Name: Nancy Nehls Nelson
Profession: Retired from AT&T Bell Labs
In up to two words, describe your political affiliation: Democrat
In one brief sentence, describe yourself and why you’re running: I am an engaged community advocate that has the experience to have a significant voice on the Buncombe County Commission balancing the needs of the individual with our greater community needs, which I believe is the heart of our democracy.
General questions
These questions are about problems, challenges or topics facing county government and how you would try to deal with them if elected.
1) Should the county work with the city of Asheville to extend transit service into more areas of the county? If so, what should be the priorities for this expansion?
Yes. The priorities should be getting people to and from jobs and to and from county services, like the new Family Justice Center, in downtown Asheville.
2) North Carolina has an increasing problem with teacher retention. If elected, what specific steps would you deal with this situation and improve the county’s education system?
When elected, I will seek specific areas where the state needs to reevaluate their commitments to the teachers of NC. Teachers have lost retirement benefits, additional pay for advanced degrees, and have hardly received any pay increase in the last few years. NC is now at the bottom of the states in teacher salaries. Funding needs to be available for teacher pay, infrastructure improvement, teacher materials and textbooks. Teachers are leaving our state. This indicates to current and prospective employers that NC is not serious about education and they go elsewhere. County money has long supplemented state funding to provide assistance to our education needs and I see that continuing.
3) The Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office began using body cameras for its patrol and corrections officers last year. What policies do you believe should be in place to ensure transparency and protect the rights of the public in this matter?
The Sheriff’s Office has set up specific guidelines of how body cameras are used. This includes the right for any citizen to view the tape of an incident that THEY are personally involved in. With overall crime reduced by 14% in the last 8 years, I trust Sheriff Duncan and his department to use this information wisely for the benefit of the public. The tapes are retained under guidelines for lawyers of defendants and the Sheriff’s office to review, if necessary, for ongoing legal proceedings. We do not live in “reality TV.”
4) As Buncombe County’s seen growth it’s also seen more questions about rules on development and an affordable housing crisis that extends well outside of city limits. What policies should the county pursue on land use and dealing with the housing crunch?
The County Planning Board is in the middle of revisiting subdivision ordinances as we speak and doing an excellent job. Affordable housing is an issue that will be with us as long as we depend on tourists and visitors to fund our local economy. As a commissioner, I want to get ahead of the curve on how land use and development will affect specific areas. When I sat on the Weaverville Planning Board, I became familiar with their 2012 Master Plan, which gives significant guidance about where commercial development, industrial concerns and countryside rural housing should occur in their jurisdiction. The municipalities outside of Asheville have some good ideas that would benefit the entire county development issues.
5) What’s your position on the county’s greenways and trails master plan? What should be the priorities for funding greenways and multimodal infrastructure at the countywide level?
Greenways and trails getting people to and from jobs and increasing physical exercise are a great idea. A phased approach of connecting our urban hubs with close-by communities, like West Asheville to Asheville to Woodfin should be something to look at closely.
Yes/No
These questions are about specific proposals the commissioners have 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.
6) The area has seen a sharp increase in short-term rentals — the practice of renting out homes on sites like Airbnb — spurring a major controversy involving the housing shortage, property rights and the changing nature of the area. Would you support restrictions on short-term rentals similar to those Asheville City Council reinforced last year?
No. The city of Asheville continues to explore their ordinances covering short-term rentals which haven’t changed in years. Before looking at this issue in the wider county and other municipalities, there needs to be consensus on who will be the most affected and what is the real issue. The short-term rental property around our community is not taking affordable housing away from the county work force.
7) Do you support the county’s recent move to raise the local hotel room tax to provide more funds for marketing the hospitality industry?
Yes. Although I would like to see the money allocations different than what they are, I believe any money coming into our county benefits us.
8) Will you approve county 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 local black citizens?
Yes. Funding should include money from Asheville, private donations, perhaps grant money and the county. This should be a totally inclusive effort.
9) Charlotte’s City Council recently passed increased protections for their LGBT citizens’ access to facilities and public accommodations, including private businesses. Do you favor Buncombe County passing a similar measure?
Yes to public accommodations. To offer this accommodation is a clear signal of inclusiveness which brings more money to any business. I believe privates businesses should have the option.
10) Until 2009, Buncombe County provided a free wireless network that covered much of downtown. The FCC ruled last year that Wilson had the right to operate a similar network. Do you support using county funds to restore that service?
No. With the speed that technology is changing, I am not prepared to support this right now. Once in office, it will be on my “to do list” to continue to make Buncombe County even better!