Maggie Ullman

In one word, what is the top issue that is motivating you to run for Asheville City Council?

Follow-through

The region is still recovering from Hurricane Helene — and likely will be for a long time. Considering that resources will be limited, where do you prioritize putting the redevelopment funds?

That means rebuilding with climate reality at the forefront, and not recreating the same risks. Practically, it looks like rebuilding water infrastructure to be climate smart from water treatment and distribution pipes to rebuilding our stream and river banks, redesigning our riverfront parks to absorb future floods while remaining places families can enjoy every day; creating neighborhood-based resilience hubs with backup power and clean water so communities are prepared before the next emergency; and supporting economic recovery through small business grants and reinvestment in flooded commercial corridors—helping local businesses reopen while adapting to live in better balance with the river.

One of the biggest issues facing Asheville is lack of affordable housing. What is your top policy change that you think would help address the situation?

For more than two decades, Asheville’s investment in subsidized affordable housing has helped residents stay in our community, supported working families, seniors, and essential workers, and reflected our shared values of inclusion and opportunity. That commitment must continue. At the same time, one of the most important policy changes we can make now is modernizing our zoning code to allow more housing in the right places—especially near jobs, transit, and services. That added flexibility must be paired with strong anti-displacement protections so longtime residents can remain rooted in their neighborhoods as Asheville grows.

The city is facing a budget deficit of at least $30 million. How would you prioritize allocating what funds the city does have? Is there a section of the budget where you would make budgetary cuts, or would you choose to raise property taxes? 

Asheville is facing one of the toughest budget environments in a decade. Inflation and cost escalation are real, and while revenue projections may improve, we can’t budget on hope alone. Scarcity doesn’t mean neutrality—it means our values show up more clearly in what we protect. My priority is safeguarding core services people rely on every day: transit, housing investments, and flood-ready infrastructure. That means taking a hard look at lower-priority projects, pacing capital spending, and reducing inefficiencies before asking residents to pay more. I see property taxes as a last resort, not a first move, and I’m focused on multi-year strategies that stabilize the city rather than short-term fixes.

The City of Asheville and Buncombe County spent years working on a reparations plan for Black residents. Now the federal government is withholding funds from any entity that refers to DEI or that singles out a specific race for any special consideration and is actively discouraging DEI initiatives in local government. What is your feeling about the work the Community Reparations Commission produced?  Would you implement its recommendations considering the federal restrictions? How?

The Community Reparations Commission did careful, meaningful work grounded in Asheville’s history and in the lived experience of Black residents. That work matters, and it shouldn’t be abandoned because the national landscape has shifted. At the same time, my responsibility as a council member is to govern responsibly and protect critical federal funding our community relies on. I believe we can do both. Repairing harm caused by past public policy is a legitimate local responsibility, and we can advance the intent of the Commission’s recommendations through lawful, place-based investments and continued partnership with the community—without walking away from our values or our obligations.

Do you think the current City Council has prioritized the right issues?  If yes, why are those the right issues?  If not, where would you re-direct the focus?

I think about Council priorities in two ways: what we deliver, and how effectively we deliver it. On substance, I believe we’re focused on the right issues—housing people can afford, infrastructure that can withstand a changing climate, and neighborhoods that feel safe and connected. Where we need to sharpen our focus is execution. Asheville loses trust and momentum when projects stall or decisions drag on. My priority is improving how we govern: strengthening collaboration between Council and staff, setting clear timelines, and making progress visible so residents can see results, not just plans.

What do you love about Asheville that you want to see more of?

What I love most about Asheville is our civic culture—people who care deeply, show up consistently, and are willing to work across differences to solve real problems. At our best, Asheville brings together residents, nonprofits, businesses, artists, and public servants who don’t wait for permission to act. I want to see more of that: more collaboration instead of silos, more creativity applied to hard challenges, and more shared ownership of the city’s future. That spirit is what has always moved Asheville forward, and it’s what will help us navigate the challenges ahead together.