The following are questions sent to Donald Street, candidate for Mitchell County Commissioner by Jeanne Troeller Sabo, member of Mountain Indivisible followed by his replies to date.

Jeanne Troeller Sabo:

• What are your top three priorities if elected?
• I am interested in obtaining a county ordinance for animal control. We have individuals in our county who have several dogs that are not secured in a lot that keeps their animals contained, which results in them getting out and killing domestic animals (cows, goats, dogs, or cats). If you have 20 dogs and 3 of them kill something, how can you determine which 3 are from the group of dogs that all look the same?
• In your view, what are the three most critical responsibilities of a county commissioner in North Carolina?
• If new resources were available, which county service—such as public health, social services, or emergency management—would you prioritize for additional funding?
• What specific policy changes or partnerships would you support to increase the availability of affordable housing in our county?
• How will you address the shrinking availability of local medical access?
• I see that you have addressed some of the nastiness that has been going in the race for
  your replacement. After so many decades with one leader in the department, maybe it was inevitable. Change is hard.
• I read in a recent post of yours that you seemed to have not endorsed either candidate. Has that changed?
• I have heard on multiple occasions that staff are threatening to quit if their candidate is not elected. It is distasteful and concerning. Do you have concerns for the destabilization of the department due to a drastic decrease in staffing level after the election?
• Lastly, there are a multitude of candidates running for commissioner. What’s your pitch to those who might not beware of you and your decades of public service.

My concerns as a resident are medical access, housing and the replacement of Ingles in the county. Walmart as our only option is worrisome. Power and credit processing issues affect that location.

Thank you for your time and your service.

Donald Street:

I am interested in obtaining a county ordinance for animal control. We have individuals in our county who have several dogs that are not secured in a lot that keeps their animals contained, which results in them getting out and killing domestic animals (cows, goats, dogs, or cats). If you have 20 dogs and 3 of them kill something, how can you determine which 3 are from the group of dogs that all look the same?

I want to be part of the board to solve the problems created by the hurricane. I want to see that the offices of the Mitchell County Government that were destroyed are rebuilt and constructed for the future to serve the needs of our citizens.

Mitchell County is going to be forced to address the pay issues of Mitchell County employees. We have counties that join Mitchell County that pay far greater than Mitchell County. It is hard to recruit and maintain employees when they go to a surrounding county and make $10,000 more a year.

1. Approve the county budget.

2. Attend the county commissioners’ meeting and be present at the boards on which you are chosen to sit in order to educate yourself on how to benefit Mitchell County.

3. Economic development.

It’s hard to say which department I would want to prioritize if extra funding were available; all the departments are important in their own way. I would want to make an educational decision on what is best for Mitchell County.

As far as affordable housing, I would have to be educated on what the county commissioners can do for affordable housing. There is definitely a need for this in Mitchell County. I would also have to be educated on strengthening local medical access. I am aware they are currently building a large health facility on Grassy Creek, and I have concerns for the long-term future of our hospital.

I am like any other person who has run and hopefully will be elected as county commissioner. It will be new to me. I have attended several county commissioners’ meetings over my career. I will use my knowledge of Mitchell County Government and my love for Mitchell County to serve Mitchell County at its best. A commissioner doesn’t get rich, so you better be dedicated, which I am.

Jeanne Troeller Sabo:

I agree with you wholeheartedly that we need changes regarding domestic animals in the county. I was a volunteer and board member with MCAR for a period and I really wish we could raise the standard for domestic animal care and the penalties for not meeting that standard.

I have protection dogs. I value their contribution to my safety and security but also appreciate their companionship beyond measure.

I feel like with so few job opportunities in the county and with most medical specialists outside the county, so many of us get pulled to other areas daily and spend our disposable income in those communities rather than here.

I heard that the Grassy Creek clinic was a consolidation of their offices and then I heard that it was not. I worry for our elderly community members who have to drive from Tipton Hill for example and now may possibly have to go further.

These are my additional thoughts based upon your answers.

Thanks again for your time

Jeanne Troeller Sabo:

What do ideas or plans do you have for addressing economic growth and jobs for the area?

Donald Street:

It would be amazing to see the old Henredon area put to better use.

Just as an example. i moved here for a job in Morganton, After the business closed the next owner used the plant space as a manufacturing incubator creating a bunch of much smaller spaces to allow smaller business a chance.

They are one to two commissioners on that commission. Mitchell county I believe also assists so much financially. The commissioners at times may vote for tax incentives for new businesses or industry . That is where I think I would have to listen to the pros and cons of doing it