City Council Election: Interview with Rhonda Haight

FANNIN, Ga. — Rhonda Haight, an incumbent on the city council, is running for Mayor of Blue Ridge. She spoke with FYN to share her current views and future goals for Blue Ridge. She is running against Donna Whitener, the incumbent mayor of 12 years. 

On new leadership: 

When asked why she thinks Blue Ridge is ready for a new mayor, Haight says, “I’ll tell you why … I sat in the meeting two years ago and watched the sunshine law being violated, and this is after the mayor had practically misled the council on annexation as well as the public, and I realized then at that meeting … that I would not continue on this road under her leadership.” She says she made the decision that night to run for office in the next election. Haight also notes: “I do feel like, probably I am the most qualified because I do have experience with budget … I have 12 years of experience just as she does, but mine’s been as a council person, and of course when you’re involved from this angle, you know the makings of the city.” 

On council decorum: 

Haight says that good, consistent meeting policies and unity are important parts of having an effective city council: “You set a good meeting policy, that’s not changed consistently … so, you put a good policy in place that satisfies the citizens, and allows them input, but also keeps the meetings orderly, that’s one of the first things. Secondly, you bring a council together with unity, you don’t try to pull people apart, and you don’t mislead them with information.” 

On city manager: 

The council had previously voted to create a city manager position in Blue Ridge, but Haight says “Speaker Ralston … felt like we needed to have another town hall meeting … he felt like that we needed more input from the community.” She notes that regardless of the outcome on Nov. 2, she will push for a town hall meeting on the subject: “I do plan to have town hall meeting in November. Nathan Fitts and I have both talked about that, and several other candidates … doesn’t matter if I win or lose, the city needs that going forward.” Haight says that after the town hall meeting, if the city is in favor, she hopes to send it back to the general assembly to be passed, and implemented immediately. 

Zoning: 

At Blue Ridge’s City Council Election Forum, Haight brought up feathering zones in the city. She elaborates, “When I say feathering, our ordinances actually state that this is how it should be done … you should go from your highest use, which is CBD [Central Business District], and then it goes to C2 down to C1 … so it needs to stagger, and that’s what I mean by that.” Haight also mentions that zoning ordinances are not being followed all the time: “I think if we simply follow our rules, then it shouldn’t be a problem … the ordinance reads where it should be staggered down from its lowest use, then to residential, and that takes both parties.” 

On affordable housing:

Haight says that housing is an important issue in Fannin County. “Affordable housing is needed. The average list price of a house in Blue Ridge as of … last monday is $817,000,” Haight emphasizes. She then notes that the average income in Blue Ridge is around $30,000: “So,when we look at affordable housing, we’re looking at workforce housing, transitional housing.” Haight also addressed what she considers a misconception about affordable housing, saying, “I think the way some people are twisting it, is that it’s housing that would bring in crime, and I think that is very discriminatory, and really I don’t think federal housing would appreciate any of that.” She also mentions that housing issues lead to worker issues: “Our shops, right now a lot of them can’t open because they don’t have workers.” 

On infrastructure: 

Haight believes there are misconceptions about the city’s infrastructure as well. For that reason, she says, she facilitated a meeting with engineers to discuss it. Haight then brings up a ten year plan that was implemented to address infrastructure issues. “Currently we are working on replacing old parts, and our [water and sewer] buildings,” which Haight says is a project that will cost around $5 million. However, Haight believes if the city stays on track with the plan, the city will have a “wonderful water and sewer system.” 

On communication and public involvement:

“I’d like to see more town hall meetings,” Haight remarks. She also says she would like to see more public comment spots during city council meetings: “Why would you restrict what the people want to … say?” Haight also believes involving the public in committees is a great way to increase public involvement. Other than that, she also proposes website improvements and holding two city council meetings a month. 

Accomplishments: 

Haight considers one of her biggest achievements to be reducing building height limits. She says, “One of the things I’m most proud of, is the fact that I spearheaded the effort to reduce … building heights downtown, and I’ve been working on that for a while. It’s been over a year’s process for the moratorium up to this, so I guess really, knowing how the public hates the big tall buildings downtown, I think reducing the building size is … probably one of my biggest accomplishments.” 

To Voters: 

“I want them to remember that I truly live in downtown, and that I truly live in the city limits. And, you know if for any reason other than that, that’s why they should vote for me, because it has been questioned numerous times as to my opponents to where she lives … our charter clearly states that you have to live in the city limits, and you must have lived here for a year consecutively. Anyone who knows, they know that I live here, and you know I would say, if you remember anything … when you’re voting, think about the truthfulness to this situation.” 

 

FYN made an effort to contact every candidate, but we were ultimately unable to speak with Post 1 candidates Herald Herndon and Jack Taylor; Post 3 candidate Christy Kay; Post 4 candidates Jacqueline Brown and William Whaley; and Post 5 candidates Bill Bivins and Nathan Fitts. Early voting is already underway and Election Day is Nov. 2, 2021.