Mayor Pat of Highlands

It’s easy enough to say that all politics are local. What is rare is a politician who lives it. Highlands Mayor Pat Taylor embodies it. His 12 years as Mayor of Highlands, NC, have been jam-packed with initiatives, accomplishments and unusually robust communications with constituents. Taylor has his own, personally funded community outreach website, a weekly local radio show, and a seasonal, monthly “Coffee with the Mayor” get-together at the local library open to the public. This is all in addition to a monthly Town Board workshop and meeting.

He is not your average small-town leader. Highlands got lucky when Pat Taylor and his wife Sallie chose to move here in 1999 after he retired from Kennesaw State University after 17 years of notable service. They arrived ready to make the most of their new life with high energy and enthusiasm for the region. Pat would open a pottery studio, and Sallie would teach at the local high school. Shortly after they first arrived, Pat accepted a position at Piedmont College, teaching there for seven years and commuting 50 miles each way. Then in 2002, he also accepted a post as Highlands Magistrate, serving for a decade.

With so many irons in the fire, the transition to elective office was natural. Highlands’ annual population hovers around 1100 but triples during winter months to help accommodate the thousands of seasonal residents and visitors. After a decade living in Highlands, Pat had emerged as a person of integrity with a strong work ethic. He displayed a natural tendency for leadership that was further cultivated during his time in military service. He came away from that experience with a guiding principle steering all of his endeavors: “Step forward, and always faithfully do my duty.” The community embraced his no-nonsense style combined with true concern for the welfare of his community. He is now serving his third term as mayor.

As mayor, Pat Taylor has met and exceeded all expectations. It’s not a high-paying job, but clearly, he is not in it for the money. He saw an opportunity to serve his community and jumped into it with both feet. From leading the charge for upgrading the Highlands Recreation Center and adding a swimming pool with retractable cover, to adding facilities to the Kelsey-Hutchinson Founders Park and spearheading high-speed internet connectivity, Pat has helped inspire others to open their wallets and their minds to community projects. Leading by example, he shows up and works hard, never shying away from opportunities to meet with his constituents face-to-face.

His persuasive and well-researched approach to moving the needle has helped Highlands grow economically without sacrificing its unique character. An important initiative has been the development of a community plan in 2022 that laid out a specific guide for decision-making for the next two decades. With the involvement of key stakeholders and residents, ideas and goals were articulated and documented. This challenging process requires strong leadership to reach fruition and can be elusive. But under Mayor Pat, Highlands accomplished the goal.

A recent conversation with Mayor Pat revealed his insight about his roles as a family man, entrepreneur, elective official and citizen. At 77 years old, he has done and seen a lot. His understanding of local politics comes from years of doing the job after years of preparation in leadership as an academic. His transparency as a leader is a quality that has served him well, especially during times of great stress.

We struggled as a nation to manage COVID-19. It was a profound challenge at the local level, but decisions had to be made based on the information available. When Hurricane Helene blew through western North Carolina, local communities faced difficult problems and unthinkable situations. But Mayor Pat acted quickly, posting videos to his personal website, updating his constituents and anyone else interested with information he felt compelled to share. Like a favorite professor at college, we all tuned in to hear calm explanations and important instructions. He always took the extra step to serve his town and its visiting population.

As we go to press, Mayor Pat has not yet decided about running for a fourth term. Leading by example has caused him to consider the ramifications of staying on as mayor. “There may be other candidates who deserve an opportunity to serve,” he said.  “Maybe it is time to pass the torch.”

Other considerations play into his decision. The “Plateau Pickup,” a volunteer-driven annual litter sweep on April 25, went on without a hitch. It was the first time since becoming mayor that Pat was not there to lead the charge. An elite runner, he chose to enter a race in another state. “They did fine without me,” he acknowledged, also pointing out that there are things he wants to focus on personally, like joining Sallie for an exhibition of her paintings on Long Island, NY this summer. It will mean missing an important event in Highlands, but his dedication to his and Sallie’s artistic lives will take precedence this time. He knows the foundation for the many Highlands traditions he has helped champion is well-established, with plenty of talented and motivated people ready to volunteer and lead.

Leadership is about lifting and nurturing others to take the baton across the finish line. Mayor Pat’s is commitment to stepping forward when called may take a new direction. Either way, the impact of his years of public service will remain etched in stone.