From Staff Reports

The first debate featuring the candidates for the chairmanship and regular seats on the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners focused especially on issues of traffic, schools and spending.

The candidates’ debate — part of a series being hosted by the Council of Independent Business Owners — was held during a CIBO luncheon meeting Aug. 25 at Eliada Homes in West Asheville. About 100 people attended. Serving as the moderator was Rod Hudgins, CIBO’s vice president.

Nine candidates are running for five seats on the seven-member Board of Commissioners. All of the candidates were in attendance.

Stark differences were revealed during exchanges between chairman candidates Chuck Archerd, a Republican; and District 1 Commissioner Brownie Newman, a Democrat.

Also, polar opposite views were revealed between District 3 commissioner candidates David King, a Democrat, and Robert Pressley, a Republican. 

Touting his skills in budgeting and financial matters, Archerd, a certified public accountant, spoke in favor of reining in Buncombe’s spending.

In constrast, Newman said the county should consider taking advantage of low-interest financing to provide improvements in infrastructure.

Besides asking the candidates a series of  pre-submitted questions from the crowd, CIBO gave the candidates an opportunity to ask one question of their opponents. 

To that end, Archerd asked Newman what he thought of the city’s $74 million bond referendum that voters will consider in November.

“I think the city’s to be commended for bringing this bond referendum forward,” Newman said.  “I think this should be something that we take a look at.”

Newman then countered by asking Archerd if he would have supported a recent proposal that favored a property tax cut over raises for teachers. 

In response, Archerd said he would not have rushedto take action, but rather would have taken time to carefully consider the aforementioned issue, which involved a $5 million windfall. He lambasted the commission’s quick decision on allocating the $5 million that was part of the $413 million budget passed in June.

Meanwhile, the two District 3 commissioner candidates, King and Pressley, presented views that were nearly diametrically opposed.

Referring to the history of his family, Pressley mentioned “keep(ing) Buncombe County the way it was 50 years ago,” and when King asked him what he wanted to accomplish, he responded in a similar way.

“I’d like to be able to know that my kids got to (live) the same way I did in Buncombe County,” Pressley said. “The future of Buncombe County is going to be as great as it was before, working together with everyone.”

Then, Pressley turned to King, a former Republican who is running on the Democratic ticket, and asked, “What would you like to finish up that you didn’t do your first time there ... now that you are (in) a different party?” 

Appearing unruffled, King launched into making much of Pressley’s reference to the past.

“I would continue to try to take Buncombe County forward into the future as a successful great place to live,” he said. “I sat on the economic development coalition board. I was very aggressive with trying to do recruitment. That was a high priority for me. I would continue to support education, which I supported.”

When Hudgins, the moderator, asked how they would address infrastructure needs, clear differences once again emerged between the candidates.

For instance, Archerd said that, in his estimation, pedestrian improvements and public transportation will not resolve traffic issues.

“In the mountains, that’s not really realistic,” he said. “Let’s build for the future.”

Ed Hay, who is running against current commissioner Joe Belcher in District 3, was the only candidate to voice support for public transportation.

“I’d like to make a pitch for expanding the bus lines,” Hay said. “It’s not a No. 1 priority, but it’s something that I think the county can partner with the city on.”

Other candidates said they would push for progress on the overhaul of I-26, which the North Carolina Department of Transportation is spearheading.

The candidates agreed on the issues dominating the election, including the need to ease traffic congestion and to be supportive of education.

While they agreed the affordable housing shortage is a problem, Hay and Pressley suggested government solutions, while Archerd, Newman, King and Belcher favored streamlining the development process.

Jasmine Beach-Ferrara, a Democratic incumbent running for the District 1 seat, was asked to speak first because she is the only uncontested candidate for a seat on the board, as no Republican challenger emerged.

Regarding her future emphasis on the board, “From my faith tradition, service is a major driver,” along with “recognition that everyone is a child of God and deserves help — especially kids.”

Beach-Ferrara noted that she is a minister of the United Church of Christ. (She also is foudning executive director of The Campaign of Southern Equality, based in Asheville.) She and her  wife, Meghann Burke, live in the East End neighborhood of Asheville with their one-year-old, Calvin. 

“We look forward to a lively campaign season here in Buncombe County,” Beach-Ferrara said.

Next, the chairman candidates, Democrat commissiner Brownie Newman and Republican newcomer Chuck Archerd, gave opening statements.

Archerd began by saying, “Being a politician is not my profession... I’m a taxpayer just like each of you. I’m running because I think we need someone on the commission” with a CPA’s perspective.

He noted that the county budget has increased — in four year — from $220 million to $457 million… And now it’s gone up to $517 million. That’s amazing.”

In turn, Newman said, “I’m currently serving on my second term on the county commission. I’m running for chairman of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners.

He noted that he lives in the Montford community “with my wife and family... Last year, I started my own solar development business... As an elected commissioner, it’s my job to listen to all people of Buncombe County. 

“If I’m fortunate enough to be elected to chair of Buncombe County, I look forward to working for all of you.”

Among the questions asked by Hudgins was the opener, “As chairman,what specific plans do you have to bring biz to this county?”

“I know the needs of business and I can talk to them,” Archerd said. “I can speak ‘business’” with industrial prospects. “A lot of people — when you start talking numbers — their eyes roll back. But business leaders want to do that. I can ‘talk turkey’ to them.”

To the same question, Newman said, “In terms of economic development and attracting business to our community, I think we’ve had a lot of success,” bringing in New Belgium, GE” and others. “I also think it’s important to build a strong local economy — we need a strong local government. When I was first elected, neither the county nor the city had AAA bond ratings. Both do now.”

In the District 3 commissioners race, Republican incumbent Joe Belcher said, “On spending ... I try to make sure things come under budget... We’re opening three schools soon — the first time in the history of Buncombe County.” If re-elected, Belcher said he would continue to support projects that improve Buncombe, but within careful spending strictures.

Belcher’s Democratic opponent, Hay, noted,  “I’m a lawyer. I’ve been in Asheville since 1976. I’ve been engaged in a number of activities ... including six years on Asheville City Council. 

“One thing I care a lot about is the direction our county is taking. David King and I have been covering the district with neighborhood meetings. 

“What we hear from people is they’re worried about the schools. We need to address job creation. People also are concerned about growth and what’s going on in our community. So those are the issues —  and that’s why I’m running for the county commission,” Hay said.