Name: Scott Bissinger
Profession: Retired Chief Deputy, Buncombe County
In up to two words, describe your political affiliation: Democrat
In one brief sentence, describe yourself and why you’re running: I am a career public servant wishing to continue to lead and contribute in my community.
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?
The County and the City need to pursue a healthy relationship that puts the citizen first. I am absolutely in favor of looking at working together to provide transportation between the city and county. My initial priority would include county locations such as the major educational institutions, centralized medical facilities, essential shopping areas, and as a means to access county services and the justice system from “hub” locations in the county. This would take extensive planning and examination of ways to fund including self-sustaining.
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?
We have to recruit the best candidates to be our teachers. The county is creating an incentive plan with affordable housing to bring in quality teachers that I would support. County leaders must work together with State leaders to address teacher pay and benefits. We are fortunate to have good infrastructure and great teachers, we must continue to invest in our educational system.
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?
I personally worked closely with the Sheriff and his leadership team to develop the policy that is now in place. I believe that body cameras are a great accountability tool that can help determine the truth about an incident. I also believe that transparency is important but protecting the privacy of crime victims and citizens makes it necessary to have a “video release” policy that precisely indicates when and if video is to be released. Body cam video is often compared to general surveillance video but there is a considerable difference. Officers wear these cameras inside of citizen’s homes under their legal authority. This type of video content, that may include minors, sensitive and private information, should not be public domain.
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?
We must support responsible growth with a focus on the availability of infrastructure and services to handle new development. Sustainable economic growth is good for the county but it must be controlled and monitored closely. We must seek to develop affordable housing and affordable rentals if we want to see young people stay in our community and become our future. There are many models for developing affordable housing and as your commissioner I would bring together local stakeholders to help create a model designed around our needs.
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?
When we plan ahead for our county, we know the importance of protecting resources for future generations. Greenways and recreational areas cannot be forgotten and we must seek opportunities when they present themselves and when they are in the best interest of the county. I have supported the County’s efforts over the past decades to help preserve green space that will benefit our community overall.
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 – I would have to have access to much more information about the extent of the problem in the county and its effects.
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 – If the evidence shows that more marketing will bring in growth for the hospitality industry locally then I favor this funding technique over increased taxation of our citizens.
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 – Under the appropriate circumstances and with sufficient background and explanation I would support such a goal.
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 – I strongly support equality and fair treatment of all of our citizens, I would have to examine the merit of each provision of Charlotte’s policy to determine my support on an individual basis.
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?
Yes – The City and County should partner together to examine the feasibility of such a service and discuss how costs could be shared and/or supplemented by private sources.