On December 2, 2021 Town Manager Heather Hockaday (center) presented proclamations recognizing the service of Council member Helen “Bunnie” McIntosh (left) and Mayor Theresa Coletta (right).
Theresa Coletta, a lifelong resident of the Town of Burnsville, served as the first woman Mayor of Burnsville for 8 years. As Mayor she led the Town through an era of change and progress. Among her many contributions were securing grant funds and loans to make much needed improvements to the Town’s sewer and water systems. Her drive and constant support were instrumental in the completion of key updates to organizational policies and procedures, as well as the new Burnsville Fire Station. She championed the Town’s Main Street businesses through her support for the Business Builders Breakfast program, numerous merchant-led Downtown events, and the Summer Evenings on the Square musical series. She was a strong proponent of moving the Town to a Manager-Council form of management which she saw as a step toward stable and steady Town operations for the future. She also represented the Town on the Executive Committee of the High Country Council of Governments and the local Travel and Tourism Committee.
Helen “Bunnie” McIntosh, a veteran educator in our local schools, served 4 years as Town Councilor and was recognized for her leadership, wisdom, insight, curiosity and unfailing service to the residents and businesses of Burnsville, North Carolina. McIntosh spent many hours attending to her duties as Town Councilor, thoroughly engaging in discussions with citizens and staff about how to make Burnsville a better place to live and work. She was supportive of many Town infrastructure projects, the building of the new Burnsville Fire Department and important policy updates that will improve the Town and its organizational function for years to come. She enthusiastically promoted the needs of the small business owners in the Town and served on the NC Code Officials Qualification Board.