Name: Ed Hay
Profession: Attorney
In up to two words, describe your political affiliation: Democrat
In one brief sentence, describe yourself and why you’re running:
I’m running because county government faces new challenges in funding education, creating jobs, and adequately planning for future growth. I want to be part of the new leadership that addresses the issues.
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) Housing costs have steadily risen in the area, outside the city of Asheville as well as within. What steps should the county take to deal with the affordable housing crisis?
County government needs to partner with the city to find creative ways of encouraging the construction of affordable housing. Tools can be made available in the zoning ordinances, for instance, to provide incentives to keep costs low. It will take a community wide effort. Simply building more market rate apartments isn’t the answer.
2) The State of Black Asheville report reveals multiple inequities — in fields like education, housing, health and more — affecting the African-American community in both Asheville and Buncombe County. What steps would you support to address these issues?
For starters, County government needs to acknowledge that the inequities exist, and address the inequities as a matter of policy in all aspects of County government. Hiring practices are good place to start, but it would take an open community conversation to make meaningful change.
3) What do you see as the appropriate circumstances for a commissioner to question or criticize appointed staff? What is your overall assessment of the current performance of the county manager and top county staff?
One of the commissioners’ responsibilities is to oversee the operation Government, which necessarily means evaluating staff performance. A commissioner needs be respectful of the protocol for addressing problems, but ultimately the responsibility lies with the commission. I do believe that present senior staff are doing a good job, but that is from the perspective of an outsider at this point.
4) According to the N.C. Department of Education, Buncombe County Schools have $10,225 in revenue per student, as compared to $13,125 for Asheville City Schools. What steps should the county take to ensure that this revenue gap doesn’t result in services for students in county schools falling behind?
Support for public education has been an issue on the campaign trail, and one that the Democrats and Republicans disagree about. I’ve been very forthright in saying that I believe County government must take responsibility for keeping our schools strong, including finding new ways to replace missing state funding. I think utilization of this year’s budget surplus to give teacher pay raises was a very good start.
5) Buncombe County’s seen more development as population and tourism in the area increases. Do you believe the county’s current development rules are adequate to deal with this situation? If not, how would you change them?
No. The County’s land-use plan, including the zoning ordinance, is simply inadequate to deal with the explosive growth that the County faces. We need to engage communities countywide in a discussion about making the zoning ordinance work so that it directs growth where growth needs to go, and protects those areas that are entitled to protection.
Yes/No questions
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) Do you support the current distribution of hotel tax revenue to the Tourism Development Authority?
No, although I acknowledge that making changes at state level is difficult, and that the recent modification of the tourism development fund is a positive step. A significant amount of money is now being allocated each year for community assets such as parks and museums, so it’s good to see some of the tourism tax dollars reinvested in the community.
7) Would you endorse the repeal of the provision of HB2 prohibiting local governments from passing nondiscrimination ordinances?
Yes
8) Do you support the $34,359 bonus allocated to County Manager Wanda Greene as part of this year’s budget?
Yes. I respect the opinion of the commissioners who decided that the award of additional comp time was appropriate.
9) Durham County recently changed its living wage rates so that all county workers make at least $15 an hour. Do you support a similar step in Buncombe, setting a base wage of $15 an hour for all county employees?
Yes
10) 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