This interview took place and article was written before Hurricane Helene. 

Like many other WNC communities, the Town of Canton operates with a Council-Manager form of government, and is responsible for much of the town’s vision setting. Within the last five years, the town faced challenges including COVID-19, major flooding due to Tropical Storm Fred, and the closure of its largest employer — the Pactiv Evergreen mill.

Mayor Zeb Smathers works closely with the aldermen and alderwomen of the Town Board to set the vision for the town, and the town manager works to enact that vision. The town manager and administration’s priorities consist of day-to-day operations, including the oversight of law enforcement, the fire department, public water services, and recreational facilities. Smathers frequently checks in with his board for status updates, manages town hall meetings, and performs ceremonial tasks like public speaking in an effort to remain accessible to the community.

While these tasks remain the basis for management of the town, operations have looked a bit different since March of 2020. Canton’s leadership has taken on two additional priorities — finding solutions to challenges and offering genuine support for its residents.

“I think when you’re in local government, you have to show practical leadership,” Smathers said. “You have to find a way forward to make things work, and I think that is the hallmark of anybody in local government. Local is also the most responsive level of government; people know where to find you. You can’t run to an office building or hide behind the staff; you have to get things done, and you bring a lot to the table.”

Over the past few years, as significant issues have arisen in Canton, Smathers has noticed local Democrats and Republicans working together. Members of both parties have collaborated in efforts at the state and federal level to find solutions for their community.

“In these towns, you see that happen every day, and you don’t have to accept anything else,” Smathers said. “Often in party lines, one doesn’t say anything nice about the other, but that’s not what you get from me, and it’s not what you get from our local government. We work together and that will continue. We hope to let people see that and let that be our legacy because once you see that it works, you’re always going to agree that leaders in government can work together for the good of our people.”

Holding sincere space for community members during challenging times is something the town’s leadership takes seriously. Citizens often look to the town for solutions, and the Town of Canton works to reassure the community even while working towards a resolution. After the closing of the town’s mill, Smathers heard people say they thought Canton would become a ghost town, but because of the efforts and coordination among the town, community members, and local nonprofits, that has not happened.

“We want to be a symbol of hope by showing we have made it,” Smathers said. “We want people to take strength from that.”

Collaborations between the Town of Canton and local nonprofit organizations have been critical to the resilience of the town. Volunteers from the community and beyond donated their time, money, items, and efforts to a long list of nonprofits working to support the town, and Smathers said he will never be able to thank each of these people nor thank them enough for their support, especially after the flooding and the mill closure.

Although the town had plans in place for its long-term management, including responses to possible problems, some of what Canton has faced over the past few years was difficult to predict or prepare for. Smathers said everyone had a role to play in their recovery, and coordinations between legislative goals and community efforts paired with the impulse to pitch in led to determining some of the solutions.

In working to overcome challenges, Smathers and Canton staff hope to encourage future opportunities for the area’s economy. He and the town’s leadership listen to and engage those in similar positions in other WNC counties to learn how they made tough decisions that eventually led to community success. Fostering economic development must still happen despite a significant budget decrease, and the town has faith that new opportunities can boost the economy for the town and the region. 

“It’s long hours and tough situations, but we managed and we figured it out,” Smathers said. “This is our home, and sacrifices were made. We have absolute pure leadership and devotion to this town, to this region, and more importantly, to its people.”

Mayor Zeb Smathers and the Town Board work to lead Canton and support its residents. Learn more at CantonNC.com.