Politics

Flat Rock mayor endorses Brown, Platz and Swing for Village Council

By Lightning Reports, Published: October 31, 2019

FLAT ROCK — Flat Rock Mayor Bob Staton on Wednesday issued a strong endorsement of incumbent Ginger Brown and challengers Barbara Platz and Hilton Swing, the three-candidate slate defending a Village Council majority against a slate that vows to undo the Highland Lake Road widening, re-examine greenway plans and bring more openness and inclusiveness to village deliberations.

Staton touted the experience, hard work and devotion to Flat Rock of all three candidates, calling them "sincere individuals who have the best interest of Flat Rock — now and in the future — as their number one priority."

The Village Council voted 6-1 in the summer of 2018 to endorse a Highland Lake Road project that had been scaled back by the NCDOT but still generated sidespread opposition. Former council member Anne Coletta led the formation of an opposition organization, the Cultural Landscape Group: Flat Rock, and is now leading a three-candidate faction that would flip control of the council if successful. Vice Mayor Nick Weedman, who is running unopposed for mayor, cast the only no vote against the road project.

Here is  Staton's endorsement:

"During my tenure as your mayor, it has been my pleasure to get to know, work with, and become a friend of each of these excellent candidates. I know them to be intelligent, hard-working, conscientious, and sincere individuals who have the best interest of Flat Rock – now and in the future – as their number one priority.

"Ginger Brown: No one in my memory has had broader responsibilities as a member of the current Flat Rock Village Council than Ginger. There is no area of village operations with which Ginger is unfamiliar. She is always willing to take on any and all tasks with knowledge, understanding, competence, and a let’s-get-it-done attitude. The great success of The Park at Flat Rock is largely attributable to Ginger’s role early on as co-chair of the park development committee and her subsequent role as council’s liaison to the village’s park commission.

"Barbara Platz: Barbara is a classic example of a community volunteer who devotes her time and attention to improving the lives of Henderson County residents. Barbara and I serve together on the board of United Way of Henderson County. She currently serves as a member of the Flat Rock Planning Board. Immediately upon her appointment to that board, she enthusiastically jumped right into the tasks at hand and accepted responsibilities of the position, which she performs with her characteristic dedication and thoughtfulness. She is well respected by her fellow board members, who have chosen her to be the board’s vice-chair. In my experience of working with Barbara in all capacities, I find her to be a strong leader who is well organized, communicates well, and works well with others. She is respectful of the opinions of others, as she encourages all to participate in committee and board discussions.

"Hilton Swing: I’ve known and worked with Hilton for more than a decade, and I know his family well as fellow parishioners at St. John in the Wilderness. To his credit, Hilton has used his considerable knowledge of Flat Rock’s history and his professional skills in real estate and development to help guide Flat Rock as we dealt with issues of growth. He has been a board member of Historic Flat Rock, a vestry member and senior warden at St. John in the Wilderness, and is a board member of the Flat Rock Park and Recreation Foundation. He also serves as president of the nonprofit Housing Assistance Corporation.
As you can tell, I am very impressed by Barbara, Ginger, and Hilton, each of whom has the requisite experience and skills, the commitment to community service, and the unqualified love for Flat Rock necessary to be exceptional members of the Flat Rock Village Council.

"I encourage you to join me in voting for Barbara Platz, Ginger Brown and Hilton Swing on November 5. They are proven, professional, and positive."