Board of Aldermen candidates to participate in online, moderated forum

Seven candidates for three open positions on the Black Mountain Board of Aldermen will be participating in an online forum, Indivisible Black Mountain announced. 

The forum will be hosted on Zoom on Sept. 21 at 7 p.m. Those interested in viewing the forum are requested to register in advance here.

The forum will provide each candidate an opportunity to “discuss their qualifications and vision for the town’s future” in a moderated question-and-answer setting. 

Candidates include Doug Hay, Tonia Holderman, Pam King, Archie Pertiller Jr., Matthew Turner, Justyn Whitson and Jennifer Willet. Sarah Vekasi will moderate.

Issues to be discussed, among others:

• Town growth vis-a-vis employment, housing and traffic management.
• Airbnb rentals and entry-level homeownership.
• The town’s greenway project.
• Potential changes to the town charter.
• Transparency, public meetings.
• Diversity in governing appointees.

“Your vote counts,” said Connie Burns, a member of Indivisible Black Mountain’s steering committee. “This is a significant opportunity for Black Mountain residents to be introduced to the candidates and consider their merits.”

Black Mountain’s Board of Aldermen consists of a mayor and five aldermen elected in nonpartisan elections every two years. The three seats to be elected are currently held by Maggie Tuttle, Pertiller and Willet.

“Whether you were born in the town or are a recent newcomer, you have seen the town’s popularity grow both in terms of tourism and real estate values,” Burns said. “It is an important time to explore the options, changes and plans for Black Mountain’s future development. Your vote counts.”