MAGGIE VALLEY — It's been about five months since the Maggie Valley Board of Alderman began its quest for a fifth member. Whether it's made any headway since is hard to gauge.

The board's months-old stalemate continued at its most recent meeting earlier this month, when Alderman Mike Matthews made a motion to open the application process back up. Alderman Phillip Wight seconded the move, but Alderman Saralyn Price and Mayor Ron DeSimone roundly rejected it. A tied vote fails.

When asked if he thought the remaining three alderman and mayor could come to a consensus on the issue, Wight could only shoot the question right back.

"Wouldn't that be nice?" he asked.

But is it possible before November's election, when voters would chose a candidate instead of the board appointing one? History ...