In June, I made a donation to Marc Hunt’s campaign for Asheville City Council. For me to donate money to a political candidate is uncommon, especially so in Marc’s case because I live in Bryson City and can’t even vote in the Asheville election. Yet once I heard Marc was running, I gladly made the donation — unsolicited — because I know Marc really well, I know what a good guy he is, and I believe it is good for all us to have people like Marc in government.
I’ve known Marc for over 30 years, starting with 18 days spent on a wilderness river trip he organized and led, to working together as managers at the Nantahala Outdoor Center and since through our mutual common interests. I have paid special attention to Marc’s great work with Self-Help Credit Union and the Open Space Institute.
I want Marc in government because he is one of the most effective people I’ve ever been around. He is extraordinarily intelligent, energetic and thoughtful, but what makes him so uniquely effective is that he combines those qualities with an amazingly calm, even-tempered and reasonable personality. It is a calm that originates in complete comfort with who he is and thorough preparation for any position he takes. He will study and know both sides of an issue, which not only makes him a powerful advocate, but which also lets him appreciate and respect those on the other side. You always prefer him on your side on any issue, but even when he’s not, you will know that you were heard and your position understood.
So I encourage you to do what I wish I could do in Swain County: Vote to re-elect Marc Hunt.
— Billy Richards
Bryson City
Rents went up on HIS WATCH. He could have repealed unit density limits, residential height limits, setbacks and parking requirements in time to increase the housing supply and stabilize rents, but he didn’t. Unit density limits persist as does single family zoning and rents exploded. Hunt had his chance and he blew it. now it is Payne’s turn.
There is more to rents than just SUPPLY of available rental units; there is also the DEMAND for rental units. And the DEMAND for rental units has also gone up.
So WHAT?
The main thing to do about demand is fund contraception. We could also end sanctuary city behavior and deport some aliens, Or we could make Asheville less attractive by leaving graffiti, raising taxes, or selling parks. Selling parks for housing works on both supply and demand. homes get built and fewer people move in due to the fewer parks, thus lowering demand. Actually building houses in general does both because it increases supply while the crowding reduces demand.
So no way, I have not forgotten demand and have made many proposals to address housing demand.
A fellow member of Asheville City Council wrote this “corruption is written between the lines. When Marc Hunt named Att. Bissette as a co-sponsor of his kick-ff event he sent a loud signal to the development community. Bissette represents more developers before Council than any other lawyer in town. Is that explicityly “corrupt”? No, of courrse not. But it suggests who has influence. McGurie, Wood & Bissette and VanWinkle law firms enjoy running the City of Asheville, to their benefit. Is that corrupt? Depends on your view, I guess. But the voters ought to know, and mostly don’t, where the decisions are being made. ” and this “And if I need to be more explicit look at this Bissette, former mayor. Manheimer(Van Winkle), Veronika Gunter (campaign manager/consultant for Hunt, Simerle, Smith, etc. -Van Winkle), Simerle(campaign strategist for Shuler), etc. and etc.
And if I were advising the Hunt campaign, I might suggest that even though Mr. Richards may well be a stand-up guy, it doesn’t necessarily help the current negative perceptions about Marc to have real estate attorneys sending in testimonials.
I don’t know. Councilman Hunt has earned the wrath of both Councilman Bothwell and former Mayor Michalove. Drawing fire from both ends of the spectrum — he must be doing something right!
That is a good point NFB. negative endorsements like Bothwell’s and michalove’s are of immense value. But rents still went up on Hunt’s watch, Bothwell’s too.
The only candidate I am supporting so far is Payne. https://www.facebook.com/vonda.pain