Black Mountain Town Council 2024 election Q&A
Seven local candidates highlight priorities and issues in race for governing board
Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
September 19, 2024
Six candidates are contending for three seats on the Black Mountain Town Council, while one runs, unopposed, for the remaining two years of his current term, in the Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 General Election.
Four incumbents and three challengers responded to a series of questions from The Valley Echo, exploring the background, priorities and concerns of each person running for office. The current field of candidates features current town council members, Doug Hay, Pam King and Archie Pertiller, Jr. seeking to retain their seats, contested by Rick Earley, Dan Cordell and Lisa Milton. Ryan Stone, appointed to his current position in 2023, following the resignation of Bill Christy, will return to his seat.
Meet each candidate and read their answers to questions below:
Doug Hay
The Valley Echo: How long have you lived in Black Mountain?
Hay: My wife Katie and I moved to Black Mountain in 2014. Black Mountain was home to my grandparents and an important place for me growing up, helping shape who I am today. When it was time for me and Katie to choose a home, Black Mountain felt like a natural place for us to start our family and raise our two girls (ages 7 and 3).
What is your professional background and/or current career?
I currently serve as the VP of Marketing at Complement, a health and nutrition company, where I help lead growth strategy, community and content. I also manage a team and am responsible for elements of our budget. I’ve used many of these skills in my work as a Town Council member over the last four years of service.
As you approach the end of your first term on the town council, why did you choose to seek another term in this upcoming election?
It has been an absolute honor serving on the Town Council, and I’m grateful to the community for trusting me in this position.
I love Black Mountain. It is my home and where I am raising my family. I am deeply invested in making it the best community it can be for everyone who is fortunate enough to live here now and in the future.
Over the past four years I’ve helped accomplish several initiatives I’m proud of, including stormwater projects, updates to development ordinances, park upgrades, and major investments in public safety and infrastructure, to name a few.
Now that my term is ending, there are several things I’d like to see through to completion. For example, the forthcoming and much needed Cragmont Park overhaul will provide improved recreational activities for citizens of all ages.
But most of all, I really enjoy connecting with the Black Mountain community to understand everyone’s priorities, getting into the weeds, and putting in the time and effort needed to serve this town I love.
What are the two most important things you learned from your experience in your first term on the town council?
1. There’s absolutely nothing more valuable in this position than speaking with people one-on-one.
Everyone in town has his or her unique perspective and lived experience, and the best thing I can do before forming my own opinion on a situation or vote is to understand how it would impact a variety of citizens.
This is true whether it’s a major change in our budget or adding a new stop sign.
2. Maintaining a healthy budget requires planning and flexibility.
While certain needs may be impossible to predict, we can fairly accurately plan for major budget items like sanitation trucks, fire trucks, waterline expansions, road repairs, and town staffing.
What we’ve dealt with over the past several years is an urgency to address needs that weren’t properly planned for – ultimately making them more expensive.
I firmly believe that rigid statements and thinking about the budget are shortsighted and harmful to future services and quality of life. Instead, we should be striving for a healthy, balanced budget that’s adaptable to the needs of today and planning for tomorrow.
What are the top three issues related to the Town of Black Mountain right now?
Aging infrastructure: Waterlines, roads, parks, stormwater, and facilities.
Due to a lack of proper planning and investments in previous budgets, we fell way behind in taking care of our infrastructure. And unfortunately, the longer we wait, the more expensive fixes become.
Over the past four years I’ve helped us get the ball rolling in the right direction, but infrastructure maintenance should always be a priority. I believe we need a Town Council that’s taking action for the future instead of putting off projects until it’s too late.
Affordability.
The cost of living has skyrocketed in Buncombe County, and likely more so within town limits. I believe we need to be thoughtful in encouraging the right kind of housing options and industry for working families and people of all backgrounds, as well as keeping the expenses the town can control as reasonable as possible.
Communication.
I frequently hear the need for improved communication and feel this need myself. While we’ve made some improvements, we have to continue expanding the way information is shared between the town and the community so everyone has access to the information they need, when they need it.
How has the current council improved services for residents during your time in your current seat?
To sum it up, the past four years have been about getting us closer to where we should have been all along. Here are a few simple examples:
With public safety, the council replaced a core fire truck that was spending nearly as much time in the shop as it was on the street, and added firefighter and police positions to work toward national standards.
With recreation and parks, the council invested in major maintenance to Lake Tomahawk, playgrounds, the ballfields at Veterans Park, the community garden, and more.
With water, the council approved new tools to rapidly detect water main leaks, saving taxpayer money.
But I’m the first to admit not everything has worked. For example, last year’s move from bagged leaves to a vacuum didn’t work out like we hoped.
I’m of the mindset that we shouldn’t be afraid to try new things if it has the high potential to save us money or improve services. And then we reassess and adjust as needed.
What will be your top two priorities if you are elected to another term?
Thoughtful planning of our development ordinances so Black Mountain remains a thriving, beautiful place to live not just today, but for future generations.
Upgrades and maintenance to our parks and recreation programming for citizens of all ages.
How will you work toward addressing those priorities?
Planning: Per state requirements, the town is updating all of our development and zoning ordinances in what’s called the Unified Development Ordinances (UDO). The Planning Board has been hard at work reviewing all of the ordinances for the past few years, and soon it will come before the community and ultimately the Town Council for approval. I will work to ensure that we’re being thoughtful of the future ripples from each decision, and how it impacts affordability, the environment, stormwater, and quality of life.
Parks: I will continue pushing forward a number of park improvements already in the works, including Cragmont Park and planning for the nearly 50 acres of donated undeveloped property between East State Street to Sunset Drive. All of this will be approached with the mindset of improving maintenance strategies to help ensure we reduce future costs.
I will also be a vocal advocate for reinstating and adding sports and recreation programming for children, youth and adults.
Why do you believe you are the right person for this seat?
For the past four years I’ve taken this job incredibly seriously, spending the time needed to fully understand the issues and make thoughtful decisions.
I seek out a variety of perspectives, engage with various business and citizen groups, and try to be a deeply involved member of the community.
But just as importantly, as a father of two young children, I believe I bring a different perspective than many of the candidates running for Town Council.
I’m running for Town Council to help make Black Mountain a better place for my children, but also my children’s children, and beyond.
I’m so grateful the the support I’ve received over the past four years, and hope to have the honor of continuing that work for another term.
Archie Pertiller, Jr.
How long have you lived in Black Mountain?
I have lived all but 12 years of my life here in the Valley. I am the fifth of seven generations that have and still live in the Swannanoa Valley
What is your professional background and/or current career?
I retired from State service in 2018, as a Staff Development Specialist II, responsible for the training and development of Black Mountain Neuro-Medical Treatment Center staff. I am currently majority owner and Chief Executive Officer of NCI+, LLC.(National Crisis Intervention), a behavioral management program used in numerous states.
As you approach the end of your first term on the town council, why did you choose to seek another term in this upcoming election?
I feel that I still have a lot to offer if given the opportunity to continue to serve as a council member.
What are the two most important things you learned from your experience in your first term on the town council?
If I am to be transparent there is a huge learning curve for new council members, and that you must be mindful of what the citizens are asking of you at all times.
What are the top three issues related to the Town of Black Mountain right now?
I feel as though they are the cost of living, stormwater runoff and being able to responsibly control the growth of our gem in the valley.
How has the current council improved services for residents during your time in your current seat?
I feel that we have tried to equip our police and fire departments with what is needed to provide the citizens of our community with the safety they deserve. I also feel the providing our community with it's own Sanitation Department has not only provided the town with needed service, it has also saved the town money.
What will be your top two priorities if you are elected to another term?
I would like to have discussions on how we can better control the growth of our community to maintain its small town appeal. We also need to continue discussions around affordable housing, and town infrastructure.
How will you work toward addressing those priorities?
To make any of our priorities happen it is going to take a collaborative effort from the whole council. No one person is going to accomplish anything without working as a team. My only agenda is to serve our community and to listen to everyone, and all sides to the best of my ability
Why do you believe you are the right person for this seat?
I still believe that the responsibility of a council member should not be about politics, but about the people. And that they should have no other agenda but that to serve. I feel that I am a proven leader, experienced professional, respectful, business minded, an independent thinker, passionate and caring, and community first.
Pam King
How long have you lived in Black Mountain?
I had the great good fortune of moving to Black Mountain in 2013. Since my father and my husband were both from N.C. going back many generations, it felt like coming home. My dad was a career military officer, so while I did not get to grow up here, I was grateful for the chance to move here later in life. I was attracted by the same things that many find appealing: that small town feel of neighborliness, the beauty of this valley, and the rich cultural heritage.
Since living in Black Mountain, I have served on the Greenways Commission and as Chair of the Friends of the Black Mountain Library Board of Directors. I am currently a member of the Upbeats Ukulele Band of Black Mountain, having fun while raising money for good causes locally.
What is your professional background and/or current career?
Professionally, I retired in July 2024, following a long career working with non-profit organizations, primarily serving women and children. I was pleased to serve as Development Director with Helpmate, Buncombe County’s domestic violence service provider, as my final position. In all of my roles, I learned a great deal about budgeting, planning, and accountability for multi-million dollar endeavors.
As you approach the end of your first term on the town council, why did you choose to seek another term in this upcoming election?
Four years ago I was motivated by a desire to serve my community in this way and focused much of my campaign around the importance of transparency, integrity, and civil discourse. I still find those to be non-negotiable values essential for good government. I am pleased that we have implemented, for example, an annual budget development process that begins with a whole day council retreat, held in public, during which we can narrow down the top priorities for the coming budget year. That is followed by months of extra meetings during which we review each line item, expenses and revenue, department by department. Then the hard choices are made as a council about what gets funded in the coming year and what will wait. I believe this process, while time consuming, results in a better finished product by allowing space for public involvement and thoughtful discussion. One reason I chose to run for re-election is I would like to see this transparent budget process continue.
The learning curve is steep as a new council member. The town has many large projects going at all times. New concerns and issues arise as our community experiences growth. I have applied myself to studying the issues, learning and listening and can hit the ground running if re-elected. I would welcome the opportunity to continue putting this experience to work in another term on town council.
What are the two most important things you learned from your experience in your first term on the town council?
I learned that our ability to provide the quality services our citizens deserve depends on a stable, well-qualified staff. Excessive turnover is expensive and detrimental. The issues facing our community in every area (public safety, roads, water, stormwater, environmental concerns, sanitation, recreation, and more) require we stay competitive with other area municipalities if we are to recruit and retain employees for today’s needs and tomorrow’s challenges.
I learned that everything takes longer than it seems like it should take to complete (especially when working with federal and state entities), and everything costs a lot of money. Whoever sits in the council seats after the November election will have to make difficult decisions as this area continues to be a popular tourist and residential location. Be skeptical of those offering quick, easy, cheap solutions for town concerns.
What are the top three issues related to the Town of Black Mountain right now?
Environmental concerns: Doing what we can as a municipal government to address environmental concerns is urgent and essential.
Maintaining a vibrant business climate: Our charming downtown is a tremendous asset, with a lot going on in every area. As we seek to be supportive of our businesses downtown and beyond, we must continually revisit the town’s role in all areas: public safety, sanitation, special event permitting, walkability and more.
Affordable housing: This is a regional, even national concern. Locally, it is heartbreaking to see young families priced out of buying or renting. Addressing this will require a broad-based, cooperative effort. Our town staff and elected officials must continue to work hard to maintain strong working relations with resources like the Land of Sky Regional Council, the Metropolitan Planning Organization, the NC League of Municipalities, and many more. All are wrestling with this issue and looking for solutions.
How has the current council improved services for residents during your time in your current seat?
The most obvious improvements are renovations at area recreational facilities including Lake Tomahawk and Veteran’s Park. Deferred maintenance had taken its toll and we were able to refurbish and upgrade playgrounds, ball fields and dugouts, and more. The influx of $2.6M in 2022 in federal American Rescue Plan funds also paid for the repair of the dam at Lake Tomahawk as required by the NC Dept. of Environmental Quality ($500,000). Also, another $500,000 of that money will pay for the long awaited replacement of a major water line on Hwy. 70. In short, we were able to address a number of projects long overdue. ARP money has also been set aside to create new facilities at Cragmont Park, the scope of which has not yet been decided, but could include tennis courts, pickleball courts, a real restroom, and parking.
Hard work by the Black Mountain Police Dept. and a shared commitment to the highest community policing standards and practices by town council and staff, recently resulted in BMPD becoming the first in North Carolina to be awarded State Accreditation.
In other areas, the town has provided increased support for the Dr. John Wilson Community Garden in a variety of ways, including making the garden manager a full-time staff position. Seeing the need to reduce the tonnage we take to the landfill on a regular basis, a Waste Reduction Specialist position was created.
What will be your top two priorities if you are elected to another term?
Continued fiscal responsibility and accountability. Making the hard decisions, along with council and staff, about establishing priorities and funding what must be funded. Making sure we are well situated to continue receiving the large grant awards essential for many of our capital improvement needs. Addressing today’s concerns with an eye on the future as well.
Continuing to foster a sense of professionalism and respect. I know it’s not tangible and some might scoff at this as a priority, but I truly believe that to get this important work done, efficiently and effectively, civil discourse, integrity, and transparency are essential.
How will you work toward addressing these priorities?
It’s who I am. I focus on the work. I do my homework. I come prepared to meetings so that I can ask meaningful questions. I seek out the opinions and concerns of citizens. I listen to my colleagues. I value our staff. I appreciate a thoughtful discussion about any issue before the council to come up with the best possible solutions for our citizens. That includes how to best allocate taxpayer dollars and how to leverage our resources to make the most of them.
Why do you believe you are the right person for this seat?
I know a healthy community includes young working families, older folks on fixed incomes, and all kinds of people in between. That’s what I’m thinking about as I consider issues affecting our town. I am a proven leader with a track record of working well with others. I have no problem asking hard questions and requiring accountability. I am willing to put in the extensive time required of council and staff annually as budgets are reviewed and developed. I can hit the ground running, while continuing to learn at every opportunity.
Dan Cordell
How long have you lived in Black Mountain?
I have lived in Black Mountain for going on 24 years.
What is your professional background and/or current career?
I have been a building inspector for 33 years. Ten years in Sunset Beach, and 20 in Black Mountain. I continue to serve in that role in Montreat.
As an aspiring first-time member of the town council, why did you choose to seek a term on the board?
I am seeking a town council seat after overwhelming requests from town citizens concerned with current conditions. I have explained that I am not a politician, and they were pleased to know that and pushed even harder until I accepted the challenge.
In what ways would you like to see services improved for town residents?
I would like to see a re-structuring of personnel and services. It seems that we have intentionally created an overly burdensome, and in my opinion, unnecessary bureaucracy. One service that I hear constant complaints about is garbage. It was stated in the beginning that the town would save $300,000. after the first year. This did not happen, and the numbers make it obvious that this was a mistake. We need to give garbage collection back to the professionals and negotiate contracts accordingly. Although the guys out there doing the work are great people, there are other jobs that we seem to be outsourcing that these workers would be perfectly suited for.
The other service that has all but been eliminated is public relations. Granted, we had a covid situation where limited access to town hall personnel was understandable. Covid isolations are over, but our citizens can no longer walk in and talk with the public servants. While I was the building inspector for Black Mountain people could come in, sit down and discuss issues face to face. Many issues were resolved with this interaction method. And they felt heard and respected by the public servants we were. They deserve this as those who pay the salaries of those in the town hall. And, to have all phone calls returned within 24 hours, as with e-mail responses. They are to serve the people. It too, seems that the concept of what public servants are has been lost.
What are the top three issues related to the Town of Black Mountain right now?
I see the top issues as a small town of roughly 8,500 people, having a budget of over $22 million dollars, when only four years ago it was $11 million. We seem to be aggressively looking for more projects to spend money on instead of focusing on fixing problems that we have had for some time. We have approximately forty percent of our citizens over 65 years of age and on a fixed income. More consideration should be given to these people that have lived here all of their lives, or have been the families that made Black Mountain the wonderful place it is over generations. They are feeling unheard and want to have the voice that they deserve.
What will be your top two priorities if elected?
My top priorities would be, as I've stated earlier. Reestablishing access, budget priorities, land use densities and why we keep creating new, high-end job positions while customer service continues to be at its worst.
How will you work toward addressing those priorities?
I have worked in municipal government over 30 years in many capacities. I have held state and federal certifications in many areas. I know the inner workings and how things are done. I have observed when mistakes have been made and what lessons have been learned. I believe with the knowledge that I have acquired over the years; I can use it to help our small town maintain the small-town character while providing responsible growth.
Why do you believe you are the right person to serve this term?
I am committed to serving my community as I have for many years. And it will be my pleasure to be your voice on the town council.
Rick Earley
How long have you lived in Black Mountain?
I was born and raised in Black Mountain, and went to college in Raleigh, NC after graduating from Owen High School in 1972. We kept the family house in Black Mountain and visited routinely over the years. Gwen and I returned in 2017 to permanently live in my childhood house on Oakland Drive.
What is your professional background and/or current career?
I received a BS Chemistry in 1976 and MS Food Science in 1979, both from N.C. State. Other than two years as Land Development Coordinator for a residential builder in Greensboro, I spent 34 years supplying FDA compliant, ultra-hygienic processing systems to Food, Dairy, Beverage, Pharmaceutical and Personal Care manufacturing facilities. I retired in February 2019 from Admix, Inc. as North America Director of Sales.
As an aspiring first-time member of the town council, why did you choose to seek a term on the board?
I have witnessed the impact that town council decisions made 50 years ago have had on our town today. That long-range perspective in making current decisions is critical and I want to contribute to those “How will today’s decisions positively impact our town 50 years from now?” questions.
In what ways would you like to see services improved for town residents?
Streets require improved maintenance. There are many potholes and blind intersections due to vegetative growth.
Let’s improve town staff availability and responsiveness to residents’ inquiries.
We should take a serious look at contracting waste and recycling responsibilities.
What are the top three issues related to the Town of Black Mountain right now?
Curtailing the unparalleled increase in spending is the most urgent and important issue. During the last four years, Town Council: increased the budget 85%, from $11.9 to $22.0 million; increased the number of full-time positions 23%, to 106; increased monthly water and fees (for 5,000 gallons per month) 39%, from $88 to $122; increased annual debt service payments 79%, from $467,528 to $836,150; increased annual property taxes collected 41%, from $3,965,595 to $5,600,000.
Responsible stewarding of development to preserve our small-town charm, greenways, streams, trees, walkability/biking, and open spaces is a must.
Invest in infrastructure and services to provide out youth with opportunities for healthy social engagement via arts, crafts, athletics, community service, etc.
What will be your top two priorities if elected?
Control spending and invest in youth.
How will you work toward addressing those priorities?
Spending: Our residents need a financial break. The average family is spending $800 more per month to pay for housing, utilities, food, transportation than they did four years ago. Just like our families have had to do, the town must find a way to live within our means and stop spending more than we receive. I will vote “no” on any proposed budget for FY25-26 that includes an increase in property tax or water/fees or debt.
Youth: We will establish a task force of parents, council members, staff to define what parents see a solid youth program should look like. I have spoken to many such parents during the last month, and they are eager to put our heads together to accomplish this. If our youth are thriving, our town will thrive.
Why do you believe you are the right person to serve this term?
Having lived in Black Mountain since 1954, I have seen how the town has changed, survived and thrived due to sound leadership focused on the residents. Serving on the town planning board for the last four years has given me a clear understanding of what servant leadership is all about. Town leadership exists to serve the residents of Black Mountain, and I am fully committed to that end. Returning “home” after 45 years of living in Raleigh and Greensboro, I am blessed to be able to say “The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places. Surely, I have a delightful inheritance.” As a town council member, I will work diligently so our current high school graduates can return to their/my hometown after 45 years and experience my same blessing.
Lisa Milton
How long have you lived in Black Mountain?
I am a native of Black Mountain. I have lived here my entire life except for the four years I attended N.C. State University. I received a Bachelor Degree in Environmental Design from NCSU College of Design.
What is your professional background and/or current career?
I was self employed my entire working career and am now retired. My husband and I ran a special event facility in Black Mountain for the last 20 years of our working career.
As an aspiring first-time member of the town council, why did you choose to seek a term on the board?
I chose to run for town council for two reasons:
The unsustainable level of yearly spending increases that have gone on during the current board's tenure.
Nothing is being done to address non-existent affordable workforce housing.
In what ways would you like to see services improved for town residents?
The town hall should be open and the staff accessible to the residents on a daily basis. With many of the department heads and employees working remotely, this creates a delay in correcting problems and responding promptly to citizen's concerns. This is also compounded by the fact that calls go unanswered and messages left never receive answers either.
What will be your top two priorities if elected?
My top two priorities are reducing the budget and addressing the lack of affordable housing.
How will you work toward addressing those priorities?
We need to take a hard look at the fact that half of the budget, $11 million, is spent on employees. First, making sure that the employees hired are the best qualified for the position. Analyzing the cost of each employee as well as the cost of contract labor and looking for positions and expenditures that can be cut. To address the lack of affordable housing the Planning Department needs to research other communities that have successfully tackled housing and funding options that are available to be utilized to provide help in working towards a solution.
Why do you believe you are the right person to serve this term?
Having been self employed my entire working career, I learned that budgeting for large expenditures is necessary. Maintaining equipment, not replacing it helps keep down costs. Saving money each year is critical to be able to cover unexpected expenses. Analyzing the cost of a position in relation to what it produces in return can reveal inefficient positions that can be eliminated. Simply raising taxes to cover a bloated budget is not an option to inflict on the citizens of a municipality. The growing number of our residents that live on social security cannot be unfairly burdened by excessive, often wasteful spending.