Candidate Questionnaire: David Gantt, Chair of the Buncombe County Commission

Commissioner David Gantt is seeking our endorsement for chairman of the Buncombe County Commission. Below are his responses to our candidate questionnaire, with our questions in bold.

1. In what areas do you think Buncombe could be leading the rest of the country?

Buncombe County is already leading the rest of the country with Project Access, providing health care and health services to all residents of Buncombe County. We have created regulations concerning placement of cell phone towers that has become the model for the rest of the state. I made numerous successful amendments to the cell tower ordinance to toughen it up. We are the first mountain county to adopt a storm water ordinance. In education, the AB Tech Business Incubator is providing the groundwork for innovation and job creation. We need to continue our forward momentum through our Voluntary Land Conservancy Plan, water agreements that see into the future and have a regional approach, and the continuing development of wise growth policies. We SHOULD be leading the country in green job development and preservation of our mountain beauty, but we are behind in both of these areas.

2. What is your number one priority with regard to development and land use?

Continued work on protecting our steep slopes and ridge tops. I have worked hard my three (3) terms on the County Commission to enact laws that protect and preserve our mountains and open spaces. We have been moderately successful in passing the first storm water, erosion, and zoning laws in our history. We have also been able to enact a Blue Ridge Parkway overlay that protects over-development near that national treasure. I will continue to work on policies that benefit the residents of Buncombe County and not the developers who wish to construct thoughtlessly.

3. Growth projections for Buncombe are continually revised upward. Have previous approaches to development become obsolete? Would you support a temporary moratorium on development while the county works with municipal governments to prepare for these new projections?

Growth is indeed coming to Buncombe County. Many of these folks are coming here to retire but many more are coming to seek a quality of life offered in our mountains. We cannot and should not stop growth. The coming growth is going to strain our infrastructure and re-define how we think about our neighborhoods and our neighbors. In order to maintain a healthy economy and a healthy environment, we have to get in front of the wave and work on wise growth plans NOW. Dialogue is never outdated. Continued conversations throughout the county are important and necessary to wise growth. I support mandatory classes for developers on building in mountain topography, green building and wise building with voluntary compliance based on gained knowledge. I have also proposed a study of impact fees on developers to help finance some of the additional government costs new construction creates for taxpayers.

4. How can the county practice environmental stewardship and promote broad-based economic growth at the same time?

See my answer above. I don’t think environmentally sound practices and economic growth are inconsistent. I believe that the jobs created by “green” industry will eventually rival the number of traditional construction jobs. We have to work with our High Schools, UNCA, Warren Wilson College, and AB Tech to foster the green jobs and move out economy. We have to look at expanding affordable, green housing through partners like Mountain Housing Opportunities.

5. Many of our members want their local governments to lead the way in promoting energy independence and combatting global warming. In what ways should the county work towards these goals?

Energy independence is a goal we must work towards. Several County programs are in place through the landfill working with the methane gas, recycling, energy efficient cars in government fleet. More needs to be done on to promote individual responsibility toward energy usage and conservation and government incentives for alternate forms of energy such as wind and solar energies.

6. Do you see a role for the county in promoting energy efficiency in transportation and residential and business use?

Buncombe County should lead the way on energy efficiency. Many of our short term efforts will be basic, like replacing seventy (70) year old windows in the Buncombe County Courthouse. This is a small step towards a larger problem. We need to look at requiring LEED certification, green roofs, green building and incentives for companies and businesses who recycle go green. I would like to recognize and award best green practices in business and private homes.

7. The county government plays a central role in providing social services. Where has it been most successful? Where does it most need improvement?

Buncombe County has been enormously successful in providing healthcare to all residents. The welfare roles in Buncombe County have declined from a high of almost 7000 individuals to just 700 due to aggressive work and retraining programs and educational offerings. The County partners with Mountain Housing Opportunities, ABCCM, United Way, Eblen Charities to work on programs of workforce housing, fuel oil distribution, and daycare. We have to do better in creating a good supply of housing that working folks can afford.

8. Do you think that the current commission has carried out its work in a manner that is sufficiently transparent? If not, how would you change things?

I voted initially set up televising Commissioner meetings. I also led the fight to create Public Access Television before federal laws closed the window to this programming. Initially, I voted to suspend televising public comment since this time was filled with political campaigning and personal agendas that had little to do with the purpose of public comment- to hear public concerns and questions. With changes to the rules of presentation, I fully support televised commission meetings. The minutes of all meetings are posted on line and video is available through URTV.

9. Has the current commission made decisions that you strongly disagree with? If so, what will you do to remedy those decisions if you are elected?

I most strongly disagreed with the referendum on zoning. We do not have a referendum based government and I will not support motions that call for referendums. North Carolina government, including county, do not adopt the government by referendum guidelines that influence many states such as California. The buck stops with the elected officials. We are elected to make hard decisions and can be voted out if those decisions go against the will of the people. I will not bring up motions for vote without significant public comment.

10. Do you have a plan for how you will win this election? If so, could you briefly describe the elements of your plan?

I plan to make contact with as many voters as possible via speeches, internet, phone and letters. I am not optimistic that I can match my opponent’s $120,000 television budget, but I will do the best I can with the available resources. I will also loan my campaign $10,000 to $15,000.

11. Would you call yourself a political progressive? Why or why not?

Progressive. When I consider new laws, I always put the working men and women I represent in my law practice before other considerations. I believe we have a moral obligation to improve both economic and environmental conditions for our children and grandchildren who will follow us. We are stewards of these beautiful mountains. Once they are developed, we cannot “undevelop” them. I will continue to work hard to make sure developers and construction interests respect our natural resources.