ShareRobert Hill
Political party: Democrat
Residence: Candler
Occupation: Retired, part owner of Cruizers Restaurant in Candler
Education: High school; attended N.C. State, Western Carolina University real-estate course, Dale Carnegie Institute, Leland Energy Management Institute, Siecor Technologies Institute, served 4 years in the N.C. apprenticeship program in telecommunications
Political experience: Precinct chair (1982) in one of the largest precincts in Buncombe County. “I was considered for chairman of the Democratic Party two times and had a choice to be the candidate for PACE for Enka School Board District, but asked them to support Robert Greene instead of me.”
Endorsements: None
1) How much money have you raised for your campaign? Who are your top three donors, and how much has each contributed?
No donations; family loan (amount not provided)
2) What is your position on the Parkside condominium proposal?
“I feel it was a bad decision to sell.”
3) What most distinguishes you from your opponents in this primary?
“32 years business experience, running and managing a multimillion-dollar corporation and responsible for covering a $250,000-per-week payroll and taxes. Nine years on the Enka-Candler Fire Department board [started a new fire department, bought property, built new building and bought the necessary equipment while holding] the tax rate at a minimum.”
4) What do you consider to be your most controversial policy position, and why
“Cut property and vehicle taxes and consolidate some county/city services. ... Property owners should have a say in setting [their property’s] value. ... Citizens are hurting: They can’t pay their high taxes, buy medicine and food and [pay] large heating bills. ... Cut out all the wasteful spending we can.”
5) What would you do to attract better-paying jobs to the area?
“Lowering taxes will give big corporations incentive to move their businesses here, and therefore we will have more, better-paying jobs.”
6) Has the present board conducted its business with sufficient transparency? If not, what would you do to increase openness?
“The present board has been open and fair.”
7) Should the public-comment period before and after board meetings be televised? Why or why not?
“I think the public-comment period should be televised unless they are discussing pay matters.”
8) What steps, if any, would you support to increase the supply of affordable housing in Buncombe?
“I would support Habitat for Humanity more and do a better selection of people qualified for affordable housing.”
9) Should the cities and towns in Buncombe consolidate any services? Why?
“Yes. To save our taxpayers a tremendous amount of money, therefore lowering taxes.”
10) Are current slope-construction regulations appropriate? If not, how would you change them?
“I am learning more about these regulations, and I want to be well-versed before I make my decision.”
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