Campaign Issues
Delay and Procrastination are costing the taxpayers millions of Dollars
Although the County has produced a Comprehensive Plan and a 10 Year Housing Strategy there appears to be little effort to incorporate these into a strategic plan to provide a road map for the future. The behavior of the past has been to kick important issues down the road until they become critical. The current Comprehensive Plan was to carry the county through 2025. There was a considerable amount of time, effort and money spent on a plan to extend to 2050. That plan is incomplete and there is no sign that there is an effort to complete it. The following issues are either a result of or made worse by this pattern.
The People of Transylvania County demanded after 6 years of delay that the Bonds for the rehabilitation of all of the County’s schools be issued so that work can begin. Over those 6 years inflation reduced the purchasing power of those bonds by more than $15 million of your property tax dollars. When the bonds were finally issued the first projects were 2 playgrounds and a wrestling gym while roofs leaked, mold grew and buildings went with out heat or air conditioning or were deemed uninhabitable by engineers.
The County was notified of the need for a new court house by the head judge for the district in 2006, 20 years ago. The issue has been brought before the Commission numerous time in the intervening years only to be delayed for additional studies and reviews. A new courthouse could have been built and paid for many time over in that time frame. How much more is it going to cost today than it would have 15 years ago?
Blue Ridge Community College has outgrown their current facilities and is contemplating moving out of the County. This would remove vocational training, and degree programs from the county along with programs allowing high school students to gain college credit while still in high school. BRCC has been asking the Commission to tackle this problem for years. More delays
Is this the leadership you want from your county leaders?
AFFORDABLE WORKFORCE HOUSING
The Transylvania County 10 Year Housing Study which was published over one year ago states the following: Transylvania County is experiencing a growing imbalance between housing needs and housing availability. The County has a unique opportunity to shape a more sustainable and inclusive housing future. By acting now and together, local leaders, community partners, and residents can ensure that Transylvania County remains a vibrant, resilient community where people of all ages, incomes, and backgrounds can find a place to call home while preserving the unique character of the community.
Key words here are “By acting now and together, local leaders, community partners” are not words the Commission has historically displayed in their behavior. One Commissioners comment “it’s not our job”. Acting NOW and working TOGETHER, are things I will promise to to do everything in my power to accomplish
INFRASTRUCTURE(WATER/SEWER, ROADS, SOLID WASTE)
To facilitate development of affordable housing and attract the types of businesses that pay at least a decent living wage developers and businesses need to see land that is ready for development now not in 5 or 10 years from now. That requires and investment in roads, water and sewer service to the locations that are suitable for that kind of development now. Although the county does not own or operate water or sewer treatment plants a comprehensive water and sewer plan developed in cooperation with the City of Brevard and Town Rosman are a prerequisite. But this requires cooperation, not a characteristic of the current commission.
Our landfill is fast approaching its limits. Yes we are developing another cell but when completed it will have an expected capacity for the next five years. Where is the plan for 6 years from now. It typically takes 5 to 7 years of planning to develop the next phase. We are already behind schedule and as we have seen trying to do large scale projects under emergency conditions is always more expensive.
TRANSPARENCY
It is the responsibility of the Commission to make sure that the voters are informed of everything that is happening within the County Government. When citizens come before the commission with questions or comments they need to be treated with respect. Actions taken by the Commission MUST be done clearly, honestly and openly. Reasons why action is taken must be easily understood
OTHER ISSUES:
SUPPORT FOR ECONOMIC DRIVERS THAT WE HAVE Tourism, our precious environment and things like the Ecusta Trail need to be supported and promoted by the County not fought and resisted.
COOPERATION WITH ROSMAN, PISGAH FOREST, COMMUNITIES LIKE TOXAWAY, CEDAR MOUNTAIN, BALSAM GROVE All are a part of this wonderful County and have an equal interest in seeing that we maintain what makes it so special. It is not a competition or battle for dominance.
PROTECTION OF OUR PRECIOUS ENVIRONMENT The environment is after all what Transylvania County is all about. If we lose or neglect that we lose our precious heritage.
