Earlier this month, BPR asked the Asheville community one question: What do you want candidates to talk about as they compete for your vote? We received more than 300 suggestions from about 150 people in the Asheville area.
BPR sent six questions informed by the community responses to each City Council candidate. Here are candidate Robert (Bo) Hess's responses.
1. What is the biggest challenge facing Asheville in the realm of housing and what do you see as the best solution right now?
Asheville’s primary housing challenge is a significant shortage across all types—apartments, studios, single-family homes, and especially transitional shelters for our most vulnerable citizens. This shortage undermines affordability, making it tough for city workers to find housing within their means.
The solution requires a dual approach:
1.Expanding Housing Stock: We need to significantly boost the availability of affordable housing options for Asheville’s workforce, including a wider range of apartments, homes, and shelters.
2.Implementing Supportive Measures: Offering assistance for housing deposits, application processes, and stronger eviction protections can help keep people in their homes and make entering housing more accessible without overwhelming financial pressure.
Tackling this issue demands a collaborative effort among city officials, developers, and community groups to ensure a sustainable increase in affordable housing and to provide the necessary support to prevent homelessness, aiming for a future where all Asheville residents have a place to call home.
2. What role, if any, should a city council member play in addressing the impacts of climate change? Are there specific policies related to climate change that you would support?
City Council members play a crucial role in addressing climate change by adopting policies that promote sustainability and reduce carbon emissions. Asheville has the potential to become a leader in the renewable energy sector, creating jobs and fostering economic growth in Western North Carolina through the production of green materials and solar panels.
Specific policies I would support include:
•Tax Incentives: Offering tax breaks to residents and businesses that retrofit buildings with green energy solutions like solar panels.
•Greening City Infrastructure: Ensuring city and county buildings are energy-efficient and environmentally friendly.
•Expanding Composting Programs: Enhancing city composting to reduce food waste in landfills, which emit greenhouse gasses.
•Promoting Walkability and Cycling: Making Asheville more walkable and bike-friendly to decrease reliance on vehicles.
•Encouraging Water Conservation: Supporting responsible water use practices and Maintaining existing infrastructure to prevent leaks or burst pipes.
•Digitalization of City Operations: Moving towards digital documentation to reduce paper usage among city workers.
Implementing these policies can significantly impact our environmental footprint, making Asheville a model city for climate action.
3. Are there specific measures you would take in your first 100 days to make Asheville City government more efficient and responsive to the needs of the people?
In my first 100 days, I would focus on enhancing the city government’s efficiency and responsiveness to Asheville’s residents. A common concern among community members is feeling unheard and struggling to navigate the complex structure of city departments. To address this, I propose establishing a dedicated “customer service” department. This department will act as a central point for triaging phone calls and directing residents to the appropriate city services or workers based on their needs.
Instilling a culture of hospitality within city government is essential. Drawing from my experience in the service industry, I understand the importance of being service-oriented. The city government must prioritize serving its taxpayers and community members effectively. By implementing these measures, we can ensure that Asheville’s city government is more accessible, responsive, and attuned to the needs of its people.
4. The Sheriff’s Office Downtown Initiative is a recent example of increased police presence as a solution for crime downtown. Do you believe this is an effective method for curbing crime? Why or why not?
Increasing police presence can deter crime in specific areas, but as a public health worker and social worker, I see it as just one part of a broader strategy to enhance community safety in Asheville. A safe community allows all members to thrive, necessitating a multi-faceted approach:
•Supporting First Responders: Equip police and first responders to address safety and crime efficiently.
•Investing in Safety Infrastructure: Improve lighting, surveillance, and emergency services access.
•Enhancing Community Spaces: Expand community centers, parks, and greenways, and offer comprehensive youth programs including after-school and summer activities.
•Appropriate Crisis Response: Differentiate responses by dispatching police for criminal acts and mental health professionals for psychosocial issues.
•Ongoing training of police officers and promoting from within: Keeping our department local and connected to the community as well as supporting ongoing education of officers to promote the safety aspect of police work. This integrated strategy provides a balanced approach to safety, combining immediate security measures with long-term community development, fostering a safer Asheville for everyone.
5. Who of the 8 candidates, other than yourself, is the strongest candidate for City Council and why?
While all candidates bring valuable perspectives, my ability to work intimately with people, addressing their concerns with empathy and effectiveness, sets me apart. I am proud of my strong working relationships with current council members and fellow candidates alike. This foundation ensures that, if elected, I will be able to work collaboratively with anyone on the council to address the needs of the Asheville community effectively. My commitment is to leverage these relationships and my professional background to ensure Asheville thrives in the years and generations ahead, making me a strong choice for City Council.
Having worked amongst the field of candidates who are campaigning for City Council I am pleased to find each of them a strong candidate and I encourage the voters of Asheville to make their voices heard by participating in our local elections and attending community meetings/forums.
6. Asheville City Council has worked on a number of strategies to provide shelter and services for people experiencing homelessness. What strategies would you support as a council member?
As someone deeply involved with the houseless population through daily work and volunteering at ABCCM, I understand the critical need for targeted support. A key strategy I advocate for is the establishment of a dedicated case management team. This team would engage directly with individuals experiencing homelessness, assessing their psychosocial needs and guiding them through the necessary steps to address these needs, ultimately aiding their transition to being productive city members.
Additionally, while transitional shelters are essential, the concept of a single, large shelter may not serve our community best. I propose the development of smaller shelters distributed throughout the city, each catering to its local area. This approach minimizes the impact on any single neighborhood and aligns with transportation routes, enhancing accessibility.
Supporting these strategies requires political will and a commitment to creating the Asheville we all deserve—an Asheville where every resident has access to the support they need. Electing leaders with firsthand experience and a strong resolve to address homelessness compassionately and effectively is crucial.
