Haywood County commissioner candidates spar over jobs, drug treatment, infrastructure and fund balance
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Summary
Six Republican candidates for Haywood County commission discussed priorities including economic development and job attraction, drug treatment and law‑enforcement funding, aging population needs, infrastructure and the county’s fund balance and FEMA reimbursements ahead of the March 3 primary.
Six Republican candidates for Haywood County commission — David Burnett, Tiffany Collins, Howard Knepper, Tommy Long, Terry Ramey and Jeff Stines — laid out competing priorities at a Mountaineer candidate forum that highlighted economic development, the opioid/drug‑use crisis, infrastructure needs and fiscal stewardship.
Tiffany Collins stressed transparency in budgeting and said the county should avoid ‘‘hidden’’ contracts and use clearer line‑item budgets. ‘‘We need to really focus on bringing in quality jobs,’’ she said, adding concern about the county’s fund‑balance withdrawals and jail debt.
Howard Knepper focused on the drug epidemic and called for funding for treatment and enforcement. ‘‘We have a drug epidemic problem,’’ he said, urging stronger law‑enforcement backing and rehabilitation programs. Tommy Long, a sitting commissioner, emphasized public safety and the county’s role in workforce training and said Haywood’s schools and Haywood Community College are assets for economic development.
Candidates widely agreed that infrastructure — water, sewer, roads and communications — needs attention. Several noted that municipalities own water and sewer systems and that solutions require coordination with towns. Collins suggested exploring system development or impact fees so growth ‘‘pays its own way’’ rather than straining taxpayers.
On fiscal matters, candidates discussed the county’s fund balance: Collins said fund‑balance withdrawals rose from about $6.5 million to $11 million and urged building a sustainable revenue base; Long stressed obtaining FEMA reimbursements (he cited a $14.1 million FEMA reimbursement the county is pursuing) and defended a conservative fiscal approach.
Candidates proposed initiatives including farmland preservation, workforce and health‑care workforce development, and public‑safety investments. Several said they would pursue state or federal partners when needed; Knepper said he was drafting a drug bill at the state level.
The forum closed with each candidate asking voters for support and reiterating themes of service, transparency and fiscal prudence.