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Tuesday, 05 February 2008 17:40 |
From Staff Reports
Four new candidates announced their bids for seats on the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners last week, including an Asheville City Council member and a former president of Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College.
Councilwoman Holly Jones, former A-B Tech President K. Ray Bailey and business owner Keith Thomson all announced on Jan. 29 that they would be running for the four seats that are up for election in November.
A fourth candidate, retired utility-company executive Vernon Dover, also announced his run in the Democratic primary last week.
Jones said that the switch from city to county government might be a
better fit for her. Jones specifically cited her interest in health and
human services as a reason for the election bid.
She has served as executive director for the YWCA since 1996 and has served on council since 2001.
Bailey said he would focus on economic development. He retired as
president of the school in August after serving in the post since 1990.
Thomas, a longtime community volunteer, said education is a major concern for his campaign.
Dover, a native of Buncombe County, said he is joining the race because
of his love of the mountains and his desire to give back to the
community.
He worked for Progress Energy for 40 years before retiring. During his
last eight years with the utility, Dover worked as a
commercial-industrial account manager.
County Commission elections are held by political party, with the board
chairman elected separately. The primary will be held May 6 and the
general election will take place on Nov. 4.
Gantt announces run for commissioners’ chairman
Buncombe County Commissioner David Gantt announced last Monday that he will run for the board chairman’s seat.
Gantt, a Democrat, is winding up his third four-year term on the board.
Chairman Nathan Ramsey, a Republican, has not said whether he will run
for re-election. The chairman’s position is elected separately from the
rest of the board.
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