Politics

Riddle promises tax cut, higher teacher pay

Andrew Riddle

By Bill Moss, Published: January 24, 2014

Andrew Riddle, a Hendersonville contractor and the current Republican Party chairman, promised lower taxes and higher teacher pay Friday as he debuted a website supporting his campaign for a seat on the Henderson County Board of Commissioners.

In a 2-minute, 43-second, Riddle promised a property tax cut, higher teacher pay and a strategic plan that encourages economic development. Although the campaign promises were not unique, Riddle became one of the first Henderson County Commission candidates — if not the first — to spell out his campaign platform in a web video.
"We can do better," Riddle said in wrapping up the pitch. "It's time that we tell our career politicians that we've had enough. It's time for new people, new leaders with fresh ideas to come to the table and make this a better and prosperous county."
Riddle, vice president of the family construction business, said that his experience in an industry that lost one out of three jobs during the recession proves that "I know how to cut cost, stay competitive and produce results."
"I not only believe that our county needs to keep its tax rate low but I believe that you need a tax cut," he said in the campaign video. "As a small businessman I see inefficiencies in our local government. I think we can do more with less."
If Henderson County can have the best emergency services, it can have the best schools, he said.
"My wife, Denise Riddle, is a sworn deputy with the Henderson County Sheriff's Department," he said. "We both understand that it takes money and resources to be a leader in the state. Emergency and medical services do a fantastic job in keeping our community safe and response time low.
"But why can't we also be a leader in the state for public education," he added. "I believe it's time to tell Raleigh that we can handle it on a local level, that we can pay our teachers what they deserve. If I'm elected as your next county commissioner, I would propose we set up an advisory committee of teachers and parents so together we can brainstorm, put together good ideas and act as a liaison between the county commissioners and the School Board so we can make improvements and be a leader in the state."
He did not spell out where he would get the money for teacher pay raises.
Economic development was his third platform plank.
"As a small businessman, father of four and native of Henderson County, I have a vested interest in prosperity and the growth of this county," he said. "I not only believe that our economy needs to grow around tourism but also innovations in agriculture and manufacturing. We need to lure these companies to Henderson County to provide jobs. How can we achieve all this without a good plan. Our strategic plan for the county has not been updated since 2010."
Riddle, who lives in Flat Rock, said he planned to file on the first day of filing for the 2014 elections, Feb. 10. He is running for the District 1 seat currently held by Commissioner Michael Edney, who served from 1988 to 1996 and was elected again in 2010.