Jan (Howard) Kubiniec
Did not provide website.
Occupation: Retired schoolteacher/homemaker
Previous candidacy: Previously a candidate in 2003 and 2005 for City Council
Affiliations: None listed
Short-answer questions
Why are you running for City Council?
Our city is at a huge turning point with our rapid, massive growth. I’m running for Council because I feel like we need a strong, experienced moderate voice in our leadership. After three decades of living on the south ridge of Beaucatcher Mountain in the heart of Asheville, I have watched it all and can speak for smarter, sustainable growth that works for the whole community.
What relevant experience makes you a good candidate for City Council?
Retired schoolteacher with experience as president and newsletter editor for Kenilworth Residents Association and the first Coalition of Asheville Neighborhoods, member of the first pedestrian task force, ran for City Council twice and school board. I also worked as a special court-appointed advocate for children of abuse and neglect.
What do you bring to City Council that other candidates don’t?
I am not affiliated with any political party and can therefore speak the truth as I have watched it over the decades.
What three achievable goals would you champion in the next two years?
Transparency in government, addressing the numerous infrastructure needs, seek more moderate growth, escalating crime.
What is one recent City Council decision you don’t agree with and how would you have handled it differently?
I disagree with most things that have happened in the past year. Their model for constantly increasing density to meet tax revenues to meet the infrastructure growth is flawed and not working. There seems to be a constant “fuzzy math” over our budget and the bond issue monies
What makes Asheville home to you?
Asheville is home to me because my family had a summer home here since the ’50s and my late husband was hired to set up the humanities program at the University of North Carolina-Asheville. We all worked hard to make it a place of understanding and beauty and joy.
Yes-or-no questions
Is the city effectively managing its finances?
No.
Should the city do more to manage the pace of hotel development?
Yes.
Should the city ease its restrictions on short-term residential rentals?
No.
Is the Buncombe County TDA contributing its fair share to help the city manage the impact of tourism?
No.
Should the city budget more money to support nonprofit grassroots initiatives?
No.
Should more resources be allocated to the Asheville Police Department?
Yes.
Should the city implement election districts for seats on City Council?
Yes.
Has city staff been sufficiently transparent about the increase in costs for the River Arts District Transportation Improvement Project?
No.
Should the Haywood Street property across from the Civic Center be green space only?
Yes.
Are the city’s current affordable housing strategies sufficient?
No.
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