We were able to receive a good majority of votes cast in the Democratic Party primary and will now face my General Election opponent in the November 6, 2012 election. I appreciate your support of the message and direction our County Commission has been moving. I hope to continue supporting our core services of:
EDUCATION. Proper funding is critical in view of the budget cuts from other entities. We must make sure our students get the best education possible so they can fill good paying jobs of the future. Our teachers must be properly compensated for the key role they have in educating our children.
EMERGENCY SERVICES/LAW ENFORCEMENT. We have to provide the first line responders with proper equipment, training, and compensation. The new Public Safety training center located at the old landfill will help us train these employees in house with the skills they need to do their jobs.
HUMAN SERVICES. In these tough economic times, we must maintain the safety net for those in dire financial status. We must also try and provide an affordable housing option for residents who want to buy homes in our community.
JOB CREATION. While notable successes on new businesses and job opportunities have developed thanks to strategic economic incentives, we have to work even harder to continue finding new jobs for everyone who wants to work in Buncombe County.
I believe that we can achieve these goals by continuing to watch our budget and work hard to get more with less. I hope you can support me in my fall campaign to make this happen.
-David
Commissioners Hear Initial Report on County Employee Compensation
The Buncombe County Commission met on January 10, 2012 in a continuation of the January 3rd session to hear the first report on the compensation package offered to county employees. Presenters were consultant Drake Maynard, county resource manager Lisa Eby, Social Services Director Mandy Stone, with additional comments by county manager Wanda Greene.
The county has budgeted $150,000 this year for a study of workforce compensation. The initial phase covers employees in health and human services. The study thus far has found that pay of health and human services employees in Buncombe County is in line with the salary and benefits of their counterparts in North Carolina’s 10 largest counties and that the county has saved money by raising pay, which reduced turnover rates and cut training costs.
More details are in the coverage from the Mountain Xpress and the Asheville Citizen-Times. Continue to the next page to hear David’s assessment of the meeting and of the reports that the Commission received. Read more…
Commission Votes to Rename Bridge After Fallen Fire Fighter
In their first meeting of 2012, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners on January 3rd voted unanimously to request that the North Carolina Board of Transportation dedicate Asheville’s Smoky Park Bridge in Capt. Jeff Bowen’s honor. The move was supported by the Asheville Fire Department and the Buncombe County Fire Fighters Association. A 13-year veteran of the Asheville Fire Department, Bowen died on July 28, 2011 while working to put down a fire on the top floor of the Mission Hospitals building on Biltmore Ave.
The board also approved a rezoning request by Norris Max Clubb to allow for commercial development of a 1.27-acre tract located at 1910 US 70 Highway, just west of its intersection with Warren Wilson Road. County planning staff and the Planning Board recommended approving the request, noting in a report that surrounding land is already being used for commercial development.
Taken into consideration during the meeting was a report on the role of substance abuse and mental health problems among the inmate population at the Buncombe County Detention Center and
an “Economic Development Report” from Ben Teague, executive director of the Economic Development Coalition. He said the organization was more organized and working harder than ever before to create jobs in the area.
In addition, the Commission honored Buncombe County Library Director Ed Sheary for being named “Director of the Year” by the North Carolina Public Library Directors Association.
Continue to the next page to hear David’s thoughts on the January 3rd meeting. Read more…
Quarter-Cent Tax to Benefit AB Tech Made Official
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously at their Dec. 6 meeting to levy the quarter-cent sales-tax increase approved by voters to fund capital improvements at A-B Tech.
The sales tax will increase from 6.75 cents on the dollar to 7 cents as a result of commissioners’ action. The resolution levying the tax directs that all proceeds go to building needs at A-B Tech. According to AB Tech President Hank Dunn, the first project will be a 25,000-square-foot building that will offer training for law enforcement officers, firemen and emergency management workers. Work on that should begin by summer at an estimated cost of $5 million and take about a year. Read more…
Buncombe Voters Approve Quarter-Cent Sales Tax to Benefit AB Tech
David celebrates with other supporters of the AB Tech tax referendum after hearing that voters had approved the measure. (Photo by Erin Brethauer, Asheville Citizen-Times)
On Tuesday November 8 2011, Buncombe County voters approved a quarter-cent sales tax increase designed to provide millions of dollars for renovations and new buildings at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. Voters approved the referendum by fewer than 500 votes — a 50.74 percent to 49.26 percent margin. More than 33,000 votes were cast, with countywide turnout less than 20 percent.
With the approval by voters, commissioners now must pass a resolution levying the tax and submit that to the state Department of Revenue. The county can begin collecting the tax April 1 of 2012. The one-quarter percent amounts to 2.5 cents on a $10 purchase in Buncombe County or 25 cents on $100.
The tax should generate about $130 million for AB tech over 17 years. About 30 percent of the money is expected to come from visitors to Buncombe County. Read more…
Veterans’ Issues Take Center Stage
The November 1, 2011 meeting of the Buncombe County Commissioners was originally planned to be a hearing of an appeal by Mills Gap Road Associates against the county inspector’s order that the old CTS building be demolished. The appeal was dropped on October 25th, however, so the commission turned to other business.
Kevin Turner, supervisor of Buncombe County Veterans Services, updated the board on the problems facing veterans in the county. He informed commissioners that Buncombe County has one of the highest veteran populations in the state, at over 21,000. Outlining some of the challenges that veterans face, Turner reported that an average of 18 vets commit suicide every day. The rate of suicide among vets is over twice the rate of the rest of the population. Also, 8 percent of the population are veterans, but 20 percent of the homeless population are veterans. Some estimate that up to 35 percent of the 2 million vets who served in Iraq and Afghanistan over the last decade could suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Read more…
County To Lease Enka Sports Fields to Local Non-Profit, Retaining Wall Rules Strengthened
From the 10/18/11 edition of the Asheville Citizen-Times:
A local nonprofit will get control of much of Buncombe County Sports Park in Enka under an agreement approved by the Buncombe County Commission, part of county government’s ongoing move to privatize some services. The county will save about $130,000 a year in maintenance costs by leasing seven fields at the popular park for $1 a year to Asheville Buncombe Youth Soccer Association, according to county parks head Fran Thigpen.
The Board of Commissioners voted 4-0 (Commissioner K. Ray Bailey was absent) to approve in principle a five-year lease that shifts control of the fields and responsibility for their maintenance to Asheville-Buncombe Youth Soccer Association. It is likely to be in place by spring. Some details about access for other users have yet to be worked out. Commissioners David Gantt and Holly Jones said those involved should keep in mind the interests of users not affiliated with ABYSA as they work through those issues. Read more…
Vacation Rentals in Residential Areas OK’d by Commission
At its October 4th meeting, the Buncombe County Commission unanimously approved new rules allowing vacation rental homes throughout the county, including in residential areas. At the public hearing, supporters of the measure said that it would boost the economy and that vacation homes were allowed, without significant trouble, before the county implemented zoning in 2009. Opponents of the measure said it would open up residential neighborhoods to commercial activity.
At the meeting the commission also approved almost half a million in funds for a variety of affordable housing projects from local nonprofits, including home rehabilitation, housing location vouchers, homelessness prevention and work on Mountain Housing Opportunities Glen Rock Depot project. Read more…
