SWANNANOA — The four candidates for two seats in the General Assembly thrashed it out verbally during a debate Sept. 20 during a luncheon meeting of the Council of Independent Business Owners at the Land of Sky Shrine Club.

About 50 people attended the hour-long debate that was part of CIBO’s series in which each candidate gave a 2-minute opening statement, six or seven preselected questions from CIBO members were asked by CIBO moderator Buzzy Cannaday and, finally, questions were asked by meeting attendees.

The District 115 candidates included Rep. John Ager, Democrat, and Republican challenger Amy Evans.

For District 116, the featured candidates were Rep. Brian Turner, Democrat, and Republican challenger Marilyn Brown. 

In her opening statement, Brown noted that she has been married 29 years and has three children. “My husband flies for Delta Airlines.” 

Brown described herself as “a retired music teacher,” who is “very active in her community... I’m thrilled to be running.”

Her opponent, Turner began by noting, “When I first came to CIBO, some people told me it’s not friendly toward Democrats.” As he discovered from his attendance of and participation in CIBO sessions in the past several years, “nothing could be further from the truth… CIBO’s about business — it’s not about Republicans; it’s not about Democrats.”

Turner added, “I also know the people in this room think beyond their businesses, but also about their communities,” otherwise they would not be participating in CIBO.

“We’ve got to look at regulations to make sure we’ve got good ones in place. Everything needs to be seen in balance....

 “I’m trying to make the best regulations I can for our community,” Turner said. “I hope you will send me back to Raleigh.

Next, Evans,  who noted that she is a veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, said, “I’m a relative newcomer to the Black Mountain community. I’ve lived here for six years.” 

She said her “basic message for the General Assembly is to keep on keeping on. .. I’m interested in representing the constituents of my community, so I’m here to listen and to learn.”

Giving the last of the opening statements, Ager noted that “ my wife Annie and I married 47 years ago and she’s stuck with me through it all. We have four sons and eight grandchildren, so I’m a proud grandfather.”

Ager added that he wanted to discuss “a few things I want to think about as I go back to Raleigh…. We’re going to face a slow, extensive hurricane recovery…. This will go on and on. It’s a long-term flood” and those affected will need much help from the state.

“I was looking at North Carolina retaking its leadership” role in the nation, too, Ager said. “We’ve been shortchanging teachers…. We built the prosperity of this state on education ... We all need to be lifelong learners.”

Taking a shot at the Republican-dominated state legislature, Ager concluded by noting that “I want to conduct the business of the General Assembly with integrity — and not behind-doors.”

In the first of CIBO’s preselected questions, Cannaday asked, “North Carolina has $1.8 billion in reserves, excluding costs of hurricane… is that balance too high or too low?”

“It’s a rainy day fund, so we’ve had a rainy day and we may have to go into it now,” Ager replied.

Evans answered, “The state schoolteachers asked me if we could give them a 1 percent raise (since we have that $2 billion), and I told them “no” — that fund is not for that.”

To the same question, Turner replied, “It may not be raining today, but it has been. … You want to look at what we’re doing to invest. Could this money be used to help with the opioid crisis?” he asked, rhetorically.

To that end, Turner noted that, “just down the street in Black Mountain, the (drug treatment) facility got cut back by $2 million. Right now, when we’re in the worst opioid crisis” in history.

On the same question,  Brown said, “John, we have close to $1.9 billion in our rainy day fund. It keeps us secure by not having to cut programs.

“We can’t promise a permanent COLA (cost of living) raise for retired persons. We need the rainy day fund.”

Brown added, “We definitely need to keep the rainy day funds where they are... As for the opioid crisis, we need to get all players to the table and work it out.”

The second CIBO question asked the candidates to “name two problems in North Carolina and tell how you’d solve them.”

Evans replied, “Well, I think we’re going in the right direction, although there still are things to work on.

“I think it relates to lack of educational opportunities for our youth and the burden of paperwork on businesses... I think our young people have the right to have a future….

Turner answered, “As I mentioned earlier, the issues (for the area are) of (internet) connectivity throughout our state — and the opioid crisis

As for changes, Turner also noted “the issue at A-B Tech, so when (its chief) Dennis King chooses to have someone (enroll) in class, he has to deal with bureaucracy in Raleigh. We need to have better local control over our community colleges.

“The other thing is what’s happening in health care in North Carolina. We need to ensure affordable quality care for everyone in WNC.”

Brown then asserted, “Brian continues to vote the Democratic party line. … This has got to stop. I want to give a voice to the constituents of District 1. Part one is spending time with our constituents. No. 1 is listening. I’ve got a listening-first approach.”

She added, “People are losing faith in their politicians. The next big question I’d like to address is in education. According to the data, 27 percent of our high school grads had to enroll in a remedial course (in basic areas). This is a travesty... Only 49.2 percent of our students are prepared to join the workforce.”

At that point, Cannady, the debate moderator, told Brown, “I want to remind you of the rules. You broke the rules, Mrs. Brown, by mentioning your opponent’s name. So you have to give your opponent” time to respnd.

At that point, an obviously perturbed Turner said, “Anyone who knows me knows I get out and meet with people — and I listen... Anyone who thinks I’m not out in the community is not paying attention.”

He also said he is an independent thinker and does not merely cast a party-line vote as a Democrat in the General Assembly.

To the same question, Ager said, “One of the problems I think we’re facing is access to health care… You don’t really save money in the health-care system by not giving people access to health care.

“Another problem is fair elections…. There’s been way too much (gerrymandering)… We need to conduct” elections that are fair, without drawing district lines that show favoritism to either political party’s candidates. “When your goverment is not trusted, we really have a hard time leading the state.”

Another CIBO question asked the candidates to name two projects that they would favor “to benefit your constituents.”

Turner replied, “Number one is to expand water and sewer in the Leicester area and along Smokey Park Highway. The challenge we have there is Buncombe County is a Tier 3 County, meaning we’re not eligible” for as much funding as others ranked higher.

“One of my successes was expanding broadband to the Sandy Mush community…. Let’s get going so everyoe in Buncombe County can benefit from broadband access,” Turner said.

Brown said, “Currently, unemployment is at the lowest it’s ever been. Even our (Asheville) mayor, Esther Manheimer, said we have more jobs available than anywhere in the state....

“The other thing I’m concerned about is our young people. We have to help our young people.”  Brown especially mentioned the advantages that those from wealther homes enjoy, beginning “way ahead” of their peers. “We need to help disadvantaged kids. We need to have more charter schools to meet the needs of the hundgreds of thousands of people in state who need attention.”

Ager said, “My number one priority is funding the (drug) addiction center in Black Mountain.”

Also, Ager noted, “We need to push along the I-26 connector…. Also, in my district we’ll have a new exit to handle the Ingles trucks coming out.” 

In another apparent slap at the GOP-dominated General Assembly, Ager lamented  that, while North Carolina once was known as the “good roads state,” under the current legislature, it is lagging in keeping up the roads.

Evans said, “I’m all about jobs, jobs and more jobs. I think the rest will take care of itself.”

What’s more, she said, “In the last 18 months, I’ve had the privilege of working as a contractor and an employee... I have a new life here,” after moving from Chicago. “Since the Trump administration has deregulated business, it’s amazing the increases in wages for blue-collar workers in this area.

“It’s an employees’ dream market right now.

“It’s critical to keep on, keeping on — and vote for the Republican side of the slate. Or we will lose gains we’ve made,” Evans said.

Another question noted that “the state gas tax is 37 cents per gallon. How can the state make up for the loss of revenues from non-gas vehicles?”

“I think it’s important that we don’t pit pro-business versus pro-environmentalists,” Brown replied. “I think it’s important we agree on clean air and clean water. We also need to pay for clean roads.”

Ager said, “I’m a great supporter of multi-modal transportation... We have a fairly high gas tax, as it is. I always fill up when I’m in South Carolina. It’s 7 cents per gallon, or so, cheaper there... I’m a supporter of roads.”

Evans answered, “I wouldn’t tax anything. Tax your bicycle? What are you going to tax next? Your dog and your horse?

“I think people in North Carolina are more interested in cultivating hiking paths…. In the next 10 years, if we keep the same administration in place, we’ll have more economic growth. More regulation? No, I wouldn’t vote for it.”

Turner replied, “Texas is No. 1 in the country in terms of paved roads. But North Carolina is No. 2. So we’ve got a lot to take care of.

“I often wonder why I’m paying gas taxes when I’m buying gas for my lawnmower. That (mower) is never going to see the pavement. We are adding a surcharge for electric vehicles…. I do think it will take a combination of factors.”

When opponents were allowed to ask one another questions, Ager asked, “This is the sort of smackdown part… The oceans are warming, record rainfall, disaster with hurricane” — what does Evans think about all of that?

Evans replied, “I don’t think Hurricane Florence had anything to do with global wamring. Check scientific facts. I think all we can do is try to scientifically predict Mother Nature. We should invest our dollars in science and preventative mainenance.

Addressing “Naughty John,” Evans then asked, “Did you really change your clothes in his car” between jogging and legislative sessions.

The question was ruled out of order, but Ager said it is true he sometimes changes clothes in his car — albeit without drawing attention — because he leads such a busy life.

Turner, in addressing Brown, said,  I’ve never taken PAC contributions… and earlier in this discussion I was accused (by Brown) of voting straight-line for my party’s issues….  What is a specific policy that has come out of your party in the past several years that you would have had the courage to vote against?”

Brown replied, “I think we have an amazing story to tell about the amazing accomplsihments of the General Assembly in last several years. My opponent, Mr. Turner, has voted against most of it.

“As for me, I would vote for morality,” Brown said.  “The saving of unborn life. The Republican Party is typically the pro-life party. I’d have to vote down something” that she felt promoted immorality.

Brown then asked Turner,  “Alright Brian... I’ve reviewed your voting record. You’re a nice guy — and you do get around, but when it comes to voting, you vote your party line.”

Turner replied, “That’s one question in five parts. Basically, what’s being referred to here is in the budget. My opponent claims not to be a politician. We’re just playing a ‘gotcha’ game here… At the end of the year, people are not fooled by (this)…. It’s just not true. But I appreciate that you recognized that you misspoke earlier.”