2009 Asheville City Council Candidates Survey
5. What are your views about growth and development in Asheville?
| Cecil Bothwell | Growth is inevitable on a planet that will be home to about half again the current population by mid-century. I don’t think we need to encourage growth at all: it will happen. Furthermore, our community (like most others) has been sold a bill of goods for far too long, that we can “increase the tax base” and that it will be good for us. In fact, study after study has shown that as cities grow the tax burden on current residents rises. Big cities cost more than little ones. So current residents are forced to subsidize rapid growth. I believe we should substantially increase impact fees on new developments that will affect school enrollment, infrastructure needs, policing and fire protection. We have a great city and those who want to join the club should pay their dues. |
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| Kelly Miller | I have a history of carefully weighing both sides of no growth and pro growth positions to reach development decisions that move us forward, not backwards. Balanced, or smart, growth strategies for not only downtown Asheville, but throughout our city, are essential if we want to attract, create, retain and expand area businesses while simultaneously enhancing our quality of life. Citizens and businesses willing to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams by investing their hard earned dollars into building our local economy should be encouraged.
As a policy maker, we should continue partnering with the County, State and Federal governments in making decisions that balance the values of environmental stewardship, social responsibilities, and economic vitality to meet not only our current needs, but the needs of future generations without affecting the Asheville lifestyle we all love and hold dear. |
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| Esther Manheimer | I want to preserve Asheville and maintain what brings us great quality of life and that is community. We are unique in the way that we have a real intergenerational community where people genuinely interact with one another and care for one another. But how is this preservation accomplished? In many ways: through controlled growth, by building greenways, bike lanes, and putting in all the infrastructure that gets people to turn off the TV, get out of their houses and interact with one another. By supporting the arts, by continuing to support community-wide festivals and other cultural events. And by supporting and respecting neighborhoods, each with its own community and particular concerns and needs. Without this active preservation of our community, Asheville will go the way of what I call "generic USA" - strip malls, sprawl, and so on. |
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| Carl Mumpower | I have more faith in the self-correcting nature of a true free market economy with authentic personal property rights than I do government control and regulation. If we do as many wish and close the doors now that they are here, Asheville wrongfully becomes an expensive and elite city. I support limited rules applied fairly, consistently, and enthusiastically for all and absolutely no indulgence of special or moneyed power interests. |
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| Gordon Smith | Given the realities of climate change and stagnant wages, growth and development in Asheville ought to be geared towards finding solutions that make our community more affordable and more sustainable. I'm for increasing density in and around downtown while maintaining historical sensitivity. I'm for transportation infrastructure that can transform blighted areas of our city. I'm for getting out in front of coming mandates by raising the bar on energy efficiency. Whether it be urban design, housing, public open space, workplaces, education buildings, or community facilities, Asheville can ensure that there is community value inherent in every development. |
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| Cesat Ramero | We must try to grow in an orderly fashion, in harmony with our environment, and to improve quality of life for all Asheville citizens. |
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