Politics

Apodaca to swear in Miller as new council is seated

Tom Apodaca accepts a "Local Hero" award from the Boys and Girls Club in June 2012 as Jeff Miller looks on.

By Bill Moss, Published: November 29, 2013

One of the most powerful politicians in North Carolina will be on hand Thursday night to swear in newly elected City Council member Jeff Miller.

Of course, state Sen. Tom Apodaca also happens to be a longtime friend and close political ally of Miller. Miller helped manage Apodaca's campaign in 2002 when the Hendersonville bail bondsman and surety bond agent ran for the state Senate as a political novice. Apodaca won, and when Republicans took control of the Senate in 2010, the caucus elevated him to the second-in-command role of the senior chamber's leadership.
Jerry Smith, who was re-elected to a second term on the council, and Mayor Barbara Volk, who also won re-election, will take the oath of office for new four-year terms as well. District Court Judge Emily Cowan will swear in Mayor Volk. The newly seated council will elect a mayor pro tem.
The council is scheduled to honor Mayor pro tem Jeff Collis, who was defeated for re-election.
Collis, first elected in 2005, has voted on numerous significant projects over the past eight years. Some, like the water impact fees, the proposed $6 million Berkeley Park bond issue and wireless water meter reading project, drew criticism during the political campaign.
Here's the text of the proposed resolution honoring Collis:

On this day, December 5, 2013, after serving eight years on the City Council, and four of those years as a Mayor Pro Tem, Jeff Collis is leaving the Council with a record of positive achievements.
It is appropriate and fitting to mention some of the noteworthy accomplishments made by the City Council during his term of office:

• The rehabilitation of the Main Street Infrastructure
• Implementing the City-staffed Main Street Program and Establishing the Downtown Advisory Committee
• The 2030 Comprehensive Plan which helps guide the growth within the City for the next 25 years
• The purchase of the property for and construction of a new fire station on Upward Road
• "Preserve America" designation
• Grey Hosiery Building: evaluated proposals for the building and initiated studies for convention/conference center
• Upgrade of the City's water treatment plant with room for growth
• A revamp of the City's privilege license tax rate
• French Broad River Raw Water Intake
• Amendments to the Code of Ordinances in regards to Water Shortage Response and Conservation and Incentives Program
• Amendments to the Code of Ordinance in regards to Animal Control
• Beaver management program
• Flat Rock Playhouse Downtown Hendersonville Location
• Implementing the Parks and Green Space Master Plan
• Wingate University's downtown Location
• Regulation of Electronic Gaming Operations
• Numerous Water and Wastewater System Improvement Projects including the Water Treatment Plant
• Renovation, a New Metering System and Amendments to the Sewer Extension Policy and the Policy
• Governing Voluntary Annexations as a result of Sewer Extension Requests, and water for the Dana Community

Mr. Collis served as the Council liaison for the Downtown Advisory Committee and served as alternate on the Land-of-Sky Regional Council Board.