Seven candidates are running for Town of Black Mountain Council where three seats are open.
Lisa Milton
Democratic Party
Where are you from?
Black Mountain
What is your top priority if elected?
Put the brakes on unbridled spending.
What three words would you use to describe your political values?
Fairness, Integrity, Inclusive
What do you wish the community knew about this office?
This office should represent the best interests of all of the citizens in our municipality equitably, without favoring business interests or individual interests. Fiscal decisions should be carefully considered so hardships are not imposed on residents of the community.
What is one thing that you want to say to voters?
I am fortunate to have been born and raised in Black Mountain. My husband and I raised our children here and were self-employed in Black Mountain our entire working career. I am running for Town Council because I feel that budget expenditures are becoming a burden on many residents, both young and retired. Black Mountain enjoys a charming thriving business community that has grown over the years. The businesses rely on a large workforce of young hardworking people. The cost of homeownership in Black Mountain has grown to a level that precludes many in the workforce from being able to afford the rents much less ever be able to afford to own a home. Homeownership is a driving factor in a thriving community. I would like to participate with the staff, council, businesses and community members in working towards initiatives that could work to bring affordable housing to Black Mountain.
Where do you currently live?
Black Mountain
Dan Cordell
Unaffiliated/No Party
Where are you from?
Candidate left this section blank.
What is your top priority if elected?
Financial responsibilities
What three words would you use to describe your political values?
For the people
What do you wish the community knew about this office?
The decisions made affect all residents. And consideration must be taken seriously on these effects and what it costs versus what it brings to the communities best interests.
What is one thing that you want to say to voters?
The spiritual health of a community begins in the heart of each individual and finds expression in our words and actions, especially to each other. Unity is essential, and respect of each other's passions without feeding negatively to our differences is a better way to benefit our community as a whole.
Where do you currently live?
Black Mountain
Ryan Stone
Unaffiliated/No Party
Where are you from?
Black Mountain, NC
What is your top priority if elected?
Balancing the pressures of growth while preserving the small town feel that makes Black Mountain special, in an equitable and fiscally responsible manner.
What three words would you use to describe your political values?
Accountable, Responsible, Rock Solid
What do you wish the community knew about this office?
That it is an honor to serve the community that I grew up in and that means so much to me and my family. It is a pleasure to get to work with citizens, staff and fellow council members to craft policy and provide direction for the future of our town. Black Mountain offers a wide variety of services, recreation programs, and projects while maintaining the lowest effectual tax rate in Buncombe County.
What is one thing that you want to say to voters?
I always strive to be a council member that is prepared, listens to all sides of an issue, and treats people, citizens, staff, and fellow council members with respect. A council member that tries to make the most informed and best decision that they can. A council member that is accountable, that addresses issues proactively and other situations as they arise. I just want to do my part to leave our community a little better than I found it. I will bring the experience gained from my previous service and past board memberships, a lifetime of growing up in the community, and the desire to make sure that Black Mountain remains the place of opportunity for those that come after me.
Where do you currently live?
Black Mountain, NC
Pam King
Democratic Party
Where are you from?
Military brat, primarily grew up in Florida after my dad retired
What is your top priority if elected?
As growth continues in this region, it places increasing demands on everything a municipality encounters, including public safety, sanitation, water, sewer, stormwater, roads, environmental concerns, affordable housing, and recreation. If we hope to meet current challenges and plan for the future, staffing infrastructure must be considered.
Recruitment and retention of well trained, qualified staff will be essential for effectively meeting the needs Black Mountain encounters as a popular tourist destination and desirable residential location, while maintaining the high service delivery citizens deserve.
What three words would you use to describe your political values?
Respect
Accountability
Inclusivity
What do you wish the community knew about this office?
While national and state elections are obviously important, local elections matter in a very direct manner. Difficult choices must be made, especially at budget time. I am proud of the transparent budget process we’ve used for the last three years so the public can have input and observe the discussions required. While this process is time consuming, almost six months of extra public meetings, but I feel the end result is worth it for transparency and public engagement.
What is one thing that you want to say to voters?
I bring to the Black Mountain Town Council years of work experience where I learned about budgets, accountability, and priorities. My goal is to be a good steward of all resources, especially tax payer dollars. I am a proven leader having served on Town Council for almost four years now. I do my homework, listen to constituents, and value thoughtful discussions of the issues at hand. I would welcome the opportunity to continue this work if re-elected.
Where do you currently live?
Black Mountain, NC
Doug Hay
Democratic Party
Where are you from?
Harrisonburg, VA
What is your top priority if elected?
My top priority is to honor what makes Black Mountain special by preparing for the future with thoughtful planning, investing in critical services and infrastructure, and elevating town parks.
More specifically:
1. Continuing improvements to our public parks and green spaces. My top priorities are rehabbing Cragmont Park, building out the first phase of trails and amenities in the Hemphill property, and improvements to the ballfields and community garden in Veterans Park.
2. Thoughtful direction and community input for the upcoming changes to development and zoning ordinances (Unified Development Ordinances). Per state regulations, we are required to update our ordinances, which will have a broad impact on the future of Black Mountain’s affordability, greenspaces, environmental stewardship, stormwater management, and zoning.
3. Improving communication between the town and citizens. From how we provide updates and critical information to enhancing the roles of citizen boards, elected official town halls, and contacting departments, it's a priority of mine to address communication across the board.
4. Support the business community both inside and outside of the downtown business district to enrich our job market and quality of life.
What three words would you use to describe your political values?
Honesty, progress, transparency
What do you wish the community knew about this office?
One of the biggest responsibilities the Town Council has is setting the town budget, which dictates the effectiveness of town services, how we manage future growth, and the experience of day-to-day life for those of us who live here. Over the past four years, I've helped lead reinvestments in the areas that make Black Mountain such a wonderful place to live, including parks, stormwater and green infrastructure and ordinances, road and pedestrian improvements, and public safety.
If re-elected, I’ll continue taking a thoughtful, fiscally responsible approach to the budget to help ensure Black Mountain’s children, youth, and adults have a safe and clean place to thrive.
What is one thing that you want to say to voters?
Black Mountain is an absolute gem. From the incredible setting and community, to the fact that such a small town offers the amount of services we do.
As the town faces new challenges on infrastructure, development, and affordability, I hope that we can listen to each other and work together to maintain a community where our youngest citizens can flourish alongside their parents and grandparents.
Where do you currently live?
Black Mountain, NC
Rick Earley
Unaffiliated
Where are you from?
Black Mountain, NC
What is your top priority if elected?
Stop the excessive, debt laden spending.
What three words would you use to describe your political values?
For the People
What do you wish the community knew about this office?
This office is in the position to hold town managers accountable to the residents.
What is one thing that you want to say to voters?
I pledge to say NO to next year's budget if it contains additional debt, taxes, or fees. The average household MONTHLY expenses are $800 more than 4 years ago and excessive spending shall not be laid on the backs of checking and savings accounts of our already financially strapped residents.
Where do you currently live?
Black Mountain, NC
Archie C. Pertiller Jr.
Democratic Party
Where are you from?
Black Mountain, NC
What is your top priority if elected?
My top priority is to do my best to listen to the citizens and to do what's for the Town and it's citizens.
What three words would you use to describe your political values?
Fair and unbiased
What do you wish the community knew about this office?
The honor that you feel being able to serve your community in this role.
What is one thing that you want to say to voters?
Being a native of Black Mountain this town is very special to me. It would be an honor if elected to serve a community/town that has given me so much.
Where do you currently live?
Black Mountain, NC