MAGGIE VALLEY — With the departure of longtime alderman Phil Aldridge a few weeks in the rear view, the Maggie Valley Board of Aldermen needs to appoint a replacement. A replacement could be named as soon as this Thursday, three days after applications were due.

The board is set to meet at 5:30 p.m., when it is expected to look over applications and possibly interview candidates before the probable appointment that same evening. Those who submitted applications before the 5 p.m. deadline Monday include former alderman Danya Vanhook, Steve Hurley, Heather Hyatt, Billy Case, Charlie Meadows, Eugene Johnson, Jay Ring and Jasay Ketchum.

As Alderman Mike Matthews explained, the truth is that the board likely will not interview all of the applicants in the meeting. According to him, he and the ...