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McDonald touts crime reduction, community engagement

Henderson County Politics

Henson to seek re-election to state House

First-term state Rep. Cody Henson announced Thursday that he is running for re-election for the House District 113 seat he won in 2016.   Read Story »

Henderson County Politics

'Impossible? That's cool,' Donaldson says of run for Congress

Scott Donaldson, a happy warrior who announced last week that he is running for Congress, laughs a lot and grins a lot.   Read Story »

Henderson County Politics

Dr. Donaldson to run for Congress as Democrat

Scott Donaldson, a Hendersonville urologist, plans to run for the 11th Congressional District as a Democrat.   Read Story »

Edneyville Politics

LIGHTNING EDITORIAL: Growth highlights need for comp plan update

Henderson County commissioners are having a hard time deciding whether to invest in a sewer line to serve the new Edneyville Elementary School because they have no idea what the longterm impact might be. It’s understandable.Development follows utility lines. Growth continues here at a pace not seen since the pre-crash days up to 2008. We’re seeing development heat up in the form of multi-family or senior housing requests that have come before the Board of Commissioners and Hendersonville City Council. The sewer line question has vexed commissioners because it could lead to explosive growth, because it would add pressure to transform apple orchards into tract housing and because it renews the bugaboo that the county would be ceding control of growth management to the city of Hendersonville, which owns the sewage treatment plant.County Engineer Marcus Jones presented a detailed study of the options for serving the new elementary school. One of the statistics was that zoning along the sewer line path would permit 10,766 multi-family units — a figure that’s more of a math equation than a market analysis. Overwhelmed by that alarming statistic and other factors, commissioners booted the sewer line decision for a second time after directing the county manager to negotiate a possible cost-sharing arrangement with the city.The issue, as Commissioner Grady Hawkins observed, is much larger than the Edneyville sewer line alone. The county’s comprehensive land-use plan, and not a sewer line, ought to guide growth in the county. Adopted in 2007 — after years of resistance by elected leaders of the day, including Hawkins — the comp plan is starting to fray from development pressure and a real estate market shift from big houses on one-acre lots to condos, cluster homes and rental units on grass that the busy retiree doesn’t have to mow.“It’s about at its shelf life,” Hawkins said of the 10-year-old land development code. “We need to be working on an update to the comprehensive land-use plan…. One way or another, we’re going to do something and I think it needs to be in concert with a plan that’s fairly well coordinated with the comprehensive land-use plan.”For veteran consumers of news about county government, Hawkins’ epiphany is meaningful. Among the five commissioners, Hawkins has the most experience in the politics of land-use planning and the deepest appreciation for the hazardous shoals of rezoning requests.In the recent past, homeowners have filled county meeting rooms to express shock and anger that:• Rural residential (R2R) zoning, which permits just two dwellings per acre, allows an event barn, which is a commercial use.• Residential One (R1) zoning (intended to “foster orderly growth where the principal use of land is residential) allows 16 dwellings per acre plus an RV park, restaurant, clubhouse, wellness center, etc.• Residential 2 (R2) zoning would allow 198 rental units on the 85-acre Horse Shoe Farm property on the French Broad River.In addition, the land-use code allows dozens of commercial or institutional uses allowed in residential zones as long as the Zoning Board of Adjustment issues a special-use permit.An Edneyville sewer line would be the latest potential driver of development that raises the need for a fresh look at the comp plan. There will be others. The Board of Commissioners is at a point how where it ought to authorize a broad review of the land development code with a goal of making the plan more compatible with the market.A standard SWOT analysis (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) would show commissioners that the comp plan is weak when it comes to protecting established residential zones from dense and intense development.With the right land-use tools, the Board of Commissioners could turn a bullish real estate market, the baby boom retirement wave and an Edneyville sewer line into an opportunity for quality growth.   Read Story »

Hendersonville Politics

County GOP to celebrate new headquarters

The Henderson County Republican Party will host a grand opening of its headquarters from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 30. The new space is located at 170 Four Seasons Shopping Center behind the Applebee’s Restaurant on Four Seasons Boulevard. The public is invited.Light refreshments will include the HCGOP’s famous Apple Festival Apple Cobbler (while it lasts). “We are very pleased to have this new headquarters facility,” said party Chair Merry Guy. “It’s very convenient in terms of location, parking, and layout. This is an all-around great place for us to hold educational forums, conduct Party business and help Republican candidates win. We anticipate being in the building and open to the public from now until after the 2020 elections, with an option to renew.” “We believe our new headquarters will enable us to further Republican policy positions, meet with more voters and provide a central location to gather to plan for the future," she added. "Our goal is to help build ‘A better America for all Americans’ and we are just delighted to be able to open for business this early in the 2018 election cycle.” For more information contact Merry Guy through the HCGOP website, hendersoncountygop.com, or call 828-693-6040.   Read Story »

Hendersonville Politics

Kushner boosts Meadows fundraiser in Asheville

U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows benefited from a fundraiser Thursday night that attracted about 150 supporters to the Asheville home of Mike Summey, a retired real estate investor. The guests included A-lister Jared Kushner, the son-in-law of President Trump and a senior adviser in the White House. "Meadows and Kushner have discussed Israel — part of Kushner’s portfolio, and a key issue for Meadows — and he has talked with Ivanka about paid leave, which faces long odds in the Republican Congress," Politico reported in Friday morning's Political Playbook. "We had a fundraiser and Jared Kushner flew down to help with that," Meadows said Friday morning in Hendersonville, where he attended the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast and the opening ceremonies of the North Carolina Apple Festival. "The president called in and that was probably the highlight. He was telling the people how much he loves North Carolina." Politico noted the role of Meadows, "now one of the most powerful men in the Capitol," as a bridge between conservatives in the House and Trump administration. "Kushner traveling to North Carolina ahead of the long weekend shows the nature of the relationship between Meadows and members of the Trump administration," the report said. Meadows said he didn't know how much the event raised for his 2018 campaign. "I just basically thank them for coming," he said in a short interview with the Hendersonville Lightning at the pancake breakfast. "I learned a long time ago that if you focus on people and not politics things have a way of working out. We would rather be here shaking 500 hands and letting people know we care than raising money to buy ads to try to convince them we care."     Read Story »

Henderson County Politics

Sheriff sets re-election campaign kickoff Sept. 14

Sheriff Charlie McDonald will kick off his 2018 re-election campaign next month with an event that featues food, music and a shotgun raffle. The Committee to Re-Elect Sheriff Charles McDonald on Sunday sent out an email blast inviting supporters to the kickoff from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday at Boyd Automotive at 1875 Spartanburg Highway. "The event will feature food and refreshments, live music and an opportunity for the Sheriff’s supporters to meet with him personally," the invitation said. "A Remington 870 12 gauge shotgun will be raffled off with the drawing occurring at 8 p.m. This event is open to the public and all are invited to attend." The committee also invited supporters to join McDonald as he walks the King Apple Parade on Labor Day. Supporters were urged to gather on the parade staging area at 12:30. An email later on will give more details, the committee said. Sheriff since he was appointed to the vacant post in March 2012, McDonald won the Republican nomination for the seat in a May 2014 primary election over Erik Summey and Michael Brown and defeated Democrat Marty Katz in the general election.     Read Story »

North Carolina Politics

McGrady to co-chair pollution investigation

State Rep. Chuck McGrady, the go-to specialist on environmental legislation in the state House, has been appointed to co-chair of a commission that will look into an industrial plant's discharge of the chemical GenX into the Cape Fear River in Bladen County.   Read Story »

Henderson County Politics

McDonald gets opponent in 2018 election

Lowell Griffin, a former Henderson County sheriff's deputy, announced on Monday that he will run for sheriff next year. "A dedication to the job and a love for the people have propelled me to announce my candidacy for the position," Griffin said in a news release. "I truly believe that law enforcement should answer to the need of the public and not the needs of an entity. In the coming months I intend to reveal a platform rich with ideas that I believe will alter some current policies of the sheriff’s office to better serve you, the people of the county. "Those ideas include providing job security for the officers who so diligently serve you, a reorganization of the department to better allocate resources to serve the people, increased accountability to the taxpayers, improving agency relationships while maximizing manpower, providing the services that taxpayers fund to ALL communities, and openly confronting the narcotics issues facing Henderson County. My goal is to serve all demographics of Henderson County with the highest quality of service that you genuinely deserve." Currently a captain with the Polk County sheriff's office, Griffin was one of six deputies Sheriff Charlie McDonald sacked a week after he was elected to office in November 2014. Griffin says he was never given a reason for the termination but believes it was for insufficient support for McDonald's campaign for the job. McDonald won election 2½ years after he was appointed in 2012 to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of Rick Davis in 2011. McDonald has opened a campaign account and plans to stand for re-election next year. A native of Henderson County, Griffin began working for the Henderson County sheriff's office in 1992 under Sheriff Ab Jackson. A Republican, Griffin would face McDonald in the primary election on May 8. Griffin's campaign announcement: I was born and raised in Henderson County. I have lived in the Edneyville / Fruitland area my entire life. I am proud of Henderson County and have fond memories and friends located throughout various parts of the county. I am an alumni of the former Edneyville High School, a heritage that I cherish. I grew up in a very humble home but had parents that offered a lot of love and taught me that respecting others is paramount to my success and the success of our society. This respect has allowed me to befriend many folks throughout the many various communities within Henderson County. I have watched all of these communities grow and develop over the years as I worked to serve the people of this county. I believe that understanding the demographics of the communities within Henderson County is a necessary step in serving the residents here.I developed a work ethic as I grew up working on area farms, putting up hay, harvesting crops, and learning any skill I could along the way. Today I cut my own firewood, mow my own grass, and care for some livestock that I own. I also share wood cutting and lawn mowing responsibilities for my mother with my brother. I have obtained various skills over the years and accomplish most necessary projects myself from construction to mechanical work. I reveal all of this to reveal that hard work, even physical work, does not intimidate me in the least. Hard work has also instilled conservative values. I understand that your tax money is hard earned. I budget and manage my finances in a wise and conservative manner and I intend to do the same with your tax dollars.I enjoy various activities outdoors when I have time but especially enjoy fishing. I also enjoy physical activity and work out regularly. My brother and I also do some mechanical as well as paint and body work on the side. We are currently in the process of some vehicle restorations. I am a member of and attend Mt. Moriah Baptist church in Edneyville. Faith is a guiding principle of my life. I have grown up with my brother in the emergency services and today my brother, Robert Griffin, is a career fire chief with Edneyville Fire and Rescue.Early in life I became involved in local emergency services and found my niche as a public servant. I have currently been an active firefighter / EMT over 35 years. My early years associated with the fire/rescue industry allowed me to really comprehend what it meant to help someone who was experiencing one of the worst days of their life. I developed a servant’s heart and knew that I wanted to be in a profession where I was able to make a positive impact on others. During my time as a firefighter I have served in many capacities including that of chief for many years. The opportunity to serve has been challenging and I have been part of a brotherhood that has experienced some heartbreaking events but it has been overall a tremendously rewarding endeavor. I have been fortunate enough to be the recipient of several awards as a firefighter and still love the feeling I get from serving and aiding those in need. To this day I remain active and leave my activities, my family, and even my bed if I’m available to help someone in need. As with many Henderson County Firefighters I do this giving of my time for both training and responding to emergency calls without compensation. I currently sit on the Edneyville Fire and Rescue Board of directors where my experiences in budget management have been enhanced. In 1992 I entered the profession of law enforcement and accepted a position with the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office. My time as an officer has also been very rewarding. Again I have witnessed and been involved with many tragic events but overall my career has been very rewarding. I worked with the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office serving in various capacities to include a detention officer, civil process server, patrol officer, and investigator and in all divisions served as a supervisor. I also obtained both general and specialized instructor certifications and have instructed both law enforcement cadets as well as veteran officers for over 15 years. During my career I undertook special assignments as a SWAT officer and was one of the founding officers of the Henderson County Bomb Squad where I served as a bomb tech from 2002 until 2014. Throughout my career I have again been fortunate enough to receive numerous awards and again enjoyed my calling to serve the people in Henderson County. During my time at Henderson County I also worked hand in hand with all Henderson County emergency services in the capacity as an incident commander in large scale events. Henderson County was also fortunate enough to have obtained contracts for service from Blue Ridge Community College, Hendersonville Housing Authority, and Mills River Township. My position on the command staff at the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office allowed me the opportunity to develop and enhance the contracts with these entities. In 2014 I took a position with the Polk County Sheriff’s Office and currently serve there as the Operations Captain and supervise narcotics investigations as well as criminal interdiction.After much prayer and encouragement to do so from citizens of Henderson County I have chosen to enter the race for the position of sheriff of Henderson County and seek the republican nomination. I feel that my main attribute, that which I have proven, is that I have the heart of a servant. True leadership arises from servitude and my experiences in emergency services and law enforcement, both good and bad, have enabled me to develop a vision of what true servitude to the people encompasses. A dedication to the job and a love for the people have propelled me to announce my candidacy for the position. I truly believe that law enforcement should answer to the need of the public and not the needs of an entity. In the coming months I intend to reveal a platform rich with ideas that I believe will alter some current policies of the sheriff’s office to better serve you, the people of the county. Those ideas include providing job security for the officers who so diligently serve you, a reorganization of the department to better allocate resources to serve the people, increased accountability to the taxpayers, improving agency relationships while maximizing manpower, providing the services that taxpayers fund to ALL communities, and openly confronting the narcotics issues facing Henderson County. My goal is to serve all demographics of Henderson County with the highest quality of service that you genuinely deserve.I appreciate all of the folks who have stepped forward to encourage me to pursue this position and are willing to share my passion by serving on my election committee. Those folks include Don Ward (committee chair), Jeff Donaldson (treasurer), Roy Perry, Steve (Boulder) Dalton, Mike Peppers, Bill Hill, Terry Brackett, Dr. Bryan Melton, Frankie Capps, Charlie Galloway, Keaton Jones, and Tim Griffin. Please take a moment to look over my resume and, if any questions remain I encourage you to approach myself or any of my committee members you may be familiar with and ask questions.I sincerely look forward to serving you, the people of Henderson County.   Read Story »

Politics Archive