Retired sheriff's deputy to file for Dct. 2 County Commission seat

Retired Buncombe County Sheriff’s deputy Royce Canty of Fletcher announced Thursday that he would for Henderson County Board of Commissioners District 2 seat currently held by Charlie Messer.

"Seeing the need and creating a solution is something that I have done in my professional life and can bring that experience to the County Commission," he said.

A 14-year resident of Fletcher, Canty worked in the Buncombe County Detention Facility and as a sergeant. As a sergeant, he created the Gang Interview Separation Unit after recognizing the need for the way that gang members were classified. A native of Asheville and graduate of Asheville High School, he holds an associates degree in Law Enforcement Technologies. He and his wife, Carletta, a registered nurse, have three daughters.

“My beliefs about how to be in community were gained from my parents, my church and my life experiences," he said. "It means that I give back and stay involved in order to make sure that others can be as blessed as I have been.”

In a news release, he said his priorities were school safety and "a new and improved Henderson County Branch Library to the northern part of the county." The new library would be "a place where there are computers for jobseekers, students who are homeschooled and others, a place for the community to meet, as well as a collaboration with other community agencies to provide job training and college classes." He promised to "listen to their concerns before voting on anything that will impact their family and property."