Mayor's Office

Mel Cohen has served the citizens of Morganton as Mayor since 1985. In 2007, Mayor Cohen was elected to serve another four-year term.

2010 State of the City Address

Morganton Mayor Mel Cohen is presenting the State of Morganton in 2010. Check out this video from the Mayor's presentation to the Morganton Rotary Club. Click the image to watch the video.

How A Citizen Can Be Heard

Citizens may appear before the Council to be heard on any subject related to City government, or any individual matter which may involve City government.

 A provision is made on each City Council agenda for Appearances.

At this time, citizens are encouraged to bring to the Council's attention matters that are not otherwise specifically listed on the agenda. If the matter you are interested in is specifically listed on the agenda, you are asked to address that issue when it is being considered. If you desire to be heard, you are asked to advise the Mayor in which item you are interested at the time it appears on the agenda. You may be required to use the speakers stand and must always give your name and address and identify any group, which you represent.

Mel Cohen Mayor of Morganton Mel Cohen has served the citizens of Morganton as Mayor since 1985. In 2007, he was elected to serve another four-year term. E-mail the Mayor   About Mayor Cohen Mayor Mel Cohen graduated from Morganton High School in 1960 and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1964 with an AB in Political Science. Cohen has served as Morganton's Mayor since 1985 and he served as the President of the North Carolina League of Municipalities 1994 to 1995. Cohen civic involvement includes:32nd Degree Mason, Shriner, Royal Order of Jesters, Past President of the Morganton Rotary Club, Designated as a Paul Harris Fellow by the Morganton Rotary Club, 1983 Morganton's Man of the Year, Past President of the Burke County Shrine Club, Co-Chairman of the Historic Morganton Festival and President of the Historic Morganton Festival Board. Cohen and his wife Brenda have three children, Stacey, Amy and Mitchell.