Ballot Pedia, Bo Hess

Candidate website

Believes public services like libraries, parks, and recreation are essential for community building and environmental health. Supports greenway expansion to maintain biodiversity, reduce urban heat, and provide clean air and community spaces.

Believes environmental stewardship and public spaces can combat loneliness and build social resilience. Supports community building through public services like parks and recreation.

Believes environmental stewardship and public spaces can combat loneliness and build social resilience. 

Supports bolstering funding for community partners and stakeholders, emphasizing their vital daily work.

Supports bolstering funding for community partners and stakeholders.

Believes that a thriving, compassionate community is achieved when every resident is safe, feels a sense of belonging, and has access to equal opportunities and a protected environment. Invites support to make Asheville the best home for all.

Believes that a thriving, compassionate community is achieved when every resident is safe, feels a sense of belonging, and has access to equal opportunities and a protected environment. 

Believes every resident deserves to thrive with access to essentials like nutritious food, reliable shelter, and personal safety. Supports providing a Living Wage for all public employees.

Believes every resident deserves to thrive with access to essentials like nutritious food, reliable shelter, and personal safety. 

Believes in ensuring access to essentials like nutritious food, reliable shelter, and personal safety for everyone. Plans to live in a city that "cares for the people who make it great."

Believes mental wellness should be a fundamental right and envisions a community where everyone is supported, valued, and empowered.

Believes "mental wellness" should be a fundamental right.

Believes Asheville should adopt sustainable practices to harmonize with nature. Supports community efforts to preserve natural splendors for future generations.

- Believes public services like libraries, parks, and recreation are essential for community building and environmental health. Supports greenway expansion to maintain biodiversity, reduce urban heat, and provide clean air and community spaces.
- Believes environmental stewardship and public spaces can combat loneliness and build social resilience. 
- Supports bolstering funding for community partners and stakeholders.
- Believes every resident deserves to thrive with access to essentials like nutritious food, reliable shelter, and personal safety. 
- Believes "mental wellness" should be a fundamental right.

Public Services

Believes crime is a symptom of deeper social issues and supports addressing root causes like poverty and drug abuse through policy and partnership. Plans to invest in social services, mental health support, and rehabilitation programs.

Supports expanding the community paramedic program and intensifying mental health and crisis intervention training for first responders to ensure compassionate, effective care for those facing mental health crises.

Believes ensuring residents' safety and well-being requires innovative solutions to address crime, poverty, and drug abuse.

Believes in creating a future where every citizen feels secure and valued by implementing innovative strategies to reduce crime and build a safe community.

Believes in leveraging technology and data to enhance public safety while respecting privacy and improving security. Plans to implement these tools responsibly.

Plans to leverage technology and data to enhance public safety while respecting privacy and improving security. 

Believes in reducing jail populations and addressing addiction issues. As co-chair of the Buncombe County District Attorney's Jail Reduction and Addiction Taskforce, works on initiatives to improve public safety.

Believes the pandemic has highlighted the urgent need for compassionate action on mental health and addiction. Said, "We stand at a critical juncture where mental health is projected to become the leading cause of mortality in the next 15 years."

- Believes crime is a symptom of deeper social issues and supports addressing root causes like poverty and drug abuse through policy and partnership. Plans to invest in social services, mental health support, and rehabilitation programs.
- Supports expanding the community paramedic program and intensifying mental health and crisis intervention training for first responders to ensure compassionate, effective care for those facing mental health crises.
- Plans to leverage technology and data to enhance public safety while respecting privacy and improving security. 
- Believes in reducing jail populations and addressing addiction issues. As co-chair of the Buncombe County District Attorney's Jail Reduction and Addiction Taskforce, works on initiatives to improve public safety.

Public Safety

Supports raising public employee starting salaries to a living wage and incentivizing private businesses to do the same.

Supports raising public employee starting salaries to a "living wage" and incentivizing private businesses to do the same.

Believes in minimizing disparities in start-up funding to empower entrepreneurs. Supports fostering an environment that encourages innovation and enterprise.

Believes in "leveling the economic playing field" by minimizing disparities in start-up funding for budding entrepreneurs.

- Supports raising public employee starting salaries to a "living wage" and incentivizing private businesses to do the same.
- Believes in minimizing disparities in start-up funding to empower entrepreneurs. Supports fostering an environment that encourages innovation and enterprise.

Economy

Supports enhancing accessibility and funding for mental health practitioners in city schools, believing early intervention can change lives.

Believes in the importance of educating future clinicians and social work professionals. As an adjunct professor at Western Carolina University, demonstrates commitment to higher education.

Believes in the importance of educating future clinicians and social work professionals.

Supports expanding teen summer work programs and after-school initiatives to engage youth positively, providing constructive activities, reducing idle time, and building community and responsibility.

- Supports enhancing accessibility and funding for mental health practitioners in city schools, believing early intervention can change lives.
- Believes in the importance of educating future clinicians and social work professionals.
- Supports expanding teen summer work programs and after-school initiatives to engage youth positively, providing constructive activities, reducing idle time, and building community and responsibility.

Education

Believes in ensuring access to essentials like nutritious food, reliable shelter, and personal safety for everyone. Supports living in a city that cares for its residents.

Believes addressing housing and employment inequities can tackle mental health issues at their root.

Plans to implement regulations ensuring urban growth harmonizes with the environment, preserving green spaces and minimizing ecological impact.

- Believes addressing housing and employment inequities can tackle mental health issues at their root.
- Plans to implement regulations ensuring urban growth harmonizes with the environment, preserving green spaces and minimizing ecological impact.

Housing & Urban Development

Supports public transportation to ensure efficient and reliable access to work, education, and healthcare for all citizens.

Believes a well-connected city empowers its citizens by providing efficient and reliable access to public transportation, enabling easy access to work, education, and healthcare facilities.

Believes Asheville must be prepared and resilient by ensuring the city’s independence and self-reliance in safeguarding critical infrastructure against threats. Plans to protect infrastructure from sophisticated terrorist attacks and cyber threats.

Believes Asheville should "emerge stronger and more united" by fortifying infrastructure and preparing for all eventualities.

Supports regular audits and upgrades to physical infrastructure, ensuring resilience against threats to water, sewer, and electricity systems.

Plans to enhance safety infrastructure in Asheville by improving lighting in areas most affected by crime and accidents.

Believes in "fortifying Asheville’s infrastructure for a secure future." Supports improvements to roads, bridges, public transit, and overall infrastructure.

- Believes a well-connected city empowers its citizens by providing efficient and reliable access to public transportation, enabling easy access to work, education, and healthcare facilities.
- Believes Asheville must be prepared and resilient by ensuring the city’s independence and self-reliance in safeguarding critical infrastructure against threats. Plans to protect infrastructure from sophisticated terrorist attacks and cyber threats.
- Supports regular audits and upgrades to physical infrastructure, ensuring resilience against threats to water, sewer, and electricity systems.
- Plans to enhance safety infrastructure in Asheville by improving lighting in areas most affected by crime and accidents.

Transportation & Infrastructure

Instagram

Facebook

LinkedIn

Twitter

Roberto (Bo) Hess

Blue Ridge Public Radio

Emphasizes the need to implement climate change protections.

Prioritizes protecting local green spaces.

- Emphasizes the need to implement climate change protections.
- Prioritizes protecting local green spaces.

Believes that relying on the county for basic fire, police, and medical needs indicates government failure.

Advocates for increased officer presence on Saturday and Friday nights.

Advocates for a modernized neighborhood watch program.

- Believes that relying on the county for basic fire, police, and medical needs indicates government failure.
- Advocates for increased officer presence on Saturday and Friday nights.
- Advocates for a modernized neighborhood watch program.

Mountain X

Wants to create an environment where small businesses can thrive.

- Wants to create an environment where small businesses can thrive.

As of June 14, 2024, Charles (CJ) Domingo’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Advocates for improving and increasing services for the unhoused.

Emphasizes the need to find the root cause of homelessness.

- Advocates for improving and increasing services for the unhoused.
- Emphasizes the need to find the root cause of homelessness.

Believes reliable transportation and infrastructure are essential for achieving personal goals. Said, "How can folks plot a path to achieve their goals if they cannot rely upon our roads, our water delivery/recovery, transit, and power to work when they need it?"

Believes reliable transportation and infrastructure are essential for achieving personal goals, saying, "How can folks plot a path to achieve their goals if they cannot rely upon our roads, our water delivery/recovery, transit, and power to work when they need it?"

Believes those who work hard deserve clean streets, functional public transit, accessible sidewalks, and safe recreational spaces. Said, "For many who live in Asheville of 2024, that is not the case."

Believes those who work hard deserve clean streets, functional public transit, accessible sidewalks, and safe recreational spaces, saying, "For many who live in Asheville of 2024, that is not the case."

Supports making transportation and infrastructure improvements "open and visible" to the public and addressing issues with roads, bridges, public transit, and other infrastructure.

Believes Asheville's leaders should prioritize local infrastructure improvements like clean streets, working buses, accessible sidewalks, and safe public spaces. Criticizes current leadership for focusing on national issues over local needs.

Believes Asheville's leaders should prioritize local infrastructure improvements like clean streets, working buses, accessible sidewalks, and safe public spaces, and criticizes current leadership for focusing on national issues over local needs.

Believes we must prioritize improving infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and public transit.

- Believes reliable transportation and infrastructure are essential for achieving personal goals, saying, "How can folks plot a path to achieve their goals if they cannot rely upon our roads, our water delivery/recovery, transit, and power to work when they need it?"
- Believes those who work hard deserve clean streets, functional public transit, accessible sidewalks, and safe recreational spaces, saying, "For many who live in Asheville of 2024, that is not the case."
- Supports making transportation and infrastructure improvements "open and visible" to the public and addressing issues with roads, bridges, public transit, and other infrastructure.
- Believes Asheville's leaders should prioritize local infrastructure improvements like clean streets, working buses, accessible sidewalks, and safe public spaces, and criticizes current leadership for focusing on national issues over local needs.
- Believes we must prioritize improving infrastructure, including roads, bridges, and public transit.

Charles (CJ) Domingo

Ballotpedia, Kevan Frazier

Holds listening and respecting the public's views as his first priority.

Believes the top issue in the city is needing to "steadily and strategically work to achieve the outcomes we need and want."

Wants to foster a welcoming and trusting community.

Plans to focus on being a responsive leader that prioritizes the needs and wants of the community.

- Plans to be environmentally conscious.
- Holds listening and respecting the public's views as his first priority.
- Believes the top issue in the city is needing to "steadily and strategically work to achieve the outcomes we need and want."
- Wants to foster a welcoming and trusting community.
- Plans to focus on being a responsive leader that prioritizes the needs and wants of the community.

AIR, Kevan Frazier questionanaire

Supports "having a fully staffed and well-trained police department."

- Supports "having a fully staffed and well-trained police department."

Wants to help residents "find meaningful work at better wages..."

Wants to achieve "a reasonable cost of living..."

Supports establishing a Business Improvement District (BID) in downtown Asheville.

- Wants to help residents "find meaningful work at better wages..."
- Wants to achieve "a reasonable cost of living..."
- Supports establishing a Business Improvement District (BID) in downtown Asheville.

As of June 14, 2024, Kevan Frazier’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Wants to expand affordable housing and plans to mandate "that builders provide units at 30-50 percent of Area Median Income..."

Plans work towards eliminating "barriers to thoughtful and responsible housing development for both rentals and home ownership."

- Wants to expand affordable housing and plans to mandate "that builders provide units at 30-50 percent of Area Median Income..."
- Plans work towards eliminating "barriers to thoughtful and responsible housing development for both rentals and home ownership."

Kevan Frazier

Supports rebuilding the Malvern Hills Pool and believes public spaces like parks, libraries, and community centers are essential for neighborhood resiliency.

Supports implementing neighborhood plans and aligning Neighborhood Grants with the Climate Justice Initiative, including tree canopy maintenance and restoration.

Believes in community building through initiatives like encouraging neighbors to grow and share food. Said, "an invitation to the transformative practice of connecting with and taking better care of each other and our mountain home."

Believes in community building through initiatives like encouraging neighbors to grow and share food, saying, "An invitation to the transformative practice of connecting with and taking better care of each other and our mountain home."

Supports investing federal funds into public services, such as installing a permanent, 24/7 bathroom Downtown.

Supports investing federal funds into public services, such as installing a permanent, 24/7 bathroom downtown.

Supports community engagement and elevating the needs of impacted people in public services. Believes in building deeper and broader relationships through community organizing.

Supports community engagement and elevating the needs of impacted people in public services, and believes in building deeper and broader relationships through community organizing.

Supports tripling the Strategic Partnership Funds to $1 million for youth advocacy groups, emphasizing that "our kids matter to us and we’re invested in a hopeful future."

Believes in growing, preparing, and sharing food while demanding sustainable food policies and maintaining natural resources. Encourages reviewing the Asheville Food Action Plan.

Believes in growing, preparing, and sharing food while demanding sustainable food policies and maintaining natural resources, and encourages reviewing the Asheville Food Action Plan.

- Supports rebuilding the Malvern Hills Pool and believes public spaces like parks, libraries, and community centers are essential for neighborhood resiliency.
- Supports implementing neighborhood plans and aligning Neighborhood Grants with the Climate Justice Initiative, including tree canopy maintenance and restoration.
- Believes in community building through initiatives like encouraging neighbors to grow and share food, saying, "An invitation to the transformative practice of connecting with and taking better care of each other and our mountain home."
- Supports investing federal funds into public services, such as installing a permanent, 24/7 bathroom downtown.
- Supports community engagement and elevating the needs of impacted people in public services, and believes in building deeper and broader relationships through community organizing.
- Supports tripling the Strategic Partnership Funds to $1 million for youth advocacy groups, emphasizing that "our kids matter to us and we’re invested in a hopeful future."
- Believes in growing, preparing, and sharing food while demanding sustainable food policies and maintaining natural resources, and encourages reviewing the Asheville Food Action Plan.

Believes Asheville's narrow view of public safety fails to address issues like homelessness, opioid poisoning, and gun violence effectively. Supports adding alternative responses to avoid "criminalizing poverty" and improve crisis management.

Believes Asheville's narrow view of public safety fails to address issues like homelessness, opioid poisoning, and gun violence effectively, and supports adding alternative responses to avoid "criminalizing poverty" and improve crisis management.

Supports establishing an Office of Community Safety in Asheville to manage a HEART program, ensure accurate 911 dispatch, and link co-responders with behavioral health clinicians.

Supports implementing an Office of Community Safety and HEART Program to address the opioid crisis, homelessness, intimate partner violence, and mental health, while prioritizing living wages and safe working conditions for first responders.

Supports engaging community health workers to organize diversion and reentry programs, aiming to prevent gun and intimate partner violence and facilitate community healing.

Believes in diversifying public safety responses by equipping first responders with appropriate tools and training. Supports living wage policies to recruit and retain staff and advocates for humane responses to homelessness and 24-7 public bathrooms.

Believes in diversifying public safety responses by equipping first responders with appropriate tools and training, and supports living wage policies to recruit and retain staff and advocates for humane responses to homelessness and 24-7 public bathrooms. 

Supports expanding Community Paramedicine to address crises like opioid overdoses and behavioral health, linking this to broader public safety initiatives.

Believes Asheville can enhance community safety through a holistic response system. Supports a comprehensive approach to public safety, including police reform, criminal justice improvements, and addressing issues related to drugs, crime, and guns.

Believes investing in community safety should be a priority, similar to core services like sanitation and water.

Believes firefighters deserve a minimum wage of $18.25 per hour and is concerned about the lack of votes to support this.

- Believes Asheville's narrow view of public safety fails to address issues like homelessness, opioid poisoning, and gun violence effectively, and supports adding alternative responses to avoid "criminalizing poverty" and improve crisis management.
- Supports establishing an Office of Community Safety in Asheville to manage a HEART program, ensure accurate 911 dispatch, and link co-responders with behavioral health clinicians.
- Supports implementing an Office of Community Safety and HEART Program to address the opioid crisis, homelessness, intimate partner violence, and mental health, while prioritizing living wages and safe working conditions for first responders.
- Supports engaging community health workers to organize diversion and reentry programs, aiming to prevent gun and intimate partner violence and facilitate community healing.
- Believes in diversifying public safety responses by equipping first responders with appropriate tools and training, and supports living wage policies to recruit and retain staff and advocates for humane responses to homelessness and 24-7 public bathrooms. 
- Supports expanding Community Paramedicine to address crises like opioid overdoses and behavioral health, linking this to broader public safety initiatives.
- Believes Asheville can enhance community safety through a holistic response system. Supports a comprehensive approach to public safety, including police reform, criminal justice improvements, and addressing issues related to drugs, crime, and guns.
- Believes investing in community safety should be a priority, similar to core services like sanitation and water.
- Believes firefighters deserve a minimum wage of $18.25 per hour and is concerned about the lack of votes to support this.

Supports the optional alternative budget with raises for all staff and the $18.25-hour proposal by firefighters IAFF Local 332. Plans to vote “no” if there aren't enough votes.

Supports the optional alternative budget with raises for all staff and the $18.25-hour proposal by firefighters IAFF Local 332, and plans to vote “no” if there aren't enough votes.

Believes in regaining living wage certification so staff can afford to live in the communities they serve.

Supports increasing the occupancy tax for local use, advocating for affordable housing and transportation, and saving parts of the Southside from the Hotel Overlay Map.

Opposes salary raises that disproportionately benefit higher-paid staff, leaving the lowest-paid workers below living wages.

Supports contracting targets for MWBE and locally-owned/produced/distributed food and beverages.

Believes in securing living wages, though acknowledges current budget proposals fall short of the $22.10-hour needed based on housing costs. Supports public pressure to achieve incremental improvements.

Believes in securing living wages, though acknowledges current budget proposals fall short of the $22.10-hour needed based on housing costs, and supports public pressure to achieve incremental improvements.

Believes that relying on savings to balance the budget indicates a lack of identified resources for future budgets.

Believes in identifying potential revenue streams, including Strategic Partnership Funds (SPF) focused on closing the racial opportunity gap.

Supports contracting with local businesses for services like printing, embroidery, and gift-shop space.

- Supports the optional alternative budget with raises for all staff and the $18.25-hour proposal by firefighters IAFF Local 332, and plans to vote “no” if there aren't enough votes.
- Believes in regaining living wage certification so staff can afford to live in the communities they serve.
- Supports increasing the occupancy tax for local use, advocating for affordable housing and transportation, and saving parts of the Southside from the Hotel Overlay Map.
- Opposes salary raises that disproportionately benefit higher-paid staff, leaving the lowest-paid workers below living wages.
- Supports contracting targets for MWBE and locally-owned/produced/distributed food and beverages.
- Believes in securing living wages, though acknowledges current budget proposals fall short of the $22.10-hour needed based on housing costs, and supports public pressure to achieve incremental improvements.
- Believes that relying on savings to balance the budget indicates a lack of identified resources for future budgets.
- Believes in identifying potential revenue streams, including Strategic Partnership Funds (SPF) focused on closing the racial opportunity gap.
- Supports contracting with local businesses for services like printing, embroidery, and gift-shop space.

Believes in reducing the racial opportunity/achievement gap in K-12 schools. Supports initiatives like those at Asheville Peak Academy to improve outcomes for Black students.

Believes in reducing the racial opportunity/achievement gap in K-12 schools, and supports initiatives like those at Asheville Peak Academy to improve outcomes for Black students.

- Believes in reducing the racial opportunity/achievement gap in K-12 schools, and supports initiatives like those at Asheville Peak Academy to improve outcomes for Black students.

Supports investing in creative and cooperative solutions for deeply-affordable housing to prevent homelessness.

Believes rising living costs and unchecked tourism strain Asheville's resources and infrastructure, displacing vulnerable residents. Plans to prioritize making Asheville a great place to live and work, which will also make it a great place to visit.

Believes rising living costs and unchecked tourism strain Asheville's resources and infrastructure, displacing vulnerable residents, and plans to prioritize making Asheville a great place to live and work, which will also make it a great place to visit.

Supports maintaining momentum on the 112 strategies from the National Alliance to End Homelessness report to reduce homelessness in Asheville by 50%.

Supports property tax mitigation to address the disproportionate impact on historic Black and vulnerable neighborhoods.

Believes equitable, affordable housing is a strategic priority but criticizes the council for not providing staff with necessary living wages to ensure quality public services.

Supports prioritizing living wages for first responders to ensure they can afford housing and provide quality, equitable service outcomes.

Supports partnering for anti-displacement as an equitable and affordable housing strategy.

Supports reviewing City housing policies and incentives to address racial and gender disparities.

Supports "holding the standard for renewable energy" in new residential developments.

Supports "equitable, affordable housing and stability" through comprehensive Housing & Urban Development policies, including addressing homelessness, property taxes, permitting, zoning, and development.

- Supports investing in creative and cooperative solutions for deeply-affordable housing to prevent homelessness.
- Believes rising living costs and unchecked tourism strain Asheville's resources and infrastructure, displacing vulnerable residents, and plans to prioritize making Asheville a great place to live and work, which will also make it a great place to visit.
- Supports maintaining momentum on the 112 strategies from the National Alliance to End Homelessness report to reduce homelessness in Asheville by 50%.
- Supports property tax mitigation to address the disproportionate impact on historic Black and vulnerable neighborhoods.
- Believes equitable, affordable housing is a strategic priority but criticizes the council for not providing staff with necessary living wages to ensure quality public services.
- Supports prioritizing living wages for first responders to ensure they can afford housing and provide quality, equitable service outcomes.
- Supports partnering for anti-displacement as an equitable and affordable housing strategy.
- Supports reviewing City housing policies and incentives to address racial and gender disparities.
- Supports "holding the standard for renewable energy" in new residential developments.
- Supports "equitable, affordable housing and stability" through comprehensive Housing & Urban Development policies, including addressing homelessness, property taxes, permitting, zoning, and development.

Supports advocating for a reliable and effective transit system that ensures equitable access, economic mobility, and environmental sustainability.

Supports using and promoting active transportation methods like walking, biking, skating, taking the bus, and carpooling to reduce carbon footprints and foster community connections.

Supports adaptive reuse of infrastructure, highlighting its environmental and financial benefits compared to demolishing and rebuilding.

Supports pursuing new revenue streams and using hotel occupancy taxes to fund infrastructure.

Supports advancing the constitutional rights of pedestrians, cyclists, and other non-motorized modes of transportation.

Supports improving and maintaining infrastructure and core services, including roads, bridges, and public transit.

- Supports advocating for a reliable and effective transit system that ensures equitable access, economic mobility, and environmental sustainability.
- Supports using and promoting active transportation methods like walking, biking, skating, taking the bus, and carpooling to reduce carbon footprints and foster community connections.
- Supports adaptive reuse of infrastructure, highlighting its environmental and financial benefits compared to demolishing and rebuilding.
- Supports pursuing new revenue streams and using hotel occupancy taxes to fund infrastructure.
- Supports advancing the constitutional rights of pedestrians, cyclists, and other non-motorized modes of transportation.
- Supports improving and maintaining infrastructure and core services, including roads, bridges, and public transit.

Kim Roney

Believes neighborhoods need more services and community engagement on issues like public safety and state-owned roads. Encourages joining neighborhood coalitions or the Coalition of Asheville Neighborhoods (CAN).

Believes neighborhoods need more services and community engagement on issues like public safety and state-owned roads, and encourages joining neighborhood coalitions or the Coalition of Asheville Neighborhoods (CAN).

Believes neighborhoods are organizing better and encourages residents to join and participate in their neighborhood coalitions and groups.

Believes community work is essential and serves on various boards and commissions to influence policies and projects. Plans to continue this work to benefit the community.

Believes community work is essential and serves on various boards and commissions to influence policies and projects, and plans to continue this work to benefit the community.

Believes community work is essential and values serving on boards and commissions to shape policies and projects. Plans to continue contributing to public services through active involvement in city committees.

Believes community work is essential and values serving on boards and commissions to shape policies and projects, and plans to continue contributing to public services through active involvement in city committees.

- Believes neighborhoods need more services and community engagement on issues like public safety and state-owned roads, and encourages joining neighborhood coalitions or the Coalition of Asheville Neighborhoods (CAN).
- Believes neighborhoods are organizing better and encourages residents to join and participate in their neighborhood coalitions and groups.
- Believes community work is essential and serves on various boards and commissions to influence policies and projects, and plans to continue this work to benefit the community.
- Believes community work is essential and values serving on boards and commissions to shape policies and projects, and plans to continue contributing to public services through active involvement in city committees.

Supports increasing police staffing through salary and benefit enhancements, sign-on and retention bonuses, and hiring experienced officers from other areas.

Supports expanding the community paramedic program to address mental health and addiction crises, supplementing first responders and addressing staffing shortages.

Believes policing as a career has faced significant changes and challenges due to the pandemic, social uprisings, and increased mental health needs. Said, "Asheville is no different and has seen a loss of officers that is still slowly recovering."

Believes policing as a career has faced significant changes and challenges due to the pandemic, social uprisings, and increased mental health needs, saying, "Asheville is no different and has seen a loss of officers that is still slowly recovering."

- Supports increasing police staffing through salary and benefit enhancements, sign-on and retention bonuses, and hiring experienced officers from other areas.
- Supports expanding the community paramedic program to address mental health and addiction crises, supplementing first responders and addressing staffing shortages.
- Believes policing as a career has faced significant changes and challenges due to the pandemic, social uprisings, and increased mental health needs, saying, "Asheville is no different and has seen a loss of officers that is still slowly recovering."

Supports paying a minimum living wage of $20.10/hr for all city employees and contract workers.

Believes in educating businesses about the need for living wages and pooling resources to reduce costs and support higher wages.

Supports creating a Business Improvement District (BID) to fund downtown services through a new property tax.

Believes creating economic mobility is crucial for city development. Said, "Many residents are paycheck to paycheck, caught in high rent cycles, moving further & further out."

Believes creating economic mobility is crucial for city development, saying, "Many residents are paycheck to paycheck, caught in high rent cycles, moving further & further out."

Supports tying incentive programs to paying living wages.

Supports increasing wages to retain and hire staff and hiring outside contractors to improve staffing.

Supports using tourism taxes for maintenance and infrastructure impacted by tourism, such as larger trashcans.

Supports organizations that pay a living wage.

Believes fiscally strong cities have a thriving downtown with a robust business community, diverse local options, and abundant entertainment, food, arts, and activities.

Believes the City has struggled with staffing levels in key departments since the pandemic and that employment strategies must adapt and grow.

- Supports paying a minimum living wage of $20.10/hr for all city employees and contract workers.
- Believes in educating businesses about the need for living wages and pooling resources to reduce costs and support higher wages.
- Supports creating a Business Improvement District (BID) to fund downtown services through a new property tax.
- Believes creating economic mobility is crucial for city development, saying, "Many residents are paycheck to paycheck, caught in high rent cycles, moving further & further out."
- Supports tying incentive programs to paying living wages.
- Supports increasing wages to retain and hire staff and hiring outside contractors to improve staffing.
- Supports using tourism taxes for maintenance and infrastructure impacted by tourism, such as larger trashcans.
- Supports organizations that pay a living wage.
- Believes fiscally strong cities have a thriving downtown with a robust business community, diverse local options, and abundant entertainment, food, arts, and activities.
- Believes the City has struggled with staffing levels in key departments since the pandemic and that employment strategies must adapt and grow.

As of June 14, 2024, Sage Turner’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Supports upzoning major corridors to allow "Missing Middle housing" like townhomes and ADUs to focus growth along existing infrastructure and protect neighborhoods.

Supports drafting a new Affordable Housing Plan to include larger family households and workforce income ranges, addressing current subsidy exclusions.

Believes Asheville's housing demand has surged, causing a 40% rent increase. Notes that public safety, infrastructure, and homelessness issues have intensified post-pandemic.

Believes Asheville's housing demand has surged, causing a 40% rent increase, noting that public safety, infrastructure, and homelessness issues have intensified post-pandemic.

Believes increasing the supply of voucher-accepting rental units is essential to address the underutilization of housing assistance vouchers.

Believes building up can "reuse the same roads, sewers, water lines, power etc.," reduce maintenance costs, and preserve green space.

Supports increasing housing diversity with options like duplexes, quadplexes, and townhouses to promote affordability and economic mobility.

Believes housing requires a "multifaceted, all hands on deck approach" to address gentrification, housing loss, scarcity, and high rents. Supports intervention and creation of abundance where needed.

Believes housing requires a "multifaceted, all hands on deck approach" to address gentrification, housing loss, scarcity, and high rents, and supports intervention and creation of abundance where needed.

Supports aligning local, regional, state, and federal funds and funding cycles to maximize affordability in housing developments.

Believes too many people face difficult choices between essential expenses like rent and utilities. Supports policies addressing affordable housing and homelessness.

Believes too many people face difficult choices between essential expenses like rent and utilities, and supports policies addressing affordable housing and homelessness.

- Supports upzoning major corridors to allow "Missing Middle housing" like townhomes and ADUs to focus growth along existing infrastructure and protect neighborhoods.
- Supports drafting a new Affordable Housing Plan to include larger family households and workforce income ranges, addressing current subsidy exclusions.
- Believes Asheville's housing demand has surged, causing a 40% rent increase, noting that public safety, infrastructure, and homelessness issues have intensified post-pandemic.
- Believes increasing the supply of voucher-accepting rental units is essential to address the underutilization of housing assistance vouchers.
- Believes building up can "reuse the same roads, sewers, water lines, power etc.," reduce maintenance costs, and preserve green space.
- Supports increasing housing diversity with options like duplexes, quadplexes, and townhouses to promote affordability and economic mobility.
- Believes housing requires a "multifaceted, all hands on deck approach" to address gentrification, housing loss, scarcity, and high rents, and supports intervention and creation of abundance where needed.
- Supports aligning local, regional, state, and federal funds and funding cycles to maximize affordability in housing developments.
- Believes too many people face difficult choices between essential expenses like rent and utilities, and supports policies addressing affordable housing and homelessness.

Supports upzoning major travel corridors to focus growth along existing infrastructure and adding multimodal and transit options to ease neighborhood pressure.

Believes building new infrastructure triggers ongoing maintenance costs that strain budgets. Said, "Building new lines in new areas of the city creates more maintenance over time."

Believes building new infrastructure triggers ongoing maintenance costs that strain budgets, saying, "Building new lines in new areas of the city creates more maintenance over time."

- Supports upzoning major travel corridors to focus growth along existing infrastructure and adding multimodal and transit options to ease neighborhood pressure.
- Believes building new infrastructure triggers ongoing maintenance costs that strain budgets, saying, "Building new lines in new areas of the city creates more maintenance over time."
- Supports implementing a downtown shuttle for employees to reduce parking costs.
- Supports establishing and connecting sufficient multi-modal paths to enable residents to travel without a vehicle.
- Supports increasing public transit frequency and timeliness to boost ridership and reduce personal automobile use, and plans to grow grant access for transportation improvements.
- Supports walkability, multiple transportation modalities, and reducing the need for automobiles.
- Supports focusing transit strategies on increasing ridership, reliability, and frequency to encourage residents to use public transit instead of cars.
- Believes the public works department is essential for maintaining city infrastructure but has been hindered by staffing shortages.
- Supports focusing on partnerships and strategies to increase funding for transit.
- Supports shuttles for quick transportation around downtown and adjacent business areas.

Sage Turner

- City council members work together to set and implement city policy. 
- The city council is tasked with ensuring the health, comfort, and safety of residents of the city.
- City council members work with the mayor to govern city departments, such as the police department, fire department, transportation department, and parks and recreation department. 
- City council members represent either the whole city or residents of a specific district. 