Murphy – A lifetime public servant is hanging up her hat, at least for now.
Councilwoman Karen Watson, who taught and coached at Murphy High School for more than 30 years, will not seek re-election in the fall.
“We're building [a house] outside of the city limits, so I won’t qualify,” Watson told the Cherokee Scout. “I really appreciate the opportunity to work for the citizens, and I hope they're happy with the direction that Murphy is going.”
Watson was appointed to the Murphy Town Council in December 2010 to replace Margaret Warner, who passed away only seven months into a four-year term. Watson has been elected to serve two additional terms since then, witnessing Murphy’s growth from a perspective she never imagined as an educator.
“I knew nothing about what was going on behind the scenes [when I first took office,]” Watson said.
She has learned the importance of making decisions based on what city taxpayers want rather than her own desires. She ranks a fellow council member’s suggestion to switch to nonpartisan elections, beginning this year, as one of the best decisions that council has made during her tenure.
“We're on the board for Murphy; we're not on the board for a political party,” Watson said.
The council’s decision to hire Chad Simons as town manager probably ranks above them all, she added.
“He was new [to us], but he was experienced,” Watson said. “He stepped in at a time when we had a [rookie] mayor and several new council people. We are very fortunate to have him.”
While Watson’s decades of public service helped shape Murphy in countless ways, there is one contribution that may end up having the most lasting effect. She and Councilwoman Gail Walker Stansell were the main players behind designing the town’s logo, promoting Murphy as “The City of Flowers.”
Watson would like to see the town “continue to thrive” with family friendly events. She sees a continued partnership with the Murphy Business Association as crucial to that mission.
“One of our unspoken goals is to not have any empty buildings in Murphy,” Watson said. “Murphy is changing, and a lot of positive things are going to happen.”
Councilman Noland Smith, who is also exiting stage left, echoed Watson’s sentiments regarding the town’s future.
“Murphy has really changed in the last four years; the town is vibrant now,” Smith said, crediting the MBA.
He added that future council members should continue working toward completing the N.C. Main Street program, which uses the Main Street America four-point approach to revitalize historic commercial districts.
Smith, a longtime local attorney who has served on numerous boards over the years, including a stint as a Cherokee County commissioner, is not seeking a second term on town council due to family commitments.
“I've got one daughter living in California and one in Paris, France, and it's just too hard for me to make all the [council] meetings,” he said.
Smith advises future council members to not take criticism personally. “Don't let things bother you,” he said.
As of the Scout’s press time, six people have filed their candidacy for Murphy Town Council: Keisha Dockery, Barbara Hughes, Barry McClure, Chandler Pash, Anne C. Rose and Gail Walker Stansell. The lone candidate to file for mayor of Murphy is Tim Radford.
Meanwhile, five people have filed their candidacy for the Andrews Board of Aldermen: Steve Jordan, Glenn Parker, Jason Raxter, Alton Raymond III and Brandi Smith. So far, two candidates are running for mayor of Andrews: J.L. Franklin and incumbent James Reid.
The filing period to appear on the ballot in upcoming municipal elections ends at noon Friday.