Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

One thought on “Candidate survey: Tim Moffitt”

  1. Tim Moffitt

    Mountain Xpress Survey

    Submitted by: Tim Moffitt

    My apologies to the staff and readers of Mountain Express for my delayed response to this survey.

    Your town or area of residence: South Asheville

    Your occupation: Small Business Owner

    Your political affiliation: Republican

    Your political experience (defined broadly, if need be):
    Former Member of the Asheville Civic Center Commission

    1) What endorsements from local groups, if any, have you received? Buncombe County Medical Society, GRNC, NRA

    2) How much money have you raised for your campaign? Who are your top
    three donors, and how much has each contributed?

    Unlike my opponent, I won’t play games. Our reports are through October 18th and due on October 27th. I have raised a total of $105,860.45. Of that amount, I have loaned the Campaign, $55,500.00 personally. My top 3 individual contributors are: Bob Long $1,000.00, Winston Pulliam, $600.00 and John Tressler $500.00. My top 3 PAC contributors are: Buncombe County Medical Society, $4,000.00, Mountain Neurological, $4,000.00 and Asheville Anesthesia Associates, $4,000.00. Please visit the Board of Elections on October 28th for the full report.

    3) What most distinguishes you from your opponent in this election?

    I’m a multi-generation resident of Buncombe County. I, unlike my opponent, am not insulated from the effect of decisions made in Raleigh or on the local level. My private sector business experience is a huge difference. I have actually created jobs and I know what it takes to build and run an organization. I make tough decisions everyday regarding priorities in my business – that means in tougher times I have to insure that my business fits the resources it has available. The skill set I have honed through the years is not one which can be gained as a politically appointed bureaucrat. Furthermore, whether it be as a member of the Easley Administration or through her longstanding family political ties and lineage, she is an insider of and beholden to the Raleigh Political Establishment. I on the other hand have a broad perspective. I have surrounded my self with regular people. In my office I employ 9 Democrats, 10 Independents and 9 Republicans. I employ 7 women and 21 men of which two are African-American. We talk openly about all issues and have wonderful discourse and lively debates. We all learn from one another, respect each other and appreciate our diversity.

    4) What are your top three legislative priorities?

    We need to encourage job growth in Buncombe County and our state. That means taxes have to be reined in to encourage investment by business and industry in our area. The healthcare problem has to be addressed. A good first step would be allowing smaller business to align themselves with each other in order to create larger buying pools so that premium rates would drop. I would also strive to make state educational funding more available to our schools here in Buncombe County.

    5) Given the recent WNC gas-supply crisis, what steps should be taken
    at the state level to prevent or manage such shortages?

    The root cause of the recent supply crisis was a lack of refining capacity due to the shutdowns of refineries in the gulf regions. It is time that we examine the possibility of allowing a refinery to be built in state, as long as it can be done in an environmentally responsible manner.

    6) What is your position on the NC SAVE$ proposal, currently before
    the Utilities Commission, for a statewide energy-efficiency program
    managed by consumers instead of public utilities?

    I would have to study the matter in greater depth, but if the consumer run program can do it more effectively I would support it.

    7) Are Sullivan Acts II and III, introduced by local legislators in
    2005, fair to Asheville? Why or why not?

    The matter is currently before the courts for resolution. Outside of differential water rates the issue of allowing water revenues to be added to the general fund is concerning. This type of co-mingling the funds allows for infrastructure problems down the road like we are experiencing now with our roadways.

    8) Are further reforms needed to curtail undue influence of lobbyists
    in the legislature, and if so, what are your recommendations?

    I think all undue influence of lobbyists should be prohibited.

    9) Do you think the pay rate for state legislators should be raised? Why or why not?

    That’s debatable. The way that it is set-up currently the only people that can serve are either the ultra rich, the political hacks or those of us, like myself, who are taking the risk on losing everything in order to make a difference. It should be debated in an open forum and voters should make the decision, not lawmakers.

    10) What recommendations can you offer for remedying shortcomings in
    the state’s mental-health system?

    Under the leadership of the Easley Administration, the state’s mental health system has been decimated. A lack of proper oversight of the private care providers is the culprit in the huge cost overruns which is the first area we need to correct so that more people in need of services can receive them. We also need to allow Local Management Entities to expand across geographic boundaries as well as establish crisis intervention teams to improve the community care system and improve public safety. This would provide care for the mentally ill instead of placing them in prison.

    11) What transportation-efficiency and public-transit initiatives, if
    any, do you plan to support?

    We do need to explore public transit proposals as a means of reducing road congestion and our carbon footprint. I will legislatively support any initiatives which are cost effective and self-sustaining. Indefinitely subsidizing any program would be fiscally problematic.

    12) Do you support offshore drilling off the North Carolina coast?
    Why or why not?

    Provided there are adequate reserves to make drilling viable, and we can insure that no negative impact to the environment would occur as a result, I think that we should drill offshore as one component of a broader energy program incorporating renewable and alternative energy sources.

    13) What changes, if any, would you recommend in the state-lottery
    program and how its proceeds are dispersed?

    Keep it simple. The state lottery proceeds should be disbursed to school districts on a per pupil basis. The complex formulas used are designed to confuse the average citizen. We need simplicity and transparency at all levels of government.

    14) Do you support comprehensive sex education in the public schools,
    abstinence-only education, or some other approach?

    We have local boards of education. This issue should be decided at the school district level.

Leave a Reply

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.