Issues
Our Economy
Supported incentives for new and expanding businesses
Authorized downtown parking program to increase spaces near courthouse, creating over 600 new spaces
Maintained county “AA” bond rating to reduce interest costs and continue ability to borrow money for major projects
Saved County $130,000 per year by leasing fields at Enka Sports Park to Asheville-Buncombe Youth Soccer Association
Supported Job Incubator project in partnership with AB tech
Leased abandoned Volvo plant in Canadian auto parts manufacturer Linimar, with the potential of creating hundreds of new jobs
Cut county computer costs by $500,000 by lease instead of purchase
Worked to adopt land use plan to protect property rights for homeowners and businesses
Supported financing for Handmade in America to keep and increase jobs available for Americans
Reduced taxpayer labor costs by using inmate labor
Education
“Investing in the education of our young people and workforce is vitally important. I have a long history of supporting education efforts. My wife and I have sent both of our kids through the public school system. They got a great education and went on to pursue their dreams – and that’s what I want for everyone.”
Approved $35 million bond funding for school facilities.
Had 3 new middle schools constructed in Enka, Windy Ridge, and Cane Creek areas to relieve overcrowding
Supported the building of four new libraries built in Leicester, Enka, North Asheville, and Fairview and the renovation of two existing libraries at Weaverville and South Buncombe.
Supported and advocated for quarter-cent sales tax to fund capital improvements at AB Tech.
Supported the budget request for computers and increased technology in schools.
Supported teacher supplements to hire and retain the best teachers possible.
Allocated $3 million from the budget to help renovate Enka campus of AB-Tech and $10.9 million for the existing facility.
Moved Job Link Career Center to AB Tech so that students would have easy access to job assistance
Energy
“As we all saw from the 2008 gas crisis, we depend a lot on fuel and energy. We need to transition into alternative fuel and power while making our vehicles and buildings more energy efficient so that this shortage doesn’t happen again.”
Switched to bio-diesel to power county equipment used in landfill, transfer station and public safety facilities
Adopted master plan for energy reduction to reduce government spending and energy consumption
Supported purchase of 22 hybrid vehicles for county use
Voted to fund replacement of inefficient courthouse windows to keep heating and cooling costs down
Initiated “Turn Off the Juice” program
Approved leasing of Enka High School’s roof for installation of solar panels for innovative new program
Environment
“Our environment is our heritage. These mountains are our greatest resource and the base of our economy. It is our duty to act as stewards to our land.”
Initiated conservation easement program that has preserved nearly 4,000 acres of farmland and open spaces in Buncombe County
Set up Environmental Advisory Board to proactively consider environmental issues
Voted to adopt Blue Ridge Parkway buffer zone that limits over-development of that national treasure
Strengthened retaining wall guidelines, requiring developers to submit visual plans
Passed outdoor lighting ordinance to minimize light pollution
Supported demolition and cleanup of old CTS site
Supported protection of 80 more acres of land next to Blue Ridge Parkway in Haw Creek for a public park
Supported the prohibition of paving roads through National Forest
Supported noise ordinance
Helped organize the Early Action Compact with five counties to speed air pollution control efforts
Supported creation and funding of 30-acre urban park in downtown Asheville
Supported county law limiting new cell tower contruction on mountain tops
Voted to adopt first storm water ordinance in western NC to limit runoff problems
Prepared documents that helped stop destruction of Sand Hill Mountain local park
Voted to adopt CFL recycling program to eliminate mercury poisoning. (Mercury is a hazardous toxin. Certain light bulbs can leak mercury into groundwater if they are not recycled properly.)
Voted to pass a land use plan that helps long range preservation of our quality of life
Supports steep slope construction guidelines and ridge top development laws that limit the development of luxury condominiums and subdivisions. Irresponsible development causes land slides, erosion, displaced wildlife and crowded roads that damage property value, water quality, and quality of life.
Voted to adopt a law to notify communities affected by subdivision developer plans before construction begins
Supported a zoning planning ordinance to give residents a voice in the future of their neighborhoods
Voted to fund program to get rid of abandoned mobile homes in disrepair that litter many neighborhoods
Supported ordinance to clean up junk cars and junk yards in Buncombe County
Voted to ban new billboards in the county
Supported maintenance of the top landfill in the United States, for which the county received the EPA Excellence in Leadership Award
Initiated a public/private partnership to create composting facility at landfill
Worked to secure $433,000 for Bioreactor at the county landfill, which reduces the air quality impact of the landfill and makes it a safer facility, with increased space for waste disposal (visit: buncombebioreactor.com)
Supported establishment of a comprehensive household recycling program at the landfill
Partnered with UNCA to recycle landfill gas to power kilns and welding equipment
Transparency and Efficiency/Open Government
“I stand for an open and transparent government that we need to better serve the citizens of Buncombe County.”
Supported televising all Commission and Community meetings
Supported providing the property tax base via website
Supported consolidation of permit and inspection functions in same building
Consolidated 9-1-1 dispatch communications
Obtained $1.3 million grant for electronic data management system to increase government efficiency
Has held community meetings in all parts of Buncombe County
Maintained 98.25% tax collection rate- one of the highest in NC
Privatized child support collections
Community: Health and Human Services
“Healthcare, housing and security are our moral obligations to the citizens of Buncombe County.”
Reached a formal agreement with Western North Carolina Community Health Services to provide basic access to health care for about 10,000 patients formerly served by the Buncombe County Health Center. 
Contracting with Community Health Services gives an additional 5,000 people access to the local health-care “safety net” for the same amount of county funding.
Established Prescription Drug Discount Card for all county residents
Consolidated 911 dispatch communications to make emergency response teams faster and more effective
Supported Sheriff’s requests for additional officers to make community safer
Increased salaries for law enforcement officers to reasonable levels to prevent corruption
Supported regional bioterrorism team
Supported soldiers through 911 recalls and Operation Free Iraq (phone cards and health insurance for military personnel)
Funded new jail facility to deal with overcrowding (248 new beds)
Automated criminal justice system in partnership with City of Asheville to increase efficiency and lower costs
Set up Affordable Housing Trust for innovative programs and building projects
Supported ongoing housing programs that increase supply of affordable homes
Adopted of First Rental Code to protect tenants in Buncombe County history
Adopted safety and decency standards for mobile homes
Initiated ‘Countdown to Zero’ program, whose goal is to end euthanasia of healthy animals in shelters by 2012
Replaced substandard animal shelter with new shelter facility on Pond Road
Supported partnership with Humane Society and AB Tech veterinarian programs
Required spay/neuter of pets to decrease costs of shelter program and pressure to euthanize
