Murphy — A town on the move

A lot of improvements have been made to the town

By Frank Bradley
Sentinel writer

On Monday, the eve of the municipal election, Mayor Bill Hughes took a few minutes to thank the council members for all of the good work that has taken place to make the Town of Murphy a better place to live.
Listing some of the the current projects, he said the footbridge across the valley river has been repainted, noting that the bridge is 70 years old and had been given a national award at the time it was built for being one of the most attractive bridges of its time.
“The sidewalks on Tennessee and Peachtree streets have been completed,” the mayor said. “The pump station in the vicinity of Murphy Medical Center is underway. We expect to have the bids in two weeks on the new water meters. We have three big projects going on. I think with the culmination of our four-year term, the Town of Murphy is a better place because of your (council members) work,” Hughes said.
Councilman Frank Dickey acknowledged the good work of the mayor, saying how involved Mayor Hughes is attending functions, funerals, just about everything going on in town. Dickey said, “I understand the mayor even helped a lady get a cat out from underneath her house.”
Mayor Hughes often tell folks, if I can help you in any way, just let me know.
It seems one lady called him up and reminded him of telling her that. She said, “My cat’s under the house, can you get it out for me?”
The mayor went down to her house, where she told him, “My cat’s under the floor, and I think its dead.”
Mayor Hughes crawled under the floor, and sure enough there was the dead cat. He pulled it out put it in a bag to take away and dusted himself off. Then she told him, “Honey, I voted for Ralph Rayfield, but next time, I’m voting for you.”
This election, which takes place after the Sentinel goes to press, finds the mayor unopposed.
Mayor Hughes told the board that there is some hope in getting funds to help solve the water problem for MGM Brakes. He said the problem has been presented to several sources including the Golden Leaf Foundation; the Governor’s office; the federal government through Congressman Shuler’s office; and through the North Carolina Secretary of Commerce’s office.
In other matters, the council voted to close a public alley that has never been opened. Councilman Dickey abstained from the vote saying that he had a conflict of interest in that it involved property belonging to his parents, who he was assisting.
Sandy Zimmerman, representing Congressman Heath Shuler, presented the council with a framed proclamation that had been read on the House floor of the U.S. Capitol by Congressman Shuler commending Cherokee County and the Town of Murphy for their support in bringing the Moving Vietnam Wall to town.