Madison County Board of Commissioner candidate Tony Ponder shares why he's running
MARSHALL - After the filing period for the November 2024 county elections closed Dec. 15, the current Madison County Board of Commissioners chair and vice chair will be challenged by two newcomers.
Chair Matt Wechtel and Vice Chair Michael Garrison, both Republicans, have filed for candidacy, along with Tony Ponder, a Republican, and Judy Major and Barbara Zimmerman, both Democrats.
The five candidates will vie for two commissioner seats.
Ponder was the only candidate who The News-Record & Sentinel did not hear from before press time on its original story in which the candidates discussed their reasons for running.
Ponder, who lives in Mars Hill, did submit an emailed response after the publication, and his answers are below.
According to Ponder, his top priority if elected is a new courthouse.
"I believe that it should house courtrooms, clerk of court, register of deeds, and county commissioners only. Why waste taxpayer money on our present, old, dilapidated courthouse?"
The county was issued $3.8 million for construction of a new courthouse/repairs to its existing courthouse, which was built in 1907 and has been operational since 1908, making it one of the oldest in the state.
In February 2022, the county formed a focus group aimed at determining the most appropriate use of the $3.8 million issued to the state for courthouse renovations/repairs.
Ponder said he is also opposed to the N.C. 213 water and sewer infrastructure project between Marshall and Mars Hill.
This month, both the Marshall and Mars Hill town boards signed interlocal agreements relating to the project.
The county received $18 million in this year's budget for sewer repairs, with $3 million to go to Hot Springs and $15 million to Marshall and Mars Hill's N.C. 213 corridor project.
Hot Springs Mayor Abby Norton said the $3 million allotment would go to Fairview community water system to connect that system to the town water system.
Gilliam and Mars Hill Town Manager Nathan Bennett dispelled the misconception that the N.C. 213 project would involve an interconnection of each town's sewer services.
If it were up to Ponder though, he said he would aim to shut down the project.
"Of course, I’m for Hot Springs and Marshall keeping state funds for sewer upgrades," Ponder said. "Overall, this ill thought out project will lead to higher property taxes for all county residents. NC 213 will become known as the new Buncombe Turnpike. It will require a new four lane highway that will bulldoze half Mars Hill College and half the town of Mars Hill."
Ponder said he feels property tax collections are low and need to improve, and added that the county's budget process is "deplorable."
"Wild spending is a problem we must fix," Ponder said of the 2023-24 budget. "Nonprofits receiving county money will be asked to open their books."
Ponder added that he feels "the health department emphasis should be on public health and not receiving federal money."
"Additionally, full free speech should be restored to the public comment section of the commissioners open meetings," Ponder said.
"I believe in the old republican principal of small government and low taxes," said Ponder, a retired realtor. "Since I am retired, I have the time to spend on seeking improvements to county government and making it work better for all of us. I am not an employee of any county department and have no desire to enrich myself, family, or friends at county expense. My wife, Glennis, and I are Madison County natives who care about Madison County."
Johnny Casey has covered Madison County for The Citizen Times and The News-Record & Sentinel for nearly three years. He earned a first-place award in beat reporting in the 2023 North Carolina Press Association awards. He can be reached at 828-210-6074 or jcasey@citizentimes.com.
This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Board of Commissioner candidate Tony Ponder shares why he's running
