The Blade asks the hard questions about corruption charges, the A-B Tech cash, rural development, ending de facto segregation, trans rights and more. One candidate responds.
It is, as you’ve all probably heard by this point, a particularly important election season. But while state and congressional contests are grabbing the headlines, some important local battles are going on as well.
It is a key time for the Buncombe County Commissioners. With Democrats holding a knife-edge 4-3 majority, this year’s contests could change the whole direction of county government, either shifting control to conservatives or extending the Democratic majority (which would likely favor progressives on some issues).
That direction means a lot, because the county controls a $400 million budget and governs social services, the sheriff’s office (including the county jail) and much, much more. This year, District 1 Commissioner Al Whitesides is running unopposed. But there are closely-fought elections in District 2 (the north and east of the county) and District 3 (the south and west).
It’s also a key time because of the scandals that have rocked county government. The barrage of federal indictments that hit former long-time County manager Wanda Greene and other members of Buncombe’s bureaucratic upper-crust. Then came the news that a voter-approved sales tax intended for A-B Tech had actually gone into the county coffers instead, even as needs mounted at the local community college. All revealed major issues with oversight and accountability in local government.
Nor do those lines cut neatly. The Greene scandal showed major problems with the county’s status quo, one that too many local Democrats (and plenty of Republicans, during her long tenure) failed to question until it was far too late. The county also faces issues of disparities on everything from housing to transgender access to public facilities to de facto segregation, issues GOP politicians are historically loath to answer questions on.
When grappling with which questions to ask (and our readers suggested a lot of good ones) I had to seriously consider the fact that this was the year that we’d get no responses at all. But if journalists aren’t making politicians uncomfortable we’re not doing our job. So out the questionnaires went. We ask point-blank about the Greene charges, the A-B tax scandal, major inequities and much more. Part of me expected silence from there on out.
But one candidate did respond.
So to District 2 Democratic candidate Amanda Edwards, our thanks. While the Blade does not endorse candidates, it’s worth highlighting that agree with her responses or no, Edwards clearly took the time to grapple with these issues and lay out her views for the public to judge. More candidates should follow suit.
And if you’re looking to vote, in this race and many others, early voting runs through this Saturday, Nov. 3. You can even register during early voting. If you want to vote on election day, which is next Tuesday, Nov. 6, you’ll need to do so at your polling place, which you can look up here.
You should also vote against all six amendments to the North Carolina constitution, as they further enshrine bigotry and contempt for the public in a state that has far too much of both already.
Our Buncombe County commissioner election guide is below, with the names listed in the order they appear on the ballot.
District 1
Al Whitesides — Democrat (incumbent, running un-opposed)
District 2
Glenda P. Weinert — Republican (candidate did not respond)
Amanda Edwards — Democrat
District 3
Robert Pressley — Republican (incumbent, candidate did not respond)
Donna Ensley — Democrat (candidate did not respond)
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