Candidate: Carol Peterson

Carol Peterson

Carol Peterson (incumbent)

Political party: Democrat
Residence:  Fairview
Occupation: Retired educator
Education: B.S. home economics education, UNC-Greensboro; M.S. public-school administration, University of Tennessee; graduate studies in school administration, Western Carolina University
Political experience: Precinct chair, Democratic Party; chair, Buncombe County Democratic Party; president, Buncombe County Democratic Women; officer, 11th Congressional District Democratic Party; member, N.C. Democratic Party Executive Council; elected to the Democratic National Committee (1 of 5 officials elected statewide) and therefore a superdelegate to the 2008 Democratic National Convention
Endorsements: Buncombe County Association of Educators

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

Information not provided

2) What is your position on the Parkside condominium proposal?

“The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners is supportive of the City Council’s decision in regard to the Parkside condominium project as they are the regulatory agency of this project.”

3) What most distinguishes you from your opponents in this primary?

“I am a native, a retired educator [and] taught in both Asheville City and Buncombe County Schools. … I have experience in decision making for county government and have knowledge of the citizens … I care deeply about my home and the people of this great county.”

4) What do you consider to be your most controversial policy position, and why

“The decision to enact a countywide zoning ordinance. Growth is going to happen in Buncombe County. We can let it happen or plan for it. We are going to plan for growth and provide existing property owners with some protection for their property.”

5) What would you do to attract better-paying jobs to the area?

“Continue the good work being done in Buncombe County by EDC, A-B Tech, Advantage West, etc. A top priority … is [bringing] all these groups under one umbrella. We have a track record of supporting local businesses that want to expand and businesses that want to move into the area.”

6) Has the present board conducted its business with sufficient transparency? If not, what would you do to increase openness?

“Yes.”

7) Should the public-comment period before and after board meetings be televised? Why or why not?

“No. We want to hear from our citizens who are there to speak to the commissioners about their genuine concerns. Public comment is that time when those citizens can speak to us.”

8) What steps, if any, would you support to increase the supply of affordable housing in Buncombe?

“The county provides affordable-housing funds that leverage other money. Over 10 years, $24 million was leveraged for affordable housing. We recognize the need for work-force housing for our teachers, officers, nurses, social workers, etc. We just passed a work-force-housing policy providing incentives to encourage construction of lower-priced housing options.”

9) Should the cities and towns in Buncombe consolidate any services? Why?

“When quality services can be delivered to citizens in a more cost-efficient manner, the consolidation of services should be a consideration.”

10) Are current slope-construction regulations appropriate? If not, how would you change them?

“This current [Board of Commissioners] enacted countywide zoning, storm-water and steep-slope ordinances. It is important to continually evaluate these and all county ordinances, and I am committed to do this as these recommendations come to the commissioners through the Planning Board.”