Montreat Minute for June 19, 2026
MPD Chief Whitson Graduates from Leadership Academy
Please join us in congratulating Chief Justyn Whitson on his graduation from the Western NC Law Enforcement Leadership Academy (LELA).
LELA is an intensive, nearly six-month course of study focused on leadership development. The curriculum is designed to make a positive impact and affect meaningful change within our department and community.
Not only did Chief Whitson graduate from the Leadership Academy, but he was chosen by his class to represent them at graduation as the commencement speaker. We appreciate his commitment to continuous growth and development to better serve our community.
Congratulations Chief Whitson, and all graduates of the 2026 LELA cohort!
Stormwater Control Measure Inspections Due Annually
Montreat falls under the MS4 NPDES Program mandated by the federal Clean Water Act. The Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) requires towns, cities, and transportation departments to manage urban runoff. As part of this program, private structural best management practices (BMPs), also known as Stormwater Control Measures (SCMs), must be inspected and annual reports for each SCM must be submitted to Montreat’s Stormwater Administrator.
A BMP or SCM is a structural device or strategy that is used to manage stormwater runoff on developed properties. A BMP or SCM can include rain gardens, wet ponds, vegetative buffers, swales, retention/detention tanks, etc. Proper maintenance of these structures is important to protect local waterways, prevent flooding, property damage, and ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
In the next few weeks, Montreat residents with permitted BMPs/SCMs will receive a letter with instructions on conducting these inspections. Residents who have been issued a Stormwater Control Permit in the last 11 months may wait until the one-year anniversary of the approval of their Stormwater As-Builts to submit their inspection reports to the Stormwater Administrator.
Contact Montreat Town staff at 828/669-8002 ext.1, for more information.
4th of July Barbeque Tickets on Sale Starting Monday
Make plans to savor the annual Montreat Cottagers 4th of July barbeque picnic lunches after the parade. Tickets will be on sale from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm at the Montreat Post Office from Monday, June 22 through Thursday, July 2nd(excluding Sunday, June 28th). They will also be on sale during business hours at the Montreat General Store and The Red Radish on Black Mountain Avenue. Tickets must be purchased by cash or check made payable to the Montreat Cottagers. No tickets will be sold after July 2nd.
Tickets will again cost only $15.00. The lunches include a choice of barbeque pork or chicken sandwich, cole slaw, baked beans, a delicious dessert bar, a bag of chips, and bottled water.
The meals will be distributed from the porch of the Walk-up Building from 11:30 am to 12:00 noon immediately following the parade. Pick up goes quickly- no long lines. Just delicious barbeque served fast!
The Red Radish and Little Sprout Carryout of Black Mountain are again providing outstanding and delicious barbeque lunches.
Meet the Town’s Summer Intern, Lizzy Kate
This summer, the Town is fortunate to have a summer intern helping with communications. Lizzy Kate Sober from Jupiter, FL, is certainly staying busy this summer in Montreat with the Clubs program, being a “roving reporter” for MRA, and helping with the Montreat Minute, Town website, and other communications projects.
Lizzy Kate was born and raised in Florida, and is a rising high school Senior. At school, Lizzy is the Editor and Chief of the school yearbook, she teaches journalism to elementary school children, and she runs cross country. Obviously, she keeps busy!
Lizzy is not new to Montreat. She started in the Clubs program as a toddler and hasn’t missed a single year since. Her earliest memory of Montreat was climbing Lookout with her family and standing on the rock at the top! Besides Clubs, she loves walking and hiking around Town, making new friends, and eating out at the Blue Ridge Biscuit Company! Plus, she loves the contrast of our mountains to the beaches and flatness of Florida.
Why spend some of her time interning with the Town? “I’ve always loved journalism,” said Lizzy. “I thought it would be fun and helpful to do some writing for the Town.” In response, Town Clerk Angie Murphy stated, “We are delighted Lizzy wants to help out. She will be a big help during this busy summer, and hopefully will have fun too.”
Montreat Adult Summer Club Announces Summer Speakers
The Montreat Adult Summer Club has announced the lineup for its July summer speaker series. Speakers begin on July 8th for four successive Wednesdays. Here’s the schedule:
July 8: Dr. John Lafferty, a life-long student of history, will share about the significant role of the Scots-Irish before and during the revolutionary war. John will talk about John Witherspoon, James Madison, and other reformation heroes and the battles they endured, including the overwhelming victory at Kings Mountain. John will leave us with an appreciation for the importance of this unique group of people on our nation’s founding and guiding principles today.
July 15: Josh Goforth is a highly acclaimed storyteller and old-time bluegrass musician, having performed his music and storytelling around the world. Josh grew up in Madison County surrounded by the music and stories of the mountains and his ancestors. Come enjoy Josh’s musical and storytelling talents for a memorable afternoon of entertainment.
July 22: Deke Arndt is a meteorologist and climate scientist at the National Centers for Environmental Information (NOAA). Deke will present an historical retrospective of Hurricane Helene, the deadliest cyclone in the U.S. since Katrina, which caused billions of dollars of damage in Western North Carolina. Deke will explain how this historic hurricane fits into our understanding of weather and climate history.
July 29: Anne Chesky, Presbyterian Heritage Center Executive Director, will speak about Presbyterian pastor Rev. Dr. John Mack Walker who had a passion for Gospel stories. Through that passion, he began carving statues representing 64 different Bible stories. His carvings reflect both their “matter-of-factness and mystery.” He based many of the figures on real people he knew and carved them in 20th-century attire. Anne will be displaying some of the 29 statues the PHC has in its collection.
Adult Summer Club programs are free and begin at 2:30 pm in Graham Chapel, followed by refreshments. Put these dates into your calendar now. Note the change in location for this year: Graham Chapel.
Updates and Reminders
- The Montreat Town Council and staff will be holding a called meeting on Monday, June 29th, to review and agree on a final budget for fiscal 2026-2027. The meeting will be at 10:00 am in the Town Hall Community Room. A Public Hearing to receive resident comments about the budget will occur in the early portion of the meeting. The meeting will be live streamed. Streaming Instructions will be available online and in next week’s Montreat Minute.
- Do you receive your own copy of the Montreat Minute or know someone who doesn’t? Sign up for the Sunshine List to receive the Montreat Minute and stay “in the know” about the Town’s happenings. CLICK HERE to sign up for the list!
- Do you receive Montreat Code Redalerts, an emergency communications system used a number of times during the hurricane and wildfires? To learn more about Code Red or to be added to the list, CLICK HERE.
Questions or Comments?
Do you have Town-related questions or comments to offer? If so, please send them to Angela Murphy at info@townofmontreat.org and we will get back to you as soon as possible.
Have a great weekend!
