Macon County was an early stop for North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Newby during his statewide courthouse tour that kicked off May 10.
After being elected chief justice in 2020, Newby made it his priority to visit the courthouse of each of the 100 counties in the state and speak with local judicial officials. If successful, this courthouse tour will be the first by a state chief justice to reach every county. District 30A Judge William Coward traveled alongside Newby during the first leg of his journey and said it was inspiring to hear him speak.
“It’s been awesome traveling with him,” Coward said when Newby arrived in Macon County. “I learned a lot today.”
Newby chose to start his tour in Western North Carolina, visiting Cherokee, Graham, Clay, Macon, Swain, Jackson, Haywood, Transylvania, Henderson, Polk and Rutherford counties all in the first phase. This was an intentional choice to show more attention to the rural far reaches of the state. Newby said Western North Carolina tends to be forgotten when it comes to policy decisions at the state level, so he wanted to make sure residents didn’t feel like an afterthought in his endeavor.
“Contrary to what some in Raleigh believe, Asheville is not where Western North Carolina ends,” Newby said. “I want you all to know that the head of at least one branch of our government knows about the real Western North Carolina.”
Courthouse staff, sheriff’s office officials and even the Gem Country Republican Women’s Club came to meet Newby at the courthouse and hear what he had to say. While there wasn’t much time for an extended visit, they were thankful to be included in the historic trip.
“What he’s doing with his courthouse tour is very honorable,” said Linda Herman, president of the Gem Country Republican Women’s Club. “We’re thrilled to have him.”
Newby plans to complete his tour on a gradual timeline over the next two years. Details on each visit will be announced as they become available. For more information, go online to www.nccourts.gov/news.