Michael Fryar
Political party: Republican
Residence: Fairview
Occupation: Retired engine builder/wholesale auto dealer
Education: A.C. Reynolds High School
Political experience: None
Endorsements: None
1) How much money have you raised for your campaign? Who are your top three donors, and how much has each contributed?
Total: $2,550
Top three: James Young $500, Christopher Peterson $500, William Stamey III $400
2) What is your position on the Parkside condominium proposal?
“The county sold the land to Mr. Coleman. People have raised questions regarding the legality of the sale of this property. That issue must be resolved between the parties involved. This issue will go before City Council in May and will probably have to be resolved through the courts.”
3) What most distinguishes you from your opponents in this primary?
“I have not focused on my opponents’ positions. Rather, I have concentrated on the many issues that I feel are important and the concerns of the residents of Buncombe County.”
4) What do you consider to be your most controversial policy position, and why
“Property taxes are my No. 1 issue. There must be reform on the tax systems that threaten to drive people out of their homes that they have strived to own and/or force them to sell property they can no longer afford to pay property tax on.”
5) What would you do to attract better-paying jobs to the area?
“I would reduce the taxes, rules and regulations that make it very expensive to operate a business. I would also work with the Chamber of Commerce to recruit businesses to the area.”
6) Has the present board conducted its business with sufficient transparency? If not, what would you do to increase openness?
“The public needs to see an itemized accounting of county budget and the expenditures. More transparency is needed in regards to county government.”
7) Should the public-comment period before and after board meetings be televised? Why or why not?
“All public comment should be televised, period. Public comment is a very important part of open government.”
8) What steps, if any, would you support to increase the supply of affordable housing in Buncombe?
“Overtaxing and increasingly strict regulations make it too expensive to build affordable homes. Cutting the cost and expenses of building and regulations would help make homes more affordable.”
9) Should the cities and towns in Buncombe consolidate any services? Why?
“Many city and county services are duplicated. I believe that we would all benefit from consolidation of many services in order to save taxpayers money.”
10) Are current slope-construction regulations appropriate? If not, how would you change them?
“The current steep-slope regulations should be sufficient if these rules are enforced. We should protect our mountains but not overregulate and infringe on property rights.”
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