We’re introducing Western North Carolina legislators and giving you the opportunity to get to know the people representing our region. Through a few questions, you’ll learn more about their backgrounds, what inspires their work, and the issues they’re passionate about.
Meet our first legislator, Julie Mayfield.
1. What inspired you to run for office?
“I first ran for Asheville City Council in 2015 because I thought I could bring some expertise to the challenges facing Asheville at that time (and still today) – growth/land use, environmental protection, energy/sustainability, community engagement, transportation issues (transit and I-26), etc. In addition, having spent my life as an advocate outside of government, I decided to try my hand at being an elected official and advocate from inside government. That move has worked well, in that I’ve been able to be effective working from the inside.”
2. How would you define a healthy community?
“There are several ways to answer this. One is the “smart growth” answer, which means people can walk and bike safely to key places like stores, schools, libraries, and recreation sites. Another way is thinking about environmental health – that the water, air, and land are clean. Still another is that people have what they need to thrive – safe housing, quality healthcare and education, transportation, good jobs and sufficient income, places to recreate, healthy food, etc. Ideally, of course, people would live in communities that meet all of these definitions.”
3. Why do you believe rural healthcare deserves special attention?
“Because it is so hard to provide. Healthcare in urban areas is relatively easy – multiple providers, specialists, hospitals, clinics, urgent cares, etc. Rural areas don’t have that, so healthcare is harder to come by, often expensive, and always at risk of going away. It’s an example of a place where the regular market doesn’t function to meet people’s needs, so government needs to play a larger role to ensure people get what they need.”
4. What do you love most about Western North Carolina?
“Asheville, small towns, cool mornings even in the summer, mountains, rivers, forests, and the people, who proved just how good and caring they are after Helene.”
5. Do you have a favorite hidden gem in WNC you’d like to share?
“The less traveled portions of the Mountains to Sea Trail along the Blue Ridge Parkway – quiet and stunningly beautiful.”
6. What’s one movie or show that you’ll always stop to watch if it’s on?
“The West Wing is the best television ever made if you’re a political junkie like me.”
