by Anonymous in Vol. 14 / Iss. 40 on 04/30/2008

Related topics: election 2008

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Vernon Dover

Vernon Dover

Political party: Democrat
Residence: Leicester
Occupation: Retired
Education: Erwin High School, attended Western Carolina University (3 years).
Political experience: Buncombe County Board of Education (1982-1990), 5 years as
chairman
Endorsements: None

1) How much money have you raised for your campaign? Who are your top three donors, and how much has each contributed?

Total: $5,450
Top three: Charles Silver $1,500, Vernon Dover $662, Donna Pratt $500

2) What is your position on the Parkside condominium proposal?

“Very hopeful that commissioners can make a deal with developer for county to
buy back the property.”

3) What most distinguishes you from your opponents in this primary?

“I have lived in Buncombe County my entire life, and I have served the community as a fire chief at West Buncombe FD, 8 years on the Board of Education, plus I have served numerous other community boards and projects (Eblen Foundation, United Way, Asheville Chamber). Common-sense candidate.”

4) What do you consider to be your most controversial policy position, and why

“Probably allowing new singlewide mobile homes in the county (nonrestricted areas). Homes are just so expensive, people need help with affordable housing.”

5) What would you do to attract better-paying jobs to the area?

“A lot is being done on this now through EDC, Asheville Chamber and the state. We need to keep up the effort not to just bring new jobs, but help local employers maintain and improve current jobs.”

6) Has the present board conducted its business with sufficient transparency? If not, what would you do to increase openness?

“I believe the board should be transparent as they carry out the business of the people. I would support conducting commissioners’ meetings at least once a month out in the community to have more public participation. We need to keep the public informed on all issues, large or small.”

7) Should the public-comment period before and after board meetings be televised? Why or why not?

“Yes, I would go along with that. However, we all need to be respectful of each other, and the comment time should be used in a constructive way.”

8) What steps, if any, would you support to increase the supply of affordable housing in Buncombe?

“I would like to review the issue of singlewide mobile homes being allowed again. A lot of people (young and old) cannot afford even a doublewide. Single-wide homes can be made attractive with underpinning and landscaping. This would be affordable.”

9) Should the cities and towns in Buncombe consolidate any services? Why?

“I am not sure which services could be consolidated but willing to review any information and proposals that save the taxpayers money.”

10) Are current slope-construction regulations appropriate? If not, how would you change them?

“I think they are adequate, but all board policies should be reviewed periodically to determine what is working well and what needs to be adjusted.”