Bill Stanley
Political party: Democrat
Residence: North Asheville
Occupation: Retired educator/resturant owner
Education: M.A. administration certification
Political experience: 19+ years as commissioner
Endorsements: Buncombe County chapter N.C. Assoc. of Educators
1) How much money have you raised for your campaign? Who are your top three donors, and how much has each contributed?
Total: About $7,000.
2) What is your position on the Parkside condominium proposal?
“The land was sold in a pure business deal by 5-0 vote of commissioners. Possibly a mistake but a done deal.”
3) What most distinguishes you from your opponents in this primary?
“My 19-1/2 years of service as commissioner.”
4) What do you consider to be your most controversial policy position, and why
“Voting against zoning. I promised I would not vote for zoning four years.”
5) What would you do to attract better-paying jobs to the area?
“Continue granting incentives for businesses/industries that meet our guidelines: investment, number of jobs and salaries, etc.”
6) Has the present board conducted its business with sufficient transparency? If not, what would you do to increase openness?
“Yes.”
7) Should the public-comment period before and after board meetings be televised? Why or why not?
“Perhaps it should, but for the most part we get the same ‘experts’ on every item. We have public comment when it is required and if any commissioner asks for it.”
8) What steps, if any, would you support to increase the supply of affordable housing in Buncombe?
“We just put into effect a work-force-housing program to provide up to $5,000 [per] unit to a developer who will build affordable housing.”
9) Should the cities and towns in Buncombe consolidate any services? Why?
“Parks, greenways and recreation should be consolidated. Anything [else] could really be complicated.”
10) Are current slope-construction regulations appropriate? If not, how would you change them?
“They are a start, although a bit late. I think some kind of required course for developers who come from outside of Buncombe County and WNC about how to build on our slopes. Our local developers are not the ‘culprits.’”
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