County Chairman David Gantt not seeking re-election

At an emotion-filled press conference Wednesday morning, July 22, long-serving Buncombe County Commissioner and Chairman David Gantt notified the public that he would not seek re-election, leaving office at the end of 2016.  He spoke to the measures of success and what he felt were the top accomplishments during his tenure.

Thanking all the fellow commissioners and county employees who helped give rise to the accomplishments of the past 20 years, Gantt emphasized the team effort. “We’ve done some things that are mighty good. I say ‘we’ because one commissioner can’t do a thing.”

He gave special thanks to County Manager Wanda Greene, whom he had originally opposed, but now values highly. “If I could take one vote back, that would be the one,” he mused.

Gantt said that he dedicated a lot of energy to people who were less able to advocate for themselves, and that he wanted the county’s mantra to be, “You matter, I care about you, and I want you to succeed.”

Mayor Esther Manheimer, Commissioner Ellen Frost, and Sheriff Van Duncan all spoke at the press conference in praise of Gantt.

Manheimer talked about Gantt’s abilities to make positive change happen mentioning that “we have now the lowest unemployment in the state.” Frost, whom Gantt said was like a sister to him, wreathed him in accolades for sticking up for the underserved and leaving behind strong accomplishments, speaking directly to Gantt she said “you were able to make things better for people without a voice … and your legacy will live in our hearts and our buildings.”

Gantt introduced Duncan to those gathered as his brother from Mitchell County. And when it was his turn to speak, the sheriff didn’t hold back his kind words for Gantt. Almost choking up at one point, he praised Gantt’s “work ethic … ability to see the best in people … [and] courageous[ness] in making hard decisions.”

Press release on behalf of David Gantt:

Buncombe County Commission Chair David Gantt announced today that he would not seek re-election to office in 2016. Before a crowd of fellow officials, professional associates, family and friends, Gantt stated that after 20 years of service to Buncombe County, he would be stepping down to pursue professional and personal goals, and especially to spend more time with his family.

A Democrat, Gantt was first elected as a Buncombe County Commissioner in 1996. He was re-elected for two additional terms. In 2008, he was elected Chair of the Buncombe County Commission, where he has served faithfully for eight years
and led the county in successful accomplishment of a myriad of significant goals aimed toward improving quality of life for the county and its citizens.

“I am very honored to have served the people of Buncombe County for nearly two decades,” Gantt said. “I’ve focused on keeping promises, meeting the expectations of our citizens, and accomplishing the goals that the county has set. I am leaving the county in a stronger and better condition financially, structurally and environmentally than when I first started as a commissioner 20 years ago.”

According to fellow Commissioner Ellen Frost, “David Gantt has never accepted ‘We can’t.’ He has spent all his waking hours saying ‘Why not?’ He has spent his time on the commission exhausting every possibility for preservation of our county land and the creation of jobs and affordable housing for our citizens for generations to come.”

In reviewing his 20 years of service, Gantt cited a list of “Top Ten Achievements” under his leadership and those of which he is particularly proud. They include:

• Enactment of a model steep slope ordinance that protects the county’s mountaintops, including a zoning overlay to preserve the Blue Ridge Parkway, a Dark Skies lighting ordinance, cell tower ordinance, and measures to address water runoff and erosion control.

• Construction of 11 new schools and dozens of major renovations of school facilities in Buncombe County, City of Asheville and AB Tech totaling over $250 million.

• Partnership with other groups to preserve and permanently protect over 6,000 acres of Buncombe County farmland, ridge tops and special places.

• Partnership with WNCCHS to provide expanded access for indigent care for county residents at no cost to them – BuncombeCare for over 20 years.

• Creation of a landfill that may become the first perpetual facility in the U.S.

• Construction of a new $25 million, LEED-certified County Courthouse after decades of need.

• Accomplishment of a AAA bond rating for Buncombe County that allows efficient financing options to enable lower borrowing rates.

• Creation of new businesses and over 6,000 new jobs through a strong economic incentive program. Today, Buncombe County has one of the lowest unemployment rates in NC.

• Establishment of countywide zoning and planning ordinances that began and maintain the practice of sustainable growth.

• Creation of greenways, pools, libraries and community centers in each part of the county. County investments in new construction, renovations and infrastructure additions total over $693 million.

Building and strengthening collaboration with the City of Asheville has been high on Gantt’s agenda. He pointed to the best city-county relations in decades.

“After all,” he said, “every resident of the city is also a citizen of the county. Together, we form one community that must work together to create the resources and services, the realization of opportunities, the respect for neighborhoods and their needs, whether urban or rural, necessary to ensure the highest and best quality of life for everyone.”

Esther Manheimer, Mayor of the City of Asheville added, “Chairman Gantt is a true statesman with an unwavering dedication for our community and the people of Buncombe County. To that end, he has worked tirelessly to ensure that the county and the cities of Buncombe County work together, toward a better future for all our citizens. His legacy of partnership, friendship and loyalty will bear fruit for years to come.”

According to County Manager Wanda Greene, who has served under Gantt for the whole twenty years, “David always challenged county staff and created an environment that supported the workforce being innovative and creative in a way that significantly moved the county forward and made Buncombe a national model for many programs. He always put staff first in every budget process.”

“Holding public office and serving as Chair of the Commission is hardly a solo activity,” Gantt said. “There is a special friendship and shared commitment with other elected officials regardless of differences. There are hundreds of outstanding staff members, whose wisdom, experience and compassion lie at the heart of so many successful efforts. The citizens of this community have reached out time

and time again to share their views, shape my thinking and stand together, and we have embroidered so much positive change. I am honored to be a part of such an amazing community that constantly aspires to be the best it can be.”

An Asheville attorney and owner of a small business, David Gantt graduated from UNC-Chapel Hill with a B.A. in Economics and Campbell University Law School with a J.D. He was admitted to the North Carolina Bar in 1981 and has been affiliated with the 28th Judicial District and the President’s Club of the NC Advocates for Justice. He has served as Dean of the People’s Law School of the NC Academy of Trial Lawyers.

In addition to his seat on the Buncombe County Commission, Gantt has served as Chair of Land of Sky Regional Council and Chair of the Mountain Resources Commission. He has also served on the boards of the United Way, Eblen Charities Foundation, Asheville Airport Authority, MSD, NC Employment Security Commission and many more. He is a member of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Committee and life member of the NAACP.

Married for 36 years to Charise Gantt, David is the proud father of Brett Gantt, PhD in Research Triangle Park, NC, and Carrie Gantt, an attorney for New York City.

“My children were little when I first entered public life,” Gantt said. “Over the last 20 years, there have been times when I’ve felt like my children and the community were all in my living room. My family and the county have grown up together.”

“I am deeply grateful for my beautiful wife and children – for all their support and willingness – and I now look forward to having more time to celebrate their amazing accomplishments and a wonderful life together.”