Molly McKay-Morganton City Council

EDITOR’S NOTE: Two candidates are running without opposition in the upcoming Morganton municipal election. Molly McKay is running for the District 3 now held by Chris Hawkins, while Wendy Cato is seeking re-election to her District 4 seat.

Full name: Molly McKay

Age: 72

Education: B.A. University of Alabama; JD University of Alabama

Current employer and job title: Attorney — I have practiced in North Carolina since 1995. Previously I practiced in Alabama from 1978 until 1994. My primary area of practice for the last 25 years has been in representing abused and neglected children through a contract with the NC Guardian ad Litem Program.

How long have you lived in the town/district/area you want to serve? 31 years

Do you own your home? Yes

How long have you lived at your current address? Since June 2022

Why are you seeking election? I have long had an interest in the City of Morganton, and I am at a point in my career when I feel like I have the time to devote to this important work.

If elected, what will be the primary focus of your first six months in office? I want to work with the city professionals to develop a creative and collaborative way for the City to help address the critical need for workforce housing. Bringing jobs to Morganton is only part of the equation. Jobs without housing options won’t fully meet the needs of this community.

If elected, what is the legacy you hope to achieve during your tenure in office? Like any aspiration, I want to leave the City better than I found it.

What are the three most pressing issues facing your community and how do you plan to address them? The issues I see are as follows: Continue the efforts for recovery from Hurricane Helene; Workforce housing — find ways the city can facilitate the development of needed housing; Address issues of vacant spaces in downtown — determine what is needed to attract & retain viable businesses.