Terry Bell
Candidate for County Commissioner, Macon County, District 02
Background
- Occupation
- Retired educator and school administrator
A retired Macon County educator who taught, served as an assistant principal and was principal of Union Elementary, East Franklin Elementary and Macon Middle School before directing auxiliary services and Title I for the school system; he later managed school construction projects for Macon County government until retiring in 2020.
Documented positions
Taxes & budget
Supports the quarter-cent sales tax on the ballot
He estimated it would raise $2.2 million to $2.4 million a year, some of it available for schools.
ReportMacon commission candidates talk local issues: See where the five challenger candidates stand on data centers, Flock cameras, and moreNews coverage · The Smoky Mountain News · Sep 16, 2026 · smokymountainnews.com
“Bell is urging voters to approve the quarter-cent sales tax on this year's ballot”
Education
Proposes East Franklin Elementary as next school building priority
ReportMacon commission candidates talk local issues: See where the five challenger candidates stand on data centers, Flock cameras, and moreNews coverage · The Smoky Mountain News · Sep 16, 2026 · smokymountainnews.com
“said his next priority is East Franklin Elementary, with an original structure dating to 1952 that has significant problems”
Environment & parks
Opposes data centers in Macon County
ReportMacon commission candidates talk local issues: See where the five challenger candidates stand on data centers, Flock cameras, and moreNews coverage · The Smoky Mountain News · Sep 16, 2026 · smokymountainnews.com
“He is firmly opposed to data centers, citing water, noise, and light impacts on a tourism-dependent economy”
Government & transparency
Opposes moving to five single-member commission districts
ReportMacon commission candidates talk local issues: See where the five challenger candidates stand on data centers, Flock cameras, and moreNews coverage · The Smoky Mountain News · Sep 16, 2026 · smokymountainnews.com
“He opposes moving to five single-member districts, arguing at-large voting keeps commissioners accountable countywide.”
Supports leaving the Fontana Regional Library system
ReportMacon commission candidates talk local issues: See where the five challenger candidates stand on data centers, Flock cameras, and moreNews coverage · The Smoky Mountain News · Sep 16, 2026 · smokymountainnews.com
“Bell would vote to leave the FRL system”
Other issues in this race
Other candidates in this race addressed these topics. We found no documented position from Terry Bell on them.
- Public safetyNo documented position found.
- HousingNo documented position found.
- Roads & infrastructureNo documented position found.
All sources (3)
- 2026 General Election Candidate Listing (Macon County offices and districts)
Election filing · North Carolina State Board of Elections · s3.amazonaws.com
- 2026 General Election Candidate Listing
Election filing · North Carolina State Board of Elections · s3.amazonaws.com
- Macon commission candidates talk local issues: See where the five challenger candidates stand on data centers, Flock cameras, and more
News coverage · The Smoky Mountain News · Sep 16, 2026 · smokymountainnews.com
Positions are summarized from the sources listed and are not inferred from party affiliation. Items marked “Provided by” were published by the candidate's verified campaign or party office under our campaign content standards. See something wrong? Use the Report link beside it, or contact us.