2012 Voter Guide

OUR 19TH YEAR OF WEEKLY INDEPENDENT NEWS, ARTS & EVENTS FOR WESTERN NORTH CAROLINA VOL. 19 NO. 15 OCTOBER 31 - NOVEMBER 6, 2012

Celebrat e Day of the Dea d

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2012 Xpress Voter Guide Talking politics at dinner: yay or nay?

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Choose your fate

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W e n to tH e BunComBe County

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lead illustRatiOns bY bRent bROWn candidate illustRatiOns

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12 OCTOBER 31 - NOVEMBER 6, 2012 • mountainx.com

The 2012 elections are unchartered territory for Buncombe County voters. For the first time ever, most county commissioners will be chosen via district elections. Meanwhile, Western North Carolina has been split between two different congressional districts.

Most Asheville residents are now in the 10th, which stretches southeast all the way to Gaston County. Buncombe County residents living north and west of town are still in the 11th Congressional District, which covers most of WNC. The districts for the state Legislature races were also redrawn.

To help local voters make sense of these races, here are the results of our candidate survey.

In each contest, we asked all the candidates a few key questions; we hope their answers help you decide whom to support. (R.L. Clark, Martin Nesbitt, J.B. Howard and Carol Peterson declined to participate.)

A record number of ballots have already been cast during early voting, which began Oct. 18 and runs through Saturday, Nov. 3. But whether you take advantage of that opportunity or wait till Election Day, Xpress urges all eligible residents to make their voices heard. — J.F.

distriCt CHanGe Last year, the North Carolina General Assembly passed a new law changing the system used to elect members of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners.

Previously, voters throughout the entire county elected four members and a chair to four-year terms on the board. The top-five vote-getters won.

But this year, voters have been divided in to three districts, which match the county's three Statehouse districts. District 1 (corresponding to House District 114) roughly follows Asheville borders. District 2 (corresponding to House District 115) includes much of the eastern part of the county, from Fairview and Black Mountain to Weaverville. And District 3 (corresponding to House District 116) lies mostly to the west of town, stretching from Arden in the south to Sandymush in the northwest.

Each voter will be asked to choose two commissioners (who must live within that district), plus the board chair, who'll still be elected countywide. This will expand the board to include six members and a chair.

In each district, the candidate receiving the most votes in 2012 will serve a four-year term; the other winner will be up for re-election in 2014. After that, all commissioners will serve four-year terms, and each district will elect one commissioner every two years. — J.F.

Voter info If you need information about voing (precinct, district, polling place), you may call the Buncombe County Board of Elections at 250-4200, or access it through the North Carolina State Board of Elections’ website (ncsbe.gov) or Buncombe’s (avl.mx/km).

RegistRatiOn: The voting-registration deadline for voting was Oct. 12, unless you use the One-Stop Voting service (see below).

One-stOp and eaRlY VOting: Through 1 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 3. Call 2504200 for Buncombe County one-stop locations closest to you, or go to avl.mx/ kp. For early-voting info, go to avl.mx/kq and click on the PDF file. absentee VOting: Absentee ballot requests were due Oct. 30, unless you are sick or incapacitated. Ballots are due back at Board of Elections on Monday, Nov. 5. For more information, call 250-4200 or go to the Buncombe BOE website for more information (avl.mx/ko). militaRY and OVeRseas absentee VOting: Ballots are due by close of polls on Election Day (Tuesday, Nov. 6, 7:30 p.m.); voters may alternatively use a Federal Write-in Absentee Ballot (FWAB). For more information, call 2504200 or go to the state website: ncsbe.gov. electiOn daY: Tuesday, Nov. 6 — all precincts open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. To find your precinct location, call 250-4200 or go to ncsbe.gov.

mountainx.com • OCTOBER 31 - NOVEMBER 6, 2012 13

1 2 3 Buncombe County s r e n o i s s i m m o C Board of Buncombe County District 1 Board of Commissioners 4 District 2 5 HOLLY JONES

Do you support raising, maintaining or decreasing the commissioners’ total compensation, including all stipends and allowances? Why?

1. Yes. Reducing by 17 percent would put Buncombe in line with other N.C. counties our size.

2. I am open to this discussion, but I would like to think through all the revenue options before pressing forward with a bond. Greenways support many public goals — public health, transportation and economic development — and deserve serious consideration for implementation.

3. Yes. There is a wealth of data that tells us that LGBT individuals suffer higher incidences of harassment and discrimination in the workplace. Buncombe County needs to be a leader in our community, sending a strong signal against discrimination.

Website: hollyjones.org Occupation: Regional manager, YWCAs of the Southeast RESIDENCE: Asheville Top three donors: Lisbeth Cooper, Becky Anderson, Susan Sluyter Total raised as of Sept. 1: $8,343 Endorsements: Sierra Club, Buncombe County Association of Educators

4. I have a long history of not raising the tax rate. However, it will be important to first develop our budget prior to determining a specific tax rate.

5. Yes, if the rates were reasonable and the current users would see a reduction based on increasing the customer base. There is net positive to the environment.

1. I support bringing the commissioners’ compensation in line with other counties of similar size in the state.

2. Though I feel taxpayer money needs to be spent in other areas, I also believe the voters have a right to decide where money is spent.

3. I am against all discrimination. I feel, however, that this would create special “classes.”

DON GUGE Occupation: Law-enforcement officer Residence: Emma

4. Yes. When the housing market took a hit several years ago and time for a reevaluation came up, no action was taken by the commissioners. Property owners were paying higher taxes on property that had lost value.

5. I think the expense would be too great at this time. The landfill is available as well as the transfer station.

14 OCTOBER 31 - NOVEMBER 6, 2012 • mountainx.com

Do you support or oppose holding a bond referendum next year to fund implementation of the county’s Greenways and Trails Master Plan? Why?

Should sexual orientation/gender identity be added to the list of protected classes in the county’s personnel ordinance?

Why or why not?

Slogan: “Effective, Progressive Leadership” Website: brownienewman. com Occupation: Partner, FLS Energy Residence: Asheville Top three donors: Mack Pearsall, Roger Derrough, Chuck Cole Total raised as of Sept. 1: $9,347 Endorsements: Sierra Club, WNC Central Labor Council

2. I support increased funding to implement the Greenways and Trails Master Plan either through a bond or other mechanisms. Building out the greenways network will make our community more bicycle and pedestrian friendly while protecting water quality and strengthening our local economy.

ELLEN Frost

1. I support maintaining the current rate. The current board of commissioners adjusted the salary, stipends and compensation and with this adjustment, I believe it is a fair salary.

Slogan: “Your Voice That’s Missing on the Commission” Website: christinagmerrill.com Occupation: Marketing, production and PR exec. Residence: Fairview Top three donors: Alan Sheppard, J. Loyd Kirk, John Teeter Total raised as of Sept. 1: About $7,000 Endorsements: Buncombe Forward, Board of Education member Lisa Baldwin, iCaucus

2. I fully support completion of our greenways, and if the public wanted to vote on it, I would support a referendum.

3. Yes, absolutely.

4. I would support a revenue-neutral tax rate as long as it includes the growth.

5. I fully support and would hope to exhaust every option to increase the amount of recycling in the county. However, before we impose this requirement, we must have citizens’ input and obviously make sure the rate was fair.

1. The Buncombe County commissioners’ pay should be in line with other [boards of commissioners] in the state that have the same constituent population, as well as the same work hours and job criteria. If the pay is higher, then it should be adjusted along with other county employee salaries.

2. Opposed: Our county needs to focus on reducing debt and the tax burden on our citizens instead of incurring more! All of our county citizens should have been given the opportunity to have a vote in the cycling/ jogging pathway plan that will cost us over $30 million!

3. I do not believe that anyone should be discriminated against or “bullied” for any reason. Sexual orientation/gender identity is currently protected under our county’s personnel ordinance, in which it states, “Buncombe County is committed to a work environment that is free from harassment and discrimination.”

4. The county has been diligent about increasing property taxes as values rose; when the real estate market collapsed, the established four-year assessment was “skipped.” If there is a precedent to reevaluate every four years, then that’s what should happen, in the best interest of our citizens versus budget.

Slogan “Ellen Frost for Buncombe” Website: EllenFrostforbuncombe.com Occupation: Owner/operator of Bed & Biscuit Pet Spa Residence: Black Mountain Top three donors: Ken Brame, Don Collins, Tom Sobol Total raised as of Sept. 1: $13,000 Endorsements: Sierra Club, NCAE, labor unions

5. No, I support a free-market economy, and I support the people controlling the government versus the government controlling the people.

Should the county adjust the tax rate to keep property-tax revenues neutral?

Why or why not?

BROWNIE NEWMAN 1. The amount the commissioners used to pay themselves was overboard and a poor use of taxpayers’ money. I support the proposal made by Holly Jones this fall to further reduce the compensation to make it more consistent with the rest of North Carolina.

christina kelley G. Merrill

3. Yes. Buncombe County should take a clear stand for equality for all our citizens. The [Board of Commissioners] should make it clear that Buncombe County is a safe, inclusive community.

4. I would prefer to seek other revenue sources, such as an increase in the hoteloccupancy fee, that allow tourists who are visiting the community to help fund our infrastructure needs. Buncombe County’s hotel-occupancy tax rate is one of the lowest in North Carolina.

5. I would like to gather more information on this issue before adopting a specific decision.

Do you support requiring residents in unincorporated parts of the county to pay for trash and recycling pickup? Why or why not?

CAROL PETERSON Unfortunately, the candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.

mike fryar

Slogan: “Working for the taxpayers of Buncombe County.” Website: mikefryar.com Occupation: Wholesale auto dealer Residence: Fairview Top three donors: James Young, Paul Young, Bart Ramsey Total raised as of Sept. 1: Approximately $11,600 Endorsements: Nathan Ramsey

1. Decreasing these allowances due to their compensation/ stipends were in excess of other commissioners throughout the state. This should be to serve the citizens of Buncombe County and not for personal financial gain.

2. I am not in favor of a bond referendum because, presently, we are holding almost $400 million in bonds for current projects. With the slow economy, we should not be taking on more debt at this time.

3. No. Buncombe County already has a nondiscrimination policy in place. I am not aware of any discrimination in the county based on sexual orientation/gender identity.

4. No. If the property values are less, the rate should not increase to make the property-tax revenues neutral. Revenueneutral means that rates could increase from 52.5 cents to 60 cents per $100. If the property values increase, 60 cents per $100 would increase the tax for property owners.

5. No. Some residents in areas do not have trash and recycling services available. Unless this becomes a problem, I see no reason to require this service.

mountainx.com • OCTOBER 31 - NOVEMBER 6, 2012 15

1 2 3 Buncombe County s r e n o i s s i m m o C f o Board District 3 JOE BELCHER

Do you support raising, maintaining or decreasing the commissioners’ total compensation, including all stipends and allowances? Why?

1. I have no problem reducing the pay if needed.

Why? I did not take this position to negotiate pay for myself but to negotiate savings for the citizens.

2. I am concerned about the current proposal referred to as “Connect Buncombe.” I do not believe it meets the recreational and qualityof-life needs of all residents. The residents of Buncombe County should make this decision.

3. No. The county cannot afford the burden.

4. I believe property taxes have jumped because of unrealistic appraisals in the past.

This has created the problem we are faced with.

I support reducing property taxes by reducing spending. We cannot continue to tax people out of the county.

Slogan: “I want the people of Buncombe County to be able to afford to live in Buncombe County.” Website: belcherforcommissioner.com Occupation: Regional manager, Clayton Homes Inc. Residence: Candler Endorsements: Non-Partisan Citizens for Good Local and State Government

5. I believe that we should look at alternatives to handle trash in our rural areas. Collection sites that easily meet their needs is a possible option. I do not like forcing anyone to pay for something they may not want.

Do you support or oppose holding a bond referendum next year to fund implementation of the county’s Greenways and Trails Master Plan? Why?

Website: votedavidking.com Residence: Candler Top three donors: Myron Gottfried, Rick King, Lisa Wheeler Total raised as of Sept. 1: about $18,000 Endorsements: Buncombe County Association of Educators

TERRY VAN DUYN Slogan: “Bringing experience and common sense to Buncombe County.” Website: votevanduyn. com Occupation: Former programmer/systems analyst; community volunteer Residence: South Asheville Top three donors: Myself, Lynn Kieffer, Bill Eby Total raised as of Sept. 1: $36,023 Endorsements: Sierra Club, WNC Central Labor Council, Sheriff Van Duncan

DAVID KING

3. Yes. In order to do their best, employees must feel safe and secure in the knowledge that they will be judged by the quality of their work and only the quality of their work.

1. Without having served in this position, it is difficult to know if the current salary is appropriate . At this time, I support maintaining the current salary until an evaluation of the job requirements can be made.

4. Yes. We have the second-lowest tax rate among large urban counties, and I plan to keep it that way.

2. Given the current state of the economy and pending property tax re-evaluation, I do not believe it is the appropriate time to hold a bond referendum of any kind.

5. Buncombe is a pretty big county, and I’d be surprised if there was a one-sizefits-all solution to the problem of solid waste. I am interested in learning more about this issue from people in District 3.

16 OCTOBER 31 - NOVEMBER 6, 2012 • mountainx.com

3. No. I believe ALL employees should have the same protections and freedom from discrimination in the county’s per-

Do you support requiring residents in unincorporated parts of the county to pay for trash and recycling pickup? Why or why not?

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sonnel ordinance. No employee should be discriminated against. Employees should only be held accountable for job performance and workplace behaviors.

4. Yes, if this prevents wild fluctuations in our taxes. An evaluation of all the criteria at hand will be needed by commissioners to make the best decision for the citizens of Buncombe County.

5. No. It is not practical to require every county resident to pay for trash/recycling pickup. It ends up being a tax on those who cannot use this service due to their location in the county.

1. On Feb. 15, 2011, I voted to decrease my allowances by $12,480 or about 30 percent. I do not think commissioners should be paid at the top of the 100 counties and would consider further reductions to make us proportionate with our population size and responsibilities.

2. I support a community discussion on a bond referendum at some point in the future but not next year.

The six municipalities in Buncombe County must prioritize and specifically identify the most valuable parcels vulnerable to development before we can properly look toward a bond.

3. Yes. I believe sexual orientation/ gender identity discrimination should be specifically banned in our county.

We should have zero tolerance for this type of discrimination and must spell this out in official county ordinance.

Should sexual orientation/gender identity be added to the list of protected classes in the county’s personnel ordinance?

Why or why not?

1. The citizens of the county need to get their money’s worth, which means pay must be in line with what is appropriate for a county of our size. If elected, I’ll make sure that’s the case.

2. I support the greenways plan. It makes quality of life a priority and makes us more appealing to businesses. I do NOT support a bond referendum now; we simply cannot afford it. I welcome discussion about creative funding sources, like the $50,000 that has been pledged by a private business.

Should the county adjust the tax rate to keep property-tax revenues neutral? Why or why not?

DAVID GANTT Slogan: “More with less.” Website: ganttforbuncombe.com Occupation: Lawyer Residence: Fletcher Top three donors: Joe Adams, Charise Gantt, Mack Pearsall Total raised as of Sept. 1: $40,000 Endorsements: N.C. Assoc. of Educators, AFL-CIO, Sierra Club

MICHELLE PACE WOOD Slogan: “Your voice for jobs.” Website: woodforcommissioner.com Occupation: Self-employed Residence: Candler Top three donors: Ben Pace, Jamie Pace, multiple Total raised as of Sept. 1: TBD Endorsements: Multiple – I’m honored by all 1. There should be no raise to the compensation level, and I think we should look closely at total compensation, including individual stipends and allowances, to see where decreases should be made. We should also be careful that decreases do not disenfranchise a citizen who is not independently wealthy from serving.

2. The western and southern regions of Buncombe County are currently underserviced when it comes to parks, and some existing parks need repair. I feel portions of the greenway project could enhance economic development in Buncombe but would encourage utilizing grants and private funding for greenways before issuing a bond.

3. I do not condone discrimination and feel strongly commissioners should be good stewards of taxpayer

dollars. Staff and commissioners before and after closed session indicated this addition could expose Buncombe to unknown legal or financial costs. School and social-services funding should not be put at risk on unknowns.

4. I would like to see tax rates set as low as possible in Buncombe County.

Revenues should ensure the delivery of vital services and the safety of all citizens. Possible impacts from state and federal budget cuts will be an important factor in tax-rate conversations as we move forward.

5. I do not support a requirement but think there is a real need to address the challenges of littering and access to affordable trash-and-recycling [pickup] in our very rural areas.

4. Generally, we should strive to keep revenue neutral based on new property evaluations in 2013. The final decision will rest upon needs of budget, which will be set in spring 2013.

5. Not unless the county can negotiate a huge price decrease for the roughly 50 percent of residents who are now paying for trash and recycling pickup. If the costs of trash/ recycling could be dramatically reduced with mandatory pickup, I would consider this.

Buncombe Board

ounty C C

of

ommissioners

CHAIR j.b. howard Unfortunately, the candidate did not respond to the questionnaire.

mountainx.com • OCTOBER 31 - NOVEMBER 6, 2012 17

N.C. HOUSE 1

How would you offset740537 the reduction in funding for exist9.9375x10.425 ing public schools caused by lifting the cap on charter bw schools?

DISTRICT 114 2 SUSAN FISHER

Slogan: “A leader who listens.” Website: electsusanfisher. org Occupation: Legislator Residence: Asheville Top three donors: See public records at State Board of Elections website Total raised as of Sept. 1: $32,600 Endorsements: N.C. Assoc. of Educators, N.C. League of Conservation Voters, Planned Parenthood

1. This legislative session saw millions of dollars cut from education. All public schools deserve funding to meet students’ educational needs. All public schools must perform well, and as more schools open, we must make certain those operating now are performing adequately. Future funding calls for modernizing our state revenue system.

2. Yes. Ratification would make discrimination against women for any reason unconstitutional, thus less likely, and subject discriminatory actions to scrutiny by the courts.

3. Yes. An independent commission would take politics out of the redistricting process. A bill I cosponsored last biennium would have established such a commission.

4. No. 5. No. I opposed the so-called CWIP (Construction Work in Progress) portion of the clean-energy bill and introduced an amendment to remove the provision. Planning ahead is one thing, but asking the customer to pay up front for construction that may never happen and without seeking their input is wrong.

DISTRICT 115 1. I would refocus priorities in Raleigh so that education is a main focus in our state. We can offset this reduction in part by closing tax loopholes that benefit millionaires and put that money back into our schools.

2. I support ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment. Equal protection under the law, regardless of gender, is common sense.

SUSAN wilson Slogan: “People above politics.” Website: SusanWilson.org Occupation: Family law attorney Residence: Weaverville Top three donors: Lillian’s List, N.C. Advocates for Justice, Terry Van Duyn Total raised as of Sept. 1: $31,820 Endorsements: Sierra Club, Lillian’s List, Equality NC

3. I support establishing a nonpartisan redistricting commission. It’s simple: Party politics should not dictate fair representation.

4. No. 5. No. Ratepayers should not be subjected to rate hikes without the opportunity to comment in a public forum. Imposing rate hikes without transparency, oversight and public input is an unfair practice.

18 OCTOBER 31 - NOVEMBER 6, 2012 • mountainx.com

3 4 5

Do you support or oppose ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment? Why?

Do you support or oppose establishing a nonpartisan redistricting commission, managed by the Legislative Services Office, that would assume responsibility for drawing new district lines? Why?

Except in cases of financial crisis, should the Legislature redistribute a city’s assets or reconfigure its services without a request from the local government?

State law allows utilities to raise rates to pay for power plants before they’re built, even if they’re never completed. Do you support expanding that law to allow companies to impose annual rate hikes without public comment or oversight? Why or why not?

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Nathan ramsey

Slogan: “Good schools. Good jobs. A better future!”

Occupation: Dairy farmer/attorney Residence: Fairview Website: nathanramsey.com Top three donors: Loyd Kirk, Asheville Anesthesiology PAC, Carolina Emergency Medicine PAC Total raised as of Sept. 1: About $50,000 Endorsements: N.C. National Federation of Independent Business, National Rifle Assoc.

1. If N.C. didn’t lift the cap, we wouldn’t have received hundreds of millions of dollars in Race to the Top funding for our public schools. Since the state doesn’t provide capital funding for charter schools, they save taxpayer dollars, since it ameliorates the need for expanding our existing public-school facilities.

2. I was a child when ERA was last debated in our state; I’m willing to consider it if elected. I live with my wife and mother-in-law, and my mother lives down the road; if elected, these are the people that will have the most influence on my decision-making.

3. I am open to considering a nonpartisan legislative redistricting commission, but my research on this matter at this time has indicated that just like

nonpartisan judicial elections, there isn’t a process to completely eliminate politics from redistricting.

4. We have an 80-year history of state legislative involvement in our community’s water system.

As chairman of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, I worked tirelessly on a bipartisan basis to reach consensus and treat all parties fairly. If elected, I will address these issues on a similar basis.

5. I’m not familiar with this issue, but if elected, I will work to make sure families and businesses have the most cost-effective power possible. It must be reliable and produced in the most environmentally feasible manner. Rate-setting should be transparent and open to public comment before critical decisions are made.

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mountainx.com • OCTOBER 31 - NOVEMBER 6,10/15/12 2012 2:43 19PM

N.C. HOUSE 1

DISTRICT 116 2 1. Under North Carolina law, existing public schools include both charter schools and traditional schools — so charter schools are not private schools, as your question implies.

We should support parents in their choice of where they send their children. State funding should follow the child between all public schools.

2. I personally support adopting the Equal Rights Amendment because it’s the right thing to do. But according to the U.S. Constitution, the path to eventual ratification can take different forms — through the state legislatures or with an Article V Convention. The process is important too.

3. I support an independent redistricting commission.

However, using the Legislative Services Office may prove problematic, as it is currently governed by two elected officials of the same political party ... just as it was governed by two elected officials of another party during the previous session.

tim moffitt

4. I strongly believe in local control, not out of control.

The N.C. Constitution and supporting case law provides that local governments are administrative subdivisions of the state, and the Legislature has the ultimate responsibility and liability for them. This is especially true in matters of controversy between local government units.

Slogan: “Hardworking. Effective. Independent.” Website: timmoffitt.com (campaign); nc116.com (constituent services) Occupation: Small-business owner Residence: South Buncombe Top three donors: Harold Brubaker, Mitchell Setzer, Bill Brawley Total raised as of Sept. 1: A sufficient amount Endorsements: N.C. Chamber of Commerce, National Federation of Independent Business

5. No, I support public comment and the fair oversight of all public utilities. This question refers to what are generally called CWIPs, provided for in the Renewable Energy/ Baseload Generation Bill (SB3) of the 2007-08 session.

Altering the language of this law could negatively impact local renewable-energy jobs.

jane whilden Slogan: “Good schools mean good jobs.” Website: janeforstatehouse.com Occupation: Candidate Residence: Biltmore Forest Top three donors: Lillian’s List, N.C. Advocates for Justice, Jane Whilden Total raised as of Sept.

1: $65,024.18 Endorsements: League of Conservation Voters, Planned Parenthood, Sierra Club

3 4 5

How would you offset the reduction in funding for existing public schools caused by lifting the cap on charter schools?

Do you support or oppose ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment? Why?

Do you support or oppose establishing a nonpartisan redistricting commission, managed by the Legislative Services Office, that would assume responsibility for drawing new district lines? Why?

Except in cases of financial crisis, should the Legislature redistribute a city’s assets or reconfigure its services without a request from the local government?

State law allows utilities to raise rates to pay for power plants before they’re built, even if they’re never completed. Do you support expanding that law to allow companies to impose annual rate hikes without public comment or oversight? Why or why not?

1. I would make it my No. 1 budgetary priority to fund our public schools. There are areas in government that can be trimmed and reallocated to our classrooms. Also, loopholes currently exist for multimillion-dollar corporations that should be closed, and the revenue generated by this should go directly to education.

2. I believe the Equal Rights Amendment should be added to North Carolina’s Constitution, as this would decrease discrimination against women in the workplace and other areas of society that unfortunately still exists today.

3. I support establishing a nonpartisan redistricting commission. Currently, the redistricting process is extremely political: Lines are drawn to benefit the party in the majority, rather than providing fair representation for residents. Implementing a nonpartisan commission that has real accountability standards would eliminate this conflict of interest and promote fair elections.

4. No. It should not be the state Legislature’s role to redistribute assets owned by local government unless there is a financial crisis that cannot be resolved on its own.

5. No, because I believe oversight, transparency and public comment are essential for quality service, and it is the right of every ratepayer to understand why their rates are being raised. Also, there should be a level of accountability for utilities that raise rates without completing the proposed projects.

20 OCTOBER 31 - NOVEMBER 6, 2012 • mountainx.com

mountainx.com • OCTOBER 31 - NOVEMBER 6, 2012 21

U.S.

CON-

GRESS

0tChT 1DISTRI Do you support replacing Medicare with a voucher system? If yes, how do you ensure that the vouchers would cover the cost of adequate private insurance?

Do you support efforts to increase public disclosure of campaign financing, such as the DISCLOSE Act of 2012?

Should women have the exclusive right to make medical decisions concerning their own birth control and pregnancy?

Why or why not?

1 2 3

1. No. We have to save Medicare for today’s seniors and future generations, because it is currently on track to go bankrupt by 2024.

Our plan offers an option between a premium support plan and traditional Medicare. That ensures seniors will get to choose the best health-care plan available.

2. I have opposed the DISCLOSE Act, which is an attempt to make an end run around the Supreme Court and stifle free speech. I support an open marketplace of ideas, as the framers intended.

3. I believe women should have the right to make their own decisions regarding their health care. When those decisions are intertwined with another life, as in pregnancy, mothers must consider the implications on both lives. We must protect human life at all stages, from conception until natural death.

patrick mchenry Slogan: “Fighting for Western North Carolina.”

Website: mchenryforcongress.com Occupation: Representative, 10th Congressional District Residence: Denver, N.C. Total raised as of Sept. 1: $950,120 Endorsements: National Federation of Independent Business, National Rifle Assoc., U.S. Chamber of Commerce

4. I support a fiscally responsible approach to budgeting. The federal government doesn’t tax you too little — it spends too much. We need to cut spending and enact pro-growth tax reform to balance the budget.

1. No. Privatized vouchers cannot keep up with rising health-care costs, and giving power to insurance companies would cut seniors’ benefits. Our seniors have paid into this program all their lives: It’s not a handout! No senior citizen should have to fight with insurance companies over expenses their voucher cannot cover.

2. Yes. This is a nonpartisan issue. The electoral process should be as open and fair as possible. If people or corporations want to give large amounts of money to a candidate, voters who are evaluating that candidate’s ability to represent them should know about it.

Slogan: “Putting People First” Website: keeverforcongress.com Occupation: N.C. state legislator, retired public schoolteacher Residence: Asheville Top three donors: the people of the 10th Congressional District Total raised as of Sept. 1: $369,434.05 Endorsements: Democracy for America, National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association, Sierra Club

Slogan: “Life, liberty, less government.” Website: meadowsforcongress.com Occupation: Small-business owner Residence: Cashiers Total raised as of Sept. 1: [Meadows directed voters to Oct. 15 campaign finance reports] Endorsements: Gov. Mike Huckabee, Rep. Patrick McHenry, National Federation of Independent Business

2. Any attempt to limit the First Amendment rights of American citizens guaranteed by the Constitution is unacceptable. Elected officials should be held to the highest possible ethical standards. This means that we must improve oversight and transparency in government. I value openness and transparency in my own campaign.

3. It is not the responsibility of government to make families’ decisions for them.

This is why I want to repeal the Democrats’ big government takeover of health care and its insurance mandate. I am proudly 100 percent pro-life and will not back away from that.

4. I support a balanced-budget amendment to the Constitution. The problem isn’t that Americans are taxed too little; it’s that Democrats spend too much. We need to reform the tax code, eliminating special-interest loopholes to make it simpler and fairer for the middle class.

5. Medicaid for the poor and elderly is critical and must be improved by limiting bureaucracy. We need to adopt policies, such as block grants to the states, that ensure the viability of this essential safety net. Democrats want more government dependency; we want to encourage upward mobility.

5. In order to help states manage Medicaid efficiently, we should block-grant funding and allow the states to provide benefits as they see fit. States understand the needs of their citizens better than bureaucrats in Washington and are better suited to ensure adequate care for those in need.

patsy keever

mark meadows

1. Medicare must be preserved and protected for current as well as future seniors. That’s why I support repealing Obamacare, which cuts $700 billion from Medicare and leaves us on a path to bankruptcy. Our plan ensures that future generations will benefit from a program they paid into all their lives.

3. Government interference with a woman’s choices for her body and her health care is unconstitutional. We need to respect every woman’s ability to make her own health decisions. Women across the country fought hard for many years to earn equal rights: A public servant should never gamble with those rights.

4. Capping the national debt would put us at risk of defaulting on our loans or being unable to deal with an unexpected crisis, such as a natural disaster. We should balance our budget by cutting unnecessary tax breaks for millionaires and closing loopholes for companies that ship American jobs overseas.

5. Cutting Medicaid would hurt not only seniors but also middleclass families caring for disabled children. That’s not the way to balance state budgets. Instead, we need to expand the availability of preventive care, which will cut down on costly emergency-room visits, and target inefficient spending in the program.

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1. No. I am strongly opposed to a voucher system. I believe we must preserve and improve the traditional Medicare program. Ensuring Medicare remains solvent is about priorities. I believe Democrats and Republicans must come together and make shared sacrifices to ensure Medicare remains viable for current and future beneficiaries.

2. Yes. I believe the Citizens United decision by the Supreme Court, which essentially permits unlimited anonymous spending in campaigns, is detrimental to our democratic process. I would support the DISCLOSE Act, and I support public disclosure of campaign financing.

3. I am pro-life. However, as someone who is pro-life, I believe we must do everything we can to prevent unwanted pregnancies. Women must have access to preventive health care and family-planning services.

4. To truly reduce our $16 trillion national debt, we must take a bipartisan, comprehensive approach that looks at both sides of the ledger.

Real solutions will mean shared sacrifice from both parties, but we must make the difficult decisions necessary to put our nation on a long-term fiscally sustainable path.

5. Like Medicare, protecting Medicaid is about priorities. Medicaid provides thousands of low-income children, families and seniors in WNC with health care. I support preserving and strengthening this program.

However, Medicaid is primarily managed on the state level, and it is the state’s responsibility to provide adequate matching funding for Medicaid.

TRICT 4 5

Do you support capping the national debt? If so, what specific cuts or revenue increases would you advocate? If not, how would you reduce the debt?

hayden rogers Website: haydenrogersforcongress.com Occupation: Former chief of staff to Rep. Heath Shuler; former smallbusiness owner Residence: Brasstown Top three donors: All campaign donations are public record, as required by law Total raised as of Sept. 1: Approximately $550,000 Endorsements: N.C. Assoc. of Educators, American Postal Workers Union Local 277, Asheville Fire Fighters Assoc.

With state budgets strained, how do you propose to ensure Medicaid availability?

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mountainx.com • OCTOBER 31 - NOVEMBER 6, 2012 23