected officials and the communities they serve. When residents feel their concerns are sincerely acknowledged, it strengthens democracy. Conversely, when people believe their officials are hiding decisions, it breeds distrust, which leads to apathy towards governance.

In Haywood County, transparency should not just be a buzzword; it must be a fundamental principle guiding our elected officials. This means they should be equally willing to reject requests as they are to approve them, and to do so in public meetings, documenting their decision to disapprove requests in the meeting minutes.

Beyond the approval process, transparency also includes clear communication and genuine engagement with residents. Elected officials must actively seek our input, encourage public participation, and provide detailed explanations for their decisions. For example, if a funding request for community projects is approved, there should be open discussions about its implications, allowing for public feedback, just as with any request that is disapproved.

As voting residents, we have a fundamental role in holding our elected officials accountable. We must advocate for transparency, participate in the representative process, attend meetings, ask questions, and voice concerns about all important actions taken by our elected officials.

By engaging with our local government, we demonstrate that we care about the decisions being made in our name. We must also encourage fellow residents to get involved. A united front demanding transparency will amplify our collective influence and foster a culture of openness and accountability.

Let’s remind our neighbors that active participation is both a duty and a right. The more voices we have advocating for transparency, the stronger our influence on the governance of Haywood County and its municipalities will be.

The illusion of transparency in Haywood County government meetings is a pressing issue that deserves our attention. As residents of Waynesville, Maggie Valley, Canton, and Clyde, we have a responsibility to hold our elected officials accountable.

The data reveal a troubling pattern of unanimous approvals, which raises concerns about the decision-making process in our local government. We must demand genuine accountability by urging our officials to communicate with us regarding the Requests for Approvals received and the decisions regarding each Request for Approval. This includes presenting all "requests for approval" at their public meetings and documenting them in the minutes.

For the record, the following information is provided regarding Requests for Approval based on my review of all public meeting minutes held from January 1st to the present:

Ø  Haywood County Board of Commissioners held eighteen public meetings, during which 168 Requests for Approval of proposals were discussed and voted on. All 168 Requests were approved, with none disapproved. The vote on all Requests was unanimous.

Ø  Waynesville Town Council: Twenty public meetings were held, during which 231

Requests for Approval of proposals were discussed and voted on. All of these Requests

were approved, with none disapproved. The vote on all 231 Requests was unanimous.

Ø  Maggie Valley General Assembly: Nine public General Assembly meetings were held,

during which 59 Requests for Approval of proposals were discussed and voted on. Of

these 59 Requests, every one was approved—none were disapproved. The votes on all but three Requests were unanimous. Of those three, one Request received two “NO"

votes and another received one “NO” vote.

Ø  Canton General Assembly: Eighteen public General Assembly meetings were held,

during which 111 Requests for Approval of proposals were discussed and voted on. All

111 Requests were approved—none were disapproved. The votes on all but two

Requests were unanimous. Of those two, one Request received one “NO” vote, and

one Request was an abstain vote.

Ø  Clyde General Assembly: Ten public meetings were held, during which 68 Requests for Approval of proposals were discussed and voted on. All 68 Requests received approval —none were disapproved. The vote on all 111 Requests was unanimous.

Based on my attendance and review of all meeting minutes, it appears that the Haywood County Board of Commissioners, the Waynesville City Council, and the Maggie Valley, Canton, and Clyde General Assemblies have never disapproved a single Request submitted to them. Highly unlikely!

By demanding transparency, we can collaborate for a more open and accountable local government. Our voices are essential, and our elected officials must be dedicated to serving the best interests of all community members.

As we move forward, let us remember that transparency is not just a catchphrase; it is a vital principle that strengthens our democracy. Together, we can foster a culture of openness and accountability in Haywood County, ensuring that our elected officials genuinely represent the will of the people.

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