Commissioner candidates discuss their views on county's expansion, biggest issues
MARSHALL - Seven candidates will vie for three positions on the Madison County Board of Commissioners in the May 17 primary.
The News-Record & Sentinel interviewed the candidates to get their thoughts on the county's expansion, as well as their views of the most pressing issues facing the county in the next 4-5 years.
Below are their emailed responses, listed in the order in which the answers were received:
Mark Snelson and David Peeler did not respond in time to be included in this article.
Norris Gentry
Age: 77
Education: Graduate of Marshall Hill, bachelor's degree from Mars Hill College, Masters of History, WCU, Eds Education Administration, WCU
Profession: Retired Madison County Public Schools, Teacher, Counselor, Vocational Education Director, Principal, and Founding Principal of the Madison County Early College High School
Community involvement: Member of the Walnut Presbyterian Church, Rotary Club, Madison and Asheville Chamber of Commerce. Treasurer of the Land of the Sky Regional Council. Incoming Vice Chairman 2022-2023. Numerous other organizations.
Family:
1. In general, what do you feel are a few of the most pressing issues the board of commissioners should focus on in the next 4-5 years? Specifically, what are your thoughts on the growing residential and business development in Madison County? Madison County continues substantial growth and Economic Development that will increase over the years to come. How do we as a Community "best manage". This will continue to require a lot of time and energy as we work through these issues, together as ONE Community! Elected Officials MUST always be available for members of the Community . I have been committed to being respectful and responsive to everyone on any issue.
2. What would be your top priorities/goals for the county should you be elected? Maintain a financially solid County Government. It is a harsh reality that we have entered into VERY UNCERTAIN TIMES! Government is not immune from Record Inflation, and other factors that require difficult decisions and strong management. We are blessed with outstanding County Government Employees who are dedicated and hard working.
Continue the recently expanded efforts around Economic Development and Improving the Services available across Madison County. Working together we can build a stronger Future and preserve and enhance the Excellent Quality of Life we share in Madison County.
Craig Goforth
Ph.D. in Business Administration / specialization in criminal justice . I have worked at Mars Hill University since 1990, as Dean of Students/ Chief of Campus Police / Chair of the Criminal Justice Department.
Profession: Law enforcement officer (current) for over 28 years, holding the advanced certificate; served as a military police officer in the U. S. Army.
Community involvement: school board (18 years) . President My Sister’s Place, Domestic Violence and Rape Crisis .
Family: I have been married for 40 years ( Mary Alice) and have three boys. Devon is a Physicist at Johns Hopkins, Daniel is a School teacher / coach Madison Middle, Aaron is a Lawyer in Raleigh. I have three grand kids that call me Paw-Paw ,my favorite title.
1. In general, what do you feel are a few of the most pressing issues the board of commissioners should focus on in the next 4-5 years? Specifically, what are your thoughts on the growing residential and business development in Madison County? Number one is controlling the growth coming at us (Buncombe, Weaverville). The land use ordinance that is being done now will be our controlling document. We can grow residential areas / business but it MUST be incremental so that services can keep up with the progress, Police/Fire/ Ems/Schools.
Bring in green and clean industry.
2. What would be your top priorities/goals for the county should you be elected?
Support all Madison County people. Our senior citizens , veterans and children.
Communication systems for ( Ambulance/Fire/ Police/Sheriff), to talk with each other. We have a plan in place.
Parks/ recreation funded for our youth; build baseball field in Marshall .
Animal shelter: remain NO kill and more spay/ neutering.
Trash card. We exempt our senior citizens through a waiver but need to for churches/non-profits.
Alan Wyatt
1994 Graduate of Madison High, 1999 Graduate of Mars Hill University
Profession: Sales Rep for L&W Supply
Community involvement: I have been a member of Upper Laurel Baptist Church all of my life and been a part of numerous mission projects in the county and other areas. I have also served my community for 20 years as a member of the Ebbs Chapel Fire Department. I serve as the president of the Madison County Firefighters Association for 4 years. I also volunteered for 20 years with the Madison County Board of Elections. I have served proudly on the Madison County Planning and Zoning board for over 15 years. And in the past 4 years I have worked with Wolf Ridge Ski Patrol as a Pro Patrol member.
Family: Son of Terry and Louise Wyatt, grandson of Clyde & June Wyatt and Clarence & Alda Cody. I am a husband to Kim Wyatt and Father to two wonderful children. (Avery & Brooklyn)
1. In general, what do you feel are a few of the most pressing issues the board of commissioners should focus on in the next 4-5 years? Specifically, what are your thoughts on the growing residential and business development in Madison County? I believe the most pressing area right now for Madison County is to see that we have adequate infrastructure (i.e.. water, sewer, roads) developed and upgraded to assist with the growth we experience. I believe we need to continue to support the installation of high-speed internet throughout the County. I was born and raised here in Madison County. I have been blessed with the privilege to continue living here throughout my life. With respect to growth, growth in and of itself is not a bad thing. If the County is not growing, then it is dying. Madison County has always had a strong sense of community and values. Our growth over the last twenty years has seen changes, especially to our farms and farming. It is hard to see all the old family farms being sold and with that what seems to be our old way of life going away. Whether by choice or out of necessity the farms are being sold off and, in some cases, redeveloped. According to census data the County has increased in population by approximately 800 residents since 2010. I believe that over 50% of our workforce commutes outside of the County for work. Madison County’s biggest employers are the county government, school systems, and our manufacturing industry. We also see the construction and development industry employ a lot of jobs and a tax base for the residents of this county. There is a fine line that we must walk in order to grow but not overwhelm our system and services. I have always been a property rights proponent, believing that a person can do with their piece of property what they would want to do with that said piece of property as long as it is within the guidelines first of all of the North Carolina laws and then our laws of Madison County. No person or government should tell someone that they cannot do something with their own piece of property as long as they meet the laws of the land. I feel that our biggest challenge is going to be managing growth in a way which allows for it but also has safeguards to ensure it's done correctly and in accordance with laws and rules set forth. The world knows about us (Madison County) now and with the great job that French Broad Electric has done with Broadband Internet the world is coming to Madison County.
2. What would be your top priorities/goals for the county should you be elected?
My goals and priorities would be:
1. Holding on to our conservative Christian values and to continue preserving Madison County’s culture and heritage.
2. To see that Madison County has an increased economic development base of jobs and industry which will give us a stronger tax base. I believe the government is not responsible for creating jobs, but responsible to create favorable conditions upon which the private sector can create jobs. We must do that to be successful.
3. Work to prepare the county's infrastructure for the future.
4. I would like to look into what opportunities are out there to help our families to hold on to the family farm and not have to sell out.
In doing this I want us to be able to find ways to keep our local people and our children from leaving Madison County so that they can raise a family in the greatest place to live in the state.
Jeremy Hensley
Age: 44 years old
Education: I am a 1996 graduate of Madison High.
Profession: I have been a Service Technician for Frontier Communications for over 16 years.
Community involvement: I live in the Beech Glen community and attend church in the Grapevine community. My job allows me to work throughout all communities of Madison County. This also allows me the unique opportunity to interact with many different community members, and recognize that ALL areas of our county need to be heard and recognized.
Family: I have been married for almost 21 years to my wife Amanda, a Kindergarten Teacher's Assistant at Mars Hill Elementary. We have 3 children: Chandler, a Senior at Madison High; Harrison, a Freshman at Madison High; and Whitney, a 5th grader at Mars Hill.
1. In general, what do you feel are a few of the most pressing issues the board of commissioners should focus on in the next 4-5 years? Specifically, what are your thoughts on the growing residential and business development in Madison County? One of the most important jobs of a county commissioner is controlling a nearly 30 million dollar budget and setting the yearly tax rate. In the last year under the Biden Administration, families have felt the impact of the downward economy. This not only affects families, but also local governments as well. However, we cannot raise the tax rate on already financially struggling families. The growing residential and business development positively impacts the county's revenues and is beneficial in keeping the tax rate down. I realize that people do not like change. We do not like to see our mountain landscapes replaced by homes. However, if developers are obeying all laws, then they have the right to exercise that same freedom that we all have - of using their land as they see fit. Commissioners can help ease the stress of citizens by relying on the Planning Board to hold public meetings together with developers and community members to address concerns and reach agreements. We are not seeing the business growth that surrounding counties are experiencing. I feel this is due to the lack of prime real estate that these companies require to accommodate them, because our county is mainly rural and consists of mountainous terrain.
2. What would be your top priorities/goals for the county should you be elected? If elected, one of my top priorities would be to not raise taxes. Another priority I would have would be to get rid of the disposal fee for nonprofits such as churches, fire departments, and organizations that are not dwellings. I would also help to pass the resolution supporting a "Heartbeat Bill" that the current Republican commissioners tried to introduce but were struck down by the three Democrat commissioners at the December board meeting. I also think a priority should be to introduce a Parents Bill of Rights Act, which would allow parents in our county to have the final decision on highly sensitive content that has the possibility of coming into our school system. A goal that I have, if elected commissioner, would be to personally meet every 200+ people that Madison County employs. I believe that if you're going to have a part in making the decisions that affect them, then they need to know who's making these decisions. Talking to the employees and hearing their concerns on any issues they may have, gives the commissioner a better understanding of what these employees face on a day to day basis. I think a commissioner can learn a lot from talking directly with these frontline employees, which will help in making better decisions.
Bill Briggs
Age: 74
Education: BA in History from Mars Hill College, Forestry Technology certificate from Lake City Community College FL, NC Broker license. I am an avid reader as education is never accomplished only by degrees, but by being a lifelong learner of what is happening in our world.
Profession: Madison County Clerk of Superior Court for eight years (assisting many families in settling decedents estates), County Commissioner for eight years, NC Department of Revenue, owner/operator of a full service station, assisted in land surveying
Community involvement: Member of Calvary Baptist Church in Mars Hill
Family: I am married to Jane Briggs. We have two grown children, six grandchildren, and we are awaiting a seventh.
1. In general, what do you feel are a few of the most pressing issues the board of commissioners should focus on in the next 4-5 years? Specifically, what are your thoughts on the growing residential and business development in Madison County? Property taxes are always a very important issue for the consideration of the commissioners and should be tailored to the county's needs and function in an effective and efficient manner with respect to property owners. The garbage issue should be addressed and resolved.
2. What would be your top priorities/goals for the county should you be elected? A top priority is to increase the tax base through private enterprise.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: The News-Record & Sentinel interviewed the candidates to get their thoughts on the county's expansion, as well as their views of the most pr
