Name: Joe Grady
Profession: Sales Specialist in Home and Business Group with Best Buy, and Community Commander overseeing the community volunteerism for 13 stores.
In up to two words, describe your political affiliation: Independent
In one brief sentence, describe yourself and why you’re running: I am a visionary with a lifetime record of proven leadership and success in giving back to the community and I can successfully lead Asheville into the future.
General questions
These questions are about problems, challenges or topics facing city government and how you would try to deal with them if elected.
1) According to recent studies, Asheville has an extremely low amount of available housing and the city’s currently making national lists as an unaffordable place to live. What steps would you pursue to deal with this issue?
My background is in residential real estate, providing homes with a specialty to first time homebuyers and seniors. I know real estate and affordable issues, I have dealt with these issues for over 25 years. I know about affordable homes, senior developments, and how to provide homes for the less fortunate. I have formed and funded a non-profit housing organization. As a leader, I do not call for things to be done – I do them. That is the difference between me and other candidates. I have a proven and tested record of leadership. I know how to overcome obstacles that discourage people from obtaining housing accommodations. No, Never, and Can’t just are not part of my vocabulary. This experience, as well as my proven leadership skills will be beneficial in dealing with the issues of affordability here in Asheville. It takes a leader to get things done.
In addition to issues that every candidate has probably mentioned already such as the revision of the UDO, the increase in density, the increase in multi-use developments, and securing funding, there are other issues. I would immediately call for a community task force of builders, developers, city officials, non-profits, lenders, planners, and other coalition groups to unite to build a better Asheville! We have plenty of land available in Asheville, let no one tell you otherwise. We have to involve the community as a whole. I am interested in building a coalition to tackle this problem, the same problem facing just about every city in this country. Bringing people together to combat this issue will help us resolve affordability here in Asheville. Doing just one thing will not solve it. It will take lots of hard work, creativity, and leadership to see this accomplished. I can provide that leadership.
2) During the past year, we’ve seen an increasing numbers of concerns raised about de facto racial segregation in Asheville, an issue worsened by the impacts of redlining, racism, urban renewal and the state of public housing. If elected, what specifically would you do to help address this problem?
First, as a real estate broker for over 25 years, I will have no part of redlining in Asheville. The Fair Housing Act of 1968 has outlawed the practice of redlining. It is illegal. As a former instructor of real estate law, principles, and practices, and as both a councilman and citizen, I will not tolerate a violation of the law.
The issue of affordable housing centers first on communication, education, and understanding, and then on resolution. We must continue the dialogue on improving the housing situation in the city without regard to age, race, creed, color, sex, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, marital status, or socioeconomic status.
Secondly, urban renewal exists in every community and has for decades and centuries. It is not something new or something that will stop. As one area declines and loses value or desirability, it eventually becomes of interest to others who have a vision of prosperity and income. This is part of the life cycle of communities, which evolves anew with each generation.
My grandfather served on the board of the Urban League and from him I learned one of my core values. Everyone should be afforded the same opportunities and privileges others enjoy. As I have campaigned on each street and every neighborhood all over this great city, I have seen some areas, which have fallen into neglect. The need is there to improve some of our neighborhoods, which have been neglected. We need to keep these neighborhoods alive and vibrant by helping those who do not have the affordable means to do so.
As councilman, I will do my best to build these neighborhoods back up. That includes such things as improving swimming pools so that our children can recreate during the summer and maintaining and cleaning parks for citizens and visitors alike to enjoy.
3) From internal disputes and problems with morale to concerns about racial disparities, many are wondering about the state of the Asheville Police Department. What specific steps do you see as necessary to reform the APD and improve relations with the community?
The morale of the APD was a combination of a direct result of leadership from the previous chief and some individuals under his command. His selection as chief was a mistake. He was not vetted correctly, nor investigated appropriately by the city.
The former chief was not a consensus builder, or a man that should have been selected to lead the APD. His actions involving his family and his violation of his ethical responsibility and decision-making process in that incident alone reflected his lack of leadership capabilities. Subsequent issues occurred not because of his race but because of his lack of leadership skills, which resulted in morale problems.
We have had a white, a black, a man, and now woman police chief in the last five years. We’ve had a black and a white woman as Mayor for the past nine years. We do not have a race or sex disparity in leadership roles but we have had a disparity in effective role models. Who wants to join a police force when there is a lack of respect for the chief? When there is lack of trust, faith, and respect for the leader at the top people will not want to join the team. Look at the coaches of football, for example. Many star athletes based their decision on where they went to school, not on the scholarships promised but rather on the effectiveness of the coach. Two-time Heisman Trophy winner Archie Griffin credits Woody Hayes for his reason for attending Ohio State, because Coach Hayes was emphatic that Archie excel in academics first, football second. That’s leadership anyone would respect and that has been lacking for the past few years here in the city police department. Let’s give our new chief an opportunity to right some wrongs.
4) Wages in Asheville are well below the state average and federal data shows pay for many jobs here remains stagnant despite the tourism boom. If elected, what specific steps would you pursue to help boost local wages?
The fact that wages are stagnant in Asheville is not unique to Asheville. This is a reality that exists in almost every town and city across America today. As a former business owner myself, I do not want someone dictating to me what I should pay my employees. I believe in paying employees well, and I have, and they have stayed with me. But, that pay has been at my discretion as a small business owner, not dictated by government action. I have also rewarded my employees in the past with benefits and special treatment, including buying my secretary a car. She refused a pay increase.
Economics will in most situations, drive wages. Businesses need to make a profit in order to pay higher wages. We need to encourage businesses to pay their employees a livable wage but at the same time, not dictate to a business that which may not be doable at any one time. A business must make a profit foremost and it must meet its obligations, including wages, based on its business model. If not, the business will not succeed. Economic growth, which has been slowed by the recession, needs a faster pace to build profits, which should also build raises for the workers. The travel and tourism industry, along with the retail industry, are all areas I have worked in during my career; they have always been known to be the lowest paying. That is a fact that everyone knows, should know, and has known for decades. It has not changed. Asheville is known for its travel and tourism and hospitality industries. Until wages increase in the private sector, we will always be below the average.
5) The last city budget estimated the total cost of the city’s infrastructure needs at around $400 million. What steps would you encourage to address this problem, what funding sources would you use and what would the top priorities be?
Property taxes are the biggest income producing revenue for the city, followed by sales tax revenue. The current state of affairs with the legislature is causing considerable concern and harm to cities like Asheville with legislation being adopted to penalize cities, like Asheville in receiving state funds.
We must scrutinize the city’s budget, and we need to be careful how we cannot commit community funds without watching the revenue stream. We need to always keep in perspective that government is here, first, and foremost, to provide basic services to the public. These include police, fire, EMS, trash and garbage, water and sewer, and infrastructure. All other items need to be closely monitored as we journey out of this recession.
At all times, we need to analyze and scrutinize every item in the budget to prevent any increases in taxes, if possible. One option that should be on the table is a long term infrastructure bond that will help fund a long range plan for the city to repair its aging water, sewer, lines, bridges and other infrastructure. Everyone will know what this for and it must be restricted and used only for infrastructure.
Yes/No questions
These questions are about specific proposals Council has or may consider, and how you would vote on them. The first word of each answer must be Yes or No. An explanation of one’s position — or an alternative proposal — may follow.
1) A majority of Asheville City Council recently approved increased fines and enforcement to strengthen the ban on short-term rentals (i.e. Airbnb and similar sites) in most areas of the city. Do you support this move?
Yes, I believe in protecting homeowners who purchase into a neighborhood. Many associations, developments, as well as condominiums and co-ops have by-laws preventing such occurrences. Homeowners need protection from landlords, especially out of town landlords; there are many, not adhering to local laws, and making profits on the backs of their Asheville neighbors. We must protect the community character of our neighborhoods and the idea of short-term rentals is being defeated in cities across America. We risk losing our neighborhoods to those who are in it only for the money. That is not the Asheville I know.
2) City staff recently proposed a detailed plan to restrict busking in downtown in three major spots, with specific rules on the numbers of performers and the amount of space they can occupy. Do you support this proposal?
Yes, many tourists find the busking entertaining, but I have also seen many buskers block sidewalks and cause problems in the city, impeding traffic flow causing people to walk out into the busy street to pass by. This is dangerous for everyone. As in most issues facing Asheville, other cities also face the same problems. We need to keep abreast on what others have done and model their successes. The city plan is a solution to a relatively new issue; we should monitor it and see how well it is working in the city.
3) Do you support a $12.50 minimum wage for all city of Asheville employees, regardless of classification or status?
No. This is now a mute issue, considering the current Asheville City Council, has already voted to increase the wage to $12.50. Several councilmen indicated after the vote that they have serious concerns about the future of summer and part-time employees. One of the nice things about the city was a student was able to get a summer job to help pay for school. With revenue an issue we may be employing less people and hurting ourselves in the end with limited service to the residents who support and want these services. This is unfortunate. We could have provided a program to hire retirees, who because of their benefits and income, are prohibited from making more than a certain amount. This may jeopardize their part-time secondary income. People need to understand the some people retire with adequate income yet still want to work part-time and pay is not their main concern. It would also discourage a work-share program in which homeless people or students could participate. A $12.50 minimum wage is much higher than most downtown retail shops pay today for part-time employees. For the price of $9.00 an hour for part-time work, I can employee four people. Now the city can only employee three. We have just added to the unemployment of our youth or retirees. The city must balance its budget, and unlike a business that fails to balance its budget and will be forced to go out of business, the city will not go out of business. However, if the city doesn’t have the funds to pay its workers then we will have to lay people off or raise revenue through another increase in property taxes, and that I do not favor.
4) Will you approve city funds to support the proposal, backed by the city-county African-American Heritage Commission, for a monument on Pack Square marking the contributions and history of Asheville’s black citizens?
No, I do not believe that public monies should be used to totally fund a monument. Why do we need the city to pay for it? I have had a lot of fundraising experience and believe private funding should be tried first. I would and do support a monument. Memorials throughout this state and country have been erected celebrating individuals, groups, etc., but many have raised the money themselves. I support and would encourage the African-American Heritage Commission to attempt to raise the funds through private enterprise first before asking the city or the county for funds. I am not saying I would not support an effort to help or assist with support of city funds, but would want to see the percentage of funds the Commission would plan to raise themselves. It should not be totally funded by the city or county.
5) This year’s city budget included a property tax increase, with a majority of the current Council claiming this was necessary due to revenue changes at the state level. Do you support that increase?
Yes, unfortunately it was necessary because of the circumstances involved. The state legislature took away the funding for raises for our employees and put the city in the awkward position of having a disgruntled workforce that has not had a cost of living increase. This was the reason for the increase in property tax. While I supported this increase, I do not support the garbage rate increase and felt it was not necessary and felt it could have been avoided. The current council is already forecasting another fee increase for next year, and this is going to be an additional burden to all city residents. I believe that there are creative ways to avoid any fee increase and will advocate no increase, two years in a row.