News

Zirconia resident becomes first announced candidate for Board of Commissioners

David Hill

By Lightning Reports, Published: November 29, 2019

David Hill, a surveyor who lives in Zirconia, has become the first announced candidate for the Henderson County Board of Commissioners in next year's election, announcing that he is seeking the seat Grady Hawkins plans to vacate when he retires in December 2020.

Hill, a county native who is active in civic affairs in the Green River area, said that if elected he will "uphold conservative values and promote a positive future for Henderson County."

"It concerns me that across our nation we see the lean towards the progressive agenda," he said. "I'm very conservative."

He said he would take a close looking at the county budget, although he did not have specific spending he objects to.

"You can always curb your spending at home or in a business or government," he said "I'm always for lowering taxes if possible (and looks forward to) looking at budget items and seeing where the money's being spent. We have to be judicious in spending taxpayer dollars."

"I'm local. I believe in a limited government, not just on the federal level, that's state and local," he said. "So I would be looking to reduce the county's impact on people's lives."

As for another issue that commissioners hear a lot about, road improvement projects, Hill said come are needed.

"It depends on basically the need," he said. "There are several roads in county that the traffic volume has increased dramaticlly. If it's for safety I have no problem with it. But the DOT takes a long time to make decisions and they overrun cost a lot from my past knowledge. If it's a necessary need, I don't see a problem with that. If you don't maintain your roads for safey reasons, it's always cause for concern as far as accidents."

Hill serves on the Green River Community Association, the Blue Ridge Fire & Rescue Board of Directors and the Henderson County Cemetery Advisory Committee. He supports parks. "We work hand in hand with Parks and Rec" on the Tuxedo Community Park. Hill grew up in the Big Hungry area in eastern Henderson County. He and his wife, Lisa, a native of Zirconia, have grown twin daughters.

Filing opens at noon Monday and runs through noon Friday, Dec. 20, for two seats on the Board of Commissioners, two state House seats and a state Senate seat in Henderson County. Commissioner Charlie Messer, serving his fifth term on the board, is also up for re-election should be decide to run. State Rep. Chuck McGrady has announced he is retiring and will not seek re-election. State Rep. Jake Johnson, a Republican from Tryon, and state Sen. Chuck Edwards plan to seek re-election.