After the election

Last week’s midterm elections not only saw decisions made at the state and national level, but also saw voters turn out to vote on many local government positions. Two of the elections that captivated voters in Carter County were the races for the office of mayor in both Grayson and Olive Hill. When the polls closed and votes were counted, the results of those races were Grayson incumbent mayor Troy Combs winning reelection over challenger Derrick McKinney and challenger Eric Rayburn winning over incumbent Olive Hill Mayor Jerry Callihan.
Both individuals took time to discuss the results of their respective races with the Times in the days following the election.
“First, I would like to say I am really humbled,” Grayson Mayor Troy Combs said of his reelection. “And I am honored that the majority of voters in Grayson placed their confidence in me.”
“I think we have visibly seen our community improve over the past four years,” Combs continued. “And there are a lot of people to thank for that. I really want to thank all those people, the people who work in our community and invest in our community. These are also the people who spend their money in our community as well, and they are what keeps things going.”
“There are things I can do and that I want to do going forward,” Combs added. “And I will try to do my best to create an environment where people want to continue to live here, do business here, and work here.”
Combs said his goal going forward is the same as it has been, and that is to improve the quality of life for the residents of the City of Grayson.
“I also look forward to some of the bigger, high-profile projects we have going on coming to full realization.”
Combs said those projects include state roads and the city’s designation as an Opportunity Zone.
“I think there are a lot of reasons to be excited for the future,” Combs said. “And I am just really thankful to the voters for allowing me to continue to be a part of that. We have hit a good stride, and I believe we will achieve some big milestones soon.”
Olive Hill Mayor-Elect Eric Rayburn also expressed his thanks for the confidence and support to the residents of Olive Hill. Rayburn said that he was aware that changes don’t happen overnight, but he has a plan to move forward.
“We have a lot of work ahead of us, and I recognize that some of the challenges facing our city have developed over many years,” Rayburn said. “But as I prepare to take office in January, my focus will be on getting Olive Hill moving in the right direction.”
Rayburn said he intends to “hit the ground running” and begin addressing these issues from day one.
“One of my first priorities will be getting a clear understanding of the city’s financial position,” Rayburn said, echoing one of his campaign points. “We need to take a thorough look at our finances, spending, outstanding obligations, and existing revenue sources. Before we can make responsible decisions about the future, we need to understand exactly where we stand today.”
“We also need to identify opportunities to operate more efficiently, reduce unnecessary expenses, and make sure taxpayer dollars are being spent responsibly,” he added.
Rayburn said infrastructure will be another major focus of his administration beginning January of 2027. He said he plans to address water loss, drainage, and sidewalks as part of that focus. Rayburn also plans to aggressively pursue grant opportunities to avoid placing unnecessary additional financial burdens on Olive Hill residents.
Economic development and downtown revitalization will be equally important, Rayburn said.
“We need to create an environment where businesses want to locate, existing businesses want to grow, and people have a reason to invest in Olive Hill.”
The incoming mayor also said he wants to improve the downtown square, expand greenspace and walking trail opportunities along Tygart Creek, address vacant and deteriorating properties, and make Olive Hill downtown a place where people want to spend time.
“Tourism and community development also present opportunities for growth. I want to build upon the projects and events already underway, expand recreational opportunities, support community organizations, and find new ways to bring visitors into Olive Hill. We have a lot to offer, and we need to do a better job of showcasing it.”
“During my first 100 days, I want to focus on assessing where we stand, establishing clear priorities, identifying funding opportunities, and beginning to implement practical improvements,” Rayburn said. “I also want residents to have a better understanding of what we’re working toward and how we plan to get there. I believe we should establish measurable goals and keep the community informed about our progress.”

Contact the writer at charles@cartercountytimes.com