David Gantt Member Email: lawyer@davidgantt.com Practice Areas: Personal Injury Law; Automobile Accidents and Injuries; Wrongful Death; Workers Compensation Law; Social Security; Disabilities. Admitted: 1981, North Carolina and U.S. District Court, Western District of North Carolina; 1984, U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit and U.S. District Court, Middle District of North Carolina; 1985, U.S. Supreme Court Law School: Campbell University, J.D., 1981 College: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, B.A. in Economics, 1978 Member: 28th Judicial District (Vice President, Young Lawyers Section, Executive Committee, 1992-1995), North Carolina and American Bar Associations; North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers; The Association of Trial Lawyers of America; National Association of Social Security Disability Claimants Representatives. Biography: Speaker: "Basic Social Security Benefits," NC Academy of Trial Lawyers, September 2006; "Where Do I Find Social Security Rules and Regulations," NC Academy of Trial Lawyers, March 2006; "Damages in Workers Compensation Cases" - NC Academy of Trial Lawyers, October 2003; "Social Security Regulations" NC Academy of Trial Lawyers December 2003; "Where Do I Find Social Security Regs?" NC Academy of Trial Lawyers March 2006; "Ethics in Worker's Compensation Cases," February 2003; "Intro to Special Security Law," December 2002; "All Star Trial of Sex Harassment Case," February 2001, North Carolina Bar Association; "Interpreting Social Security Language for Beginners," December, 1999, North Carolina Academy of Trial Lawyers; "Social Security Jargon for Beginners," November 1998; "Social Security Language Made Easy," November 1996; "Ethics in Workers' Compensation Cases," January 1996; "Social Security Mistakes," October, 1995; "Ethics in Workers' Compensation Cases," Workers' Compensation, August, 1994; "Ethics from the Plaintiffs' Side," Advanced Workers' Compensation, October 1993; "Trying the Automobile Injury Case in North Carolina," Insurance Law, September, 1991; "Farmer's Right of First Refusal," Consumer Law, April 1991. Author: Woodson Workers Compensation Case, Analysis-NC Academy of Trial Lawyers Magazine, January 1996. Mountain Area Volunteer Lawyer for Pisgah Legal Services (1989 Pro Bono Service Award Nominee). Elected Member, Buncombe County Commission, 1996-. Elected Chairman, Land of Sky Regional Council, 2002-2004. Dean, Peoples Law School, Sponsored by NC Academy of Trial Lawyers. (Board Certified, Workers' Compensation Law, North Carolina Board of Legal Specialization) Reported Cases: Bradley v. Mission Hospital, 180 NC App. 592, 638 SE2d 254 (2006); Watts v. Borg-Warner, 360 NC 169, 622 S.E.2d 492 (2005); Hensley v. Industrial Maintenance, 359 NC 631, 613 SE 2d 690 (2005); Garren v. PH Gladfelter, 131 NC App. 93, 504 SE2d 810 (1998); Johnson v. Beverly-Hanks, 328 NC 202, 400 SE2d 38 (1991); McMillan v. Mahoney, 99 NC App. 448, 393 SE2d 298 (1990); Branks v. Kern, 83 NC App. 32, 348 SE2d 815 (1986) reversed in 320 NC 621, 359 SE2d 780 (1987); Mehovic v. Ken Wilson Ford, 113 NC App. 559, 439 SE2d 184 (1994); Greenman v. Pony Express, 123 NC App. 136, 472 SE2d 227 (1996); Craig v. Buncombe County Board of Ed, 80 NC App. 683, 343 SE2d 222 (1986); Capps v. Capps, 69 NC App. 775, 318 SE2d 346 (1984). Born: Winston-Salem, North Carolina, October 2, 1956 ISLN: 907209148

 

Since 1996, David Gantt has served on the five (5) member Buncombe County Board of Commissioners. This Board is the governing body for the County. The Commission offices are located in the historic courthouse that was completed in 1928. In 2000, the population of Buncombe County was 206,000. David believes that the residents of Buncombe County are best served by a commitment to quality education, decent employment opportunities and reasonable housing costs. During much of his term, David has been an outspoken opponent of government waste and unnecessary government regulations. He has consistently supported our teachers and schools in their quest to educate our children. David is also a leader in protecting the environment of mountainous western North Carolina.

Some of the new programs and policies adopted by the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners include:

Projects since election to Board of Commissioners

Open and efficient government
Televise all Commission and Community meetings
38 Community meetings in all parts of Buncombe County
Interactive Website for Buncombe County
Improved customer service and information on Website
Offer property tax base via the Website
Use inmate labor to reduce taxpayer labor costs
Privatize child support collections
98.25% tax collection rate- Consistently one of highest in NC
Cut computer costs by $500,000 by lease instead of purchase
Replace and modernize 40-year-old voting machines
Reduction in force of 75 employees
Maintain "AA" bond rating to reduce interest costs and continue ability to borrow money for major projects
Consolidate 911 dispatch communications
Move Job Link Career Center to AB Tech
Obtain $1.3 million grant for electronic data management system
Require spay/neuter of pets to decrease costs of shelter program

Education
Support bond issues- Construct 3 new middle schools in Enka, Wendy Ridge, and Cane Creek areas to relieve overcrowding
Support budget request for computers and increased technology in schools
Support teacher supplements to get best teachers possible
Construct 4 new libraries in Leicester, Enka, North Asheville, and Fairview
Completely renovate 2 existing libraries at Weaverville and South Buncombe
Support Biltmore School museum project
Support AB Tech- $3 million to help renovate Enka campus

Economy
No new tax increase for 8 years
Support business incentives for new and expanding businesses
Insure all County residents have some access to health care by partnering with medical community on Project Access
Increase law enforcement officer salaries to reasonable levels
Adopt land use regulations- limit inconsistent land uses
Adopt mobile home safety and decency standards

Environment/Recreation
Ban any new billboards in County
Limit new cell tower construction
Clean up junk car lots
Protect 80 acres of land next to Blue Ridge Parkway
Create new kayak and new mountain bike parks
Create first class soccer complex at Sand Hill Venable school
Limit asphalt plant construction
4 new swimming pools at Enka, Cane Creek, Erwin, and Owen areas
Comprehensive household recycling program at land fill
Maintain top land fill in United States- EPA Excellence in Leadership Award
Obtain $433,000 for Bioreactor at landfill
Public/private partnership to create composting facility at landfill
Land use plan that helps long range preservation of our quality of life
Adopt steep slope construction guidelines
Set up land conservation trust board to seek funding for conservation efforts
Establish land conservation trust for protection of sensitive land
Adopt noise ordinance to help control noise pollution
Helped organize Early Action Compact with 5 counties to speed air pollution control efforts

Health and Human Services
Regional Bioterrorism team developed
Obtain $300,000 grant for Homeland Security efforts
Regional laboratory at Health Department
Mental Health Reform action and planning
Set up affordable housing trust for innovative programs, building projects
Support ongoing housing programs that increase supply of affordable homes
Adoption of 1st Rental Code to protect tenants in Buncombe County history
Employee health clinic established at no additional costs
Support soldiers through 911 recalls and Operation Free Iraq (health insurance and phone cards for military)
Bus service to Black Mountain

Goals
Policies that bring government to the people
Support policies to offering the best education possible for our children
Protect the beautiful environment we are entrusted with
Work to effectively use tax money to keep tax burden as low as possible
Partner with current businesses for growth and bring new businesses into area
Better paying jobs that improve family life and living conditions for all residents

Past Activities President

Glen Arden PTA
Toastmasters Public Speaking Club
Asheville Optimist Club
Santa Pal
South Buncombe Youth Basketball
People's Law School- NC Trial Lawyers

Member
Leadership Asheville
Buncombe County School Foundation
Advantage Asheville
Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce
Quality Forward
Council of Independent Business Owners
Blue Ridge Parkway Protectors
United Way Campaign Cabinet
Asheville Jaycees

Current Activities
Chairman- Land of the Sky Regional Council
Board of Directors- Asheville Buncombe Community Relations Council
Board of Directors- Metropolitan Sewage District
Sunday School teacher- Central United Methodist Church
Frequent Speaker at Trial Lawyer seminars and conventions

David Gantt's Personal and Family Life

David and Bootsy hiking in the mountains

David at Mt. Mitchell, NC

David and Charise Gantt

David is a forty-seven (47) year old lawyer who enjoys spending time with his wife of twenty-six (26) years and two (2) teenage children when not practicing law or politics. The Gantts enjoy hiking, camping, swimming and traveling. David and Charise Gantt are UNC-Chapel Hill graduates. All of the Gantt family are rabid Tar Heel fans. The Gantts are proud of the beauty and colorful history of their Western North Carolina home. Among the natural wonders near the Gantt's home are Mount Mitchell, the highest mountain in Eastern America, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the Blue Ridge Parkway.

• Elected to a four year term on the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners 1996,
• Past President of Glen Arden PTA, Toastmasters speech club, Asheville Optimist, Santa Pal, South Buncombe Youth Basketball, and NC Trial Lawyer People's Law School
• Past Board of Directors of Asheville Jaycees, Buncombe County School Foundation, Buncombe County Young Lawyers and 28th Judicial Bar Association
• Leadership Asheville 13 graduate
• Nominee - 1989 American Bar Association Pro Bono Award, NC Bar Association Pro Bono Award
• Member - Advantage Asheville, Chamber of Commerce, Council of Independent Business Owners Organization (CIBO), United Way Peaks, Quality Forward, Nature Conservancy, Blue Ridge Parkway Preserver, Coalition for Scenic Beauty