Messer plans to seek sixth term

Charlie Messer

Charlie Messer plans to seek a sixth term as a Henderson County commissioner.

A member of the Board of Commissioners since 2000, Messer said on Monday night that he plans to file for re-election and would like to follow through on the major school projects now under way or coming up, the merger of the Cane Creek Sewer District with the Asheville-based Metropolitan Sewer District and other county business.

Messer, 65, has been presence in county politics for most of his adult life, starting on the Fletcher Planning Board in June 1993 and serving on the Fletcher Town Council until he was elected to the Board of Commissioners in 2000. Throughout that time, he has remained as close to the voters as anyone by virtue of his day job as owner of Charlie's on the Creek, a convenience store and gas station where he knows many of the customer's names and usually their brand of cigarettes or chew.

"Six months ago I didn't know (whether he would run) because of some medical problems I was having and I've got all that (resolved) and I thank the good Lord," he said. He's participated in the decisions that have led to new schools, parks, the health sciences building on the Pardee campus and other improvements, and has been the board's most consistent advocate for parks improvements for the past two decades, especially youth softball and baseball diamonds.

"I've enjoyed working with the people," he said. "Like I said, I don't agree with everybody, but I can be in it, just like a marriage, and try to get something done and accomplished."

"I've got to get my (campaign finance) account opened back up because I've already received some checks," he said. "Tomorrow night I've got a meeting in Mills River."

If he draws a Republican opponent, Messer would be on the ballot in the March 3 primary. So far only David Hill, a Zirconia Republican seeking the District 5 seat that Grady Hawkins will vacate next year, has filed for the Board of Commissioners seat. Although candidates for the County Commission must live in the district, all are elected at large.

A 1973 graduate of West Henderson High School, Messer and his wife, Sheila Baldwin Messer, have two daughters and two grandsons.