Citizens for Change | Government Activist Organization | Buncombe County North Carolina

About Us

The people who oppose your ideas are inevitably those who
represent the established order that your ideas will upset.
— Anthony D'Angelo

Citizens for Change was reorganized in 2000. Before that, we were known as Citizens for Property Rights and our sole purpose was to fight Zoning. Thanks to one of our members, Don Yelton, we were able to have a referendum that allowed us to defeat the zoning issue. Our group disbanded, but as the months went by, people kept calling with issues they felt needed attention and asking to get our group together again. We did, and decided the name Citizens for Change was better suited to our agenda.

One of the first issues we took up was stream buffers. The Department of Water Quality (DWQ) wanted to put 50-foot-wide buffers on both sides of all streams, bodies of water, and ditches that ran water only when it rained. After a long battle, we have been able to keep the issue at bay, but it now appears stream buffers have surfaced again and property rights will once more be trashed. Our job is just beginning in earnest.

We have worked tirelessly on changing the way our commissioners are elected and increasing their number from five to seven. We wanted them to be elected from the seven school district boundaries. This would give the voters better representation and would not cost a candidate an arm and a leg to mount a campaign in their district. In the 2008 election year (the now) Chairman David Gantt spent over $130,000 and (the then) Chairman Nathan Ramsey spent $160,000 in their bids to be elected. Thankfully, Rep. Tim Moffitt has a bill in the General Assembly to elect the commissioners by districts (though not school districts) and it seems likely to pass before this 2011 Summer Session ends. This is good news.

Another troubling issue is the unreasonable salary perks our commissioners receive. In the past, in addition to their salaries, they have received $1350 per month for a car allowance and $375 for technology, such as cell phones. After a huge outcry from the public, they reduced the car allowance to $650 per month and the technology allowance to $75 per month. This is much better but still unacceptable because the taxpayers would like to see the commissioners use a mileage log. Chairman Gantt refuses. He says as long as it's close he's comfortable with it. Well, we aren't and we won't relent on asking them to do the right thing and start using a mileage log. The log would ensure that they would be paid for every single mile they travel, no more, no less. Now that's acceptable.

During our time in existence we have tackled many issues, including zoning, stream buffers, DSS, property rights, meters on water wells and district elections, as well as many smaller, local issues. We had our own TV program for 33 months but, unfortunately, ran out of funding and couldn’t continue. We have held rallies, protest marches and numerous community meetings. If our agenda sounds like something you would be interested in, join us at one of our monthly meetings and see how quickly you fit in. We have the most loyal, hard-working and caring people you will meet anywhere, and I am so proud of them and so happy to call them friends. Looking forward to seeing you.

Peggy T. Bennett, Founder

Citizens For Change

“Change is essential for improvement”

We are a citizen-driven, grass roots, community-based, self- managed, non-partisan, property rights organization.

OUR MOTTO

“Any question deserves an honest answer.”

MISSION

Encourage and promote Buncombe County Government to fully represent the people under the constitutions of North Carolina and the United States.

VISION

Major decisions made by governmental officials in Buncombe County will reflect the priority needs, wants, wishes and concerns of the citizens.

VALUES

Core beliefs about right and wrong

“Do what is right.”


ABOUT US MEETINGS & MEMBERSHIP EDITORIALS LETTERS & COMMENTS GOVERNMENT DIRECTORY DOCUMENTS CANDIDATE INFORMATION CONTACT US HOME		About Us The people who oppose your ideas are inevitably those who represent the established order that your ideas will upset. — Anthony D'Angelo Citizens for Change was reorganized in 2000. Before that, we were known as Citizens for Property Rights and our sole purpose was to fight Zoning. Thanks to one of our members, Don Yelton, we were able to have a referendum that allowed us to defeat the zoning issue. Our group disbanded, but as the months went by, people kept calling with issues they felt needed attention and asking to get our group together again. We did, and decided the name Citizens for Change was better suited to our agenda. One of the first issues we took up was stream buffers. The Department of Water Quality (DWQ) wanted to put 50-foot-wide buffers on both sides of all streams, bodies of water, and ditches that ran water only when it rained. After a long battle, we have been able to keep the issue at bay, but it now appears stream buffers have surfaced again and property rights will once more be trashed. Our job is just beginning in earnest. We have worked tirelessly on changing the way our commissioners are elected and increasing their number from five to seven. We wanted them to be elected from the seven school district boundaries. This would give the voters better representation and would not cost a candidate an arm and a leg to mount a campaign in their district. In the 2008 election year (the now) Chairman David Gantt spent over $130,000 and (the then) Chairman Nathan Ramsey spent $160,000 in their bids to be elected. Thankfully, Rep. Tim Moffitt has a bill in the General Assembly to elect the commissioners by districts (though not school districts) and it seems likely to pass before this 2011 Summer Session ends. This is good news. Another troubling issue is the unreasonable salary perks our commissioners receive. In the past, in addition to their salaries, they have received $1350 per month for a car allowance and $375 for technology, such as cell phones. After a huge outcry from the public, they reduced the car allowance to $650 per month and the technology allowance to $75 per month. This is much better but still unacceptable because the taxpayers would like to see the commissioners use a mileage log. Chairman Gantt refuses. He says as long as it's close he's comfortable with it. Well, we aren't and we won't relent on asking them to do the right thing and start using a mileage log. The log would ensure that they would be paid for every single mile they travel, no more, no less. Now that's acceptable. During our time in existence we have tackled many issues, including zoning, stream buffers, DSS, property rights, meters on water wells and district elections, as well as many smaller, local issues. We had our own TV program for 33 months but, unfortunately, ran out of funding and couldn’t continue. We have held rallies, protest marches and numerous community meetings. If our agenda sounds like something you would be interested in, join us at one of our monthly meetings and see how quickly you fit in. We have the most loyal, hard-working and caring people you will meet anywhere, and I am so proud of them and so happy to call them friends. Looking forward to seeing you. Peggy T. Bennett, Founder Citizens For Change “Change is essential for improvement” We are a citizen-driven, grass roots, community-based, self- managed, non-partisan, property rights organization. OUR MOTTO “Any question deserves an honest answer.” MISSION Encourage and promote Buncombe County Government to fully represent the people under the constitutions of North Carolina and the United States. VISION Major decisions made by governmental officials in Buncombe County will reflect the priority needs, wants, wishes and concerns of the citizens. VALUES Core beliefs about right and wrong “Do what is right.”