Political party: Democrat
Residence: Fairview
Occupation: Retired educator
Political experience: Precinct chair, Buncombe County Democratic Party chair, Buncombe county Democratic Women president, N.C. Democratic Party Executive Council member, Democratic National Committee member, delegate to four Democratic national conventions
Endorsements: Asheville Citizen-Times, 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?
“This information can be found not only for me but all candidates at the Board of Elections Web site.”
2) What most distinguishes you from your opponents in this race?
“I am a native … taught in both Asheville City and Buncombe County schools and serve as chair of the board of trustees of A-B Tech. As an elected commissioner, I have experience in decision making for county government and have knowledge of the citizens throughout this county.”
3) What do you consider to be your most controversial policy position?
“The decision to enact a countywide zoning ordinance. This was important to me because as growth happens in Buncombe County, we can let it happen or we can plan for it. Countywide zoning allows us to plan for growth and provide existing property owners with some protection for their property.”
4) Do you favor expanding zoning in the county, reversing it or keeping it at its present level? Why?
“I am in favor of keeping the zoning ordinance at its present level and having continual evaluation of the process.”
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, AdvantageWest, 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 of Commissioners 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) The recent gas shortage revealed that this area is uniquely vulnerable to disruptions in fuel supply. What steps would you take to remedy this?
“Buncombe County’s Emergency Management team has evaluated this latest gas delivery to our area, and we now have better contacts with the suppliers and the distributors … . This will result in quicker knowledge of an impending shortage, and we will be better able to invoke [countywide] conservation measures.”
9) What is your position on the Sullivan Acts and the water dispute with the city of Asheville?
“I support the Sullivan Acts. I am in favor of an independent water authority and believe it is important to take steps to achieve this goal.”
10) Are current slope-construction regulations appropriate? How, if at all, would you change them?
“The 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.”
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