Gordon Smith to Tackle Poverty, Education, Environment as County Commissioner Poverty, the tourist economy, underfunded public education, and climate change are issues that motivated child and family counselor Gordon Smith to announce today that he will seek a seat on the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners for District One.

1. Gordon Smith to Tackle Poverty, Education,
Environment as County Commissioner
Poverty, the tourist economy, underfunded public
education, and climate change are issues that
motivated child and family counselor Gordon Smith to
announce today that he will seek a seat on the
Buncombe County Board of Commissioners for
District One.
“Economic inequality is threatening our way of life. The hotel industry is exploiting our
community for their profits. At the same time our students, teachers, and families are being
attacked by Raleigh Republicans, and global climate change requires us to act boldly,” Gordon
said. “I have consistently been on the side of the people, bringing people together to help each
other even as we are fighting outside interests that threaten to overwhelm us. I would be
honored to serve District One’s voice on Commission.”
Gordon is known for advocacy for living wages, local
businesses, public education and mental health
services prior to and throughout his service on
Asheville City Council. He is a harsh critic of the
Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority
over their move to increase the hotel occupancy tax
and refusal to dedicate portions to the city and
county. On Commission, he’ll put his professional
and policy experience to work on fighting the
impacts of poverty through public health and human
services­­a substantial part of the county’s budget.
Gordon has crafted policy to promote living wage jobs, increase affordable housing, expand
equality, and reduce our impact on the environment. He’s also been a leader on creating
greenways, sidewalks, and bike lanes; funding public art; and fighting poverty and hunger.
An experienced counselor helping teens, adults, and
families, Gordon has a lifelong history of community
service. His mother is a retired public schoolteacher and
his father retired from administering housing for
low­income seniors. Gordon graduated from Warren
Wilson College, served in community reconciliation in
Northern Ireland, was an environmental educator, and
directed day treatment and after­school programs before
earning a Master's Degree in Community Counseling from
Western Carolina University.

2.
Gordon has been a child and family therapist in schools and private practice for 15 years, twice
winning the Best of WNC award in the Mountain Xpress. His office is in West Asheville. He lives
in the East­West Asheville neighborhood with his wife, Rachael, and their yellow lab, Simon.
Gordon is a cyclist, kayaker, disc golfer, and chess player. He’s served on Council since 2009.
To learn more and get involved, Gordon invites you to see his website ­ gordonforbuncombe.org
and the campaign’s Facebook page ­ facebook.com/groups/GordonForAVL/ ###