City Council Candidates, Week 2

George Bancroft
Harold "Cicada" Brokaw
Bernard Carman
Joe Dunn
Jim Ellis
Fred English
Barbara Field
Ed Hay
Holly Jones
Sharon Martin
Carl Mumpower
Brownie Newman
Susan O'Neil
Kevin Rollins
Sam Webb
Rod Whiteside

George Bancroft

Mr. George Bancroft submitted the following information via a telephone conversation.

After serving nine years on the Civil Service Board, George Bancroft is running for Asheville City Council and noted being an advocate for City employees as one of his priorities. He retired from the US Postal Service in September 1989, ending a public service career that begin August 5, 1942 with the Army Airways Communication Service. That career lasted 34 years, 3 months and 18 days.

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Harold "Cicada" Brokaw

Asheville can be a city in harmony with the Natural World. Step by step, we can solve our problems in a way that moves us closer to the vision.

One example: The need to do something with concrete and asphalt debris resulting from road construction. Our current council is considering the band-aid solution of landfilling it. People living nearby the proposed location of the landfill do not like the idea. Eventually this landfill created using millions of tax dollars will be full and the problem will rear its head again.

Let's consider the debris a resource instead of waste. Asphalt can be reprocessed to make material for new asphalt. Concrete can be reprocessed to make material for new concrete. Perhaps the millions could be used to jumpstart a local, worker owned business which would reprocess the debris. The city would purchase the recycled materials when building new roads and sidewalks, reducing our city's consumption of virgin mined materials and giving the company a market for its product.

Landfills fill up. Eventually there will be no more space for new landfills. One by one we can identify materials that are potential resources that are currently being landfilled, divert the money being used to landfill those materials to solutions which utilize those resources. One very large resource is compostable materials. Other cities have successfully diverted large quantities of compostables from their waste stream. We could create neighborhood based composting programs which were integrated with community gardens and "edible parks".

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Bernard Carman

Regarding Bob Brown's question, I must first state that I thought the City Council IS an elected citizen review board over the police, fire, water, sewer, city managers, etc... I personally do not feel there needs to be another "committee" established in order to do the job functions of city council.

This is another example of the importance of the Total Review of city government the Asheville Freedom Team (Goree, Carman & Rollins) endorses. If there are folks asking for a review board over any city department, the city council hasn't been doing its job. The Total Review would not only be the means that will keep our city departments "on their toes", but it will also be the means by which we will be able to actually cut taxes! Because, let's be honest, do we REALLY believe that our tax dollars are being spent wisely... at ANY level of government?

As I listen to many other candidates, I mostly hear the things they would like to do, but do not hear much in the way of actually HOW they plan on doing them. Are we citizens really so brainwashed into thinking there is some magical answer to improving our job base, our education system, our public transportation, our water situation or our police/fire departments without some serious funding? And if the money's not being cut from the city's oversized budget, it's going to come directly from us taxpayers!

Let's do something about it... VOTE for the Asheville Freedom Team!

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Joe Dunn

My father-in-law is my greatest hero! He was in the Normandy Invasion and the Battle of the Bulge. He came home in one piece and has been married to his wife for 59 years. He is now 87 years old and his health is failing. He worked for American Enka for 43 years. They still live in the same home in West Asheville. They are good Christians and have always paid their bills.

They are proud people and do not want anything given to them. They have worked all their adult lives, raised a child, and always lived within their means! Their doctor bills, prescription drugs, and every day expenses place a real strain on their budget. Their small house in West Asheville costs them almost $1,000 dollars a year in taxes.

They, and thousands of other seniors in our city, are not healthy enough to walk in our parks, but they pay the taxes for them! They are not able to go to all the cultural events at the civic center, but they pay the taxes for it! They do not get out much at night, but they pay the taxes that enable younger people to do so. What a city does for it's older citizens says a lot about it's true character!

It is time for city council to take a hard look at helping this segment of our population! I propose a tax freeze on property for any senior with a net income of $1500 dollars per month or less. People come before anything else. We all are proud of Asheville and it's beauty, but our greatest treasures are the thousands of stories our citizens of "The Greatest Generation" can tell! God Bless them all!

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Jim Ellis

Asheville's Property Taxes

City government can be more efficient and if elected to City Council I will be diligent in searching for ways to reduce waste and duplication. It is not realistic to promise I will cut property taxes by some arbitrary number. A large percentage of the property tax pays for our police department, fire department, waste disposal and other required services and savings in those departments are limited. I will be aggressive in searching for additional sources of revenue and will not vote for increases in property taxes unless the need is overwhelming. Many Asheville residents are living on fixed incomes and that will be a primary concern as improvements in services are debated and votes are cast.

I will work hard to encourage new businesses to locate in Asheville and to entice existing business concerns to expand in the City. Businesses provide jobs and in general pay higher real estate taxes than residential property and can be a major factor in maintaining and hopefully reducing the residential property tax. I spent 21 years in economic and industrial development work and feel that experience can be of value as Asheville struggles to attract business to this area.

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Fred English

Mr. Fred English asked that his name be included in The Candidates' Forum, but chose not to submit any material.

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Barbara Field

As an architect, my life's work is about making place meet people's needs. I need your vote to continue bringing my skills, experience and energy to Asheville at its time of unprecedented growth. We will double our population in the next twenty-five years. How do we stop sprawl and congestion from following that growth?

In my ten years on Council I have focused on the big picture; the future of our community as a place of world-class opportunity to live, work, play, be educated and raise our families

We must grow, but keep what we have-beautiful mountain vistas, rivers, forests and the city itself nestled within. We must keep and increase green space. We must preserve our neighborhoods as safe, coherent communities with diverse, affordable housing. We must build our city centers as inspiring, friendly places to gather. We must insure that our air and water are of the best quality.

Traffic management, public transportation, air and rail access, high speed Internet access, attractive retail and business sites, and a well-educated citizenry is all essential to bring New Economy knowledge-based businesses that will grow our tax base. Asheville's quality of life will draw these high-tech, high-wage businesses.

In the planning of our city, as in the design of a building, we must provide for everyone's needs while keeping within the budget. We can build this city-balancing Asheville's needs in a plan that cares for our citizens, protects our environment, grows our economy and keeps taxes under control. I see a future for Asheville that will be very bright.

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Ed Hay

Civic Center: There is no tougher issue facing the City, which is why I have devoted so much time and energy in heading up the effort. There is no perfect solution, but I am pleased that we have adopted a plan which has received widespread community support. The challenge now is to bring together the right combination of private giving, commercial investment, and public funding to make the plan a reality. Based upon the response I have had in just the past few weeks from those who can provide that funding, I am more confident than ever that we can meet that challenge, and would like to see the project through to its end.

Transportation: I am pleased that my proposal to operate the bus system as a city department has resulted in a significant expansion in ridership, routes and services. Without any increase in city funding, we can now match transit resources with other projects, seek new outside funding for innovative ideas, and will soon introduce county-wide routes, evening schedules and service to Civic Center events.

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)

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Holly Jones

In last month's Candidates' Forum, I highlighted two primary issues facing our community: affordable housing and cooperative government. I want to now share my qualifications and background.

A North Carolina native, I grew up with a father who served as an elected official and gained an understanding from a young age of how policy could make a difference in people's lives. As an undergraduate at UNC-Chapel Hill, I majored in Public Policy Analysis, and then went on to receive a Master of Divinity from Duke and a Master of Public Health from UNC-Chapel Hill, both of which I continued to focus on policy angles.

As Executive Director of the YWCA of Asheville for the past five years, I've continued my passion for public life by serving as an advocate for underserved communities and working on many community collaboratives that have built bridges between the nonprofit, business, and religious communities. My responsibilities as Director of the YWCA include developing and managing a $1.1 million operating budget with eight different program departments; overseeing annual audit, investment activity, and reserve accounts; and managing a workforce of 50 employees. Over the past two years, I led the YWCA through its first capital campaign in 25 years, successfully raising $3.8 million from over 840 donors.

I decided to run for City Council because I care deeply about this community, and I believe that my background will help contribute to creating positive change. Please vote for Holly Jones on October 9th.

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Sharon Martin

Over a year ago I became directly involved with our local government because of a potential local development that concerned me. Since then, I've attended nearly every city council meeting, including the city council retreat in January, to better understand how and why decisions are made for our city and its people.
I learned a lot during this time…about city policies-specifically development and land use, where city council holds decision-making power and where it does not, and where our city government's priorities lie.

We often hear the words "sustainable economic development" tossed about as a cure for our city's woes. I challenge all of us to really consider what sustainability means. "The City's future development will balance economic objectives, social goals, and its natural resources to the benefit of present and future generations."- The City's Sustainable Economic Development Plan. Sustainability is more than tending the economy-it's making every choice an ecologically sound choice, from the businesses we invite to the plants we choose to plant in our parks to the cups we choose to drink from.

I applaud the city's planning department for their recent proposal to amend the conditional use findings in the Unified Development Ordinance. They recommend that "development of the land is reasonably compatible with significant natural and topographic features on the site and within the immediate vicinity of the site." This is a true move towards sustainability that takes into account more than "economics." The question remains whether our current city council will support the protection of our natural environment that this amendment calls for…

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Carl Mumpower

Having lived in Asheville for most of my life, I know and value what we have here. I want to help insure a positive future for Asheville by serving as a moderate member of City Council. My goals are simple. I reserve my strongest interest for fairly distributed and responsive basic city services. I value common sense decisions that give consideration to all citizens. I view good jobs and a balanced economy as our best social service. I believe that governmental restraint and efficiency should come before tax increases. I believe that Asheville, as the population center of our region, should serve as a model of cooperation, leadership and vision. I have 5 guiding principles that I will use in upholding a positive role on Council. These include:

1) Aim for the common good.
2) Focus on solutions over conflict
3) Provide leadership instead of control.
4) Be guided by principles over pressures.
5) Focus on balance, practicality, and restraint.

This week I would like to share my interest in the common good. This principle emphasizes the importance of looking out for all of our citizens. We are in this together, and I intend to give stronger sway to the needs of the average citizen over those of more vocal special interests. I want to be a cooperative member of council who works with others to attack problems not people. We need to make sure that Asheville goes to good places. We need to make sure we go there together…

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Brownie Newman

Bringing People Together for Asheville's Future!

Occupation: Director - Western North Carolina Alliance (WNC conservation organization)
Community Activities: Immediate Past President - Coalition of Asheville Neighborhoods
Board of Directors - Asheville-Buncombe Vision
Charter Member - Asheville Jaycees
Advocate - NC Clean Smokestacks Act
Co-chair - Community Coordinating Committee of the I-26
Connector Project
Community Ties: Montford Homeowner
Church: Saint Matthias Episcopal
Personal History: Grew up on a farm here in the Southern Appalachian Mountains

Upcoming Campaign Events:
1) Montford Celebration - Montford Park; Sunday, September 9 - 2:00
This celebration will feature free snacks and beverages, music, free helium balloons for kids, yard signs and stickers to take home, and a chance to meet Brownie & Holly Jones. All are welcome.

2) Fiesta Latina; Saturday, September 15
We'll be giving away helium balloons, stickers, buttons and lawn signs.
TO VOLUNTEER TO HELP ELECT BROWNIE NEWMAN,
CALL VERONIKA AT 251-0467.

Response to Elizabeth Russell's question:
Answer: The Block is a vital part of our history and heritage, and hub of activity for the African American community. The City should honor it as such. I'm glad that South Market and Eagle streets are part of Asheville's Urban Trail. That's a step toward always including The Block when celebrating our history and encouraging tourism downtown. But more must be done. We must promote redevelopment - with a focus on local
businesses - and ensure public safety. This will help The Block
return to its roots as a vibrant business and cultural center.

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Susan O'Neil

During the past five years many of us have witnessed profound economic
renewal in the downtown business district and the re-development of
formerly abandoned buildings into marketable retail space. This kind of
development is currently defined as "growth"---American style. The
classic characteristic of this growth is a conspicuous alliance between
businesses and government. Government generally defines the economicplaying field for business and businesses provide the revenues whichhelp governments perpetuate themselves. Without an adequately humanedefinition of the role of government, it would be possible that a loss ofperspective could ensue. The idea of government as service could be lostand the agencies which engender the public welfare and trust may develop a narrow focus into haves and have-nots.

In Asheville, like anywhere, the welfare of a community is largely
defined by the quality of life that it offers the whole human community.However, profound levels poverty still exists because of racial profiling and lack of economic and educational opportunities. Can this optimism which helped to create a bustling downtown also strive to protect the safety of human existence which would include all persons regardless of ablement, ethnicity or race, or other forms of human diversity? The inequities and lack exist because we want them to. We create the vision
which includes us all and that's all that has to happen. I believe that individuals can do well when opportunities exist---they can and they will. Governments must have a humane face and place social, cultural and environmental considerations as priority above pure gain.

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Kevin Rollins

Should we have a citizen review board for our police department? Yes, we as citizens should be able to review everything our government does. It is after all, OUR government.
The current city council has done a very poor job of exploring how the city government is functioning and seem to spend most of their time in office conjuring up ways to spend more of our money faster on more and more fruitless projects.
It is in fact the job of city council to be that citizen review board. They are elected to represent us, to be our voice, to investigate those excesses and abuses in government that we are too busy to look into.

The Asheville Freedom Team wants to be your citizen review board. We are not professional politicians. Dave Goree, Bernard Carman and myself are citizens who just have gotten tired of all the lies, schemes and plain b.s. that our current representatives issue on a daily basis. We are tired of seeing our money wasted and our lives interfered with. We want to see our city government working.

If you elect the Asheville Freedom Team, a citizen review board would be redundant. Dave Goree as Mayor of Asheville and Bernard Carman and Kevin Rollins as city councilmen will be the citizen's review board. The change that must happen is that the people of Asheville must vote for something different. Change won't happen if you don't vote for it.

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Sam Webb

Mr. Sam Webb stated that due to current commitments he is unable to participate in The Candidates' Forum at this time.

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Rod Whiteside

I would like to respond to a question posed by Elizabeth Russell. Ms. Russell asked about the candidates' thoughts on the future of The Block.

The area around Eagle/Market Streets is an essential fabric in Asheville's historic tapestry. We are all aware that our history must not be forgotten. It is our obligation to preserve and promote our past. I believe we must continue to elevate The Block so that we don't lose our rich history.

The Block has undergone some recent renovations and transformations. The most recent of which is the opening of Mr. Gene's Restaurant on Market Street. The City must continue to encourage development to prevent this area from deteriorating. The City can promote development by continuing to apply for federal funds to benefit the Eagle/Market Streets Development Corporation (EMSDC).

Modular housing is another issue on the EMSDC's list. Modular housing is an excellent way to tackle two problems at the same time. Building modular homes in the area surrounding The Block will provide much needed affordable housing for families who are trying to realize the American dream of home ownership. We must seize every opportunity to provide our hard working residents with homes that don't eat up an entire paycheck. The modular housing would also encourage/sustain other development.

About Rod
Age - 28
Completing Master's Degree, WCU
Bachelor's Degree, UNCC
Board Member, Big Brothers/Big Sisters
Mentor, Big Brothers/Big Sisters
Volunteer, Affordable Housing Coalition
Member, Jaycees
Member, Kiwanis Club

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