2024 ELECTION
Candidates
Watch of City Council and Buncombe County Commissioner candidate forum video from September 25, 2024 (before the Hurricane Helene hit) presented in partnership with Asheville Brewer’s Alliance, Asheville-Buncombe Hotel Association (ABHA), Go Local Asheville and the Asheville Independent Restaurant Association (AIR). You can also see the results of our general election arts survey below.
Schedule
General Election Countdown
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GENERAL ELECTION
Voter Registration Deadline: October 11, 2024
Deadline to Request an Absentee Ballot: October 29, 2024 at 5 pm
Early Voting Dates: October 17- November 2, 2024
Election Date: November 5, 2024
Approved Early Voter Locations
- Black Mountain Library, 105 N. Dougherty St., Black Mountain
- East Asheville Library, 3 Avon Road, Asheville
- Enka-Candler Library, 1404 Sand Hill Road, Candler
- Fairview Library, 1 Taylor Road, Fairview
- Leicester Community Center, 2979 New Leicester Hwy., Leicester
- South Buncombe Library, 260 Overlook Road, Asheville
- UNCA Health & Counseling Center, 118 W.T. Weaver Blvd., Asheville (new location)
- Weaverville Community Center, 60 Lakeshore Drive, Weaverville
- Dr. Wesley Grant Southside Center, 285 Livingston St., Asheville (in lieu of Board of Elections location)
- West Asheville Library, 942 Haywood Road, Asheville
VOTER INFORMATION & REGISTRATION
- You must be registered to vote in order to vote
- Registration to vote deadline is October 11, and you can same-day register during early voting
Election Day is November 5 - General questions answered at buncombecounty.org/vote or elections@buncombecounty.org or 828-250-4200
- Search voter status or find sample ballot at buncombecounty.org/vote or in-person at 59 Woodfin Place, Asheville
- Voter ID required; get a free photo ID at Elections Office, 59 Woodfin Place, Asheville
- Update: A voter can request an absentee ballot, or a near relative can do it on their behalf, in person at the county board of elections office up until 5 p.m. Nov. 4, the day before the election. (Usually voters fill out a form and the county must receive the application one week before the election and the county mails the ballot.)
For more information, go to www.buncombecounty.org/vote.
Buncombe County Commissioner & Asheville City Council General Election Survey
Q1: ARTS BACKGROUND
What is your personal background and experience in the arts? (check all that apply) Is this anything else you would like to share about your arts background? (optional)
Edwards
Theatre
Duncan
Instrumental, Vocal
I love to sing and played the saxophone in concert band many years back. I attend concerts often. Lauren Daigle was the last.
Benjamin
Instrumental, Vocal, Photography
I sang in church and played the drums and bass for the worship team.
Horton
Vocal, Visual, Dance, Photography
The arts have shaped my life, from childhood creativity to leadership today. They are deeply rooted in my culture, a means of expression and resilience, and inspire my passion for building vibrant communities.
O’Connell
Instrumental, Vocal, Theatre, Photography
Played in a band. I do underwater videography in submerged caves. I enjoy music and still play guitar. There is a piano in the house that I tinker with. As an avid scuba diver, I have done still and video underwater photography and videography. Working on the parkway has gotten me into surface photography. The change of the seasons, the wildlife, and the mountains as a whole make for some great pictures.
Wells
Instrumental, Dance, Photography, Literary
In elementary school, I began participating in our mountain clogging tradition at Shindig on the Green, and I still enjoy seeing people coming together to enjoy the event. The arts help fill my spirit.
Domingo
Instrumental, Vocal, Visual, Theatre, Literary
Frazier
Instrumental, Vocal, Theatre
If anyone needs a third-chair, out-of-practice trombone player for their band, let me know.
Hess
Instrumental, Vocal, Dance, Theatre, Literary
Leaven
Instrumental, Vocal, Theatre, Literary
I am currently the Chair of the Board of Directors for the Monford Park Players – NC’s longest running Shakespeare festival. I am also on the Board of Trustees for the Asheville Chamber Music Series and was on the Board of the Asheville Lyric Opera. I, along with all three of my daughters, have acted in plays with multiple theatres, from South Carolina to WNC. The performing arts are an integral part of my family.
Roney
Instrumental, Vocal, Spoken word, acting, and more.
My name is Kim Roney. I’m co-owner of an arts-based business, music educator, community organizer, and current Council member running for re-election.
This is my 25th year as a music educator, so there are first-time voters in this election that I have worked with since they were in kindergarten. A hopeful future for my students and their families is one of my top reasons for serving in public office.
As an artist and musician, I mostly perform locally. I had the privilege of touring across the country and internationally with a group of Asheville musicians as the backing band for the late Rodrguez, whose story was portrayed in the Oscar-winning documentary Searching for Sugarman. I collaborate with my partner Nathanael, who is a graphic designer and mural artist, on pieces of spoken word with music elements. We have performed on a variety of formal and DIY stages, including multiple fundraising events and the BMCM+AC’s {Re}HAPPENING.
As a community organizer, I’ve worked with Just Economics, Asheville Music School, ART-C Coalition, Better Buses Together, and I was a founding member of Friends of Community Radio, the parent organization of 103.3-AshevilleFM. My fourth station in 22 years of volunteering with community radio, I applied my passion for amplifying community voices, music, and culture as a DJ, Producer of the AFM News Hour, and Station Manager from 2012-2015, overseeing operations with 100+ all-volunteer staff.
Now, in my fourth year on Council, plus seven years as an active participant in City hall, I bring curious creativity at the heart of my work, and I continue to amplify community voices. For example, in 2021 the City of Asheville updated the Noise Ordinance. I did not vote to approve as drafted because of concerns around equitable enforcement and because it left both neighborhood and music industry concerns unsatisfied, with potential impacts on our cultural identity including concerns that the decibel limits effectively require a permit to play some instruments at an unamplified, acoustic level. I responded individually to engagement from hundreds of residents, advocated for compromises that would better address neighborhood concerns while mitigating impact on the performing arts, and continue to ensure appointments of industry professionals and impacted neighbors to the Noise Advisory Committee.
Turner
Instrumental, Visual, Dance, Photography, fiber arts
Q2: RECENT ARTS ACTIVITIES
What arts activities have you attended, participated in, or supported in the last year? (check all that apply) Is there anything else you would like to share about your recent arts activities? (optional)
Edwards
Music, Theatre, Visual Arts, Literary Arts
Duncan
Music
Benjamin
Music, Theatre
Horton
Music, Visual Arts, Dance
O’Connell
Music, Theatre, Visual Arts, Literary Arts
Was a major donor to the auction for the arts in Waynesville, NC.
Doing Improv at the Heart Theatre once per month. This is an amateur night where perfect strangers are chosen to do Improv on stage. We went one night and volunteered from the audience along with others and were chosen to be in stage.
Wells
Music, Theatre, Visual Arts, Dance, Literary Arts
I value and appreciate a wide range of artistic endeavors from the AVLFest to our local Come to Leicester Studio Tour. I believe in the power of the arts to inspire, to challenge, and to heal, and we need that more than ever.
Domingo
Music, Theatre, Dance, Literary Arts
Frazier
Music, Visual Arts, Dance
I just went to the Asheville Symphony’s annual outdoor concert. What a great community building event. It almost didn’t happen this year and my thanks to those who pulled it off!
Hess
Music, Dance, Literary Arts
I am currently singing, writing, and performing with my band The TRTMNT. We’ve been working the local circuit and taking our show to local open-mics. I believe that music and arts make our city great!
Leaven
Music, Theatre, Visual Arts, Dance, Literary Arts
You can usually find me almost every weekend at the theatre.
Roney
Music, Theatre, Visual Arts, Dance, Literary Arts, Story telling
I am a full-time, professional artist, and it’s important to me to participate and lift up our creative community.
This past year, I’ve: enjoyed performances by Womansong, the Gay Men’s Chorus, and Symphony in the Park; attended story-telling events including the Moth, Found In Sound, and Story Parlor; attended First Fridays at Noir Collective; supported artists and makers at Big Crafty and productions in our community garden network; reviewed and provided feedback for up and coming recording artists; amplified events by BIPOC and LGBTQIA2S+ artists; participated in the ally panel by DIY-abled; supported the mural in the RAD by Southern Equality Studios; volunteered with multiple cultural events and festivals; patroned the fine arts; facilitated and performed recitals with my students; played drums with Brass Your Heart; karaoked for community fundraisers; embroidered gifts for family and friends; and attended performances by local artists at venues and festivals across town.
I’m currently the Secretary of the board at Asheville Music School where I share oversight of the scholarship program, working to remove barriers to participation in music education for students in our community.
Pre-pandemic, I worked events every week, ranging from open mic nights to concerts by national touring artists, from poetry readings to gallery openings, from Fringe Fest to the Symphony. Through the early days of the pandemic, I supported fellow artists and musicians directly and by advocating through my role on Council for relief funding.
Turner
Music, Visual Arts, Dance, Literary Arts, clay, fiberglass
Q3: ARTS FUNDING
BACKGROUND| The City & County currently support the arts through facilities like Thomas Wolfe Auditorium (more about this in question 4), programming through the libraries and Parks & Recreation programs, grants like the Arts & Culture Block Grant (County) and Event Support Grant (City), and public art initiatives. However, all of these services are failing to reach their full potential due to funding shortages for things like maintenance, operations, and staffing,
The City of Asheville does have a 1% for the arts policy that provides some support for public art from qualifying Capital Improvement Projects (CIP)– this does not generate a lot of funding. However, it is also common for cities and counties to have additional dedicated funding streams for arts and culture.
Would you support additional dedicated funding for the arts and cultural services?
Edwards
Agree
Duncan
Undecided
Benjamin
Agree
The arts are a very important to our community. I will first examine how the funds were spent and what the growing needs are.
Horton
Strongly Agree
The arts and cultural services are vital to the wellbeing, identity, and economic growth of our community. I believe additional dedicated funding is necessary to maintain and expand these programs, ensuring they reach their full potential. Investing in the arts fosters community engagement, supports local artists, and strengthens our collective cultural heritage. I fully support exploring sustainable funding solutions to prioritize the growth and accessibility of arts and culture in Buncombe County.
O’Connell
Agree
The funding should primarily come from patrons and other supporters of the arts. Art and cultural assets are critical to our long term success as a County. We need to be a town full of culture. We also need them funded through private sector support/sponsorship with a little boost from the tax payer subject to the ability to raise an equal amount of private funds.
Wells
Agree
The County currently provides $130,000 in annual funding to the Arts and Culture Block Grant Funds managed by Arts AVL. I support assessing and potentially increasing local government funding to Arts AVL at a sustainable level.
Domingo
Undecided
I support local art in public spaces, especially in CIP-supported projects, but too much government funding risks art’s independence. City support should be carefully planned to be fair and equitable.
Frazier
Agree
I’m an advocate for more public funding of the arts and would like to explore taking an economic development approach to funding some aspects of the arts. The arts are an important economic driver.
Hess
Undecided
While I am currently undecided about the introduction of additional taxes on the people of Asheville, my commitment to robustly supporting and enhancing the arts in our vibrant city remains unwavering. Asheville’s culture and creativity are our lifeblood, and it is crucial that we find innovative ways to sustain and nurture this creative heartbeat.
I believe in exploring alternative funding mechanisms that do not solely rely on new taxes. We can look towards optimizing the use of existing funds and identifying underutilized resources that could be redirected to support the arts. Furthermore, the city can foster a self-sustaining arts ecosystem through the organization of quarterly festivals. These events would not only celebrate and showcase Asheville’s rich artistic and creative community but also generate revenue that can be reinvested into the arts.
Leaven
Strongly Agree
It would be wonderful if we could find a revenue stream that taxed tourists and visitors and had a low impact upon or locals.
Roney
Agree
Yes, I support additional arts funding as a connection to our community health and well-being. We are members of a dynamic arts community, and I appreciate ArtsAVL’s work to study the economic impact of the arts. A sales tax that exempts groceries, gas, and pharmacies could be a way to capture and invest tourist dollars into our arts and culture infrastructure. Thank you for partnering with the City to facilitate the Event Support Grant!
Turner
Agree
I am glad we moved the ESG funding to AVL Arts. Perhaps growth in regional partnerships and new opportunities like a PAC will help drum up more and more notoriety in the Asheville Arts, bringing more finding with it.
Q4: THOMAS WOLFE AUDITORIUM
BACKGROUND| On July 5, Thomas Wolfe Auditorium closed its doors due to a massive failure of the HVAC system. That failure immediately resulted in scheduled shows being shifted to the ExploreAsheville.com Arena or other locations, and Thomas Wolfe operated a limited capacity over the next year. You can find more information about the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium issue here.
Based on your knowledge of this issue and the information that is available, do you believe it is time for the City and County to finally address this issue by fully renovating or replacing Thomas Wolfe Auditorium?
Edwards
Agree
Duncan
Agree
Benjamin
Agree
This issue needs to be explored and resolved. We need to look into this.
Horton
Strongly Agree
The closure of the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium due to the HVAC failure highlights a larger issue of neglected maintenance and infrastructure needs. This space is an essential cultural and community asset, and it’s time the City and County prioritize either fully renovating or replacing it to ensure it can continue to serve as a hub for the arts and public gatherings. Investing in this facility will have long-term benefits for both residents and the local economy.
O’Connell
Agree
The need for a civic center and auditorium and of what size, can be discussed separately. But to your question…..I agree that the time has come and gone to “pull the trigger” on a game plan for the TWA and the civic center. Ridiculous that it has been let go for so long. It cannot be ignored any longer. This delay is costing the tax payers money every day. Ridiculous.
Wells
Agree
A high-quality performing arts center will be an educational and cultural asset for our community and an economic driver for our local businesses. It will likely take strategic investments from both the private and public sector.
Domingo
Strongly Agree
Thomas Wolfe Auditorium is a part of Asheville’s cultural heritage. Observing the struggles and decay is disheartening. We must take responsible steps to preserve this community venue into the future.
Frazier
Strongly Agree
For a city as focused on the arts as Asheville, a great performing arts venue is a must. I would like to see us rally behind TW’s replacement like we did McCormick Field.
Hess
Strongly Agree
Prioritizing the maintenance and repair of our existing theaters like Thomas Wolfe is essential. These venues are the cornerstone of Asheville’s artistic expression and community engagement. We can enhance their potential as sources of cultural enrichment and economic activity if we ensure they are in prime condition.
Leaven
Strongly Agree
It may be more economically sound to replace rather than to renovate.
Roney
Agree
Yes, and I know that partnerships will be critical to our success. As I noted on the record in the Council work session, my experience in the music industry along with community engagement leads to my position that we should prioritize the Acoustic-Driven or Raked Floor options instead of the Flat Floor one. We have multiple flat-floor venues in the local and regional market, and I don’t think we should duplicate that offering if we can partner to expand our venue resources while securing a home for the Asheville Symphony.
Turner
Agree
It’s going to take a big, creative lift of effort and money. But, like we did with the Tourists Stadium, we can do big things. I have wondered if a new PAC would make restoration or rebuild of TWA more or less likely. I look forward to learning more about how these relationships and big projects can/will come together.
Q5: CREATIVE SPACES
BACKGROUND| Space affordability and availability are growing needs for both local Arts Professionals and Businesses – limiting the ability for many to grow and expand. This situation has caused reduced programming and services, the closure of some arts businesses, and creatives leaving Buncombe County.
A survey of creatives in Asheville Metro was conducted in early 2024, along with multiple interviews, follow up polls, and an inventory of current studio and rehearsal/ performance spaces. Cases studies of local and national initiatives to address similar space concerns were also collected.
The resulting Creative Space Report was released in May 2024, following a town hall presentation and panel discussion. Learn more at artsavl.org/spaces.
Would you support an initiative to create affordable artist housing and/or studio space?
Edwards
Agree
Duncan
Undecided
I would support that for being part of the overall plan for affordable housing.
Benjamin
Agree
I will review and do a deeper dive into options for a win-win solution.
Horton
Strongly Agree
Affordable artist housing and studio space are crucial for fostering creativity and sustaining the arts community in Buncombe County. As the cost of living rises, many artists and creators are being forced to leave or reduce their programming, which directly impacts our local culture and economy. I fully support initiatives that provide affordable housing and workspaces for artists, ensuring that they can continue to thrive and contribute to the vibrancy of our community. Investing in creative spaces is an investment in our future.
O’Connell
Agree
I am for an affordable housing option for artists and everyone else that is struggling. My cooks, housekeepers and others also struggle with affordable housing. We all deserve a break and through lowering taxes and lowering the costs to build, we can produce lower cost homes which will rent for less and cost less to buy. It is way to expensive to build in Buncombe County partly due to permitting and regulation requirements and delays. We can fix this.
Wells
Agree
The County is significantly investing in affordable housing in order to help community members. I have also had several conversations with various community members over the past couple of years regarding this specific artist live/work issue, and I am interested in sitting down together to explore creative solutions.
Domingo
Undecided
Affordable housing must serve all Ashevillians, not just specific professions. However, I am interested in possibly including reservable Studio Spaces in City Community Centers for work and teaching.
Frazier
Strongly Agree
While it is by far not the only location for artists, the City needs to stick with the River Arts District’s form-based code to guide development including studios, galleries, and housing.
Hess
Strongly Agree
By supporting artists, we support the soul of our city, fostering an environment where creativity flourishes. Securing studio space ensures the long-term prosperity of our arts and cultural landscape.
Leaven
Strongly Agree
City support of significantly more affordable housing not only helps artists, but it addresses homelessness, makes the city more walkable and bikeable, makes public transportation cheaper and more accessible, promotes more green spaces, saves our tree canopy, and allows the wonderful people who serve our city to actually live in our city.
Roney
Strongly Agree
Yes, and I think we can learn from the County’s experience with sector-based housing for teachers. We also need to add commercial real estate to our land trust solutions for long-term, deeply-affordable work, studio, and retail spaces.
I’m committed to affordability and to improving quality of life for the people who live and work here. The rent is too high, but so is the rising cost of transportation and utilities. Tackling affordability looks like: Incentivizing and investing in deeply-affordable housing; keeping neighbors from becoming unhoused through partnership for home repairs and eviction protection; following through on recommendations in the National Alliance to End Homelessness report to reduce homelessness; expanding transit, bikeability, walkability, and accessibility so having a car isn’t a prerequisite to accessing housing; securing our food and water systems, including fair water rates to keep our water on instead of steep discounts for the largest commercial accounts; demanding renewable energy options in new development to secure our energy grid and keep utility costs down; and setting an example by regaining living wage certification for City staff so our employees can live in the communities they serve.
Serious concerns need to be addressed regarding disparate outcomes of the City’s affordable housing efforts. Council is currently pausing our Land Use Incentive Grant to look at disparities of race and class, and I’m eager to get this tool to align with our strategic goal of Equitable, Affordable Housing because it’s the closest thing we have to rent control. Another strategy could look like a community benefits table applied to conditional zoning processes for residential and mixed-use development on transit corridors.
Turner
Strongly Agree
We attempted this with Artspace and city-owned land in the RAD and the progress fell idle. Perhaps it can be picked back up. We need to advocate for the new affordable units coming online in RAD to be prioritized for area artists. The private development market has provided some live-work style units; see Garage Apartments and Beachum’s Curve. Perhaps additional incentives or zoning tweaks can increase the likelihood of these building types along pedestrian corridors.
Q6: CULTURAL PLAN
BACKGROUND| A cultural plan is a place-based planning process that generates a vision and action plan for strengthening and growing arts and culture assets. It provides an inventory of current assets, identifies maintenance and support needs, and highlights gaps and future opportunities for growth.
There has never been a cultural plan for Asheville or Buncombe County– even though we are widely known as an arts and cultural destination and our arts scene drives many people to want to live, work, and play in our community. As we hope you are seeing for the previous questions, our cultural community is being impacted by Asheville’s continued growth. It is important that we consider conducting some sort of cultural planning process to provide a roadmap to support this growth over time for the social and economic benefit of our community.
Would you support the creation of Asheville- Buncombe County’s first Cultural Plan to support the preservation of our cultural assets, and the equitable and sustainable growth of the creative sector?
Edwards
Agree
Duncan
Agree
Benjamin
Undecided
I will examine the vision and mission of a comprehensive Arts Plan for our County as long as it serves and unify our community.
Horton
Strongly Agree
Asheville and Buncombe County’s rich arts and cultural scene are key drivers of our community’s identity and economy. Developing a comprehensive cultural plan is essential to preserve our cultural assets and ensure the equitable and sustainable growth of the creative sector. Such a plan would provide a roadmap for addressing current challenges, supporting artists, and fostering an inclusive environment where the arts can continue to thrive. This is a vital step for our long-term social and economic well-being, and I fully support the creation of the county’s first Cultural Plan.
O’Connell
Agree
I agree with having a plan for almost everything. Prior planning prevents poor performance.
Yes on a cultural plan. Why not?
Of course a Mike Tyson says, ” a plan is only as plan until you get punched in the face.”
(The moral being….be prepared for the unexpected.)
Wells
Strongly Agree
Our arts sector provides both economic and cultural benefits to our county. Artists are small business owners who provide direct economic impact and investment in our community and contribute to our rich and diverse culture. We have a long history of being makers, and that is worth promoting and investing in for the future.
Domingo
Agree
Frazier
Undecided
I think a plan would be valuable. It would be irresponsible of me to support a new plan without a full review of the city staff work load for updating and implementing our current plans and policies.
Hess
Strongly Agree
Yes, I believe that the city in partnership with the county would benefit from assessing a Cultural Plan that addresses sustainability in the creative sector. My concern is that our city’s promotion of tourism has displaced the same artists and musicians who make Asheville a unique cultural beacon. The city has an opportunity to prioritize preserving cultural assets for the good of our community. Developing Asheville’s creative sector as an industry could work in concert with the hospitality industry, creating lasting opportunities for all. I know many young people in Asheville who are looking for careers outside of food and beverage who have worked for years in the creative sector, unofficially. The post-pandemic energy I have noticed around this is that the people of Asheville want to elevate our place in the music industry, outside of hosting concerts. An official Cultural Plan could provide guidelines and support for people to pursue their dreams, without having to leave the home that they love.
Leaven
Strongly Agree
Roney
Strongly Agree
Yes, and as unchecked tourism continues to extract our resources, burden our infrastructure, and displace our vulnerable neighbors, I think it is appropriate that we advocate together for changes to our hotel occupancy tax so this kind of plan and other services and infrastructure needs in this questionnaire could be implemented through our hotel taxes.
I’m grateful for the partnership ArtsAVL is taking on with the City for supporting local festivals through the Event Support Grant, and I continue to appreciate the intentionality of the ArtsAVL to evaluate funding processes to ensure more equitable outcomes, building relationships and amplifying the work of BIPOC and LGBTQ+ artists in our community. Many artist households like mine are concerned that Asheville is marketed to tourists for our art and beer culture, but the attention and resources mostly benefit a few while the extractive impact of tourism is deeply felt by those most vulnerable to displacement from places to live and work.
In closing, I want to thank our community for engaging City Hall regularly—we’re having hard conversations because our community faces serious challenges. I think it’s unfortunate that the question about the Business Improvement District was removed from the Arts AVL survey since the primary, but have published all questionnaires on kimroney4asheville.com and invite our arts community to read about issues across sectors. I invite neighbors and organizations to join, continue, and deepen the shared work to make our community better, identifying barriers and shifting behaviors to achieve equitable outcomes just as I remain committed to pushing for systems change, creative solutions, and operationalized equity in City Hall.
Turner
Strongly Agree
Voter Resources
