City
Council Candidates, Week 10
Joe Dunn
Jim Ellis
Ed Hay
Holly Jones
Carl Mumpower
Brownie Newman
Joe Dunn
I want to thank all of my supporters and even those who do not support
me for reading, listening, and caring enough to look into all the
issues. This campaign has been something that I will never forget.
Some of it has been fun
and then there were times of frustration. I want to close by answering
some
questions I am asked a lot.
Civic Center- needs to be looked at some more before we
spend millions of dollars. It does not have public support, nor
do we have the money to do it! Whatever is decided---Asheville tax
payers should not have to pay for it!
taxes-I will not vote for a property tax increase! We need
to cut city spending and take care of all our citizens.
water authority--If Asheville does turn over our water to
an regional authority, our citizens should have the cheapest rates
and a agreement that protects our citizens from increases in water
rates that are not in line with customers that live further out
in the county!
senior citizens--should have a property tax freeze/cut if
their income is below a certain amount--I would propose a minimum
of $1800.00 per month. Our senior citizens pay all the taxes, but
get little in return if they are elderly or sick!
affordable housing--Asheville must cut the red tape and
permitting fees to help developers build housing in the city! The
UDO needs some revision.
neighborhoods--I will not rezone neighborhoods to allow
unwanted development that changes the character of that neighborhood.
We need to work on sidewalks and paving roads instead of spending
millions of dollars on projects that are
not needed.
room tax--I will push hard to raise room taxes to provide
more money for public works. Our tourist industry will not suffer
from a modest room tax increase.
clean air and water--this is a regional problem that Asheville
can not solve by itself! I will work hard to make sure Raleigh does
it's part.
pac money--I have received money from businessmen who simply
want to get more jobs in our city! There are no back-room deals
of any kind. I feel that we must be more active in finding more
places for people to find jobs.
These are but just a few of the many issues that I have. Our city
council needs free thinkers who differ in their opinions. This is
healthy! I am my own person--I will never let anyone or any group
tell me what to do or how to vote. I have nothing to gain by running---I
am retired and have the time to serve. I hope you will think about
me as a person who you can trust despite all the things that some
of my opponents want you to think. There are many candidates who
run for the ego of it all or for personal gain. As much as I want
to serve Asheville---the worse thing for me would be to go back
into retirement if not elected. My life will go on and I will still
be happy and find something else to do. I think an elected official
can best serve when he is free to speak his mind and not pander
to any special interest group. I only want to serve one term on
city council. I think too many politicians stay around too long
and loose touch with folks. Thank you for your interest.
Biographical Information about Joe Dunn:
- Grew up in West Asheville
- BA degree, University of North Carolina
- DMD degree, University of Louisville
- Served three years active duty U.S. Navy
- Married--two children. My daughter is a cardiology nurse at
Mission hospital and my son is an Asheville firefighter!
- Served on Board of Deacons-First Baptist Church
- Serves as youth Sunday School teacher
- Past president--Buncombe County Dental Society
- Coached youth baseball 10 years-West and south Asheville
- Active in finding ways to provide access to dental care for
deserving children
- Retired after 26 years private practice
Jim Ellis
 The
13 weeks since August 3, when I filed as a candidate for Asheville
City Council have been energizing, educational, very tiring, disappointing
and about every other adjective I can imagine. Meeting so many wonderful
people is the most rewarding part of the campaign.
I was a candidate two years ago and the campaign was more fun.
The demands on candidates time and energy are a burden. Anyone attempting
to work a 40 hour week and campaign at the same time will be working
60 to 80 hours a week. The number of candidate forums need to be
reevaluated. I count 22 and that does not include individual candidate
meetings, meetings with civic clubs, various commissions and simply
too many others to list. I can understand why all community groups
want candidates to visit their community and relate to their specific
problems but the time and energy demands on mere humans is almost
inhuman . I encourage the Asheville Citizen-Times, League of Women
Voters and other community groups to make a concerted effort to
consolidate candidate forums.
Another challenge is the demands of publications like the one you
are reading. It is important to ask candidates for their views but
when the requests come from the Chamber of Commerce, Asheville Citizen-Times,
Mountain Express, League of Women Voters and many special interest
groups …. the time demands are overwhelming.
With that background, I still encourage citizens to get involved.
Join your neighbor hood association, a civic club, volunteer for
Vision meetings, work for the church of your choice, attend city
council meetings and finally if you have the courage, file to run
for city council in 2 years. And now I'm exhausted, it's close to
the Wednesday midnight deadline to submit this article so I plan
to hit the send key and hope these few incoherent thoughts reach
Adam Baylus in time. To all readers and voters I say a big thank
you.
Jim Ellis responded to the following Forum Q&A:
I support renovation of the Asheville Civic Center in a downtown
location. I am opposed to an increase in Asheville property
taxes to fund improvements. The North Carolina General Assembly
and people from throughout Western North Carolina need to be consulted
and involved in determining funding sources.
The Asheville Civic Center plays a vital role in the livability
of Western North Carolina. A desirable city must have a place for
entertainment, sports events and cultural activities. It is part
of the necessary infrastructure of a progressive city. Funding sources
could include a seat tax, a small portion of the general sales tax,
food and beverage tax, a portion of the room tax and help from the
NC General Assembly. I am open to discussing a private management
arrangement for the civic center and feel that all parties providing
the funding should help in management decisions.
Biographical Information about Jim Ellis:
Jim grew up in Asheville, joined the US Navy at 17, returned to
Asheville and completed 2 years at Asheville Biltmore Junior College.
During his working career, Jim completed numerous management programs
at Notre Dame University, Michigan State, Syracuse University and
the University of Georgia. He had a successful career in chamber
of commerce management and was CEO for Asheville, Lawrence, MA,
New Haven, CT and Hickory NC. He spent the last 15 years in hospital
administration and recently retired as business administrator of
Black Mountain Center. Jim is proud to have served as Chairman of
the Board of Trustees for UNCA and many other civic, charitable
and professional organizations. He now serves on the Asheville Airport
Authority, Asheville-Buncombe Community Relations Council, Blue
Ridge Mental Health and several other organizations.
Ed Hay
Four years ago Leni Sitnick was elected Mayor, and local government
will never be the same. Controversy seemed to swirl around Council
Chambers, from Speedways to Wiccans to pot-smoking clowns. People
lined up to join in the discussion, all on live TV, and meetings
often ran late into the night. But what also happened is that citizens
learned they actually could have an impact on City government, that
they could be heard. Open governement was actually a workable notion,
and in a city like ours where passions run high everyone was encouraged
to have their say.
Leni created the expectation that being listened to was possible,
and once the expectation is made real, noone will settle for less.
We see the results in many ways. Participation in community events,
such as the I-26 Design meetings or the Vision dialogues, is much
higher than before. Advocacy groups, such as the Affordable Housing
Coalition, the NAACP, and Smart Growth Partners, feel new empowerment.
Even the number of City Council candidates has swelled, as newly-involved
citizens want to increase their participation. We have gone from
considering "public input" to be a nice idea to making
it an essential ingredient in any decision. And those decisions
are much, much better as a result.
The most important work City Council does for our City is not in
the big, monumental policy decisions (of which there are actually
very few), but in the many small, apparently mundane decisions which
are made by the score at each meeting. The important changes show
in the culmination of all of those seemingly small choices. An effective
Council member works hard to be well-acquainted with the details
and to attend all the committee and staff meetings so that he or
she will know the effect of each of those choices.
This election is about choosing the people who will make those
hundreds of decisions in a way which takes us where we want to go.
A candidate's stand on an issue matters, but the real question is
how that Councilperson will put that stand into effect. And that
is why public involvement is the most important element: it keeps
Council on track. We must be willing to work hard, to pay attention,
and to let the public remind us when we lose sight of the goal.
Leni showed us that Open Government can work, and I like what we
have done with it. There are many important issues ahead of us,
and I would like to continue to serve as a Councilperson who can
be expected to take the time to listen. We have made real progress
in Asheville, and we must maintain that effort.
Biographical Information about Edward C. Hay, Jr.:
Home: 210 Blake Mountain Circle, Asheville, NC 28803 (828)
687-3723
Office: 137 Biltmore Avenue, Asheville, NC 28801 (828) 255-8085
Email: hay@cheta.net
Fax: (828) 251-2760
Personal Information:
Age: 52
Education: Davidson College (1971), University of Georgia
School of Law (1974)
Managing Partner, Pitts, Hay, & Hugenschmidt, PA., Attorneys
at Law. In law practice in Asheville since 1976.
Wife: Diana Soileau (writer)
Four Children: Sarah, Mary, Craig Hay (college students),
Laura Buckner (junior at Asheville High)
Representative City Council activities:
- Vice Mayor (1997-1999)
- Chair, Task Force on the Future of the Civic Center
- Housing and Community Development Committee (Chair, 1997-1999)
- Economic Development Commission (city appointee)
- Board of Directors: Asheville-Buncombe Vision, Pack Place
- Liaison: Community Relations Council (former Board Member),
Civic Center Commission, Airport Authority, Asheville School Board
Representative Community Activities:
- Recipient, 1997 Circle of Excellence Award, Leadership Asheville
- Pisgah Legal Services (founding executive director)
- Helpmate, Inc (founding director and past president)
- Asheville-Buncombe Discovery (past president)
- Asheville Fair Housing Commission (past president)
- Building Bridges Steering Committee
- Consumer Credit Counseling Service (past president)
- Leadership Asheville Forum (past president)
- Legal Services of NC, Inc. (past State Board member)
- New Hope Medical Center
- First Presbyterian Church and related Presbytery Committees
Holly Jones
 With
less than two weeks left until November 6th, I want to thank the
many people that have shared their issues, concerns, and hope for
the future of our community. Over the last months, I've met with
a diverse range of people, including: Asheville teachers, African
American leaders, middle school students, private developers, West
Asheville neighbors, North Asheville neighbors, area retirement
homes, gay and lesbian citizens, and many many more.
Candidates tend to spend a lot of time talking, but I've been
fortunate to spend a lot of time listening. And what I've heard
is your commitment to the issues that that I and my running mate,
Brownie Newman, care about the most:
- Affordable housing;
- Quality education;
- Livable wage jobs;
- Sustainable growth.
People ask why Brownie and I are running together - and while we
each have strong and distinct voices - both of us share a progressive
vision for Asheville. Part of that vision is our belief in cooperative,
responsive government. And we're manifesting that vision in
our campaign. We want to model the cooperative spirit we hope
to see in City Council, and we know that by working together we
can give a stronger voice to progressive issues affecting Asheville.
Brownie and I have addressed many issues in this campaign and in
The Candidate's Forum. But many challenges that will face the
next City Council are yet unknown, and that's why I'd like to share
with you my framework for making decisions. The three
criteria I will use for making decisions are
- Is it fiscally sound?, i.e. does it address the basics of education,
health, and general welfare;
- Does the process build community rather than divide us?;
- Is it sustainable?
If elected to City Council, I will help develop an environment
that is cooperative and effective and that makes real improvements
in peoples' lives. We must find a new and better way for city
government to relate and respond to its citizens, developers, civic-minded
businesses, and neighbors.
It is time for new, progressive leadership on Asheville City
Council. I am committed to working for the issues that affect
our daily lives. Please vote for Holly Jones on November 6.
Biographical Information about Holly Jones:
Qualifications and Background
Education:
- Master of Public Health, University of North Carolina at Chapel
Hill, 1991-1993
- Master of Divinity, Duke Divinity School, 1984-1987
- Bachelor of Arts, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill,
1980-1984
Employment:
Executive Director, YWCA of Asheville, 1996 to present
Responsibilities include: developing and managing $1.1 million
operating budget with eight program departments and 24,000 square
foot facility; Accomplishments include increased operating budget
66%; increased net assets 169%; completed $3.9 million capital
campaign; established collaborative relationships with 75+ entities.
Community activities:
Buncombe County Board of Health; North Carolina Human Relation's
Commission; Buncombe County Education Coalition; Kid's Voting;
Western NC HIV/AIDS Consortium; United Way Minority Involvement
Council; 2001 Athena Award from Asheville Chamber of Commerce
Neighborhood: Montford homeowner
Carl Mumpower
In the remaining weeks before the election, I will work to help
you make a clear determination on your vote. I intend to step forward
and address specific issues that will provide positive differentiation
from my fellow candidates.
Political Actions Committees
Political Action Committees have recently become a
source of some controversy and confusion. The reality is that every
current candidate for a city council seat chose to interview with
what, to my knowledge, is the only major active PAC significantly
supporting candidates. After these interviews, four candidates,
including two democrats and two republicans, were selected for support.
These candidates represented the full political spectrum from liberal
to conservative. Selection was based in an interest in a balanced
economy, taking a responsible approach to serving, and maintaining
a common sense focus on the needs of Asheville. That's it. A specific
willingness to directly support business interests or other agendas
was never implied nor discussed. Interviewing for PAC support, not
being selected, and then implying that others are somehow tainted
is not unlike trying out for the basketball team, not making it,
and subsequently stating that basketball is a bad sport and you
didn't want to play anyway. I believe there is a distinction between
educating the voters on candidate differences and manipulating the
voters through campaign rhetoric. How I run is probably a pretty
good working indicator of how I will serve. So far I have been candid,
positive, and grounded in my campaign approach ~ I intend to serve
in the same manner.
The Fourth Seat
The Mayoral race between two seated candidates has created an unfortunate
problem for the new Council. Based on existing guidelines, these
folks will have to select a replacement to serve out the term of
the new Mayor. Stating a wish to facilitate council cohesiveness,
several candidates sent out a formal press release calling for all
candidates to commit to selecting the 4th highest vote getter for
the vacant position. Regrettably, there was no prior effort to discuss
and informally address this issue. It is my position that we should
stick with the system in place, and fix it as soon as we select
our fourth person. Changing election procedures in mid-stream seems
neither prudent nor cohesive, and instead reads as political maneuverings
designed to manipulate the election process. I can just as easily
be that fourth person as anyone, but I do not wish to artificially
insure my election. I believe we should establish objective criteria
for what the new Council feels will work best, find out who's interested,
pick the best person to serve the remaining two years, and then
fix the rules to insure that the voters make the choice next go
round.
Thanks to the publisher and advertisers of the Forum for doing
an excellent job of keeping us all informed during the campaign.
Thank-you for your interest in city government. I will be honored
if you will consider me as one of your choices on November 6th.
Carl Mumpower responded to the following Forum Q&A:
How do you feel about your original decision to run?
I feel better than I would have anticipated. My appreciation for
the average person has been repeatedly validated. People who value
the common good have vastly outnumbered those with self-serving
interests. It has been a demanding process, but what I have learned
has encouraged me. I feel even stronger about the good that can
be done if the folks who wind up in those seats are thoughtful,
grounded, and service focused. I've done my best to work hard, grow,
and deserve the support I have received. I've tried to lay personal
agendas and ego aside and keep pace with the principles I originally
embraced. Now the voters will do their part. I will be comfortable
with their final decision...
Biographical Information about Carl Mumpower:
General Background:
- Practicing Psychologist
- 48 years of age
- Vietnam service ~ l971-72
Education:
- Ph.D. - Psychology
- M.S.W. - Social Work
- M.A. - Education
- B.A. - Psychology
Community Service:
- Chairman - Asheville Civic Center Commission
- Chairman - USCU (Mission/St. Joe Credit Union
- Member - NC State Family Therapy Board
- Past Chairman - NC Social Work Licensure Board
- Past Co-Chair - Vision Committee on Neighborhoods and families
Brownie Newman
 Brownie
Newman-Bringing People Together for Asheville's Future
Some portray this city council race as a debate between "pro-neighborhood"
and "pro-business" candidates. Holly Jones and I reject
this false dichotomy.
As experienced leaders with a proven commitment to our community,
we know that our community can come together to build a stronger
economy while protecting neighborhoods.
Ten Principles for Building a Stronger Economy and Protecting Neighborhoods:
- Protection of neighborhoods is a core value. We'll never
take actions that we believe would harm Asheville's neighborhoods.
- We should support in-fill development rather than sprawl.
Acres of vacant and under-utilized property in the city would
benefit from attractive re-development.
- There are a wide range of neighborhood businesses that can
complement and enhance neighborhoods. We support a compatible
mix of uses so that people can live near their jobs, shops, and
schools.
- The key to integrating neighborhood-oriented businesses and
affordable homes in neighborhoods is scale and design.
Properly designed, smaller-scale businesses and attractive affordable
housing can create more vital, inclusive neighborhoods.
- We must provide better infrastructure to support community
development. We want sidewalks, bike-lanes, dedicated public
open-space, and one of the Southeast's best public transportation
systems.
- By improving public transit, we can support in-fill development
without increasing traffic. Improved public transit also benefits
air quality. We'll steer new growth to areas that can be provided
a high level of public transit service-mainly downtown and along
the existing commercial corridors.
- Highway widening represents one of the biggest threats to
neighborhoods. The I-26 Connector Project alone, if widened
to 8 lanes, could destroy more than 50 homes, dozens of local
businesses, and irreparably harm the integrity of West Asheville.
We will stand-up to the DOT when projects threaten our neighborhoods.
- There must be no "second-class" neighborhoods.
Example: Police tolerate drug dealing in broad daylight in many
housing projects, yet wouldn't tolerate it for a minute in other
neighborhoods.
- Seek common-ground. Most neighborhood leaders want to
help build a stronger economy and create more affordable housing.
Most homebuilders and business people want to protect the beauty
and health of our neighborhoods. Most citizens of Asheville believe
that these objectives can be achieved together. So do we.
- Stand-up to the extremists. We will stand-up to developers
who try to exploit our community for a quick profit. We will also
stand-up to the selfish perspective that says, "Asheville
needs affordable housing, but it should not be in my part of town."
Neither perspective serves the best interest of our community.
Unfortunately, candidates Carl Mumpower, Joe Dunn, and Jim Ellis
have accepted thousands of dollars each from a right-wing business
PAC that supports: Super-Walmarts in the middle of neighborhoods;
blasting an oversized I-26 through West Asheville; Gutting the Minimum
Housing Code, which protects the safety of renters; Gutting the
sign ordinance /putting up more billboards
Holly Jones and I will not accept any money from any PACs. We'll
stand-up to special interests.
Brownie Newman-Bringing People Together for
Asheville's Future
Biographical Information about Brownie Newman:
Education: Graduate Fellow, North Carolina Institute of
Political
Leadership; attended Warren Wilson College
Employment: Executive Coordinator, Western North Carolina
Alliance. Responsible for fundraising and budgeting, managing
staff, and directing this nonprofit dedicated to regional heritage
preservation.
Community Activities: Immediate Past President of the Coalition
of Asheville Neighborhoods; Board of Directors for the
Asheville-Buncombe Vision;Charter Member, Asheville Jaycees;
Advocate for NC Clean Smokestacks Act; Co-chair of the Community
Coordinating Committee of the I-26 Connector Project
Neighborhood: Montford Homeowner
Church: Saint Matthias Episcopal
Age: 29
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