Andrews alderman candidates discuss business development

    Andrews – With the municipal election less than three weeks away, the Cherokee Scout spoke with the five candidates for two seats on the Andrews Board of Aldermen about their ideas to lure businesses into town and redevelop the area.
    Former alderman Randy Hogsed envisions Andrews as a destination spot for locals and tourists who want to enjoy the outdoors. As a real estate broker, he speaks with a lot of people interested in buying property in the area who often ask about recreation and entertainment options. He believes the development of communal areas would entice visitors to spend more than a couple days in town.
    “We have all these beautiful mountains, but we don't have good access to them,” Hogsed said. “There are a lot of roads in the mountains that are closed. I’d like to see some of them opened seasonally. I'd like to see some campgrounds, firing ranges and picnic areas developed around Andrews, with access to waterfalls and creek frontage, so people can go out and enjoy these mountains.”
    Hogsed also envisions a pedestrian zone, perhaps in the heart of Andrews, where motorists are not allowed, similar to the Walk Platz in southwest Germany.
    “I'm not saying we can do this right now because it's a hard concept to wrap your head around, plus Main Street is a state-owned highway,” he said. “But if you look around the United States where this concept has been done, you’ll see it attracts businesses downtown. It’s an idea that is worth looking into.”
    Hogsed also sees a lot of potential for residential real estate development, which would attract more people to the community and create a synergy that’s conducive to economic development. Alderman Mike Sheidy shares that same sentiment.
    “It's kind of a catch-22 situation,” Sheidy said. “There's a housing shortage. Once we get more houses and apartments in town, businesses would be more interested in being here because there would be more people shopping.”
    Sheidy also believes infrastructure improvements to water and sewer lines will make the town more enticing to taxpayers. Additionally, he feels downtown would be more attractive if some of the older, uninhabitable buildings were demolished.
    The remaining empty buildings could be leased to new business owners at a reduced rate, which may lessen the startup costs for entrepreneurs.
    “We’re not a destination spot, so it’s kind of tough to get people to pull off the highway,” he added. “It’s hard to get them to come downtown when they’re pulling a travel trailer or a ski boat.”
    Jonathan Ellison, an alternate on the Andrews Zoning & Planning Board who hopes to use his experience running the Dollar General store to help improve the town, echoed Sheidy’s thoughts.
    “Our town needs more of a visual appeal, especially the main entrance,” Ellison said. “They moved the main entrance to the rest area red light. If that’s going to be the heart of our entrance, then it really needs to speak volume.”
    Ellison also feels officials should seek more grant opportunities to spruce up the town. Lawmakers should meet with business owners on a monthly or quarterly basis to understand how Andrews can help them grow economically.
    “If we invest in businesses and give them something to look forward to, I think the downtown development piece will take care of itself,” he said.
    Former alderman James Bristol said his list of ideas on how to lure and retain businesses in Andrews includes good stewardship of taxpayers’ money and prompt action to business owners’ complaints. He feels the town should better advertise its beauty, while maintaining clean water, roads, sidewalks and lawns.
    Bristol also believes the four-lane highway hurts businesses within the town limits. Lawmakers should brainstorm a way to bring traffic back through town.
    “We drove the old roads when we returned from out west this past summer, and almost every town we went through had gas stations and mom and pop businesses boarded up because of the interstate,” he said. “We had to go to the interstate to get something to eat. To further develop the town, I think we should offer tax incentives for businesses to open in the downtown area.”
    Ronald Clontz agrees with Bristol regarding tax incentives for businesses. He also feels the town needs to restructure water rates.
    “We have people who cannot afford to have water turned on,” Clontz said. “We need to restructure the water department and find out why people are able to steal water without anyone knowing it.” Clontz also said town leaders should organize an economic development board and assign someone to lobby lawmakers in Raleigh for grant funds.
    “We need to make some serious changes in downtown Andrews or it’s going to be like Marble,” he said.
    The municipal election is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 5. Five candidates are vying for two seats on the town’s board as a result of a 2015 resolution that amended the charter by staggering the terms of elected aldermen. Alderman Richelle Phillips has decided not to run for a full four-year term.