Events

Asheville’s recovery from Helene is still underway, and the choices we make now will shape our community for decades. A resilient recovery means meeting today’s needs while building systems that are stronger, fairer, and better prepared for the future.

I’ve helped lead Buncombe County through disaster response, long-term recovery, and difficult budget decisions, always with a focus on accountability, collaboration, and results. I’ve balanced large, complex budgets as a County Commissioner and nonprofit director, and I believe budgeting is where values meet reality. We can stabilize finances and deliver quality services without abandoning our commitments to workers and residents.

During a challenging post-disaster budget season, I worked to ensure no county or school employees lost their jobs and that workers received needed cost-of-living increases. Our people are our strongest asset, and resilient communities depend on stable public services and a supported workforce.

Recovery also means investing wisely: strengthening infrastructure, improving housing stability, reducing long-term costs through energy efficiency, and planning ahead rather than relying on one-time fixes. It requires disciplined budgeting, smart coordination, and partnerships across local, state, and federal levels.

As a volunteer firefighter, I’ve seen firsthand how preparedness, clear communication, and trust save lives. As a County Commissioner, I’ve worked across agencies and jurisdictions to accelerate recovery efforts and help chart a path forward after Tropical Storm Helene. I’m running for City Council to bring that experience home—to help Asheville not just recover, but emerge stronger, more affordable, and better prepared for what comes next.

Asheville’s rising cost of living, especially housing, has made it harder for people to stay in the community they love. This is compounded by rising energy and healthcare costs. Real affordability means making smart, practical choices so teachers, service workers, artists, families, and seniors can continue to live and thrive here.

I support expanding a wider range of housing options, including townhomes, duplexes, ADUs, and small multifamily homes, especially near jobs, transit, and services. Thoughtful zoning and land-use decisions can increase supply, ease pressure on prices, and reduce displacement, while still respecting neighborhood character.

As a Buncombe County Commissioner, I’ve helped move this work forward. I serve on the county’s Affordable Housing Subcommittee and supported zoning reforms that allow more flexible housing options. I’ve also worked to advance affordable housing on county-owned land, including the Coxe Avenue project, and partnered with trusted nonprofits like Mountain Housing Opportunities and Habitat for Humanity.

Housing affordability won’t be solved by one policy alone, but by steady, collaborative leadership that uses public land wisely, supports proven partners, and focuses on solutions that work. My goal is simple: keep Asheville livable for the people who make it home.

Strong neighborhoods are the foundation of a healthy city. They’re where people feel connected, safe, and invested in their community, and they’re strengthened by local businesses, artists, and cultural spaces that make Asheville unique.

I believe local government should ensure residents have a real voice in decisions that affect where they live. That means planning and development that respect community context, investing in infrastructure that serves residents, and keeping government accessible and responsive.

Small, locally owned businesses are a vital part of Asheville’s economy and tax base, providing jobs, services, and character that can’t be replaced by large corporations or chains. City policy should make it easier for local businesses to succeed by reducing unnecessary barriers, offering clear and predictable processes, and supporting local entrepreneurship.

Arts and culture are not extras; they are economic drivers and community anchors. Supporting artists and creative spaces strengthens neighborhoods, draws visitors, and helps sustain a vibrant local economy.

As a County Commissioner, I’ve focused on collaboration, transparency, and practical solutions that strengthen communities. On City Council, I’ll continue working to protect neighborhood character, support small businesses and the arts, and make sure Asheville remains a welcoming, creative, and livable city for the people who call it home.