The Transylvania Times, Bryan O'Neill appointed to Board of Education

Bryan holds a master's degree in business administration. He lives in Connestee Falls with his wife, Rachel, and their son. 

Bryan previously worked upper management positions in the business industry.  

Bryan O'Neill currently serves as a member of the Transylvania County Board of Education. He was appointed to this position in 2023. 

Wants to ensure internet access is available.

- Wants to ensure internet access is available.

Public Services

Wants to encourage new industries to the area.

Wants to develop land devoted for new businesses.

Wants to support those who drive the economy and tourists.

- Wants to encourage new industries to the area.
- Wants to develop land devoted for new businesses.
- Wants to support those who drive the economy and tourists.

Economy

Supports issuing school bonds to improve K-12 facilities, replacing the courthouse, and ensuring Blue Ridge Community College remains in the county. Plans to foster cooperation between cities and communities for educational opportunities.

Plans to ensure school bonds that were approved by voters over 5 years ago are issued. 

Believes Blue Ridge Community College's potential move would harm vocational training and college credit programs for high school students.

Opposes the possibility of Blue Ridge Community College leaving the county saying that would harm vocational training and prevent students from taking courses to receive college credit while in high school.   

- Plans to ensure school bonds that were approved by voters over 5 years ago are issued. 
- Opposes the possibility of Blue Ridge Community College leaving the county saying that would harm vocational training and prevent students from taking courses to receive college credit while in high school.   

Education

Public Safety

Wants to establish affordable workforce housing.

- Wants to establish affordable workforce housing.

Housing & Urban Development

Believes county leaders have failed to address aging infrastructure and crumbling public buildings. Plans to be the change needed to improve transportation and infrastructure.

Wants to address infrastructure concerns he believes prior county leaders did not. 

Wants to renovate the current courthouse.

- Wants to address infrastructure concerns he believes prior county leaders did not. 
- Wants to renovate the current courthouse.

Transportation & Infrastructure

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Bryan O'Neill

Bryan O'Neill lives in Connestee Falls, Transylvania County with his wife Rachel, who has been a special education teacher for 36 years and now tutors reading at Brevard Elementary. They have been married for 45 years and have a son named Dylan, who is a Mechanical Engineering student at Western Carolina University.

Bryan O'Neill has a diverse business background, having held positions at the President and CEO level with businesses that have had up to $110 million in revenue. He has a Masters in Business Administration. Specific details about his past employers or the industries in which he worked are not provided.

As of July 8, 2024, Bryan O'Neill’s website did not contain information on this issue.

As chair of the Student Scholarship program, authored the Strategic Plan and Comprehensive Master Plan, and served on the Board of Directors.

Believes in supporting small businesses and non-profits through mentorship.

Believes the County Commission, not the Board of Education, is responsible for the lack of progress on the bond issue.

Believes the County needs a secure courthouse for court hearings instead of using a building blocks away with no security.

Transylvania County, Jason Chappell

Jason attended Rosman High School. He holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Appalachian State University. Jason lives in Transylvania County with his wife, Tessa, and their two children. Their family attends Old Toxaway Baptist Church. 

Jason works as the director of the Henderson and Transylvania County NCWorks Career Centers and HRD programs for the Blue Ridge Community College Division of Continuing Education. 

Jason Robert Chapell currently serves as a Transylvania County Commissioner. He was elected to this position in 2004 and is serving his fifth term. Jason previously served as a Transylvania County Board of Education Member. He was elected to this position in 1995 and served for two terms.  

Wants to continue advocating for a limited conservative government, saying, " I believe less government is better government."

Wants to continuously advocate for decreasing "excessive regulations to allow our County to be able to reach its potential."

- Wants to continue advocating for a limited conservative government, saying, " I believe less government is better government."
- Wants to continuously advocate for decreasing "excessive regulations to allow our County to be able to reach its potential."

As of June 14, 2024, Jason Robert Chappell did not have a website or any information online.

Wants to continue ensuring support is provided support for county education.

- Wants to continue ensuring support is provided support for county education.

Jason Robert Chappell

Jason works as the Director of the Henderson and Transylvania County NCWorks Career Centers and HRD programs for the Blue Ridge Community College Division of Continuing Education. 

As of June 14, 2024, Jason Robert Chappell did not have a website and did not complete our questionnaire.

As of July 13, 2024, Joe Smith’s website did not contain information on this issue.

As of June 14, 2024, Joe Smith’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Joe Smith

As of July 8, 2024, Joe Smith’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Transylvania County

Larry is a native of Transylvania County. He received a bachelor's degree from Western Carolina University. He is married to the former Jill Sheridan and together they have 3 children and 2 grandchildren. They attend the First United Methodist Church in Brevard.

Larry is a retired Colonel in the United States Marine Corps. He previously worked for the Ecusta paper mill in manufacturing supervision and marketing management. 

Larry L. Chapman currently serves as the County Commissioner in Transylvania County. He was first elected in 2010 and is serving his third term (as he term-limited himself from 2018 to 2020).

Supports cultural and recreational opportunities within the community.

- Supports cultural and recreational opportunities within the community.

Wants to preserve the environment to promote tourism and small businesses.

- Wants to preserve the environment to promote tourism and small businesses.

Supports educational opportunities for students.

- Supports educational opportunities for students.

As of June 14, 2024, Larry L. Chapman did not have a website or any information online.

Said, "As a Commissioner it is always important to try to balance the need for growth and economic development while maintaining our small town appeal."

- Said, "As a Commissioner it is always important to try to balance the need for growth and economic development while maintaining our small town appeal."

Larry L. Chapman

Instagram

Rik holds a bachelor's degree in biology from Michigan Technological University, a doctor of osteopathic medicine degree from Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, and a master's degree in medical management from Carnegie Mellon University. He lives in Transylvania County. He is married to his wife, Kris, with whom he has 7 children. 

Rik is retired. He previously worked as a physician and as a chief executive officer at Providence Health & Services. 

Rik Emaus' campaign for Transylvania County Commissioner is his first run for public office. 

Candidate website

Believes connection to community is vital for families with adoptive or foster children. Supports building deep community roots through service and collaboration to create a stronger, more vibrant Transylvania County.

Believes connection to the community is vital for families that have adopted or foster children. 

Plans to focus on ensuring access to quality healthcare and mental health support, especially for youth.

- Believes connection to the community is vital for families that have adopted or foster children. 
- Plans to focus on ensuring access to quality healthcare and mental health support, especially for youth.
- Plans to prioritize childcare access.

Plans to develop partnerships with "ALL stakeholders..." to promote economic growth and supply well-paying jobs.

- Plans to develop partnerships with "ALL stakeholders..." to promote economic growth and supply well-paying jobs.

Supports prioritizing schools, affordable housing, and access to quality healthcare with robust mental health support, believing a strong community starts with a solid foundation for everyone.

As of June 14, 2024, Rik Emaus’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Plans to prioritize measures for affordable housing. 

- Plans to prioritize measures for affordable housing. 

Rik Emaus

Rik Emaus is a resident of Transylvania County and a father of seven adopted children, with three currently attending TCS schools and one working locally. His educational background includes a Masters in Medical Management from Carnegie Mellon University. Specific details about the school he attended for his undergraduate education, the church he attends, or further family details are not provided in the information given.

Rik Emaus is a retired physician and healthcare executive who has served as Chief Executive of two medical groups, each with over 200 providers. He holds a Masters in Medical Management from Carnegie Mellon University and is certified by the American College of Physician Executives. His executive roles spanned over ten years, during which he gained experience in finance, operations, and strategic planning.

As of July 8, 2024, Rik Emaus’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Believes Transylvania County is a "forever home" with a community worth fighting for, enriched by both long-time residents and newcomers. Supports community building through mutual care, listening, and shared values, emphasizing that "we are truly better together."

Believes the community is strongest when everyone has a seat at the table, supporting diverse thoughts, experiences, and beliefs. Supports opportunities for all community members to thrive.

Believes schools are "the cornerstone of our future" and face challenges needing immediate attention. Supports addressing infrastructure, economic issues, and valuing young people's education.

The candidate's website says, "TC STRONG Voice of the Students Community Representative | Davidson River School, Rosman HS, Brevard Middle School"

Believes in ensuring every family has access to affordable housing, quality healthcare, and robust mental health support. Plans to advocate for policies that strengthen the community and prepare for a brighter future.

Transylavania County, Teresa McCall Commissioner

Teresa attended Brevard High School. She holds an associate’s degree in business administration from Blue Ridge Community College. She is married to her husband, Scott, with whom she has two children and two grandchildren. 

Teresa previously worked as the Chief of Administration for the Blue Ridge Parkway with the National Park Service. 

Teresa K. McCall currently serves as a Transylvania County Commissioner. She was elected to this position in 2020 and is serving her first term. Teresa previously served as a Transylvania County Board of Education Member. She was elected to that position in 1996 and served for three terms. 

Promises to uphold "conservative fiscal oversight..."

- Promises to uphold "conservative fiscal oversight..."

As of June 14, 2024, Teresa K. McCall did not have a website or any information online.

Supports safeguarding "personal property rights, freedoms and individual liberties..."

- Supports safeguarding "personal property rights, freedoms and individual liberties..."

Teresa K. McCall

As of June 14, 2024, Teresa K. McCall did not have a website and did not complete our questionnaire.

- County Commissioners create and pass laws at the county-level. These laws show up in very tangible ways, such as determining how much you pay property and sales tax rates, public transportation, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners are responsible for preparing and passing the county budget. The budget determines how much funding goes to various public services, such as public transportation, law enforcement, repairing roads, and maintaining infrastructure.
- County Commissioners oversee the administrative duties of your county’s government to ensure the safety, comfort, and well-being of county residents.
- County Commissioners can create, change, or abolish offices, positions, departments that are not required by law. 
- County Commissioners are elected to 4-year terms, with no term limits. Typically, you only vote for the County Commissioner that represents your county commission district.

Transylvania County Commissioner

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Transylvania County Commissioner

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