News

VOTER GUIDE: Fletcher candidates prioritize growth management

By Lightning Reports, Published: October 14, 2026

In Fletcher, incumbent Amber McKinney faces challenger John Brandon Olsen for the District 1 Town Council seat. Mayor Preston Blakely and District 4 council member Trevor C. Lance are running unopposed.

Meet the candidates

My name is Amber McKinney. I am 43, and my husband, Bart, and I have two children, Gage and Alaina. A health care professional, I enjoy spending time with my family, working in our garden, cooking, baking, reading and enjoy putting together puzzles.

My name is John Brandon Olsen. I am 43 years old and I have lived in Fletcher for more than 21 years. My wife, Holly, and I have three children. I earned a degree in Economics from UNC Asheville. I currently work as a data analyst administering federal disaster-recovery programs. I serve on the Fletcher Youth Baseball & Softball Board and the Fletcher ABC Board, and I served with the New Fletcher Library Partners. I enjoy spending time with my family and volunteering in our community.

Why are you running for the Fletcher Town Council?

Olsen: I am running because I believe Fletcher’s neighborhoods deserve better representation at Town Hall. I want a Town Council that listens to residents, communicates openly and prioritizes the needs of our neighborhoods. I have spent years volunteering in Fletcher and attending Town Council meetings, and I have seen both what our town does well and where we can do better. I want to bring my experience, work ethic and commitment to Fletcher to the council and help make sure decisions at Town Hall reflect the needs and priorities of our neighborhoods.

McKinney: I am running because Fletcher is home, and I care deeply about its future. While serving on Fletcher Town Council, I have gained firsthand experience and a greater understanding of the responsibility that comes with serving our community. As a wife, mother, and Fletcher native, I want to protect what makes our town special while planning responsibly for future generations. I believe in listening to residents, being accountable, protecting property rights, managing taxpayer dollars responsibly, and making decisions with common sense and conservative values. Serving Fletcher is an honor, and serving its people means more to me than holding a title.

With no advanced notice or public debate, the state Legislature changed the law statewide to prohibit towns, cities and counties from “downzoning.” What is your position on that change?

McKinney: I believe property owners should have a strong voice in decisions that affect the use and value of their property. The current state law requiring property-owner consent for local government-initiated down-zoning reinforces the importance of protecting those rights. As a Councilwoman, I believe Fletcher should work within the law while making thoughtful, decisions about growth and development. Local government has a responsibility to listen to residents, respect property rights, and carefully consider how zoning decisions affect our community. I support responsible growth that protects individual property rights while preserving Fletcher’s character and planning for our future.

Olsen: I oppose this change because zoning decisions should remain primarily with local government and the people they represent. Local elected officials understand the communities they serve and are accountable to their neighbors. Taking away local authority over zoning limits a community’s ability to determine how it develops. Growth is inevitable, but it must be guided by the needs of the community, not dictated by the interests of those seeking to develop property.

What do you see as the biggest challenge for the town of Fletcher moving ahead in the next 2-4 years and beyond.

Olsen: Managing growth while improving connectivity between our neighborhoods is Fletcher’s biggest challenge. Fletcher is growing, and we need to make sure infrastructure keeps pace with that growth. That means advocating for sidewalks and trails, working with NCDOT on improvements to our major roads, protecting neighborhoods from incompatible development, and making thoughtful decisions about where and how new development occurs. We should welcome responsible growth while making sure Fletcher remains a community where people can live, work, raise families and be proud to call our town home.

McKinney: I believe Fletcher’s biggest challenge will be managing growth while maintaining the character and quality of life that make our community special. As development continues, we must ensure our infrastructure, roads, public safety services, and resources keep up with that growth. We also need to protect property rights and be mindful of the impact and decisions have on families and taxpayers. Growth is coming, but it should be thoughtful and responsible. Our challenge will be finding the right balance between welcoming opportunities for Fletcher’s future and preserving the community that so many of us are proud to call home.

What are your top priorities for the town of Fletcher should you be elected to the town council?

McKinney: My top priorities are fiscal responsibility, public safety and responsible growth. I believe every taxpayer dollar should be spent carefully, with essential services and the needs of our community prioritized. I will continue supporting our first responders and ensuring they have the resources necessary to keep Fletcher safe. As our town grows, we must make thoughtful decisions about development, traffic and infrastructure while protecting property rights and preserving the character of our neighborhoods. Growth should strengthen Fletcher without placing unnecessary burdens on families and taxpayers. My goal is to protect what makes Fletcher special while planning responsibly for future generations.

Olsen: My priorities are better-connected neighborhoods, fair representation and responsive local government. I want to see progress on sidewalks and trails that connect neighborhoods with parks, schools, the library and businesses. I want Fletcher to advocate more effectively for improvements to roads controlled by NCDOT. I also want greater transparency and communication from Town Hall and thoughtful decisions about development. Above all, I want residents to know I am available and willing to listen any time so I can better represent their interests.