Seven candidates file for Black Mountain election

Incumbents and challengers seek three seats, mayoral race uncontested

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
July 22, 2026

Seven candidates will run for four seats in the Town of Black Mountain, following the July 17 filing deadline for the Buncombe County General Election in November. Photo by Fred McCormick

Six candidates are vying for seats on the Black Mountain Town Council, while a current member runs, unopposed, for the mayor’s office, following the July 17 filing deadline for the Tuesday, Nov. 3 General Election.

The field of contenders includes three current elected officials, with one council member choosing not to pursue a second term and the current mayor seeking a seat on the governing board. Four challengers will campaign for local leadership positions.

Ryan Stone, who was appointed in October of 2023 to complete the unexpired term vacated by the resignation of Bill Christy, is the sole mayoral candidate. Stone served on the council for nine years before not seeking reelection in 2022, He was unopposed to complete the unexpired term for his current seat in 2024.

Current Black Mountain mayor, Michael Sobol, will compete with newcomers John Richardson, Brittany Williams and Michael Roberts for two available council seats. Incumbent town council member Larry Harris, who was appointed in May to fill the vacancy created when Pam King moved out of the state, will be challenged by Cheryl Milton to fulfill the final two years of the term.

Alice Berry, elected in 2022, will not seek another term.

“It's been a great honor serving our incredible Black Mountain community for four years as an elected official. The increasing lack of civility at council meetings and on social media has been disheartening and discouraging, so I've decided not to file for reelection to focus my energies on serving our community in other capacities,” she said. “I remain hopeful for the future of the town and better days ahead.”

While the mayoral race will feature one candidate, Sobol, in his second tenure in the office and nearly 18 years as a governing official in town, will campaign to return to the town council for the first time since 2013.

A seat on the town council will allow him to address a “toxic culture” in town hall with a voting position, according to the mayor.

“We need to replace it with the warm, friendly citizen-oriented culture that used to be the hallmark of Black Mountain Town Hall,” Sobol said.

Sobol is one of four candidates seeking two seats, currently occupied by Stone and Berry. Williams, a former town employee, attributes a “deep love” for her hometown as the motivating factor for her campaign.

“Like many others, I have seen the challenges ours has faced over the years and continues to struggle with. I believe that when your community is going through a difficult season, people should step forward and serve,” Williams said. “I want to be part of the work of bringing this community back together, rebuilding the trust that has been lost, and helping move Black Mountain forward.”

The four-person race to determine two full terms will also feature local business owner John Richardson, who has been involved in a public dispute with town officials for nearly a year. Citing a deep investment into the community he has lived in for most of his life, Richardson noted his belief in the town’s future.

“I decided to run because I want to help ensure this future is built on responsible leadership, transparency, fiscal accountability and a commitment to preserving what makes Black Mountain such a special place to live and work,” he said. “I believe our community is strongest when people work together, listen to one another and focus on solving problems.”

Roberts, another local business owner, will be included in the field of four candidates. The operator of Epic Cycles described concern with the management of the municipality as the impetus for his campaign.

“The town simply just does not have their priorities in order. The infrastructure of the town is crumbling,” he said. “Our police and fire departments have lost their offices due to repairs that have been ignored for years. They are now spread out all over the place which is negatively affecting response times as well as our public's safety.”

Harris, appointed by a unanimous vote, May 11, to fill the seat formerly occupied by his predecessor, returned to the governing body for the first time since an unsuccessful run for mayor in 2022. He has served nearly 11 years in three separate tenures on the town council, and is a current member of the Board of Directors of Mission Hospital, Appalachian Mountain Health and Givens Communities.

“Councilmember Pam King’s move to the west coast to be close to family left an open seat and resulted in a unanimous appointment by council to serve out the open seat,” he said of his decision to attempt to complete the final two years of the unexpired term. “This unplanned appointment to council informed me that my service to the Town of Black Mountain was valued, not only by the council members who voted for me, but also for many community members who encouraged and offered their appreciation for my willingness to return to service. That same encouragement, affirmation and appreciation gave me reason to file for election to complete the two-year term remaining of council member King’s vacated seat.”

Challenging the incumbent for the position is Milton, who points to increased spending by the town, which faced a nearly $1.9 million shortfall while budgeting for the current fiscal year.

“Our budgets grew by 46% from 2021 until 2023-24, and that budget ended prior to Helene,” Milton said. “There were 20 new full-time employees added during this same time, going from 80 to 100. Yet, our total population only grew by 1.7%, or 146 residents. An employee making $52,000, annually, costs the $152,000 when employer’s social security contribution, health insurance, retirement, 401K, unemployment and workers compensation are added.”

The results of the election will determine three voting members of the five-person town council and a mayor, who is tasked with presiding over meetings and voting in the event of tie.

Restoring trust in the institution, through open communication, transparency and respect, will be the top priority for Williams, if her campaign is successful.

“A local government is at its best when the citizens feel like they are heard and that their voice is valued,” she said. “We will not necessarily agree on every issue, but even in our disagreements we can treat one another with respect and kindness while working together to find thoughtful solutions.”

Responsible leadership and sound financial stewardship are key aspects of restoring confidence in local government, according to Richardson.

“We must make thoughtful decisions with taxpayer dollars while supporting our first responders, strengthening our downtown economy and investing in opportunities for our families and children,” he said. “I believe these priorities go hand in hand and will help ensure Black Mountain remains a thriving community for generations to come.”

Sobol will endeavor to ensure the progress that has been made under the leadership of the interim town manager changes the culture within the local government.

“Make it responsive and more transparent to you, the citizens.. Open the doors, let it be easier for folks to know what is going on and not speaking in code language that the citizens can't follow,” he said. “Something as simple as answering the phone and returning all phone calls, the day they are received, before you go home, will go a long way to reviving trust in our town hall.”

Aging and deteriorating infrastructure will be the focus of Roberts if he earns a seat on the town council.

“My top priority is our infrastructure. Without having our infrastructure solid and in place, it makes it extremely hard to operate the town efficiently. It places the residents of Black Mountain in danger because our resources are spread thin,” he said. “It makes it hard for small businesses to open and operate here, which then invites larger corporations that do not share our small-town philosophy to come in and takeover.  It also makes the budget extremely hard to manage when we are operating in a reactive manner instead of a proactive one.”

Milton, who served for six years as the chair of the town’s zoning board of adjustments, plans to balance spending with town needs.

“Look closely each year at each department’s desires and true needs for the upcoming year, and be sure that the council stays aware of the spending after the budget is passed each year,” she said. “I feel many of our residents are being forced out because of the spending, and as a council member it is my job to be a good steward of monies.”

Harris, a retired certified public accountant specializing in tax accounting and financial planning who has held an active license for nearly 40 years, will prioritize establishing a competitive salary structure across all departments.

“We do not have a well functioning town without employees who are paid competitive salaries and proud to work for the Town of Black Mountain,” he said. Addressing what he describes as “considerable anger and hostility” in communications from the public to town officials represents another concern. “I would very much like to help our working relationships, from town government to the public, and from the public to town government.”

The town, Harris added, must remain on focused on Helene recovery, which is being funded by FEMA and other sources beyond typical operations.

Williams, who holds a master’s degree in Parks, Recreation, Tourism and Management from N.C. State University, intends to draw from her experience serving as the chair of the N.C. Senior Center Alliance, the N.C. Association of Area Agencies of Aging, Black Mountain Schools PTO and other organizations.

“My dad served as the recreation and parks director from the mid-1980s through the early 2000s, and I later followed in his footsteps and worked for that department from 2014 to 2018,” she said. “My husband continues to serve this town, as he has for over 20 years, as a firefighter for the Town of Black Mountain.”

Roberts, who stopped pursing a doctorate when he purchased Epic Cycles in 2021, would like to bring his experience in building and operating small businesses to the council.

“I have worked in corporate America, small town America and everywhere in between. My career has allowed me to gain experience in repairing broken businesses and organizations,” he said. “More importantly, I have something more important than experience. I have a love for this town and the surrounding area. I care about the welfare of the town and the people that live in it. When you lead with passion and caring, you can truly accomplish great things.”

A career in leadership, business and managing budgets will inform Richardson.

“I’ve experienced, firsthand, both the opportunities and the challenges facing Black Mountain. Those experiences have given me a practical understanding of economic development, fiscal responsibility and community leadership,” he said. “If elected, I will work collaboratively, ask thoughtful questions and remain focused on finding solutions that serve the best interests of our entire community.”

Sobol, who has lived in the town for more than 70 years, believes his record as a public official speaks for itself.

“My civic service is well known and I will continue to ask questions and challenge what I perceive as not being in the best interest of the citizens and the town,” he said.

Milton offers her experience in the public and private sectors, with a willingness to hear concerns for any citizens.

“I’ve owned three successful businesses, sold one and am still part of running the other two,” she said, noting she plans to hold meet and greet sessions with potential voters in the coming weeks.

Harris plans to honor his appointment to the council and continue representing Black Mountain on the Land of Sky Regional Council and the French Broad River Metropolitan Planning Organization.

“I served many years on both regional board, and had the honor of being elected chair of both of these boards,” he said, noting years of service on not-for-profit boards around the area. “In addition to the organizations that I currently serve, I have served on the board of directors of the YMCSA WNC, Carepartners Health Services, Deerfield Episcopalian Retirement Community and Blue Ridge Public Broadcasting’s predecessor, WCQS Public Radio and the N.C. Arboretum.”