Political party: Democrat
Residence: Fairview
Occupation: Retired president, A-B Tech
Political experience: None
Endorsements: Asheville Citizen-Times
1) How much money have you raised for your campaign? Who are your top three donors, and how much has each contributed?
Total: about $50,000
Top three: Janice W. Brumit $2,500, Charles D. Owen Jr. $750, Tammy McIntosh $600.
2) What most distinguishes you from your opponents in this race?
“Forty-one years of administrative experience, 17 as CEO managing 1,500 employees, a $60 million budget and 26,000 students. A common-sense approach to administration, with input from everyone connected to the issue. Having served on 30 community boards provides in-depth knowledge of the community.”
3) What do you consider to be your most controversial policy position?
“Nothing controversial that I know of. I do advocate immediately for a strategic planning process, so the commissioners—with input from citizens—can establish goals and priorities.”
4) Do you favor expanding zoning in the county, reversing it or keeping it at its present level? Why?
“I advocate that we examine current land-use ordinances and regulations, determine what is working, and make adjustments accordingly—with the intent of establishing a smart-growth plan.”
5) What would you do to attract better-paying jobs to the area?
“Forge partnerships with all the economic-development agencies to place all of our energies in the same direction. We must support small-business development—that is the key to our economic-development future.”
6) Has the present Board of Commissioners conducted its business with sufficient transparency? If not, what would you do to increase openness?
“I have always and will continue to do business in a transparent manner and will insist that we do so.”
7) Should the public-comment period before and after board meetings be televised? Why or why not?
“I would not oppose the public-comment period to be recorded and televised, providing the comments are not individually derogatory. Sufficient ground rules must be established. The airing could be at the end of the broadcast and permit folks the option of watching or not.”
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?
“A task force of folks representing all governmental entities should be established to determine steps to ensure gas supplies with a control command center to coordinate activities.”
9) What is your position on the Sullivan Acts and the water dispute with the city of Asheville?
“The judicial process must be completed, and then the commissioners and City Council must negotiate a new water agreement. A water authority could be a solution.”
10) Are current slope-construction regulations appropriate? How, if at all, would you change them?
“I would review current regulations with citizen input to determine if there are needed changes in slope-construction regulations.”
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