Cory Vaillancourt

Maggie Valley

Politics Editor at Smoky Mountain News

Politics Editor @SmokyMtnNews. Seen/heard WaPo/NPR/CNN & elsewhere. Views=mine. Disclaimers=weird. #ncpol #ncga #helene #AVL #NC11 #election2024

Articles

Going with the flow: Canton, developer ink interim deal to maintain wastewater service

6 days ago | smokymountainnews.com | Cory Vaillancourt

After a closed session discussion on May 8, the Town of Canton Board of Aldermen/Women approved an interim agreement with Two Banks Development to ensure the continued treatment of municipal wastewater, staving off a potential public utility crisis following the closure of the town’s long-time partner in sewage processing.
Translating Democratic enthusiasm into election wins

1 week ago | smokymountainnews.com | Cory Vaillancourt

This past May Day, concerned citizens from across the United States and across Western North Carolina used the opportunity to spotlight issues important to working Americans, to continue the seemingly endless protests against the Trump Administration and to recruit candidates who can win. “Everybody’s pretty annoyed about how expensive groceries are,” said Garrett Lagan, chair of the Swain County Democratic party.
Mill site master plan coming within six months

1 week ago | smokymountainnews.com | Cory Vaillancourt

Latest Mill site master plan coming within six months North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Reid Wilson visited Canton last week, meeting with local officials and new mill site owner Eric Spirtas, who gave tantalizing tidbits of what’s in store for the 185-acre parcel and promised a bold master plan within six months. “The idea of this, just in a real nutshell, is there are projects all through the Carolinas that have taken a dilapidated mill and made it a destination,”...
Moe Davis enters NC-11 congressional race

1 week ago | smokymountainnews.com | Cory Vaillancourt

“I just keep looking at what Chuck Edwards is not doing for the district,” Davis told The Smoky Mountain News May 5. “People here are hurting, particularly after Helene, and they deserve somebody that's going to work for them, rather than for the billionaire out-of-state donors that own Chuck Edwards.” A Shelby native, Davis graduated from Appalachian State University with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice before earning his J.D. from North Carolina Central University School of Law.
Edwards touts Trump’s return, declares ‘we’re winning’ in defiant speech

2 weeks ago | smokymountainnews.com | Cory Vaillancourt

“Isn’t it great to be making America great again?” Edwards said to applause from delegates attending the North Carolina Republican Party’s 11th Congressional District convention at Tuscola High School in Haywood County. “Folks like to call it Donald Trump’s agenda.
Pless feuds with first responders: Emergency medical personnel cry out against proposed bills

2 weeks ago | smokymountainnews.com | Cory Vaillancourt

Latest Pless feuds with first responders: Emergency medical personnel cry out against proposed bills Rep. Mark Pless is taking heat from local paramedics and EMTs after introducing a pair of bills that first responders say will weaken their ability to provide emergency care.
Macon GOP hosts ‘first in freedom’ anniversary dinner

2 weeks ago | smokymountainnews.com | Cory Vaillancourt

Latest Macon GOP hosts ‘first in freedom’ anniversary dinner The Macon County Republican Party will host a 250th anniversary celebration of the first declaration of independence from Great Britain and King George III in the Thirteen Colonies, preceding the U.S. Declaration of Independence by more than a year. On May 20, 1775, residents of Mecklenburg County declared themselves a “free and independent people” in a document now referred to as the “Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence,” which...
Western Republicans continue censure of Tillis

2 weeks ago | smokymountainnews.com | Cory Vaillancourt

Tillis, who announced his reelection bid late last year, already has at least two opponents for the November 2026 General Election — one Democrat, and one Republican. Former two-term Congressman Wiley Nickel, the Democrat, officially announced his entry into the race on April 10, but party insiders are eagerly awaiting a decision from former two-term Gov. Roy Cooper, who’s been quiet since leaving office last December.
No tax increase for Canton, but rates will rise

2 weeks ago | smokymountainnews.com | Cory Vaillancourt

“I’ve been the finance officer for a number of years now, and this is by far the hardest budget we have ever had to formulate,” said Natalie Walker, Canton’s CFO and assistant town manager. While Canton’s highest-in-the-county property tax rate doesn’t look set to rise, user fees for some town services will. A TRASHY DILEMMA WastePro, the Town’s trash contractor, will increase its prices by 5.2%, based on the consumer price index.
Hurricane Helene heroes honored

2 weeks ago | smokymountainnews.com | Cory Vaillancourt

“Let me first begin by saying thank you doesn’t even begin to cover the tremendous gratitude that the people of Western North Carolina have for you,” said Michele Woodhouse, then-chair of the NC-11 GOP. “You are each and every one of you a hero, and we want to recognize you today … Many of you are from Western North Carolina and call these mountains home, but many of you found a temporary home here, and we’re glad. We’d like you to stay. We’re not full. Unless you’re from New York.” Rep.