Commission Candidates Speak At Forum By Scott Nicholson Six candidates for the Watauga County Commission spoke at a candidates forum in Boone Monday. The forum, sponsored by the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, featured a question-and-answer format with some questions submitted by the audience. Attending were incumbent Republican James Coffey and his Democratic opponent Billy Ralph Winkler, incumbent Republican Allen Trivette and his Democratic challenger Winston Kinsey, and Democrat Jim Deal and Republican Joe Phillips, who are competing to replace Jimmy Hodges, who is not running again. The commissioners were first asked about the county’s tax rate and funding needs. Coffey said the county leadership has funded needs while lowering the tax rate and that property values had increased to help maintain a lower tax rate. Deal said the commissioners should look at the needs across the county, such as education, recreation, law enforcement, and senior programs, then establish a tax rate to meet those needs. Kinsey said the revaluation had increased the tax base and the county should look at the needs and fund them accordingly. Phillips elected not to answer the question. Trivette said money was still being wasted in county government and said a tax increase wasn’t needed if waste was eliminated. Winkler said with revaluation and the half-cent sales tax option, the county collected more money than ever, and needs should be determined before the tax rate is set. On the scenic byway designations passed by the state, Deal said the residents were stewards of the land and said people need to be heard and have an impact on decisions, reaching a “greater good” through cooperation. Kinsey said he didn’t participate in U.S. 421 discussions, and that he was worried about landowners’ rights though he enjoyed the road’s scenery. Phillips said he’d like to see the scenic designations remain for N.C. 194 and U.S. 421. Trivette said “every road in the county is scenic” and said designated scenic highways were supposed to be for safe, slow roads and was opposed to state designations without local approval. Winkler said he had friends both for and against the designation, but said most people supported it and he wouldn’t try to reverse the designation. Coffey said the commissioners let every affected property owner know about the designation and let them have a say in the decision, and said it was the first time the state had ever ignored a local government decision on a scenic byway. The candidates were then asked to discuss pressing issues of the next 10 years. Kinsey said law enforcement support was essential, especially in stopping methamphetamine labs. Phillips said growth was the biggest issue facing the county. Trivette said affordable housing was a big issue that made a difference in the school system, saying it was difficult for the average family with a child to live in Watauga. Winkler said he decided to run on educational concerns, but said meth labs were also becoming “a bigger danger and embarrassment” because of the number of labs being discovered, and said he supports the Sheriff’s Office work. Coffey said growth affects every department and places more demand on schools, the health department, the court system and law enforcement. Deal said growth, drugs, and education were key issues and said he would meet regularly with the school board to make long-range funding plans. Candidates were then asked if the county should join a class-action lawsuit to recover money withheld by the state. Trivette said the county should use “any means necessary” to get money to which it is entitled. Winkler said the county should work to develop good relationships with state government. Coffey said the county had been hit hard and was lucky to have a fund balance to handle it, but said he didn’t think the county could get any money back. Deal said he opposed a lawsuit unless there was a good opportunity to win. Kinsey said the state’s funding problems were caused by the requirement of having a balanced budget and was opposed to a suit. Phillips said he would be in favor of collecting if the state had a surplus. On a possible bond referendum for a new high school, Winkler said the commissioners should work with the school board and support the board’s decision, and said the project would become more expensive if delayed. Coffey favored a public referendum and said the commissioners shouldn’t pass it without public approval. Deal said if a referendum didn’t pass, the county would be obligated to repair a 40-year-old school. Kinsey said the commissioners must listen to the school board and supported a referendum in the spring. Phillips said he would put the issue before the people. Trivette favored a referendum in the fall and said the people would produce if they were shown a true need. The commissioners all favored a bypass around Boone to alleviate traffic, and Kinsey said the county should ask Appalachian State University to limit student vehicles. Candidates were asked about the need for jobs and an Amendment One referendum that would allow counties to issue bonds for private projects based on expected future tax revenues. Deal said he supported Amendment One to help develop property and said the county needs another industrial park. Kinsey said he was undecided and felt the bonds could be valuable tools, but the later bond decisions would skip a public vote. Phillips opposed Amendment One because it lessened his freedom. Trivette said taxpayers would foot the bill for mistakes and was concerned about people not being able to vote on bonds. Winkler said he saw it as an economic development tool but that it had the potential for abuse. Coffey said the commissioners had passed a resolution in favor of Amendment One and said it could be good if used in the right way, but people should have input on the bond decisions. In closing comments, Winkler said he had moved away in the 1970s but had taken a pay cut to return. He said while he respected his opponent, it was time for a “change of perspective.” He said he would build better relationships with the school board and be an advocate for long-term planning. Trivette supported accountability in all county departments, and said the school board received 27 percent of local tax dollars, with 20 percent going to law enforcement and public safety, and 19 percent to human services. He said taxpayers should get value for their money. Phillips said he had a desire to give back to the community and said he wouldn’t make any empty promises but will listen to people to find answers. Kinsey said he was willing to learn and had an interest in agricultural issues. He supported fire departments and said he was aware of their funding problems. Deal said he would work in a spirit of cooperation “instead of looking for things to divide us.” He said he understood the school needs because of having family members connected with each of the schools. Coffey said he would stand on his record of 14 years as a commissioner, listing buildings the county had funded. He said the tax rate was 60 cents per $100 when he first served but he would keep the tax rate as low as possible and work to make the county better. Election Day is Nov. 2.