Asheville Candidates Address Senior Issues at Shiloh Forum

As the municipal election season in Asheville heats up, candidates are taking center stage to address pressing issues faced by the city’s senior citizens. A recent forum held at the Shiloh Community Center brought together one mayoral candidate, six city council hopefuls, and a Buncombe County sheriff candidate to discuss their plans and visions for the community.

The event, attended by over 40 community members, was organized by AARP and WRES radio. The candidates on the panel included Kim Roney, an Asheville City Council member running for mayor, and Gary Parris, a contender for sheriff. Incumbent city council members Maggie Ullman, Sheneika Smith, and Antanette Mosley, seeking reelection, were also present alongside challengers Jeffrey Burroughs, Drew Ball, and Keith Young.

The discussion covered a range of topics, such as infrastructure, recovery from Hurricane Helene, public safety, and the impact of displacement in historically Black neighborhoods like Shiloh. The Anti-Displacement and Affordable Housing Project was a focal point, with Smith highlighting the city council’s recent decision to reject the Caribou Commons proposal, a 100-unit affordable housing project, due to community concerns. “Residents shouldn’t spend years helping government develop neighborhood plans only to have them work to disregard [them] when a major development proposal arises,” Smith emphasized.

Helene recovery efforts were another key issue, with several candidates mentioning the city’s investment in resilience hubs—centers providing essential resources like food and communication during disasters. Ullman questioned, “What if all those places had refrigerators so you could put your medicine in it when you didn’t have power?”

Mosley praised the preparedness of Shiloh and East End, noting their historical resilience. “Your plans are going to be the blueprint for resilience hubs throughout the entire city,” she stated.

Burroughs, an artist from the River Arts District, emphasized building trust between the government and communities for effective disaster recovery. “You can have a seat at our table, and let’s have a conversation,” Burroughs said.

When asked about supporting seniors who wish to age in place, Young stressed the importance of managing taxes to maintain homeownership. “If we don’t manage our money right, you can’t manage your money right,” he remarked.

Ball highlighted the significance of the $225 million in community development block grant funding post-Hurricane Helene as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” to address housing shortages.

Local resident Bennie Norman-McIntosh, aged 79, expressed a desire for tangible actions from candidates on issues like road safety. “I don’t boo. I don’t cheer. I just vote,” she told BPR, echoing a sentiment once shared by former President Obama.

With the general election set for Tuesday, November 3, residents like Faye Reynolds are hopeful for improvements in community infrastructure and quality-of-life concerns. “We want the roads fixed and everything fixed,” Reynolds stated, reflecting the community’s aspirations.