Casey's Platform

"I don't mince my words or avoid saying the hard things. Saying the hard things allows us to have the conversations we need to have - to get to the places we need to be."

- Casey Walawender

Taking care of ourselves, taking care of our families, taking care of our people

At the end of the day, divided as we are as a country, most folks want the same basic things - I truly believe this. We care about our kids safety and education, if we can pay our bills, fix our roads, and get health care. We care if we can afford to live in our own town.

Those aren't extras. They're the building blocks of a strong community.

I believe in my core that we're all doing our best and deserve these things. Good local leadership should help us ALL take care of our families, and that's worth fighting for.

Policy Transparency

County government shouldn't feel confusing. You shouldn't have to dig through meeting minutes or know somebody on the inside just to understand what's happening.We deserve leaders who lead transparenty and don't hide in the shadows or operate behind closed doors.

For the past several years our local leaders have operated in ways that are inaccessible and frankly impossible to understand for the average busy person. I believe some of this comes from our commissioners lacking understanding themselves. This work requires educating yourself and your community.

Even if you care about what's happening locally, it can be murky and frustrating to understand what our local leaders are doing and how they're spending.

If I'm elected, I'll make transparency a huge part of my platform. I've spent years learning about and researching local policies, I dig deep to get answers when I don't have them, and will be relentlless in translating everything in a way we can all grasp and take part in.

Education

Good schools are the heart of a healthy county. They're where our kids get their start, where teachers pour themselves into the next generation, and where young families decide whether to put down roots here.

I have almost a decade of experience working in schools and two children whose school experience and education matters. EVERY school in Jackson County needs support and that EVERY child deserves a fair shot no matter which end of the county they're growing up in.

A large portion of our county budget goes directly to Jackson County Public Schools. We need stronger relationships, communication, and understanding between our schools and County Commissioners. Strong schools mean a strong workforce and a real future for our mountains.

Sustainable Development & Economy

I believe in responsible development that protects what makes this place special while creating opportunity for the people who already live here. We need thoughtful planning around projects and future development so our tax dollars work for us—not against us.

When Jackson County invests in growth, the people of Jackson County should be the ones who benefit. When Jackson County spends money, it should come back to Jackson County.

Growth is coming to Jackson County. We can spend years retroactively fixing problems or we can plan ahead.

Community Relationships

No one gets things done alone. Jackson County works best when we work together—with our towns, with Southwestern Community College, with Western Carolina University, and with our neighbors on the Qualla Boundary.

Strong relationships mean better jobs, better opportunities, and better solutions for the challenges we face. I believe in listening first, finding common ground, and bringing people to the same table. That's how we build a stronger future for everybody.

Data Centers

We’ve all been hearing and reading about data centers lately—and our mountain community must be a part of this conversation. Many of our neighboring WNC counties (Canton, Haywood, and Fletcher) have already enacted or considered moratoriums that would put a pause on data center construction.

Jackson County must have leaders committed to staying on top of this evolving issue and making sure we have plans in place to respond to this issue in real time.

Public Libraries

Our schools and libraries belong to all of us. Both have been real hot button issues here in Jackson County recently and for good reason. Our work on our public libraries is just beginning.

They're where kids learn, families gather, and neighbors find help when they need it. That's why decisions about education should happen in the open, with honest conversations instead of confusion.

I'll keep breaking down issues like free and reduced lunch, school board decisions, and what they mean for Jackson County families. You deserve clear answers, not government speak. When people understand what's happening, we make better decisions together.