From Staff Reports 

WOODFIN — The projected spending of $40 million in local taxpayers’ money for a countywide system of greenways was lambasted as the hidden agenda of elite special interests who run the county for their own gain, Don Guge, the GOP candidate for the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners District 1 seat, charged during a candidates’ forum on Sept. 20

Guge was among three speakers — all Republicans — addressing the nonpartisan Citizens for Change’s “Meeting the Candidates Event” at the Woodfin Community Center. Twelve people attended.

Besides Guge, the candidates included J.B. Howard, seeking the county commissioners’ chairmanship; and Pat Cothran, running for county register of deeds

Guge, who is facing opposition from Democrats Brownie Newman and Holly Jones for the newly formed District 1 seat, touted his experience as a detective with the Woodfin Police Department and 22 years’ experience in law enforcement. He also is a veteran of the Gulf War.

In addition to his lifelong police career, Guge runs a gun business as a sideline. He holds a bachelor’s in marketing degree from Clemson University and a masters in public affairs from Western Carolina University.

“In my race, there is no middle of the road.,” he said. “My two opponents are self-proclaimed progressives — and I’m a self-proclaimed conservative.”

Further, Guge charged, “Basically, the county is being run by the special interests — and that needs to stop.” He said the tradition of favoring special interests has gone on for years.

He also said he backs rewarding emergency-services workers, such as those in police, fire and rescue, with salary increases, instead of big spending for sidewalks and greenways.

“I’m not against greenways,” Guge emphasized. But, he asserted, “Our county is being run by special-interest groups ... We don’t have representation from the conservative side of the fence... The reality is we need to represent everybody.”

Guge characterized his opponents as “a community organizer” and someone “who runs a soda company.” He added, “I’d bet money on it it that neither of them owns a bullet-proof vest,” while Guge noted that he owns several bullet-proof vests.

When questioned about the greenways, Guge noted that it raises questions, such as who is going to patrol the public trails.

During a discussion of greenways at a recent commissioners’ meeting, he lamented that, “when the speaker began talking about possible murders and rapes, the supporters of the greenways started laughing” and not taking the concerns seriously.

“If y’all knew half of what I know, y’all’d move to the backwoods and form a commune” far away from “civilization,” Guge said, alluding to what he characterized as numerous unreported crimes in the county.

If the aforementioned is true, why does Guge hang around instead of leaving for a better situation? a Daily Planet reporter asked.

“It’s in my blood — it’s the right thing to do,” Guge replied, in reference to his staying and running for office. 

“There are wolves in our society and there are shepherds in our society. I would argue that I’ve been a shepherd all my life. My family is like that, too. That’s what we do. You don’t do it for money ... You go out and fight the demons because that’s what you’re supposed to do.”

Further, he reiterated, “My point is money is being spent in the wrong places. We need to fix the way” it is being spent.

Peggy Bennnet, founder of Citizens for Change, said she had heard that instead of the $40 million in spending for the greenways, it will be more like $70 million to $100 million and necessitate a jump in property taxes.

Guge agreed with Bennett’s assessment and added that “just because an outfit says they’re nonprofit, they need to be under contract with the county so that we can see their books.”

Nodding in agreement, Bennett said, “We really need that. If you receive taxpayer money, you need to open your books.”

A woman asked a question “about the greenway thing ... if someone gets hurt, is my homeowners’ insurance going to cover that, or is the county” accepting the liability?

“That question came up at the (commissioners) meeting,” Guge said. “It was dodged. The big question that came up was imminent domain,” which is where the government compels someone to sell his land.

Moreover, Guge noted, “I agree with you — where’s the liability? Let’s go back to basics. The gun issue, which is what I’m known for — are they going to allow concealed carry” on the greenways? “Also, can I ride my horse on the greenways?

“They’re not thinking out all of the issues that come with this,” Guge charged.

“If they want to do it (build greenways), my issue is funding.” Specifically, he said the county’s greenways, if built, should be financed by private donors, rather than spending the public’s tax money.

In concluding, Guge said, “It’s an uphill battle” for conservatives in the county. “It’s an area dominated by other people who don’t share the same beliefs. But I’ve heard from a lot of Democrats who aren’t happy — and said they’d ‘Vote for Guge.’ My understanding is that (outgoing Democratic commissioner) Bill Stanley has openly made that comment — and I’ve verified it.”

Challenging incumbent David Gantt, Howard reviewed his military background, which was followed by a career with the state Highway Patrol. He also ran a  private investigation security business, which he has sold.

“The county commission has been leaderless for several years,” Howard said. “That’s the job of the chairman  ... The chairman knows nothing more than the other commissioners. But I learned years ago, just to pick the right people to do the job” and things run smoothly.

As for the greenways, he noted, “Our present commissioners are playing the shell game” with the plan. “One thing that motivates that crowd over there is money ... I guarantee you some of them are checking out” the possible future routes for the greenway, so that they can buy land to resell at a big profit.

“That’s what it’s all about” to the elite who run the county, Howard said. “They could care less about you and I. It’s all about money.”

He added, “If I got in there, one thing I’d try to do is get to a zero budget in 10 years ... If I get elected, I might not be around in 10 years, but, hopefully we can get it going in the right direction” and others can carry it on from there. “If you elect a new board with a majority of conservatives, we’ll get it straight.”

Speaking last, Cothran began by asking, “How many of you lie awake at night, worrying about the register of deeds office? I do.”

She noted that the founders of the United States spelled out “the value of real property rights” in the Constitution and the register of deeds plays a big role in that process.

Cothran said the register of deeds protects, records and retrieves one’s land transactions.

“We have some good technology in the (Buncombe) register of deeds office, but my concern is some serious issues with the search engine used in that office.”

Specifically, she said, “Inaccuracy causes a loss of time and property rights” for those involved. Later, Cothran termed the office’s error rate as the worst she seen during her career.

Cothran then noted that she is a Buncombe native, who was born and raised in Leicester and graduated from college with a degree in real estate. “I’m a historian and genealogist ... I’m a country girl and I can drive a tractor and shoot a gun.” She also hold a master’s degree in entrepreneurship and has run her title insurance business for years.

“The last time a new register of deeds was elected in this county was in 1918, she said.
Since then, from deaths and retirements while in office, the majority party (the Democrats) have named successors, all of whom won re-election as incumbents. 

In reference to her Democratic opponent, Drew Reisinger, Cothran said, “Less than one-tenth of one percent appointed the incumbent — a Florida native with a degree in anthropology who has only run things for a few years as register of deeds.”

Cothran added, “I’m very concerned about (having) an unqualified person serving as register of deeds ... There are mistakes being made in that office. I’m not blaming anyone in that office, but mistakes cause problems for the citizens of the county.”