Mayoral Candidates,
Week 4
Terry Bellamy
William Boyd
Chuck Cloninger
H.K. Edgerton
Dave Goree
Mickey Mahaffey
Brian Peterson
Bill Porter
Charlie Worley
Terry Bellamy
 Affordable
Housing
The availability of affordable housing in our area is continuing
to be a pressing issue not only for the low-income residents of
our community but also for residents who are just starting in their
careers. The North Carolina Association of Realtors reported that
last year, the average home in Buncombe County sold for $173,000,
which caused us to have the highest housing cost in North Carolina.
A recent study completed by Coldwell Banker revealed that a house
purchased in Asheville that cost $150,000 could be purchased in
Charlotte for only $138,158 and for $116,447 in Greensboro.
As Mayor of Asheville, I will work to make some changes in our
housing trends. Some key components of those changes would be working
with our largest employers and the Affordable Housing Coalition
to further the program of Employer assisted housing, which will
allow employers to help the employees not only work in our community
but live in our community; Work to Increase revenue for the housing
trust fund by working with local foundations and corporations to
allow them the opportunity to invest in the revolving fund; Work
to get a Housing report card completed on our community. The last
true evaluation of our communities' assets and needs were examined
in 1993, and I believe we need to evaluate where we are to help
us determine where we need to go and how we can effectively get
there; and lastly I want to Listen your needs and suggestions for
how we as a community can address this issue.
I need your support to make a difference. Please vote for me, Terry
M. Bellamy, October 9th and November 6th.
William Boyd
Mr. William Boyd did not respond to a letter inviting him to
participate in The Candidates' Forum. No other means to contact
him were available through the information provided at the Board
of Elections.
Chuck Cloninger
- Led the fight to ban billboards
- Will crackdown on graffiti and vandalism
- Strong advocate of Smart Growth and protection of neighborhoods
- 6 years on Asheville City Council
- Vice Mayor, elected by fellow City Council Members
H.K. Edgerton
 All
the candidates are getting questions from the local media about
what they would do about the issues. The reality is that it's the
people with the money that make all the decisions. When I'm mayor,
my role will be to persuade those with the money how to spend it.
Right now, the City Manager controls the finances--he turns to the
King of Biltmore, who says what to do, and then everyone falls in
line. My view is that we all need to work together to improve the
City for everyone.
Excerpt from an interview with HK Edgerton by Ron Holland of
the Dixie Daily News (reprinted with permission from both parties)
-HKE
If there is room here for the new citizens of Asheville, then there
must be a place for the retirees from Florida, the good ole boys
proud of our Southern heritage and for those of us who have spent
our lifetimes here in Asheville. Asheville has shown it's an open
enough city for financial types…, new age gurus, pagans, and
drag queens as well as for proud Southerners and even me. A Black
man out to defend the culture and heritage of the South with all
its warts and wrinkles…
When I win, we will send a message to every national, state and
local politician of both major political parties that they can no
longer take conservative Southerners, Black and White proud of our
joint heritage for granted any longer. Either they defend our Southern
heritage, our culture, our morals, our Bible based religion, our
region and our people first, or they will be kicked out of office.
This will be their wake up call that the Confederates Are Coming!
Dave Goree
A question of this week was on how we propose to spend the City's
resources. This is an interesting question for a Libertarian such
as myself. It ties directly to the concept of the TOTAL REVIEW that
The Asheville Freedom Team has been proposing . The things the City
should do, it should do as closely to perfection as is possible.
The City actions that fail their review, either for violations of
Freedom, or simple inefficiency, will be eliminated or overhauled.
Some specific items I feel are a priority are locating, mapping,
and repairing our water and sewer system. There should be upgrades
in equipment for our Firefighters, they risk their lives to protect
ours, they should have the best equipment available. Upgraded equipment,
also for our Police, to ensure the safety of our officers during
missions to ensure our safety. Increases in pay rates also for Police
and Firefighters will help retain good people and bring others.
These are the core missions of City Government, not to be the great
nanny to us all.
I propose also to cut the City portion of every citizens property
tax bill by 50%. This "expenditure", really an reduction
in theft by taxation, will return many times over its value in new
business and economic strength. This, coupled with the end of micro-management
by regulation, will bring Asheville to a place where it is a model
of Freedom for the world to see. Help us make it happen. Vote for
the Asheville Freedom Team. Vote for Dave Goree for Mayor. Vote
for Bernard Carman and Kevin Rollins for City Council. Vote for
Freedom.
Mickey Mahaffey
In the past two issues I've focused on water and air. This week
I want to address diversity as the strength of our community. Cultural
diversity, like biodiversity is a precious resource to be nurtured
in order to sustain a high quality of life. The focus of our campaign
has been to reach out to the most disenfranchised in our area and
seek ways to involve a more diverse representation in the decision
making process. As mayor, I would facilitate bridge-building between
diverse communities in Asheville, and work for the full inclusion
and empowerment of disabled people, elderly, working poor, mentally
ill, women and people of color, who aren't adequately represented
or considered in city decision-making processes.
First I want to continue the work of Mayor Sitnick in providing
a more open government and make sure that the doors of city hall
are open to everyone. I will work to recruit diverse involvement
on boards and commissions as well.
Wheelchair-bound people and other disabled people still have limited
access in our city. There isn't a city ordinance to enforce the
ADA. Panhandling and vagrancy are often the result of inadequate
facilities for the addicted and mentally ill. Most government agencies
are white- and male- dominated. The elderly on fixed incomes are
having difficulty living in our city.
Diversity should be more than a meaningless buzzword in our political
vocabulary. In order to ensure positive community growth, it is
essential to facilitate dialogue based upon citizens' diverse life
experiences.
Brian Peterson
If elected as mayor of Asheville, my top priorities will be:
- Protect and Improve Our Neighborhoods
- Improve Basic City Services
- Spend Our Tax Dollars Wisely
- Support Balanced Economic Development
- Promote Open and Responsive Government
For more information or to help, please call me at 251-0800
work or at 251-1477 home. My e-mail address is brian.peterson@grimesandteich.com.
Bill Porter
 Public
Safety
Only a few days ago on September 11 we witnessed a devastating
attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. No one anticipated
the commitment, the resources and the creativity of the terrorists.
The success of this attack was abetted by years of undermining the
capabilities of our federal law enforcement agencies and intelligence
services and by our failure to take these terrorists groups seriously.
This is a failure that we have paid for dearly.
Once the federal government failed, local government had to deal
with the ensuing disaster. In New York, police and fire fighters
responded with bravery and boldly committed themselves to rescuing
the thousands of victims fleeing the burning infernos. Immediately
several hundred firemen died in the collapsing building. These brave
fire fighters are an inspiration to all of us.
Asheville is not likely to have to deal with a disaster of this
magnitude and that is fortunate. For several years our policies
have undermined the effectiveness of our police and fire departments.
Today not only have the standards been lowered, but authorized manning
levels are below recommended minimums and worse yet the actual manning
levels are below those authorized. The police cannot respond promptly
to the numerous calls for help, setting up a potential disaster
for the person calling.
We need to reestablish high standards and minimum manning levels
for the safety of every Asheville resident. Asheville should support
a program at AB Tech for applicants unable to meet the high standards.
Charlie Worley
Our nation has just endured a great tragedy and it is clear that
the aftermath of that tragedy will have a profound national impact
on us. We know that a reexamination of our priorities, our hopes,
our goals and our desires will occur on a national basis and on
a local basis. It is likely that some changes will result. Whatever
changes result from this
reexamination will require clear and decisive leadership for the
future. I grew up in Asheville and I know the pride we have in our
community, the strong resolve we have to overcome adversity, and
indomitable spirit of our citizens. I will work to keep Asheville
unified, to preserve the sense of community and to maintain the
values we hold dear. I will lead Asheville as we continue on the
road to a healthy economy, as we continue to improve our environment,
and as we provide a safe haven for our families.
As for the present, our hearts and prayers go out to the families
of those who lost their lives in this attack on America and our
hopes and concerns are with those who were injured. From our small
community we will reach out to help those around us who are in need,
whether they be from the next neighborhood, the next city, or from
distant areas of our country. We can do no less.
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