Henderson County Four Seasons Politics
MILLS RIVER — Breakfast at the Sierra Nevada taproom Friday featured legislative leaders from Henderson, Transylvania and Buncombe counties talking about their priorities in the upcoming legislative session.
Speaking at the event were North Carolina State Sen. Chuck Edwards and state Reps. Cody Henson and Chuck McGrady. Before the General Assembly convenes in May, the breakfast gave the legislators a chance to discuss their priorities going forward. Some of the topics included workforce training, mental health care and drug addiction.
Edwards opened by emphasizing the economic strength of North Carolina, saying that if it was its own country it would boast the 19th largest economy in the world. Despite that, he feels that the Legislature can do more to grease the wheels for business.
“There’s a study by Appalachian State University and North Carolina State University from a short time ago that indicates in North Carolina there’s $25 billion of revenue annually that is not taking place because of unnecessary regulation,” he said.
Edwards went on to address the skills gap, saying that there are 6,000 information and technology jobs and other jobs in the medical and mechatronics industries that are currently unfilled because of a skills gap. However, both Edwards and representative Henson said that the community college system in North Carolina has been effective in helping to close that gap. Henson pointed to Blue Ridge Community College’s brewing, distilling and fermentation partnership with Oskar Blues as an example of relevant job training.
McGrady emphasized that education funding will be a priority. Henson said that the state House is working on streamlining the process of moving money from the state down to local school systems, but claimed that currently that money changes hands too often in the trickle-down process.
All three legislators agreed that mental health is a priority issue, if a complicated one.
“Groups have coalesced and so you’ve got major mental health providers, hospitals, the sheriff’s department, the education system and all the non-profits currently working to try to come up with maybe a local approach to dealing with mental health that they would then come back to us, the legislators, and say ‘can we do a trial process here in Henderson County?’” McGrady said.
Henson said mental health facilities will bring greater ongoing costs.
“We can fund to have a bed for every single person in the state of North Carolina, but at the end of the day we got to have providers to take care of those people as well and actually evaluate them and give them the treatment that they need,” Henson said.
The event was produced in partnership by the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce and the Brevard/Transylvania Chamber of Commerce and was sponsored by Park Ridge Health and Duke Energy. Read Story »
North Carolina Four Seasons Politics
There is an empty lot behind the Natural Sciences Building on Western Carolina University's campus. It's covered in grass and on Friday afternoon it was muddy. During a groundbreaking ceremony, Western Carolina and an all-star lineup of state officials praised the $110 million building that will rise from the site over he next three years.
The new building, named for former State Senator Tom Apodaca, will contain 182,989 square feet and be six stories tall. The Natural Sciences Building that it will replace dates back to 1970s. Apodaca retired from the North Carolina Senate in 2016.
Apodaca is one of the more well-known alums of Western Carolina University. Having graduated with a degree in Business Administration and a minor in Economics.
“I never went in the science building,” Apodaca told the crowd, provoking laughter. “I made it a point not going into the science building when I was at Cullowhee.”
Despite the jokes, Apodaca certainly does see the merit in higher education having sponsored such legislation during his time in the NC Senate. One such bill was the Access to Affordable College Education Act from 2016. He has a scholarship endowment at WCU. The Pilar C. Apodaca Schalorship is named for his grandmother, a second-generation American from Mexico. According to WCU's website, the scholarship is granted to students of high academic performance, good citizenship and community service with a preference given towards Hispanic Americans.
After the groundbreaking ceremony, WCU officials Apocada's colleagues in the North Carolina Senate. Tom Belt, coordinator for WCU's Cherokee Language Program, delivered a Cherokee blessing.
Speaking to his accomplishments as a member of the NC Senate was president pro tempore Phil Berger, who jokingly described his colleage as part teddy bear and part grizzly bear because you would never know which one you were going to get. Berger also joined in on jokes about Apodaca having a science building named after him.
“Everyone knows that economics is referred to as the 'dismal science,' so this building is perfectly apt for someone who is a economic minor,” Berger said. “Tom understands that college is a significant investment that leads to higher paying jobs, a better-skilled workforce and stronger local economies. He knows that escalating costs and rising student debt are threatening the value of that investment. That’s why, as a state senator, he spearheaded the NC Promise program, which guarantees in-state undergraduate students at three public universities across our state – including Western Carolina University – pay just $1,000 in tuition each year.”
The tuition plan starts this fall at WCU and at the University of North Carolina at Pembroke and Elizabeth City State University.
UNC system President Margaret Spellings noted that Apodaca had always supported his alma mater.
“Growing up in North Carolina, you went to Cullowhee, forged a deep bond with your school, then stayed in the region and launched a highly successful career creating companies, serving the state and ultimately succeeding at the highest levels of state government,” Spellings said. “And at every step along the way, you gave back to your alma mater, lifted it up alongside you and fought for it in Raleigh. And you’ve delivered results for this university, just as you delivered results for the entire UNC System and for the entire state.”
Made possible through funding from the 2016 statewide $2 billion Connect NC bond referendum, the Apodaca building will replace WCU’s existing, 1970s-era Natural Sciences Building. Construction will begin later this year, followed by completion and occupancy by June 2021. The building will include five stories of laboratory, classroom, assembly and office space, with the sixth story serving as a “mechanical penthouse.” It will feature a large, 150-person lecture hall, a science commons area on the first floor and a rooftop plaza for astronomy observations.
The WCU Board of Trustees voted in December 2016 to name the building in honor of Apodaca in recognition of his years of service to and support of the Western North Carolina region and the university, including his time as a member of the WCU Board of Trustees and his extensive advocacy for the university in the General Assembly.
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Hendersonville Four Seasons Politics
U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows and State Treasurer Dale Folwell will headline the annual convention of the Henderson County Republican Party at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 10, at Apple Valley Middle School.
“We believe this year’s Convention will be one of our best," said party Chair Merry Guy. "We have seen so much enthusiasm this year for conservative candidates who support our platform. I think the tax cuts and booming economy have helped encourage Republicans to get involved because they know they can make a difference.”
Republican activists will also hear from primary candidates and conduct party business.
"Delegates are elected at precinct level and from there are eligible to move up the levels of organization, even to the National Republican Committee delegate level if elected," Guy said. “We hear so much about the delegates sent to the RNC to nominate our Presidential candidates, but few understand that they started as credentialed delegates at the Convention in their own precinct and county before they could move up.” For more information visit http://hendersoncountygop.com/ or call 828-693-6040.
CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story incorrectly reported the time of the event as 11 a.m. Read Story »
Henderson County Four Seasons Politics
The North Carolina State Bar reprimanded attorney Michael Edney for professional misconduct in the handling of an estate, according to an order issued last Aug. 9.The bar’s Grievance Committee investigated a complaint against Edney filed by a client identified only as S. M. According to the committee, Edney was hired to handle the estate of the complainant’s father in December 2014. At that time, “the complainant’s mother, Mrs. L.M., gave you two checks made payable to her late husband or his estate,” Grievance Committee Chair DeWitt “Mac” McCarley wrote in the reprimand. “You did not place those checks in a fiduciary account, but placed the checks in a file where they remained until the complainant spoke with you in April 2017.”Edney, the chairman of the county Board of Commissioners, admitted to the bar that he took no substantive action on the estate for two years and that he did not “adequately stay in touch” with the client “due to your busy law practice and other obligations.”The Grievance Committee found that Edney violated state bar rules by failing to communicate with the client and failing to place the decedent’s checks in a trust account.The state Bar suspended Edney from practicing law for two years in June 1999 for what it said was his mishandling of a client’s appeal of a criminal conviction and his failure to respond to either the client’s letters or the state Bar’s notifications. The state Bar reinstated his license in April of 2000 after it determined he had complied with the terms of disciplinary order.“That’s gutter politics,” Edney said when asked about the disciplinary action. He suggested someone planning to run against him leaked the order to the press. “That’s what these folks are trying to dig up. It’s not newsworthy and I’m going to comment on it.”
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Henderson County Four Seasons Politics
Gayle Kemp, a retired attorney and law enforcement instructor from Fletcher, announced her candidacy for the District 117 state House seat on Tuesday.
Kemp vowed to bring her 30 years of legal experience and her deep concern for fairness and equality to the job of representing District 117, which covers the northern two-thirds of Henderson County.“Local communities know what is best when it comes to issues like water and sewer and local voting districts,” she said.
“Democracy is preserved when each person’s vote is counted," she added. "Democracy is preserved when voting districts are fairly drawn to allow the voters to choose their representatives rather than the other way around. Extreme gerrymandering must stop.”
“Democracy is preserved when all citizens are guaranteed life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. These Democratic standards and values are best served when everyone, rural or urban, white, black, Hispanic or Native American, rich, middle class or poor, can expect a living wage for working forty hours a week.”
She believes that Western North Carolina has been left behind when it comes to economic growth. “We have talented folks here. They need to be valued and paid for their labor.”“Rejection of Medicaid expansion makes no common sense when our tax dollars are sent to Washington DC but could be used here for people who need healthcare and to increase good-paying healthcare jobs," she said.A mother of three and grandmother of three grandsons, she is active in her community and works toward goals like community libraries to teaching children to sew at 4H clubs. Kemp plans to file for election at the Henderson County Board of Elections on Wednesday at 9:30 am.For more information on Gayle’s campaign, please contact her 828-551-6169 or by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The address for Gayle Kemp for State House is P.O Box 126, Hendersonville, NC 28793. Gayle’s Facebook page and website are under development. Read Story »
Henderson County Four Seasons Politics
U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows and State Treasurer Dale Folwell will headline the annual convention of the Henderson County Republican Party at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 10, at Apple Valley Middle School.
“We believe this year’s Convention will be one of our best," said party Chair Merry Guy. "We have seen so much enthusiasm this year for conservative candidates who support our platform. I think the tax cuts and booming economy have helped encourage Republicans to get involved because they know they can make a difference.”
Republican activists will also hear from primary candidates and conduct party business.
"Delegates are elected at precinct level and from there are eligible to move up the levels of organization, even to the National Republican Committee delegate level if elected," Guy said. “We hear so much about the delegates sent to the RNC to nominate our Presidential candidates, but few understand that they started as credentialed delegates at the Convention in their own precinct and county before they could move up.” For more information visit http://hendersoncountygop.com/ or call 828-693-6040. Read Story »
Henderson County Four Seasons Politics
President Trump held a lengthy roundtable discussion on school safety on Thursday, surrounded by local and state officials, including Henderson County Sheriff Charlie McDonald.
Trump came out in support of denying assault weapon purcahses to anyone under 21 years old, said he supported allowing qualified teachers to carry concealed weapons in schools.
"The day before yesterday I got a call from Congressman Meadows office that said,"Hey can you be here in Washington on Thursday. The president wants to meet with elected offiicials and law enforcement because he's trying to get togother ideas and get something moving on this school safey issue while everybody's focused on it.' I had no idea I'd be sitting next toJeff Sessions and (Florida Attorney General) Pam Bondi and meeting Kellyanne Conway.
"I think what they're really looking at doing is to bring a lot of ideas and come up with a model that can be be used" across the country, perhaps with the help of federal grants. "I caught that there was a very serious commitment right now and in listening to (Trump) talk I got the impression that's he's commtted," he said in a phone interview from Washington.
When he got to McDonald, Trump mentioned the congressman who had recommended the Henderson County sheriff for the school safety talks.
“Congressman Meadows is a big fan of yours, that I can tell you, you know who I’m talking about,” Trump told him.
"I've been very impressedwith a lot of the ideas I’ve heard and I do think mental health is a serious issue," McDonald said. "It’s affected us across the nation. I know it is in North Carolina. I appreciatre your courage to talk about the fact that I do think there is a place for properly trained people in certain areas as well. I think multilayered securities like an onion has got a lot of facets and I believe you’ve got the courage and leadership to bring all this together. I know there’s a lot of good ideas out there but it’s going to take a lot of courage on the part of leaders of this nation to bring the community together."
Trump echoed that.
"It’s going to take a lot of political courage," he said. “Some of it won’t be politically correct.”
"My deal was that I appreciate the fact that he's got the commitment and courage to entertain some things that maybe people aren't that warm about," McDonald said later.
One of only two law enforcement officials invited and the only sheriff, McDonald said he was honored to be a part of the discussion.
"I appreciate the congressman" suggesting him for the roundtable, he said.
"I told him really him I'm not intersted in something that's just a dog and pony show and he said 'I wouldn't send you there for that.' I was very pleased with the attention it's getting."
Sheriff's Maj. Frank Stout said he did not have a lot of details about how the invitation came about but that Meadows, who is close to Trump and is a strong supporter of McDonald, had been a go-between.
"It has been a very very short-notice trip," he said. "It was very good opportunity for the sheriff to be invited to Washington."
THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY. RETURN TO THE LIGHTNING FOR MORE. Read Story »
Henderson County Four Seasons Politics
The last day of candidate qualifying for the 2018 brought a major surprise when an Asheville developer who has been a strong supporter of U.S. Mark Meadows filed to run in the Republican primary against the three-term incumbent.
Charles Wallace "Chuck" Archerd is active in Republican politics in Buncombe County. Democrat Brownie Newman defeated him 56 to 44 percent when he ran for chair of the Board of Commissioners in 2016. Archerd was an early and enthusiastic supporter of Meadows when the Highlands developer first announced in 2011 that he was running for the 11th Congressional District seat, which the newly Republican-led North Carolina Legislature had drawn into one of the most strongly Republican seats in the state.
Archerd told the Asheville Citizen-Times that he asked for a meeting with Meadows, where he "just peppered him with questions." Archerd came away from the breakfast meeting at a Waffle House impressed with the first-time candidate as "very personable, reasonably conservative and very articulate – and I always appreciate a man of faith." He wrote him a check for $2,500.
Archerd issued a statement indicating he was aware of Washington chatter that Meadows could be in line to replace retired Gen. John Kelly as President Trump's chief of staff or receive some other high-ranking administration job. And, in an unusual statement for a challenger, said he said he supports the incumbent's re-election.
"To my knowledge he does not have any offers or accepted any offers," Archerd said in an interview.
Even so, Archerd depicts himself as a standby between now and November should Meadows leave Congress.
"For more than six years I have supported Congressman Meadows, as he has provided strong conservative representation for Western North Carolina," he said in a statement. "I continue to support him in his reelection campaign.
"Based upon news stories over the past several weeks, Congressman Meadows has been on a 'short list' of candidates for several high level positions in the Trump administration," he added. "If Congressman Meadows should be called upon to serve our country in a higher capacity, I believe the voters in the 11th District deserve a strong conservative voice in Washington to represent them.”
Archerd's last-minute entry into the race was the latest twist in an election filing season that saw a surge of Democrats and women filing for office in Henderson County and across North Carolina. All 14 legislative seats in Western North Carolina — 10 held by Republicans, four by Democrats — will be contested and across the state, all 170 state House and Senate seats are contested either in a primary or general election, the Charlotte Observer reported.
“This is a historic day,” state Democratic Party spokesman Robert Howard said on Twitter. “Our party is the strongest it’s ever been and NC is fired up to break the supermajority.”
While Democrats are claiming momentum this election year, Republicans also filled slots against Democratic incumbents after an aggressive candidate recruitment drive that included an offer to pay the qualifying fee. The record number of Republican candidates “will forever put to rest the idea that Republican-drawn legislative maps keep people from running for office," GOP Executive Director Dallas Woodhouse said.
On Tuesday a second Democratic candidate filed for the Henderson County Board of Commissioners seat held by Chairman Michael Edney, setting up a rarely seen Democratic primary for a county commission seat.
Michelle Frances Antalec, of Middleton Road in Flat Rock, filed for the District 1 seat and faces Patricia Sheley in a Democratic primary on May 8.
Antalec's entry into the county commission race adds to a trend of political activism by women taking hold in Henderson County.
In other filings, School Board Chair Amy Lynn Holt filed for re-election.
Qualifying, which ends at noon Wednesday, has produced three female candidates for the currently all-male Board of Commissioners, one for state House and one for District Attorney.
The Henderson County School Board, the most gender balanced of all countywide boards, with women holding three out of seven seats, has two female candidates so far. Challengers Dot R. Case and Stacey Caskey have signed up, along with Jay Egolf and Randy Ward, who also are challengers. School Board Chair Amy Lynn Holt says she plans to file for re-election before the deadline, which would put three female candidates on the School Board ballot. Incumbent Lisa Edwards announced Monday that she's not running for re-election.
"The past twelve years has been one of the best experiences in my life but I have decided not to seek re-election to the School Board," she said. "I thank my family and friends and everyone who has supported me and made this possible. I’ve had the privilege to work with wonderful people within and outside the school system. People who value our children’s future as much as I do. You can be really discouraged about issues, have lunch with the elementary students and realize they are why we do what we do.
"We are truly blessed to have one of the best school systems in North Carolina and I plan to stay active in some capacity with our schools."
In the #metoo era, women are becoming more active as candidates for office and campaign organizers and recent filings has filled several slots with female candidates.
Voters in Henderson County have a chance to put two women on the Board of Commissioners for the first time in recent memory. Rebecca Kate McCall, a Republican, filed for the District 4 seat incumbent Tommy Thompson is vacating and Democrat Patricia Sheley filed Monday for the District 1 seat held by board Chair Michael Edney, who is running for re-election. Meanwhile, Gayle Kemp, a retired lawyer from Fletcher, plans to run against state Rep. Chuck McGrady, who is seeking a fifth term. Kemp, a Democrat, said Monday she plans to file the District 117 seat on Tuesday morning. Mary Ann J. Hollocker, a magistrate, has filed to run in the Republican primary against District Attorney Greg Newman.
Kim Gasperson-Justice, the only woman holding a constitutional office, has filed for re-election. Henderson County does have two female district judges — Emily Cowan and Athena Brooks — but they're not currently on the ballot because the N.C. Legislature postponed judicial filing until June.
Elsewhere in signup news, the 11th Congressional District race attracted two more candidates — a third Democrat, Steve Woodsmall of Brevard, and a Libertarian, Clifton B. Ingram Jr. of Sylva.
Here are the election filings through Feb. 19:
11th Congressional District: U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows, Republican; Scott Donaldson, D-Hendersonville; Phillip Price, D-Marion; Steve Woodsmall, D-Brevard; Clifton B. Ingram Jr., Libertarian, Sylva.
48th Senate District: Chuck Edwards, R-Flat Rock; Norm Bossert, D-Pisgah Forest.
113th House District: Cody Henson, R-Rosman; Sam Edney, D-Brevard.
117th House District: Chuck McGrady, R-Hendersonville.
District Attorney: Mary Ann J. Hollocker, Republican; Greg Newman, Republican.
Henderson County Sheriff: Lowell Griffin, Republican; Charlie McDonald, Republican.
Henderson County Register of Deeds: Lee King, Republican.
Henderson County Clerk of Court: Kim Gasperson-Justice.
Henderson County Board of Commissioners District 1: Michael Edney, Republican; Patricia Sheley, Democrat.
Henderson County Board of Commissioners District 3: William G. Lapsley, Republican.
Henderson County Board of Commissioners District 4: Rebecca McCall, Republican; Tim Griffin, Republican.
Henderson County School Board (nonpartisan): Jay Egolf, Don Ward, Randy Ward, Dot R. Case, Stacey Caskey.
EARLIER COVERAGE
The District 4 Board of Commissioners race went topsy turvy on Tuesday with the announcement of Tim Griffin that he is withdrawing as a candidate, triggering a decision by former Commissioner Don Ward to switch from the School Board to the county commission race.
"I have had the opportunity to consult with my family and we have counseled with our pastor," Griffin said. "It has become increasingly apparent that at this time in my life that my priorities involve my family, my church, and the public service I will continue to provide in the form of fire, rescue, and law enforcement protection to the great folks of Henderson County.
"These priorities will not allow for the dedication of time it would take to successfully fulfill the demands of such an important position. I genuinely appreciate the support that I have received during the initial stages of my candidacy. Your friendship is special and although I am no longer a candidate I ask that you continue to pray for me as I will you."
Ward said he had spoken with Griffin "all weekend" and that Griffin told him he did not think he would have the time to devote to the county commission job.
Ward, who served on the Board Commissioners from 1994 to 2002, said he would withdraw from the School Board race and file for the apple country seat on Tuesday. He vowed to work cooperatively with the School Board on school construction priorities and pledged to push for a tax rollback.
"As a small business owner and a farmer, I see the county sitting on a healthy but large fund balance," he said. "I know there are capital projects needed in the county but economic growth as well as a reasonable fund balance and an upcoming reassessment should be adequate to pay for them, without overtaxing the property owners of the county." If elected, he said, he'll immediately ask commissioners to join him in his "Revenue Neutral Tax Reform Plan."
Ward also promised to work with cities and stop "charging them for services their taxpayers are already paying for or forcing them to provide services the county is, ir should be, providing" a reference to an $800,000-a-year contract Mills River pays for for enhanced sheriff's coverage and Sheriff Charlie McDonald's decision to pull animal control services from cities.
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Henderson County Four Seasons Politics
Democrat Sam Edney filed for North Carolina House District 113 on Monday, saying the Republican-controlled Legislature is wasting money “defending unconstitutional redistricting” and "weakening our democracy.”
A former Transylvania County School Board member, Edney has owned Pisgah Pest Control for 30 years. Since October he has been changing from work clothes and donned his signature bow tie to speak with voters. House District 113 covers Transylvania, Polk and southern Henderson County along the South Carolina line.Edney grew up in Henderson County milking cows and picking apples. With a degree from AB Tech he worked as an industrial engineer for 18 years, 12 of them at Ecusta paper mill. Since buying his pest control business in 1988, the company has grown to three branches with 24 employees.
“The millions of NC dollars spent defending unconstitutional redistricting is more than a waste of tax money,” Edney said. “It’s weakening our democracy.”
He believes now is the time to invest in public education. “It’s the key to bringing good-paying jobs back to our region. Unemployment may be low, but so are wages.”
Edney wants to expand Medicaid in North Carolina, something Gov. Roy Cooper supports and the Legislature steadfastly opposes. “It will create thousands of jobs,” Edney said. “And we need to stop exporting tax dollars to other states. That money could be here at home, taking care of our own elderly and children.”
“Also central to my campaign”, says Edney, “is every citizen’s opportunity for a good-paying job, and their right to clean drinking water. Taking care of our environment is vital to our mountain economy.”
His Henderson County campaign kickoff is at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 6, at the Historic Courthouse. For more information visit www.ElectSamEdney.com or www.facebook.com/SamEdney4WNC.
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