Ashe Post and Times, 2024 Ashe County Commissioner candidates questionnaire

Ballotpedia, Russell Killen

LinkedIn

Said, "Programs that offer support to the health and well-being of the citizens are a priority to me."

Supports the creation of a recreational center.

Said, "As environmental concerns continue to grow, the county commissioners must work with the citizens to protect the environment and beauty of Ashe County."

- Said, "Programs that offer support to the health and well-being of the citizens are a priority to me."
- Supports the creation of a recreational center.
- Said, "As environmental concerns continue to grow, the county commissioners must work with the citizens to protect the environment and beauty of Ashe County."

Public Services

Believes commissioners should work with business managers to see "what support and incentives" the county can provide businesses with.

- Believes commissioners should work with business managers to see "what support and incentives" the county can provide businesses with.

Economy

Said, "Supporting education helps the county to be able to have better paying jobs. The county must have people that are qualified to fill positions that new businesses would bring."

- Said, "Supporting education helps the county to be able to have better paying jobs. The county must have people that are qualified to fill positions that new businesses would bring."

Education

Believes law enforcement needs to be funded enough to sufficiently cover all of Ashe County.

- Believes law enforcement needs to be funded enough to sufficiently cover all of Ashe County.

Public Safety

Believes trade programs need to be supported so that there will be more qualified workers in the construction industry.

- Believes trade programs need to be supported so that there will be more qualified workers in the construction industry.

Housing & Urban Development

Believes Ashe County needs "high quality broadband" to help businesses.

- Believes Ashe County needs "high quality broadband" to help businesses.

Transportation & Infrastructure

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Russell M. Killen

Ashe Post & Times, Ann Rose to run for Ashe County Board of County Commissioners as an unaffiliated

NORTH CAROLINA STATE BOARD OF ELECTIONS

Candidate website

Believes in protecting the environment by supporting clean air and water initiatives, public green spaces, trails, and sustainable development.

Promises to preserve the environment and natural resources.

Supports policies for clean air and water, public green spaces, trails, and sustainable development.

Supports allowing women to make their own healthcare decisions, not politicians.

Plans to advocate for access to affordable healthcare services for preventive care, reproductive health, and mental well-being.

- Promises to preserve the environment and natural resources.
- Supports policies for clean air and water, public green spaces, trails, and sustainable development.
- Supports allowing women to make their own healthcare decisions, not politicians.
- Plans to advocate for access to affordable healthcare services for preventive care, reproductive health, and mental well-being.

Supports fiscal transparency and plans to increase subsidized childcare to help working parents.

Plans to prioritize financial transparency. 

Supports access to healthy food that is affordable.

Plans to work with local farmers and schools to provide access to healthy food options for residents and students.

- Plans to prioritize financial transparency. 
- Supports access to healthy food that is affordable.
- Plans to work with local farmers and schools to provide access to healthy food options for residents and students.

Wants to implement equality measures in schools, the workplace, and the greater community.

- Wants to implement equality measures in schools, the workplace, and the greater community.

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

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Ann Rose

Ashe County Government: Meet Your Commissioners

As of June 14, 2024, Jerry D. Powers did not have a website.

Jerry D. Powers

Believes in investing in the community to benefit all economic levels.

Believes in giving "representation by way of lived experience" to those who live and work in the community.

Believes in "weaving the threads that create the fabric of our community" through Public Services like Libraries, Parks, Recreation, and Community Building. Supports initiatives that strengthen community bonds and enhance public amenities.

Believes in "weaving the threads that create the fabric of our community" through public services like libraries, parks, recreation, and community building, as well. as supporting initiatives that strengthen community bonds and enhance public amenities.

Believes that children need the freedom to play outdoors, emphasizing the importance of activities like climbing, running, and jumping for their development.

Believes in the importance of investing money in the community. Said, "WE NEED that money invested in this community."

- Believes in investing in the community to benefit all economic levels.
- Believes in giving "representation by way of lived experience" to those who live and work in the community.
- Believes in "weaving the threads that create the fabric of our community" through public services like libraries, parks, recreation, and community building, as well. as supporting initiatives that strengthen community bonds and enhance public amenities.
- Believes that children need the freedom to play outdoors, emphasizing the importance of activities like climbing, running, and jumping for their development.
- Believes in the importance of investing money in the community. Said, "WE NEED that money invested in this community."

Believes wages in Onslow County are significantly higher than in other areas, where $9 is considered high pay. Criticizes Walmart for offering insufficient hours and not accepting doctor's notes, leading to job loss for employees with limited personal leave.

Believes wages in Onslow County are significantly higher than in other areas, where $9 is considered high pay, and criticizes Walmart for offering insufficient hours and not accepting doctor's notes, leading to job loss for employees with limited personal leave.

Believes that labor has become increasingly undervalued, shifting from cheap industrial labor to even cheaper service and construction jobs.

Believes Ashe County's workforce had a strong reputation for work ethic and character. Said, "Seems like we’ve always sent our workforce away instead of fostering employment here."

Believes Ashe County's workforce had a strong reputation for work ethic and character, saying, "Seems like we’ve always sent our workforce away instead of fostering employment here."

Believes in attracting businesses that pay a living wage. Supports economic policies that ensure fair labor practices and sustainable wages.

Believes in attracting businesses that pay a living wage, and supports economic policies that ensure fair labor practices and sustainable wages.

Supports corporations providing free onsite child care to promote happier families.

Believes the economy is structured to create a "ready and hungry workforce" for asset controllers. Questions if labor issues and regulations serve the interests of those controlling assets.

Believes the economy is structured to create a "ready and hungry workforce" for asset controllers, and questions if labor issues and regulations serve the interests of those controlling assets.

Believes that achieving peace would lead to economic collapse. Said, "The economy would completely collapse" without conflict.

Believes that achieving peace would lead to economic collapse, saying, "The economy would completely collapse" without conflict.

Believes the tourism industry generates numerous construction and restaurant jobs.

Believes the economy is leaving people behind, pushing them into addiction and poverty.

Believes there is no reason why good jobs can't be created locally.

- Believes wages in Onslow County are significantly higher than in other areas, where $9 is considered high pay, and criticizes Walmart for offering insufficient hours and not accepting doctor's notes, leading to job loss for employees with limited personal leave.
- Believes that labor has become increasingly undervalued, shifting from cheap industrial labor to even cheaper service and construction jobs.
- Believes Ashe County's workforce had a strong reputation for work ethic and character, saying, "Seems like we’ve always sent our workforce away instead of fostering employment here."
- Believes in attracting businesses that pay a living wage, and supports economic policies that ensure fair labor practices and sustainable wages.
- Supports corporations providing free onsite child care to promote happier families.
- Believes the economy is structured to create a "ready and hungry workforce" for asset controllers, and questions if labor issues and regulations serve the interests of those controlling assets.
- Believes that achieving peace would lead to economic collapse, saying, "The economy would completely collapse" without conflict.
- Believes the tourism industry generates numerous construction and restaurant jobs.
- Believes the economy is leaving people behind, pushing them into addiction and poverty.
- Believes there is no reason why good jobs can't be created locally.

Believes screen time is detrimental to children's health and hopes for a shift in educational policies.

Believes it is unfair to ask working mothers to pay hundreds of dollars monthly for their children's safety while they work.

Believes children should experience nature freely to foster environmental care. Said, "fear has played into the sequestering of our children with TV and electronics."

Believes children should experience nature freely to foster environmental care, saying, "Fear has played into the sequestering of our children with TV and electronics."

Believes in providing children with unstructured, natural experiences rather than traditional camps or classes.

- Believes screen time is detrimental to children's health and hopes for a shift in educational policies.
- Believes it is unfair to ask working mothers to pay hundreds of dollars monthly for their children's safety while they work.
- Believes children should experience nature freely to foster environmental care, saying, "Fear has played into the sequestering of our children with TV and electronics."
- Believes in providing children with unstructured, natural experiences rather than traditional camps or classes.

Believes police reform is necessary to ensure accountability for officers involved in the deaths of Black individuals. Criticizes the negative portrayal of movements advocating for such reforms.

Believes police reform is necessary to ensure accountability for officers involved in the deaths of Black individuals, and criticizes the negative portrayal of movements advocating for such reforms.

Believes public safety has shifted from "revenuers" to a militarized sheriff's department and privatized prisons.

Believes that jails should provide medical care for individuals undergoing detox. Said, "We don’t even ALLOW medical care for people who are forced to detox in jail."

Believes that jails should provide medical care for individuals undergoing detox, saying, "We don’t even ALLOW medical care for people who are forced to detox in jail."

Believes crime has increased due to substance abuse, leading to more fear.

Believes drugs should not be present in homes with elderly and children. Said, "We can't let the drug live in our homes around our elderly, younger children… and oftentimes… their own children that we are raising."

Believes drugs should not be present in homes with elderly and children, saying, "We can't let the drug live in our homes around our elderly, younger children… and oftentimes… their own children that we are raising."

Believes public safety is threatened by certain cultural practices, citing the "blessing of the guns service" at a Tennessee church.

Believes the loss of generational knowledge due to substance misuse and forced displacement is a "terrible loss" that diminishes the community daily.

Believes the opioid settlement funds will not reach those affected by the substance misuse crisis.

Believes in the importance of compassion and understanding in addressing addiction, challenging the traditional tough love approach.

Believes in addressing public safety through harm reduction and community engagement. Plans to host a listening session on April 17, 2024, with Down Home North Carolina to discuss harm reduction strategies.

Believes in addressing public safety through harm reduction and community engagement.

- Believes police reform is necessary to ensure accountability for officers involved in the deaths of Black individuals, and criticizes the negative portrayal of movements advocating for such reforms.
- Believes public safety has shifted from "revenuers" to a militarized sheriff's department and privatized prisons.
- Believes that jails should provide medical care for individuals undergoing detox, saying, "We don’t even ALLOW medical care for people who are forced to detox in jail."
- Believes crime has increased due to substance abuse, leading to more fear.
- Believes drugs should not be present in homes with elderly and children, saying, "We can't let the drug live in our homes around our elderly, younger children… and oftentimes… their own children that we are raising."
- Believes public safety is threatened by certain cultural practices, citing the "blessing of the guns service" at a Tennessee church.
- Believes the loss of generational knowledge due to substance misuse and forced displacement is a "terrible loss" that diminishes the community daily.
- Believes the opioid settlement funds will not reach those affected by the substance misuse crisis.
- Believes in the importance of compassion and understanding in addressing addiction, challenging the traditional tough love approach.
- Believes in addressing public safety through harm reduction and community engagement.

Believes that refusing land use planning led to "rampant and not always pretty" development.

Believes in improving the safety, affordability, and quantity of housing.

Believes rising property taxes force people to sell their homes out of desperation.

Believes developers exploited vulnerable landowners by using underhanded tactics like searching obituaries and threatening widows to buy land cheaply.

Believes vulnerable citizens should not live in substandard housing.

Believes in addressing homelessness and ensuring people have adequate shelter to stay warm and safe.

Wants to address homelessness and ensure people have adequate shelter to stay warm and safe.

Believes in addressing homelessness by providing practical resources like double-walled refrigerator boxes, boots, tarps, and sleeping bags.

Believes in supporting people living in unconventional and substandard housing. Said, "I love our people... who live in homes built of tires and refrigerator boxes and tarps."

Believes in supporting people living in unconventional and substandard housing, saying, "I love our people... who live in homes built of tires and refrigerator boxes and tarps."

Believes $800 a month for housing is considered low income while $8 an hour is seen as adequate pay.

Believes addressing homelessness is crucial, highlighting the plight of "mommies and babies living in cars." Supports affordable housing initiatives to combat homelessness.

Believes addressing homelessness is crucial, highlighting the plight of "mommies and babies living in cars," and supports affordable housing initiatives to combat homelessness.

- Believes that refusing land use planning led to "rampant and not always pretty" development.
- Believes in improving the safety, affordability, and quantity of housing.
- Believes rising property taxes force people to sell their homes out of desperation.
- Believes developers exploited vulnerable landowners by using underhanded tactics like searching obituaries and threatening widows to buy land cheaply.
- Believes vulnerable citizens should not live in substandard housing.
- Wants to address homelessness and ensure people have adequate shelter to stay warm and safe.
- Believes in addressing homelessness by providing practical resources like double-walled refrigerator boxes, boots, tarps, and sleeping bags.
- Believes in supporting people living in unconventional and substandard housing, saying, "I love our people... who live in homes built of tires and refrigerator boxes and tarps."
- Believes $800 a month for housing is considered low income while $8 an hour is seen as adequate pay.
- Believes addressing homelessness is crucial, highlighting the plight of "mommies and babies living in cars," and supports affordable housing initiatives to combat homelessness.

As of June 14, 2024, Nancy Beth Weaver-Hoffman’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Nancy Beth Weaver-Hoffman

Wants to find methods to bring businesses to the county in order to grant workers a livable wage.

Supports more advanced and specialized healthcare services for senior citizens.

- Wants to find methods to bring businesses to the county in order to grant workers a livable wage.
- Supports more advanced and specialized healthcare services for senior citizens.

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

Supports affordable housing initiatives and plans to attract businesses offering living wages to Ashe County.

Wants to create housing that specifically supports senior citizens.

- Supports affordable housing initiatives and plans to attract businesses offering living wages to Ashe County.
- Wants to create housing that specifically supports senior citizens.

Tanya Robinson

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

Places importance on agriculture within the economy.

Wants to actively recruit businesses that are "right for Ashe County."

- Places importance on agriculture within the economy.
- Wants to actively recruit businesses that are "right for Ashe County."

Plans to "strongly support" local school systems.

- Plans to "strongly support" local school systems.

Wes Greene

- County Commissioners create and pass laws at the county-level. These laws show up in very tangible ways, such as determining how much you pay property and sales tax rates, public transportation, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners are responsible for preparing and passing the county budget. The budget determines how much funding goes to various public services, such as public transportation, law enforcement, repairing roads, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners oversee the administrative duties of your county’s government to ensure the safety, comfort, and well-being of county residents.
- County Commissioners can create, change, or abolish offices, positions, departments that are not required by law. 
- County Commissioners are elected to 4-year terms, with no term limits. Typically, you only vote for the County Commissioner that represents your county commission district.