Taken, Not Given: How County Commissioners Are Failing Transylvania
Taken, Not Given: How County Commissioners Are Failing Transylvania
Larry Chapman often says, “The government cannot give you anything without taking it first.” So, let’s take a look at what the County Commissioners have given us—and compare it to what they’ve taken.
The Commissioners would likely claim they’ve given us lower property taxes, despite raising them at least once in the past seven years. But beyond that, the list is remarkably short.
Now, let’s examine what they’ve taken—and whether it measures up.
They’ve taken approximately $30 million in capital funding from our schools while our students and teachers continue to work and learn in unsafe, underfunded buildings. Leaky roofs causing mold, failing heating systems, structurally questionable support beams at BHS, and an old gym roof deemed too dangerous to step on—this is the result of years of neglect and underfunding. On top of that, they continue to ignore an additional $53 million in school facility needs, even after approving a last-minute $68 million bond. They are robbing our children and future generations of the schools they deserve.
They’ve taken 25,000 jobs and $21 billion in local investment. According to the Economic Alliance’s annual report, that’s what Transylvania County has missed out on due to a lack of “inventory”—available space for businesses to move into. A study the County paid for with taxpayer money recommended building shell buildings to attract businesses, yet the Commissioners ignored it. Their inaction has cost our community thousands of good jobs and billions in investment.
They’ve taken affordable housing from working-class Transylvanians. Transylvania County was recently ranked one of the top ten most expensive counties in North Carolina, with a median home price of $458,901. Yet, the Commissioners have refused at every turn to support affordable housing efforts. They’ve even claimed it would be “illegal” for the County to help—something the UNC School of Government directly contradicts. It’s no wonder that lifelong residents can’t afford to buy homes in their own hometown. At the same time, the Commissioners have blocked opportunities for businesses that pay good wages to move here, making it even harder for working families to stay.
They’ve taken your tax dollars every single month while failing to deliver results. Despite claiming to support “small government,” they gave themselves a pay raise, making more than General Assembly members. While they criticize government spending, they collect nearly ten different government payments themselves. They claim “government doesn’t work,” then get elected and immediately prove their own point. But the truth is, it’s the responsibility of those in office to make government work—and they have failed.
Our county faces serious, immediate needs. Our schools are crumbling and unsafe. Our courthouse is in equally dire condition. Blue Ridge Community College still lacks a new campus. Teachers, firefighters, and police officers struggle to afford to live in the community they serve. Last year, the County reported $300 million in capital needs, yet the Commissioners barely managed to sell $55 million in bonds—and only for one of these three critical projects.
So, Larry, you’re right—the County government has taken a lot. But the real question is: When do we, the taxpayers, finally get what we paid for?
