I had the privilege of being raised here and being able to build relationships with the residents of this community. People I grew up watching and respecting their hard work ethic and family values are people I now get to work alongside with in the ag industry.

I am and have been involved with Mills River government for almost a decade now, serving on multiple different boards.

Mills River town council election: James Cantrell

James Cantrell was raised in Mills River.

Mills River Town Council election: James Cantrell

Councilman James Cantrell was elected for his fist term of service on November 2, 2021 after several years of service on multiple Town boards and committees. Councilman Cantrell represents District Two.

Councilman James Cantrell | Mills River, NC

James serves as a Mills River Town Council member representing District 2. He was elected in 2021 for his first term.

2026 North Carolina General Election

As a community, we cannot lose sight of the fact that we are an agriculturally-based and founded town. Our tax rate does not need to be raised for new projects or services in the town. Instead, we need to continue attracting good businesses here so that we can keep our tax base high while keeping our tax rate low.

Opposes raising the town tax rate for new projects or services and supports attracting businesses to expand the tax base.

- Opposes raising the town tax rate for new projects or services and supports attracting businesses to expand the tax base.

Economy

I have a couple of priorities I want to focus on if elected to Mills River Town Council. One is agriculture representation. It’s what our town was founded on, and it is also what is at stake during this election.

Second would be to prioritize finishing the park before we start any new construction on Town Hall. We need to prioritize the needs of the residents before the needs of town staff.

On that same budgeting subject, we need to finish our park. This project is long overdue and it has priority over new Town Hall projects.

The last issue is we need to have more transparency between elected officials and the residents they serve. We deserve better than that from our locally elected officials.

Prioritizes completing the town park before starting new Town Hall construction projects.

Calls for greater transparency between elected officials and residents.

- Prioritizes completing the town park before starting new Town Hall construction projects.
- Calls for greater transparency between elected officials and residents.

Public Services

Second would be to prioritize finishing the park before we start any new construction on Town Hall. We need to prioritize the needs of the residents before the needs of town staff. I would also like to focus on continuing to manage good growth in the town – both commercial and residential.

What do you believe are the main issues impacting Mills River residents? What do you want to do to address those issues?
Mills River is in the middle of tremendous growth, not only with new businesses but also developments being built. We need to hold new growth to high standards while not disregarding pre-existing businesses.

If elected, what are your plans to handle growth and development as well as the housing crisis?
As a town, we need to entertain affordable housing that may include high-density zoning that can’t be used as ag land. I have voted in favor of this during my time on the Planning Board.

I think it is important to note that higher density does not always mean affordable housing. I also think it’s important that we respect the land owners’ rights to a free market, meaning we can’t zone parcels to lower land values without previously asking.

Calls for managing commercial and residential growth while holding new development to high standards.

Supports considering affordable housing, including high-density zoning on land unsuitable for agriculture.

Said higher-density development does not necessarily produce affordable housing and that landowner rights should be respected when zoning could reduce property values.

- Calls for managing commercial and residential growth while holding new development to high standards.
- Supports considering affordable housing, including high-density zoning on land unsuitable for agriculture.
- Said higher-density development does not necessarily produce affordable housing and that landowner rights should be respected when zoning could reduce property values.

Housing & Urban Development

As of January 5, 2026, James Cantrell’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Public Safety

Transportation & Infrastructure

I have a true respect and heart for the community I was raised in. There are aspects of this town that set it apart, and I would be disappointed if we as a community lost sight of those.

That’s why agriculture representation is a priority of mine. It’s what this town was founded on, why I have a passion for farming, and why many of the residents can enjoy a sense of small-town life. If I’m not elected this term, it will be the first that no ag is represented.

It seems we’ve lost sight of the important aspects that make our community great. There is no perfect solution to farmland preservation, but just having someone, like myself, who is actively involved in agriculture to vocalize its importance and all that it brings to our community is needed.

I want to see my community continue in a direction that is beneficial to the residents who love this small-town feel.

Prioritizes agricultural representation and calls for preserving farmland’s role in the community.

- Prioritizes agricultural representation and calls for preserving farmland’s role in the community.

Energy & the Environment

James Cantrell

- Calls for greater transparency between elected officials and residents.

I had the privilege of being raised here and being able to build relationships with the residents of this community. People I grew up watching and respecting their hard work ethic and family values are people I now get to work alongside with in the ag industry.

I want to see my community continue in a direction that is beneficial to the residents who love this small-town feel. If we lose sight of what we have, my three young children and yours won’t be able to experience the Mills River we have today. If elected, I will be making decisions not only for today, but for the next generation.

James Cantrell was raised in Mills River. He has three young children.

James Cantrell works in the agricultural industry.

Councilman James CantrellCouncilman James Cantrell was elected for his fist term of service on November 2, 2021 after several years of service on multiple Town boards and committees. Councilman Cantrell represents District Two.

Council Member	District	Term Expires
Mayor Shanon Gonce	Three	2026
Mayor Pro Tem Jeff Moore	At-Large	2028
Council member Brian Kimball	At-Large	2028
Council member Sandra Goode	One	2026
Council member James Cantrell	Two	2026

Mayor & Town Council | Mills River, NC

James currently serves as a Mills River Town Council member representing District 2. He was elected on November 2, 2021, for his first term.

Opposes raising the town tax rate for new projects or services and calls for attracting businesses to maintain the tax base.

Prioritizes finishing the town park before starting new Town Hall construction.

Advocates for managing commercial and residential growth through high standards while considering existing businesses.

Supports considering affordable housing through higher-density zoning on land unsuitable for agriculture.

Said higher density does not necessarily create affordable housing and zoning should not lower land values without consulting property owners.

Voted against approving a special-use permit for a multifamily townhome project.

James Cantrell is currently councilman representing District Two. He was elected in 2021 and has served one term.

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Said, "Our tax rate does not need to be raised for new projects or services in the town. Instead, we need to continue attracting good businesses here so that we can keep our tax base high while keeping our tax rate low."

Supports completing the park before starting any new construction on Town Hall.

Supports affordable housing and high-density zoning.

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- Town council members serve as the governing body of the town, along with the mayor. 
- The town council members make policy decisions for the town, including creating ordinances, policies, and making agreements with other governments. 
- The town council can amend and revise town policies, as well as approve or reject the town budget. 
- The town council is also in charge of the appointment of advisory boards, commissions, task forces, committees, the town manager, and the town attorney. 
- Members of the town council are elected to staggered 4 year terms. 

Part of the governing body of your town. 