Welcome to the campaign!

 

Thank you for visiting, and for getting involved in your Town government. This website will serve as an important communications center, and will provide frequent updates on campaign news and events, and how you can get involved this year. In the coming months, the campaign will hold public forums and social events to further engage Boone residents in community improvement. Andy is always available by phone and through email, and is happy to take time to discuss any town issue we are considering or should be considering. Your voice as a citizen is the most important one in this community, so Andy looks forward to talking with every Town resident about our community priorities in the coming months.

 

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Filing Statement - July 1, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Councilman Andy Ball Files for Re-election

BOONE, NC - Andy Ball filed for a second term on the Boone Town Council today, citing the need for more progress on quality of life issues and fiscal responsibility. He has been an advocate for open government, environmental protection and community investment in downtown infrastructure.

Ball, 28, a continuing student at Appalachian State University, will seek a second term on the Council after being elected the youngest elected official in Watauga County history. Councilman Ball is a senior at ASU studying Government and Public Policy, and works in the local hospitality industry and as an independent consultant. He is involved with Appalachian Voices, MountainKeepers, and PHARMN, a non-profit collaborative supporting the Watauga Farmer’s Market. Ball serves as Council liaison on the Historic Preservation Commission, the Economic Development Commission and the Sustainable Development Task Force. He also served on the Boone Board of Adjustment before being elected to Town Council in 2009.

"My goal in serving on the Council has been and will continue to be preserving the quality of life for all residents of Boone. We have been fiscally responsible these past two budget cycles, and kept the tax rate stable while maintaining vital town services, which is a great accomplishment in these economic times."

"With state-collected local revenues decreasing over the past couple years, the Town is doing more with less. As the national economic recovery continues, we must ensure we are making the best use of taxpayer funds locally. That means making responsible decisions on public investments, and seeking new opportunities for public-private partnerships. Although the national economy has been slow to rebound, local businesses in Boone have weathered the storm, and are sustained by broad local support."

"I have maintained a strong commitment to preserving the character and viability of our existing single family neighborhoods, which are the backbone of our community and at the heart of a good planning process. In my first term, I have supported funding many of our outstanding non-profit agencies such as the Hunger and Health Coalition and the Community Care Clinic - agencies serving those most in need in our community."

"Among other accomplishments, I’m working to find new ways to protect our local ecosystems. We have passed stronger regulation of toxic coal-tar pavement sealants, restored many of our stream banks and created the Sustainable Development Task Force to work on policies that further progress on sustainability issues. This conservation and preservation work shows we are good stewards of our natural resources and supports agritourism, the local real estate market and our place as a regional recreation destination."

"I have worked toward including a more diverse group of citizens in the business of the Town, and I believe even more local voices need to be represented in our local government. I encourage and invite anyone interested in serving the Town to apply for one of our advisory boards and commissions. We must all be involved in making Boone a more sustainable and vibrant community."

As Councilman Ball files for office, the campaign has launched a new website at http://www.andyballforboone.com. The site has integrated campaign news and events with social media outlets to reach a broader segment of Boone residents and community members.