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Mountain Council for Accountable Development (MCAD)
37 Montford Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801
mbutrum@abr-nc.com

To all our valuable members:

Mountain Council for Accountable Development, as a knowledgeable resource and advocate for affordable housing, sensible, careful, and environmentally sensitive development, has carefully evaluated the candidates for the Buncombe County Commissioner race.

As Asheville Home Builders, and REALTORS, we are dramatically affected by trends that negatively impact our industry. The recent local political trends toward increasing development regulations without considering their financial impact on the cost of housing, or the limitations of their environmental benefits, has hurt us all.

Our collective Mission Statements support private property rights, environmental preservation, as well as fact based and creative solutions to the unique challenges inherent in mountain development. We have submitted the attached Candidate Questionaire to all commissioner candidates, in order to evaluate their biases, political views, and principles. Based on their stated views and principles as related to our common interest, we support the following candidates for Buncombe County Commissioners:

Chairman of Buncombe County Commissioners: Nathan Ramsey: Republican Why: Nathan Ramsey has consistently supported private property rights, against a backdrop of increasing government control of our individual lives and land. He is a native of our area, a farmer, and a man who has preserved the beauty of our area through his family dairy farm, making a profit while giving us all the pastoral views of green fields and undisturbed mountains that we all appreciate. He understands the need to make sensible regulations, while preserving private property rights. Conversely, we feel that others have made too many decisions to appease a vocal minority, without objective feedback or consultation from development professionals.

Kay Ray Bailey: Democrat
Kay Ray Bailey is a tremendous asset to our community. Serving on no less than 17 Local Boards, honored past director of AB-Technical College, and one of the most informed people in all of WNC about the critical issues facing our residents--he receives our enthusiastic endorsement. He has demonstrated an objective, pragmatic, and cooperative spirit throughout his career, which we believe will serve our areas residents well.

John Carroll: Republican
As a former educator, past President of The North Carolina Association of REALTORS, and a 30 year veteran of our local real estate industry--which is a significant percentage of our local economy---we vigorously support John Carrol. We need his business sense, commitment to our industry, and practical knowledge to lead us through this difficult time.

Carol Peterson: Democrat
Carol is running for her second term. As a Buncombe County native, who is a former educator and who has seen first hand how our area has changed, she has embraced our organization as a valuable resource to utilize in her decision making process. We realize that serving our county is a learning process, and Carol has demonstrated her desire to serve, and the importance of our input in that process.

Ron McKee: Republican
Ron is an Asheville native, former owner of The Asheville Tourist, and he is open and sensitive to the unique challenges our area faces. We feel a fresh face in the chamber, with an attitude of "what actually works" is very valuable. As a successful entrepreneur, we feel Ron offers this perspective.

Mountain Council for Accountable Development

MCAD NEWS

 

  • 4th MCAD Developer Certification course scheduled for February 2-3, 2010.

Are you…A builder or developer? A real estate professional? A homeowner considering renovations or additions to your home?  Interested in the health, development and future of Western North Carolina?  If you answered YES to any of these questions, MCAD’s Responsible Development Certification course is for you!

The two-day certification course reviews, from start to finish, the process required to build in the mountains. Local experts provide knowledge and real world examples to demonstrate conscientious, responsible development practices in WNC. 

The course is intended to…

  • Provide participants with the step-by-step building application process, to help them avoid costly mistakes and penalties.
  • Explain how BMPs [Best Management Practices] of construction and land disturbance coincide with important environmental issues.
  • Establish contact between course participants and experts from all aspects of the building process.
  • Provide real estate professionals with critical information necessary to effectively counsel clients interested in building and development.

MCAD, the Mountain Council for Accountable Development, is proudly offering the 4th Responsible Development Certification course next month.   
Here are the details:

  • Date: Tuesday-Wednesday, February 2nd and 3rd
  • Time: 8:30am-5:00pm (both days)
  • Location: Asheville Board of Realtors®, 37 Montford Avenue
  • Registration Fee: $150, which includes continental breakfast and lunch both days.

 

For more information or to register, contact Mike Butrum at mbutrum@abr-nc.com or 828.275.2422.  Register Now – Seating is limited!

 

g Funding Support for Association Diversity Activities
NAR's diversity strategies recognize the critical role that diversity activities play in achieving NAR's diversity objectives.  To support your efforts, NAR’s Community & Political Affairs Department is now soliciting applications for its Diversity Initiative Grant program.  The maximum amount available to any one association is $5,000 per grant cycle.  The application deadline is October 2. For full program details, please visit www.realtor.org/diversitysupport or contact Hugh Morris at 202-383-1278 or hmorris@realtors.org

a New Policy Videos Online
Find out what the National Association of REALTORS® legislative and regulatory policy experts are saying about the issues affecting REALTORS® and their businesses. There are four new videos online, discussing HVCC, health reform, the Small Business Administration and data security.

1 SBA Clarifies REALTOR® Eligibility for SBA Guaranteed Financial Assistance
In a letter to NAR President Charles McMillan, dated August 5, 2009, the Small Business Administration (SBA) Office of Financial Assistance stated that licensed real estate agents are eligible for SBA guaranteed financial assistance. The SBA letter came in response to McMillan’s written request to SBA Administrator Karen Mills, dated July 24, 2009, requesting clarification of this issue, after NAR received reports that some real estate agents, who generally operate as independent contractors, were denied eligibility for SBA loans. The SBA response also reiterated that real estate brokers are eligible for SBA guaranteed financial assistance. If you have questions, CONTACT Scott Rinn at 202-383-7508 or srinn@realtors.org.

1 NAR Develops New Lead Paint Compliance Guide
This compliance guide provides information for REALTORS® and property managers on the EPA's new Renovation, Repair and Painting Rule. The guide describes the new lead-based paint safety practices established by the rule and what steps REALTORS® and property managers need to take to comply with the new procedures. The guide includes a short introduction, two narrated presentations and two sets of frequently asked questions answered by EPA officials and regulatory experts—one video each for REALTORS® and property managers. If you have questions, CONTACT Russell Riggs at 202-383-1259 or rriggs@realtors.org.

1 RPAC Contribution Deadline Approaching
This is a friendly reminder that funds must be received in Chicago by close of business Thursday, October 22, in order for contributions to be recognized for the 2009 recognition year. If you have any questions, please CONTACT the RPAC staff at 202-383-1191 or Debbie Frey in the Finance Department at 312-329-8565.


1 RPAC’s 40th Anniversary Reception at Annual Convention
This year marks RPAC’s  40th anniversary, and what better way to celebrate than with a party in sunny San Diego for ALL RPAC Major Donors (Sterling, Crystal and Golden R members)? The reception will be held on Saturday, November 14, from 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. at the Manchester Grand Hyatt. Invitations are forthcoming. If you have any questions, please CONTACT Kristen Daugherty at 202-383-1166 or kdaugherty@realtors.org.

Fourth Annual Elected Officials Reception presented by Mountain Council for Accountable Development
Chamber members will have a great opportunity to meet and network with public and private leaders from throughout our region on August 20 from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the Chamber during the Fourth Annual Elected Officials Reception. Elected officials from Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Madison, and Transylvania counties, as well as municipalities in our region have been invited to participate. The event is free for Chamber members and $15 for non-members. For additional information, please contact Jeff Joyce at 828.258.6122. Register online today!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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MCAD MISSION STATEMENT
Mountain Council for Accountable Development (MCAD) works toward protecting private property rights and encouraging safe and responsible development while preserving the beauty, environmental health, and character of our mountains. We advocate realistic fact-based and scientifically proven solutions to the challenges of development in our area. We strive to achieve this by working with local governments, builders, developers, geologists, engineers, and architects.

In addition to the Ambassadors Award, the United States Conference of Mayors presented a separate award to Mayor Bellamy for her initiative on Affordable Housing. The Home From Work program can make a difference for REALTORS and Home Builders help place people in homes with home ownership. Working toward that goal, MCAD has worked closely with Philippe Rosse the former director for the Asheville Affordable Housing Coalition to coordinate the Home From Work initiative. With Rosse in the lead and combining the efforts of the Coalition with the REALTORS and Home Builders Associations through MCAD and using Home From Work as the major theme, we believe we can make a difference in providing eligible people a place to live through home ownership. Employers can be that difference and Rosse has a great deal of experience on this subject.

MCAD RESPONSIBLE DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATION
BUILDING A FOUNDATION FOR QUALIFIED MOUNTAIN DEVELOPERS

LOCAL EXPERTS FORGING LOCAL SOLUTIONS FOR LOCAL DEVELOPMENT ISSUES:  A RESPONSIBLE OVERVIEW OF THE ISSUES SURROUNDING LAND DISTURBANCE AND CONSTRUCTION IN WNC.

  • REALTORS® ARE GENERALLY NOT EXPERTS IN DEVELOPMENT ISSUES, LIKE GOVERNING ORDINANCES AND PENALTIES, WHICH CAN LEAD TO E&O ISSUES. HERE IS AN EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY TO HELP ELIMINATE THESE TYPES OF PROBLEMS
  • IF YOU KNEW MORE ABOUT THE BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES OF CONSTRUCTION, WOULD YOU BE A MORE EFFECTIVE & CREDIBLE REAL ESTATE PROFESSIONAL?
  • HOW DO BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES OF CONSTUCTION AND LAND DISTURBANCE COINCIDE WITH IMPORTANT ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES?
  • NEW, MORE RESTRICTIVE ORDINANCES ASSOCIATED WITH NEW CONSTRUCTION CARRY SIGNIFICANT PENALTIES. ARE YOU INTERESTED IN HOW YOUR CUSTOMERS AND DEVELOPERS CAN LEARN TO ADHERE TO THE ORDINANCES BEFORE BEGINNING CONSTRUCTION?
  • LEARN ABOUT BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES THAT EMPLOY LOW IMPACT DEVELOPMENT TECHNIQUES AND THE WNC HEALTHY BUILT HOMES PROGRAM.

REALTORS® AND HOME BUILDERS ARE LEADING THE WAY TO CHANGE THE PARADIGMN FOR BETTER COMMUNITY RELATIONS.

PLEASE JOIN US AND HELP TO CHANGE THE PERCEPTION OF REALTORS® AND HOME BUILDERS IN OUR COMMUNITY.  ENROLL NOW IN MCAD’S 2-DAY DEVELOPER CERTIFICATION COURSE. 
HERE ARE THE DETAILS:

  • Dates: Tuesday-Wednesday, July 21-22, 2009
  • Times: 8:30am-5pm both days
  • Location: Asheville Board of REALTORS® office, 37 Montford Avenue (across the street from the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce)
  • The registration fee for this event is $149, which includes continental breakfast and lunch both days. 

 AGENDA


To register, contact Mike Butrum mbutrum@abr-nc.com.  

 

Affordable Housing

MCAD through the Asheville Board of REALTORS Board of Directors meeting of Nov.20 will work closely with the education department to enact a new initiative referred to as “Home From Work”. This initiative created by Fanniemae and licensed to the National Association of REALTORS starts with a 4 hour course instructing individual real estate agents how to engage employers on how they can assist their employee’s to become home owners. This is a new program. Earlier in the year, MCAD was instrumental in the “Ambassadors for Cities” award presented to the ABR for their work on the Mayor’s Task Force on Affordable Housing. Asheville was one of 6 cities to receive this award in 2008.

 

 

Read about previous MCAD Developer Certification Courses and who participated.

Read "Can You Dig It" for more information about our new MCAD Developer Certification Course or click here to download.

MCAD will be producing a hand out or brochure which will highlight the activities of the organization. We will consider advertising on the brochure to help offset the cost. Let us know if you are interested.

MCAD is looking for affiliate members. If you know anyone that would like to support MCAD that is not in conflict with the ABR, please call Mike Butrum at 275-2422 and he will follow up

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