|
2009 Candidate Survey Responses & Voter Guide Candidate for City Council: Ryan D. Croft 1. What are your top three policy priorities for your term, if elected? First Priority: Restore Prosperity. We must
lower taxes. We must respect the small business as the engine of our
economy. We must have faith in the American spirit as the spark of invention
and innovation. We must get out of the People's way. We cannot give
prosperity. But, we can and should get out of the way of dreams that are
struggling to become reality. 2. An estimated 16-20% of Buncombe County’s children and youth live in poverty; a number expected to rise during this recession. What role, if any, does council play in addressing the impact of child poverty (e.g. hunger, health, nutrition, education) in the region? The council is able to partner with many
local organizations seeking resources and support for those in need. I
believe the role of government is to protect equal rights, not provide equal
things. However, we are very capable of bringing sharp focus and attention
on the overall condition and needs of our people. The family unit is the
core of the public welfare. Any assistance we apply to children without also
paying attention to the wellbeing of the family is a flirtation with
uncertainty. I am well invested in the welfare, nutrition, and education of
our children. I have 5 boys ages 11-16 myself.. I have interfaced with many
services and programs, and find it of the highest importance to steer the
public into awareness and action for the good of all our kids...especially
those in dire need of basic resources. 3. How effective has the City been in addressing youth crime, including gang-related activity? Are there other intervention and prevention strategies the City should invest in? The Council has not been effective enough at
addressing youth crime and gang activity. It cannot do so for several
reasons. Here are a few factors to consider: youth crime is really an
extension of the state of the family. Progressives believe in the health of
children separate from the state of the family. They either don't support
the value of consanguinity, or do not understand the dynamics of moral
reinforcement that the family provides. In either case, they find it easier
and cheaper to provide services to the child, rather than support for the
family. My family is active with a young and vibrant church. I have been
invested with NC Mentor and Families Together, and well understand the
myriad of challenges faced by our Department of Juvenile Justice, mental
health institutions, and family service providers. Level 3 youth group homes
have lost their funding this year, releasing hundreds of at-risk kids back
into our communities before they graduated from their programs. APD has
refused to listen to health providers in setting up a youth mental health
advisory office [exceeded word limit] 4. What is your assessment of the City’s public transportation system? Would you propose changes? My assessment of public transportation is a
mixed review. I believe it is an important service to thousands of
Ashevillers. It is also, however, a case study in
inefficiency...financially, and operationally. I have several innovative
ideas ready to be explored, one of which is an inter-city biofuels
cooperative sponsored by the city. Public transportation is great. I rode
the bus to get to work when I was 16. We just need to consider new ways to
provide these services with greater efficiency. Especially since greater
efficiency equals lower costs...which means tax cuts are possible, cost
savings realized, and living expenses reduced. 5. The Asheville-Buncombe Living Wage Campaign calculates that a single person needs to earn $11.35/hr to have economic self-sufficiency in Asheville. Should the City ensure that all City employees and contractors make a living wage? Why or why not? The idea of a "living wage" is preposterous.
The idea of what "making a living" means is up for wide debate. I have a
wide range of life experience....some of which involved living far below the
poverty level. When the people don't make alot of money, costs must by
necessity go down in order for businesses to maintain cash flow and fiscal
solvency. This is a function of the free market and a set rule of natural
law. If we artificially set a baseline for income...in this case a 56%
increase pedestal...you will by necessity increase many end-item costs to
cover this loss in our various business operational margins. So...by
intending to raise everyone's ability to "make a living", you end up
crippling the economy with rapid inflation. The bottom line is...we all need
a place to start...a job that is cheap to create, and ideal for developing a
superior work ethic. Once you figure out how to work hard and smart, you
will step up into higher pay. The real point here...is that we are a country
of free [exceeded limit] 6. What further role, if any, should council play in the I-26 Connector debate? Debate has gone on long enough. We need to
pick a plan and move with it. The only thing I will add to the issue, will
be a reliable contingent of inspections and verification to the actual
construction process. I simply won't tolerate an ongoing project that spans
outside of budgeted time and money that will crush our short term local
economy. I pledge my personal involvement with the I-26 connector to ensure
its smooth execution, and will bring spotlight attention to any party that
does not keep our strict interests in mind. 7. Describe your vision for increasing affordable housing options in Asheville. How do the existing locations of the Housing Authority of the City of Asheville fit your vision? I have a fantastic plan for increasing the
availability and quality of affordable housing. This two part plan involves
privatization of select city owned properties and encouraging multi-use
development. This privatization project will transfer selected public
tenements into private ownership for a fraction of actual true market value.
By doing this, we end up releasing millions of dollars in secured credit
into the small business sector while also creating a surge in new and first
home ownership. The second part, multi-use development, is another
innovative approach to affordable housing, absolutely ideal for our young
and growing population. I am a big fan of the "arcology" building concept,
and have studied thin-shell engineering pioneered by Dr Arnold Wilson and
Paolo Soleri of the Arcosanti Project. Arcologies combine architecture and
ecology together, and produce hyper efficient solutions to housing,
commerce, and micro-industry while also reducing the overall land-use
footprint. |