The Hyatt family at Sunburst Farm in Bethel.

Progress, Plans & What's Next

What a busy couple of weeks on top of back-to-school activities!

I hope you are taking time to enjoy these cool mornings and beautiful evenings and that you've had your share of the local sweet corn this summer. Fall is coming on fast and of course, I'm thinking of Election Day (November 3rd) just around the corner. Thanks to everyone showing your support in the ways that make sense for you. I'm grateful!

Through the last weeks, we've made real progress on two issues people repeatedly identified as priorities while I was gathering the 2,000 petition signatures needed to get on the ballot: preserving Haywood's rural landscape and creating more housing options local people can afford.



Throughout this campaign, I've tried to go beyond identifying problems. I've been researching possible solutions, talking with people who understand these issues, and bringing together those interested in finding practical paths forward. Please read on to learn more.



Preserving Farmland

A D.R. Horton subdivision was built on the historic Patton Farm between Clyde and Canton.

A group of agriculture and conservation advocates is close to establishing a private fund that could accept tax-deductible contributions to help preserve highly productive working farms.

The idea is to help purchase development rights from willing landowners, allowing the land to remain available for agriculture while giving farmers and their families another financial option when deciding the future of their property.

We're working now to put the appropriate structure, rules and financial accountability in place before moving forward.



Housing organizations, community partners, builders and others interested in housing affordability are working together to examine approaches that could work in Haywood County.

We've been researching different construction and development models and visiting projects in neighboring communities to see what we can learn from approaches already working elsewhere.

There isn't one solution to the housing challenge. The goal is to identify practical options that can increase the supply of housing local people can afford and determine what makes sense for Haywood County.

Pictured above, this 625-square-foot was part of our Beloved Asheville tour where deeply affordable housing is provded on a rent-equity model.

Summer Tour Wrap-Up

Of the four county tours I organized this summer to showcase hidden gems and the many layers of Haywood's business community, the Canton tour — featuring an inside look at the closed paper mill — was by far the most attended.

The good news is that Two Banks Development, LLC plans to offer additional tours, possibly monthly.

Follow the company’s social media for details at Two Banks Development.

We can accept Venmo and Paypal donations on my website or you can mail a check to Hyatt4Haywood 116 Sunburst Drive, Waynesville, NC 28786.



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As always, your donations are greatly appreciated.

What's Next for the Mill?

Two Banks Development, LLC team members Luke Williams, director of engineering and John DeKraker, the company's development director, refer to maps showing the mill site plans.

The tour, along with a six-hour strategic partner meeting I attended last week, provided a glimpse at some of the ideas and potential next steps being explored for the Canton mill site.

Among the possibilities discussed:

1. Moving demolition forward efficiently so the site can be prepared for redevelopment.
2. Making flood mitigation a major priority, including addressing narrow bridges, creating green space in flood-prone areas and identifying opportunities to increase floodwater retention.
3. Creating public gathering and entertainment spaces.
4. Exploring flood-resilient economic development opportunities.
5. Making strategic use of available flood-recovery resources to help move projects forward.
   

What encouraged me most was seeing so many people working together around the same table. Redeveloping a site this large and addressing Canton's flooding challenges won't happen through one organization or one idea. It will take collaboration, clear plans, timelines, and shared goals.

Barry Moran, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, offered insight into where the federal funds would be used to control flooding.

These are the campaign signs for which I need highly visible locations along very busy roads and highways. If you have a site, please let me know.

Listening and research have been central to my campaign so far. I'll continue doing both, but we're also entering the part of the campaign where I need help reaching more people across Haywood County.

This has truly been a grassroots effort, and I'm grateful to everyone who has shared an idea, answered a question, attended a tour or simply taken the time to talk with me.

Now I'm asking for your help - below are a few suggestions of how:

Host a Meet & Greet

I want to start getting my message in front of more people I haven't had the opportunity to meet.

I'd especially welcome opportunities to sit down with small groups around the county and talk about the issues.

If you're willing to organize a neighborhood or community meet-and-greet, I'd be ever so grateful and would love to meet your circle of friends and family. Call me at 828-400-2615.



Help With Signs

I'm trying to be thoughtful about campaign signs. I don't want to cover every roundabout, intersection and byway in the county, but people do need to know I'm running.

I have 20 large signs — 4 feet wide by 2 feet tall — ready to place on private property in high-traffic locations.

If you own property that might be a good location, or know someone I could contact, please call me at 828-400-2615.

I'm also considering ordering about 50 smaller, 2-by-2-foot signs for yards and other appropriate locations.

If you'd be willing to display one, help put them out or — just as importantly — help take them down after the election, please let me know. That will help me determine how many to order.



Volunteer Opportunities

There are three upcoming opportunities where I'd love to have a strong group of supporters join me:

Canton Labor Day Parade — Monday, Sept. 7 at 10 a.m.

A half-dozen or so people can ride in our flatbed truck, and those who are able can walk alongside and hand out candy or campaign cards.

Haywood County Fair — Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 24–27

I've reserved a campaign table and will have literature, posters and information about my positions on several community issues available. I'll need volunteers to help staff the table — and I think it will also be a lot of fun meeting friends and neighbors and spending time together at the fair.

Early Voting — Oct. 15–30, 2026

I'd also like to have volunteers at the early voting sites in Waynesville and Canton during the voting period. The Clyde early voting site will not be open for this election.

If you'd like to help with any of these activities — a meet-and-greet, signs, the parade, the fair or early voting — please reach out by email: hyatt4haywood@gmail.com.

A lot is happening, and there is much more to come. Thank you for any help you can offer and for being part of this adventure!

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Thank you for your support!

I'm able to accept Venmo and Paypal Donations

on my website. Or my button below:

Checks can also be mailed to:

Hyatt4Haywood

116 Sunburst Drive,

Waynesville, NC 28786