Politics

Volk, Miller top Hendersonville primary

By Bill Moss, Published: October 9, 2013

Hendersonville City Council member Ron Stephens won the right to face Mayor Barbara Volk in the Nov. 5 general election and challenger Jeff Miller emerged as the top vote getter among six candidates in Tuesday's primary election.

Seeking her second term, Volk finished with 45.6 percent of the vote in a primary that featured a lively debate and drew a higher than usual turnout of 16 percent. Stephens had 35 percent of the vote and retired judge Steve Franks came in third with 19.2 percent.
Miller led the field for the council with 36.7 percent of the vote followed by Jerry Smith, with 19.9 percent; Jeff Collis, with 15.1 percent; and Diane Caldwell with 11.89 percent. The two candidates eliminated were Ralph Freeman, with 10.92 percent; and Guri Andermann, with 5.4 percent.
"I was pleased that I was the top vote getter but we've still got four weeks to the final election," Volk said. "There were issue that were highlighted that would not have been at the top of my list for a certain segment," including the issue of animal control.
Stephens and Frank outspent Volk, who said she used direct mail and voter contact to get her message out.
"I didn't have that much to spend, " she said.
She said Stephens' portrayal of the council as anti-business friendly is an issue she can counter.
"I'm sure that will be part of it," she said. "Even some of the other candidates have said they don't think the current council is anti-business, they just would like to some changes in the ordinances. I am certainly open to discussing that. I've heard very little specifics of what we could do. It's all been very general."
Miller said he thought city voters had come to trust him after years of local relationships.
"I've pretty well stayed out of trouble. I think people are looking at somebody they can trust," he said. "I've had a pretty strong relationship with a lot of people for a long time. I think local government is one place where you're most likely to go in and make a difference. I think the race we ran was noncombative given that we were somewhat attacked. I'm comfortable with it.
"I've won a primary before (as a candidate for Congress in 2010) and that doesn't mean anything. I certainly don't take anything for granted."
Stephens said the fact that 55 percent of voters chose candidates other than Volk showed people are ready for a change.
"When the incumbent doesn't get 50 percent of the vote, it shows there are issues and I'm going to continue to talk about those issues and make sure people understand," he said. "I think people see a need for change."
Smith said he was happy with his second place finish but planned to work hard in the next four weeks.
"I hope voters recognized a lot of good things have happened in the last four years and more will happen if I'm still on council," he said.

In a concession, Franks said: "The trend of early returns indicates that incumbent Mayor Barbara Volk and Councilman Ron Stephens will be the final two candidates for Mayor on Nov. 5.

"I concede that they will be the winners in the Primary. I congratulate them and wish them both well in November.

"I also thank all those who supported me and my campaign. We worked hard to bring positive changes to the city, and I will continue to support a better Hendersonville."