Five of the six local hopefuls vying for three seats in the state House of Representatives shared their views  — and differences — while fielding questions during as hour-long candidates’ forum on Oct. 7 at UNC Asheville’s Sherrill Center.

The one-hour early-morning breakfast forum, hosted by the Asheville-based Council of Independent Btusiness Owners, drew about 50 attendees, including members and guests.

The one absentee was Caleb Rudow, a Democrat, who is battling with Republican Mollie Rose, who was at the forum, for the District 116 House seat. 

CIBO President Buzzy Cannady, who served as forum moderator,  noted that Rudow had a prior out-of-town engagement scheduled and was unable to attend.

Besides Rose, the other forum participants included, for District 114, Eric Ager, a Democrat, vs. Everett Pittillo, a Republican; and for District 115, Pratik Bhakta, a Republican, vs. Lindsey Prather, a Democrat.

Opening the portion of the forum that featured brief introductions from each candidate was Rose, who said, “The reason I’m running is because in the last several years I’ve been increasing concerned about the direction in which our country is going...

“I decided I could help by running” for office. “I changed from ‘unaffiliated’ to Republican because I feel it more clearly represents my beliefs... It’s hard to see the (news) media mis-portray Republicans as ‘uncaring people.’ Actually, it’s the Republicans who are the ‘caring people’...

“I think what we need is common sense in Raleigh right now,” Rose said.

Next, Prather said, “I graduated from here, UNC Asheville... I am a public servant at heart...  I have taught (in local schools). I attended public schools here in North Carolina, when they were the best in the South....

“I (later) returned to school and got my master’s at WCU (Western Carolina University). Then I came back here to my alma mater — UNC Asheville… I’m interested in collaboration between government levels to make life better for everyone.”

In his introduction, Bhatka asserted, “I am a native of India and in 1982, moved to Candler. I wanted to get my degree in engeineering because I was very good at math. I got my degree in electrical engeineering. 

“One year into my master’s (degree education), my family approached me to take over our hotels. I’m proud of that...

“I want to volunteer and serve the community,” Bhakta concluded.

Pittillo inroduced himself by noting that “I’m a local guy I grew up near this fellow here (Eric Ager, his opponent, who was seated next to him) and his family. 

(Ager’s father, John, was seated in the CIBO audience and now serves in the seat for which Pittillo and the younger Ager are vying. John Ager has announced that he will not seek re-election.)

“We are a country divided. Most folks in here are about business. Government wants to go top-down,” which he termed exactly the wrong direction.

Instead, he said, “We need to fix the simple first” — a process with which he is educated and trained in, as “I’m a blue-collar worker who is in heating and A/C (air conditioning)” installation and repairs.

Further, Pittillo then lamented, that “we’d rather argue about social issues,” in a reference to both political parties, rather than focus on solving real problems.,

However, he contended that “it’s not the politicians who are going to fix it (any problem). It’s the people who will fix it — and that’s what I’m all about.”

Finishing up the introductions’ portion of the forum, Ager said, “I grew up in Fairview...  at Hickory Nut Gap Farm (a fourth-generation family farm),” where he now serves as operations manager. (He and his wife Rachel live in the nearby Reynolds community.) 

After graduation, he studied at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., and earned a commission as an ensign in the U.S. Navy. He retired from the Navy at the rank of commander.

“My wife and I raised four kids. I spent most of my (25-year) career in the Navy as a helicopter pilot” and as a foreign area officer (which he defined on his campaign website as an “expert in political-military operations”).

“The reason I’ve come back and decided to run” for political office — “I got worried about our politics — and democracy — back home. There’s a real divisiveness that politicians have decided is the best way to win power… That’s why I’m running. 

“I think there are lots of challenges” that he thinks he can help with as a House member, which he feels is vitally important because he is  “trying to make life better for ‘the people.’”

Next, Cannady, who began firing questions, prepared in advance in consultation of CIBO members (which the candidates fielded), opened with: “What is your opinion of the voter ID law and what is your opinion on the best solution?”

“I’m personally not in favor of the voter ID law,” Prather replied. “We have seen that it confuses people.” 

Conversely, Bhakta said, “I’m totally for voter ID... I feel like it’s more for (election) security At the end of the day, everyone should want it, so they know their vote means something. 

“When people say it’s ‘voter supression,’ I disagree… Everything we do today requires —  pretty much —  an ID. And this (especially) should not be skipped for electing the highest office in our country.”

Pittillo said, “Voter ID?” He then said of its opponents, “I think it’s something that’s put out there to divide us. It’s very simple — I’m for voter ID.”

Ager replied, “I think the first thing we should all agree on is we want everyone to vote. And I think the voter ID law is a challenge because if you don’t look into the specifics,” it could result in a contingent of voters lacking IDs from voting.

 â€œThat’s why I think it was thrown out... I’m not against issuing IDs — issued to those lacking them to enable them to vote —  it’s just important that we all can vote.”

Rose said, “Voter IDs are important to make the election secure.”

Next, Cannady asked, “As more people transition to electric vehicles, how will roads (traditionally financed by the gas tax) be funded?

Bhakta answered, “That’s a great qustion. Right now, we get our funds (for road maintenance and construction) from the gas tax. The only suggestion I have is a ‘mileage tax.’”

After a pause, he added, “I honestly think we need to have an alternative, even hydrogen technology. It’s abundant and clean. I think we need to look at alternatives besides electricity. We need to look at alternatives.”

Pittillo said wryly, “I’m sure the government will figure out another tax. One of my team members has an electric vehicle” — and has a number of issues with it. “We (as a nation) need to work on that hybrid (alternative) to get it to 60 or 70 miles” on a single charge.

Ager replied, “I don’t think anybody has the right answer, at this point. We need to figure out this transition in a way that makes sense. We need to make sure that it’s not overburdonsome. We need to make sure transportation is not too expensive for the average workers.”

Rose said, “All of the goods and services most people use do come from roads. I agree with what Everett (Pittillo) said, which is that we need to look at hybrid technology. The electric grid is not ‘there’ yet.”

Prather said, “We know that electric vehicles is where this state is headed. We need to invest more in batteries — and that’s where we can get more revenue for the state” for road maintenance and construction.

Cannady then asked, “In your opinion, did the state handle the COVID-19 pandemic correctly? In hindsight, what could have been done better?”

Pittillo replied, “It’s (COVID-19) not going away. We’re still feeling the effects of it now. We’re having supply chain issues — and I expect it to continue for two years.”

Ager said, “It (the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic) certainly wasn’t perfect... I feel the state (leadership) did pretty well for North Carolina... I come from a military background. We always think of contingencies. We (the state) need to build processes to help us solve these problems now, before they come into effect.”

Rose replied, “I think some things were good about the response — and some things not so good. I think we needed more debate about the measures to control the virus — and that that debate was not allowed.”

Prather asserted, “I think we (the state leadership) did the best we could with the information we had at the time. I think one thing COVID showed was how much of an impact schools have on our economy. I do think we should have brought back the students to the classrooms earlier.”

Again in stark contrast to Prather’s view, Bahkta said, “I don’t think it (COVID-19) was handled very well... Small businesses went to great lengths to make sure that they were following safety protocols... I don’t think the government (especially the local government) should be allowed to decide which businesses are shut down” and which are allowed to remain open in a pandemic. “That should be left up to local businesses.”

At that point, Cannady, the moderator, asked the candidates, “What is your opinion of the defund the police movement?”

Ager replied, “I don’t support defunding the police. I don’t think there’s any serious argument about that. I think we’re trying to work more closely with law enforcement. “ 

However, Ager also noted that law enforcement officers are not perfect, so “there are things” the police — and elected officials — “could do better”....

Regarding the need to be supportive of law enforcement, Ager emphasized, “That’s especially important in the City of Asheville because we have challenges on the crime front” there.

Rose replied that, unfortunately, “Defund the police is even bigger than defend the police.”

Without naming Buncombe County District Attorney Todd Williams, Rose said, “We have some DAs that pick and choose which crimes to prosecute. When I talk to officers, they say they’re demoralized” because so many of those they arrest are set free for no apparent good reason.

Pittillo answered, “I don’t agree with ‘defund the police.’ I agree with Eric (Ager) that it’s not a serious Democratic position. I think we need more police — as we need more teachers.”

Regarding the question on defund the police, Bhakta said, “Absolutely not! 

“I favor law enforcement. They keep a country safe. I come from a country (India) where the government and law enforcement are very corrupt. It’s a necessity that we (in the U.S.) have law enforcement, so that we have a better community to keep our community safe.”

Pittillo added, “They (a reference to some some far-left Democrats) want to blame the police, when the issue is actually the government. So fix the problem ... and hold others accountable.”

Cannady asked, “Recently, some states have been the recipient of bused-in migrants? Do you feel North Carolina should share the burden?”

Rose replied, “Nothing is being done to correct the problem” regarding illegal immigrants entering the U.S. from its Southern border. 

Prather said, “There’s been many decades where ‘the can has been kicked down the road’ I support (illegal) immigration because I like to eat food and, if you like to eat foo, you should support migration…. I do think when you look at the numbers of people overstaying visas, we need to look at the issues” some more.

Bhakta said, “There’s a bigger issue. North Carolina doesn’t have the ability to sustain 3 million immigrants coming across the border. 

“The message we’re sending to illegal immigrants is: ‘Come on! We welcome you!’ The first step for an immigrant shouldn’t be an illegal one. There needs to be a better resolution,” Bhakta noted.

Pittillo said, “I think it’s kind of funny about busing immigrants to other parts of the country. Texas and Florida are being overrun and don’t have the infrastructure. I very much believe in immigrants. In (the) ‘heating and air’ (business), it’s at least 70 percent (of the workforce) in the Asheville area.”

Ager asserted, “I think we all agree that legal immigration is a good thing. The busing situation is a political stunt. I think Asheville does a great job helping refugees. I think those are the kinds of things that we do very well in North Carolina. I think we need to take care of the people who come here legally.”

Next, Cannady asked, “Do you favor local seniors getting a break on local property taxes?”

Prather replied, “Across the board? No! I think it should be income-based and not age-based. We have a lot of wealthy senior citizens retiring to Buncome County,” so they do not need tax breaks.

In a rare agreement with his rival Prather, Bhakta said, “I don’t think it’s a good idea.”

Pittillo said, “I think the problem now is the property market here in Buncombe County is so over-inflated, so I don’t think this is the way to go. The easiest way for Buncombe County to generate income is to increase property taxes. That’s not right.

Ager said, “It’s a pretty blunt instrument. I think property taxes need to be fair.”

Cannady then asked the candidates to share their views on tax breaks on college loans.

Bhakta said, “I’m not in favor of tax breaks. I’m in favor of keeping the law as it is....”

Pittillo said, “Speaking as someone who still has student loans — years ago, instead of paying them off, I decided to invest in property. I think it’s gotten to the point where people can’t afford college,” so something needs to be done to resolve the problem.

Ager answered, “ I really don’t think North Carolina should tax that money. This is loan forgiveness. As my rival Everett (Pittillo) said here, it affects a lot of low-income families.”

Rose replied, “I think we need to look at it more. Make sure the student loans that are being given are sound and that that student will be using it (the education paid for by the loan) to advance their careers.”

Prather said, “No, we should not tax the forgiveness. We can make an exception for students.”

Next, Cannady asked, “What’s the most needed infrastructure issue in Buncombe County — and what can we work to fix it?”

Pittillo answered, “You can’t throw affordable apartments up, when the infrastructure is not there. We are not prepared for it… Look at fixing the simple first — and I think it starts with the roads.”

Concurring once again with his rival, Ager said, “I agree with you, Everett. We need to start with the roads. I think we need to come together as legislators. While I feel DOT (state Deparment of Transportation) folks do a good job, I think we get a little bit of the short-shrift because of the central area (the Triangle area) of the state getting the big projects.”

Rose said, “I agree with roads” being the Western North Carolina region’s top infrastructure priority.

Sharply disagreeing, Prather asserted, “Um, broadband internet” should be the top infrastructure priority, in her view. “There are places in Buncombe County where people can’t apply for jobs or can’t work from home. They aren’t able to participate in online schooling. The potential for telehealth” is lost on them, Prather said.

Bhakta asserted, “My ‘No. 1 thing’ would be housing, so rents get lower. We’re going to have increased population a-nd people are going to need places to stay.”

For the eighth and final question, Cannady queried, “What can you do in Raleigh to solve the significant homeless problem here?”

Ager answered, “I think we all deal with it — not just Raleigh or Buncombe County. I think housing is an important part of the solution. I think it’s bringing government to a plan and working hard to implement it.”

Rose said, “We need to build up systems of support for the homeless and any way… and any help needs to be tied” to avoid enabling.

Prather replied, “I agree we need to work with programs from a state level.”

Bhakta said, “In Raleigh, we absolutely can provide more funding for the homeless, but we need to provide help for those who want to be helped. Frankly, we don’t need to ‘enable’ people.”

Pittillo noted, “You know, homelessness is only an effect of addiction and mental health. I recently heard from the (Asheville) police department to see how many (of the local homeless) they’re getting from out of state… I’d like to see more money going to mental health.”

The CIBO forum ended with each sharing “final thoughts,” as follows;

• Rose — “My background is counseling. I was a shcool counselor and worked with mental health clients. So I’m very familiar with the issues that the homeless citizens of Buncome County face. I’d like to bring back to compromise and common sense to Raleigh.”

• Prather — “I probably said some things here that you didn’t agree with,” but “I’ve got an MBA, I worked in government. I know these issues through and through”

 â€¢ Bhakta — “I want to bring my experience as a business-owner, family man. I’ve lived here for 38 years. I went to Enka High School. I love the way the community has accepted me. I want to bring my business experience to Raleigh.”

• Pittillo — “If you want a ‘politician,’ don’t vote for me. I’m just the ordinary man.”

 â€¢ Ager — “Mostly, I want to listen. I think that’s one of the great things about groups. The experience I do have is the ability to bring people together and move forward.”