Chimney Rock Village Council tackles Recovery, Budget Priorities and Election Questions

The Chimney Rock Village Council is continuing to address Hurricane Helene recovery, infrastructure repairs and downtown operations while voters prepare to choose new council members this fall.

At the council’s July 21 meeting, officials discussed employee parking, water and sewer restoration, grant-funded projects and the future of the village following Hurricane Helene.

Parking revenue drives employee parking expansion

Village Administrator Stephen Duncan told council members parking revenue remains a critical part of the village’s finances.

According to Duncan, parking generates approximately $150,000 annually and helps fund maintenance of public properties, parking areas, landscaping, restrooms and other village services.

Duncan said parking revenue accounts for more than half of the village’s total budget.

Council members reviewed a proposal to expand an existing employee parking area near the volunteer fire department. Duncan estimated the project could add approximately 30 to 35 parking spaces.

The council approved moving forward with the expansion, including paving and striping the additional spaces.

Officials also approved temporary employee parking near the amphitheater area while other construction and infrastructure work continues.

Water, sewer projects continue after Helene

Recovery from Hurricane Helene remained a major focus of the meeting.

Engineers updated council members on efforts to restore the village’s water tank system, including temporary water lines that have been installed while testing continues.

Officials said water samples are being evaluated before the system can return to service.

The council also discussed continued coordination with the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality and FEMA-approved recovery work.

Long-term sewer solutions remain one of the village’s ongoing challenges as officials work with state and federal partners.

Additional recovery updates included bridge repairs, grant applications and efforts to secure funding for two private bridges damaged during the storm.

The council also discussed economic development projects, including streetscape improvements, business hub initiatives and the village’s “Raise the Rock” recovery plan.

November election: Three candidates seek two seats

The current Chimney Rock Village Council includes Mayor Peter O’Leary, Mayor Pro Tem Buck Meliski, Bruce Godzik, April Schick and Patrick Warnke.

Council members Godzik and Schick did not file for re-election. Godzik did not qualify to run for re-election because he no longer had active residency. His property was washed away in Hurricane Helene.

Three candidates are running for two council seats this November: Richard Duffy, W. Bennett Phillips and Nick Sottile.

WCAB News reviewed publicly available records related to the candidates, including voter registration and election participation information from the North Carolina State Board of Elections voter search tool. While municipal elections in Rutherford County are considered nonpartisan, political analysts say that's a procedural label, not a reality of candidate ideologies and how elected officials govern.

According to NCSBE records, Sottile and Phillips are registered Republicans, while Duffy is registered as a Democrat.

Public voting records show Sottile participated in one recorded North Carolina election — the November 2024 general election, when he was also a candidate for town council.

Phillips’ public voting history shows participation in multiple North Carolina elections dating back to 1996.

Public records reviewed by WCAB News show Duffy has a Florida mailing address listed on Rutherford County tax records. The North Carolina State Board of Elections voter search tool does not show a record of him voting in a prior North Carolina election.

Planning Board member enters council race

The Chimney Rock Village Planning Board includes Chair Barbara Meliski, Don Cason, Jessie Calloway, Teresa Cauthren and Nick Sottile.

Sottile’s candidacy means voters will decide whether he moves from the planning board to the town council.

The November election comes as Chimney Rock Village continues rebuilding after Hurricane Helene, with decisions ahead involving infrastructure, public spending, economic recovery and the future direction of the village.

WCAB News will continue tracking public meetings, recovery projects and the candidates ahead of Election Day.