A Citizen Witness
Judith West is our county's long-time eyes and ears at Commissioners Meetings
If you’ve lived in your town for a long time, you’ve seen a lot of changes. Here in Transylvania County, NC, in the 1990’s several industries closed, leaving families stranded economically while their grown children moved away to make a living. Then our economy was revived (and changed) by tourism.
But these things didn’t just happen. Leaders make decisions at the county level about what to support and what not to. The town you walk through today is the result of those intentions.
If, like Judith West, you had gone to every County Commission meeting for over 40 years, you would know how these things happened. She told me some of what she’s seen and heard, and of the changes she’s noticed.
DEDA: Judith, how did you first become interested in going to County Commission meetings?
JUDITH: When I became director at the Mental Health Center in Transylvania County in 1976, I was expected to attend Commission meetings.
I’d never been closely involved with governing bodies. It was a fascinating way to get to know my new community. There were three Commissioners in 1976, not five as now. The Chair was Bill Ives, a legendary progressive Republican in the role that would later be held by a County Manager.
DEDA: What was our county like at that time?
JUDITH: The industries Olin/Ecusta/Glatfelter and Dupont employed hundreds of people. They supported the community. For example, they paid union wages at Olin.
And they encouraged employees to run for local offices. These men (mostly) were the backbone of governing, civic and church groups. They served alongside physicians, dentists, attorneys and business leaders.
Those days felt prosperous. Schools were top notch, employees were easy to recruit, and after “liquor by the drink” was passed, nicer restaurants opened here.
There was no significant population of Spanish speaking folks, except for seasonal workers. The percentage of population that were African Americans was higher than it is today; many middle class African Americans worked at the factories we lost.
Downtown Brevard had Belk’s and other large stores. The jail and Sheriff’s office were behind the Courthouse in a building that is now attached to it. The “sidewalks rolled up” at dark, and even then the youth complained, “There’s nothing to do!”
DEDA: During Commissioners meetings over the years, do you remember anyone in particular?
JUDITH: A county attorney named Jack Potts almost always made me smile or laugh out loud. He was chosen by the Democrats, the majority party at the time. Jack was a notoriously bad dresser and a teller of tall tales. He was also a fierce advocate for the underdog and no one ever wondered what Jack was supporting. He was a kind, generous man.
DEDA: Have there been different Commission Board styles? What effects have their decisions had?
JUDITH: Until recently, the Boards were balanced. There might be a 2/3 split between parties or between the progressive and the traditional. Members of different parties, or those with different points of view, mostly respected each other and worked together. There have been idealogues, but they were never in the majority. Some of the most progressive Commissioners have been Republican: Fran Waser, Trudi Walend, Bill Ives, Bill Wallace, Bob Massengill, Carroll Parker, Ray Miller, and Fred Kilstrom come to mind.
It seems to me that more business got done when the Board was more balanced and less loyal to ideas that reflect national concerns and ideologies. There are now segments of the population that have no real representation on the Commission, since it takes at least two of the five to be heard.
DEDA: What issues before the Commissioners never seem to be settled?
JUDITH: The Courthouse! Wherever it’s finally located, 49% of the people will disapprove. In the past Commissioners made tough decisions, where to build the new Library, continuing with a landfill, building a new jail (now the Law Enforcement Center on Morris Road). For the past 20 years, no Commission has been willing to make a decision on the Courthouse, whether it should be downtown or on Morris Road.
Much of the county operation is under state or federal control. Still, Commissioners face costly decisions. Today we need a courthouse, for example, and new Blue Ridge Community College facilities. Both are high cost projects that will require citizens to PAY TAXES to accomplish. Tough decisions.
DEDA: Lastly, Judith, do you plan to keep going to Board of Commissioners meetings?
JUDITH: When I left my job with the Mental Health Center in 2003, I kept on going. Over the years, I have learned that Commissioners appreciate citizens being present. I also think that my being present makes what I say more credible, when I do choose to speak (infrequently).
And being informed makes me a better citizen. After almost 46 years, why stop?
DEDA: Thank you, Judith, for talking about how not only yourself, but each citizen has the opportunity to witness the workings of our local government. It is not only being present to your community, it is essential to the health of our democracy.
Thanks to Judith West for her photo.
Postcard of the Courthouse
Postcard of Ecusta
Photo of DuPont
Photo of Trantham’s and Belk’s stores
Photo of Jack Potts: many thanks to Laura in the Local History Room of the Transylvania County Library.
Photo of Bill Ives
Photo of Trudi Walend
Photo of Carroll Parker
All my thanks to Judith West for sharing with us her impressions about Transylvania County Commission meetings over the years, and for her example of civic engagement.
Transylvania County Board of Commissioners
Transylvania County Board of Commissioners Meetings
Very fine tribute!
MOST interesting! Thanks so much for telling this story of history and commitment!