From Staff Reports 

WOODFIN — Woodfin Town Council formally censured Mayor Jim McAllister on Oct. 15, 2024, for multiple violations of the town’s code of conduct and ethics during the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, Asheville television station WLOS reported on Feb. 25.

“Council’s decision follows a series of actions by the mayor that council deemed contrary to established protocols,” News 13 noted. 

A resolution document by council censuring McAllister — obtained by News 13 — “details several incidents where the Woodfin mayor allegedly defied public safety directives during a state of emergency following the arrival and impact of Hurricane Helene.

“The town council noted that its code of conduct and ethics prohibits elected officials from influencing town staff in their administrative duties, especially during a state of emergency. The document says the McAllister’s actions were seen as pressuring staff to ‘reverse a public safety measure during the pendency of a state of emergency.’

“The resolution says McAllister held a ‘press conference’ outside town hall in which he requested residents attend in person, despite directives from officials advising against traveling,” News 13 stated.

Previously, an announcement from the Woodfin Police Department had advised the following:

“Do not travel in or to Western North Carolina. All roads in Western North Carolina should be considered closed and non-emergency travel is prohibited. I-40 is impassable in multiple locations. I-26 is closed at the Tennessee State line. Travel in this area for non-emergency purposes is hindering needed emergency response.”

Further, News 13 reported, “Council also criticized McAllister for directly communicating with WPD staff while neglecting to consult with the town manager during some post-Helene relief operations. The town’s code of conduct and ethics requires that such interactions ‘be directed first to the town manager.’”

What’s more, the document addressed McAllister’s comments to the news media on assistance after the storm, in which he allegedly stated: 

“We are getting almost no supplies from the (Buncombe County Emergency Operations Center) or the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA.)” 

News 13 noted, “In response to this (McAllister’s statement on post-storm assistance to Weaverville), “the council stated that this was ‘inconsistent with the observations of a majority of Town Council.’”