Blowing Rock council approves regional appointments, debates whether community members can fill economic development seat

The Blowing Rock Town Council approved three appointments during a regular meeting that also included debate over whether certain seats must be filled by sitting council members.

Council members nominated and approved Mayor pro Tim Harwood to the Rural Transportation Advisory Committee to fill the seat previously held by Alyssa Pickett. The nomination was moved, seconded and approved by the council.

Council member Doug was nominated and accepted to serve on the Tourism Development Authority; the council moved and seconded the nomination and thanked him for taking the role.

The council then considered the Economic Development Commission seat held by Pete (transcribed variously as Pete Guarini and Pete Greaney). Some councilors asked whether the commission seat must be held by a current council member; legal staff said it does not. Council member Doug reported he had spoken with Pete, who was absent and said he was ill, and the council voted to reappoint him while noting the process could be opened to community applicants in the future. "It does not have to be a council member," one council member stated when clarifying eligibility.

Motions and votes were taken on the floor in open session for each of the appointments. The council also discussed the three-year term length for the Economic Development Commission seat. No formal objections prevented the appointments from moving forward, though some members asked that the town review whether certain appointments should be publicly advertised in the future.