HENDERSONVILLE, N.C. — Henderson County, historically a bucolic escape featuring nature’s splendor and small-town neighborliness, is experiencing major commercial and population growth, threatening to change the dynamics negatively and requiring county leaders — now — to act to safeguard the community “from becoming another Asheville,” Rudd W. Orr told the Henderson County Republican Men’s Club during an Aug. 9 breakfast meeting at American Legion Post 77 here.

Orr, a Republican, recently announced that he is running for the District 3 seat on the Henderson County Board of Commissioners. The seat is now held by commissioners’ Chairman William “Bill” Lapsley, who recently announced he will not seek re-election when his term expires in 2026. Lapsley also is a Republican, as are all of Henderson County’s commissioners.

The meeting featured a keynote address by Superior Court Judge Craig Collins, who is running for a judgeship for the N.C. Court of Appeals. (A separate story on Collins’ address appears on this website.)

As for Orr,  HCRMC Chairman Bruce Hatfield recognized him among the neeting attendees, and invited him to speak briefly about his candidacy, 

Orr told the crowd that he is a seventh-generation native of Western North Carolina, and was raised in the south Mills River valley.

A graduate of Clemson University, Orr said he owns and runs a general contracting firm, buys and sells real estate and volunteers with multiple local organizations, including Mills River Fire and Rescue.

Among his concerns, “I want to keep Henderson County from becomiing another Asheville… I think growth is inevitable, but not everything should be (done) for profit,” growth and development.

He added, “I witnessed the invaluable services from our first responders after (Tropical Storm) Helene” that struck on Sept. 27, 2024.

“That (the first-responders’ efforts) was a big deal to me... I think we need to take care of our first responders.”

Orr asserted, “My ‘why?’ around this whole thing (his commissioners’ candidacy) is because I want to keep Henderson County my home” — and not lose the rural, friendly lifestyle he loves... to nonstop residential and commercial growth. 

With a broad smile, Henderson Commissioners Jay Egolf stood up from the crowd and triggered some chuckles when he interjected, in reference to Orr’s situation, “I know it takes a lot of time” to do everything in a busy life. “I’m (age) 54 (now) and I’ve got that time now. I didn’t have that time when I was (age) 28.”

Agreeing with Egolf’s assertion, Orr concluded his remarks by stating, “My father and I run trucks early, as custom builders, and I sell real estate. So we’re early-morning starters... I’m very active with the fire department, and everything else, and it takes a lot of time, but I think it’s worth it.”

Following Orr’s address, Hatfield reported that the HCR Men’s Club has 56 regular (male) members and 25 associate (female) members, for a total membership of 81.

He added, “The money we raise, we give to (GOP) candidates in general — and only in the general election, noting that candidates running in primaries are not eligible to receive financial support from the club.

Also, prior to Collins’ address, Hatfield read from his graduation speech about a piece of wood. (Hatfield’s speech appears below.)

After reading his graduation address, Hatfield emphasized “the need to get out the vote in the next election, or we will lose our country.”

Following the judge’s address, Hatfield expressed the club’s condolences over the Aug. 4 death, at age 78, of Robert Bridges, vice chairman of the Henderson County Board of Education — and a Republican. 

Next, he noted that Sheila Franklin and Jay Egolf, who are members of the Henderson commissioners, will be the featured speakers at the club’s next breakfast meeting at 9 a.m. Sept. 13 at the American Legion .

Then, Hatfield, appearing a bit haggard but upbeat, revealed to the club that he recently was diagnosed with having non-Hodgkin lymphoma, a form of cancer.

(According to the Mayo Clinic, “non-Hodgkin lymphoma “is a type of cancer that affects the lymphatic system. The lymphatic system is made up of organs, glands, tubelike vessels and clusters of cells called lymph nodes.

(“It’s part of the body’s germ-fighting immune system. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma happens when germ-fighting cells in the lymphatic system grow out of control. The cells can form growths, called tumors, throughout the body...”)

Later, Hatfield told the Daily Planet that he has a CT scan scheduled on Sept. 2 — and hopes to get “a clean bill of health” from it.

During the meeting, Hatfield also called on Rebecca Moon, secretary of the Henderson County Republican Party, who stated that “we’ve got the (annual) Lincoln-Reagan-Trump Dinner” scheduled on Oct. 18, with a VIP reception at 5 p.m., followed by the dinner at 6 p.m., at the Hendersonville Country Club at 1860 Hebron Road in Hendersonville. 

In concluding the meeting, Hatfield, with decided enthusiasm, told the club members, “We are a ‘representative constitutional republic — ‘if we can keep it,’ Benjamin Franklin (once) said... So let’s get the vote out — and support our candidates!”