Empowering Haywood County Residents
Your vote matters in local government
Empowering Haywood County Residents
Your vote matters in local government
Q & A
Learn More About Why I am Running
Question 1
What made you want to run for HC commissioner?
I came to Haywood County with my family in 1967. My father met the Kaufman and Rollman families, who founded Wellco Shoe Manufacturing in Waynesville. He worked with Wellco for 30 years and helped ensure the company remained both nationally and internationally relevant in the shoe manufacturing industry.I have lived in Haywood County, on and off, for my entire life. I am now semi-retired and live full-time in Waynesville. I believe Haywood County is one of the nicest and most beautiful places to live in the world. The people of this county have been very good to my family since 1967, and I want to give back by serving on the Board of Commissioners.I have had a successful 45-year career as a mortgage broker, lender, and real estate investor, with the privilege of living and working in both Haywood County and South Florida. I understand the challenges our community faces as we continue to grow. Prior boards have worked hard to meet these challenges, and I sincerely appreciate the efforts of both current and former commissioners.Having observed firsthand many of the difficult issues brought before the board over the past five years, I am confident that I can be a positive addition—bringing fresh perspective, practical experience, and a strong commitment to serving the people of Haywood County.
Question 2
What do you think some of the problems are with the current board?
I have served on many boards, and for a board to be effective, its members must work as one team. I believe every commissioner has the right to think independently and to voice their opinions on the challenges the board faces.The most important responsibility of the Board of Commissioners is to foster positive energy and work in a harmonious atmosphere. The business of the people of Haywood County is too important for the board to be distracted by unnecessary personal attacks.I understand that people cannot always agree on every matter, and that is what makes a democracy work. However, I strongly believe that every effort should be made for commissioners to work together peacefully and fairly.
Question 3
Do you think the 3 minutes public comments should be increased? 
Yes, I would personally like to see the time increased to five minutes. I am not certain whether state law prohibits this, but I strongly believe that citizens’ comments are extremely important. The board can learn a great deal from public input, which is why I place such value on it. When I decided to run six months ago, I reviewed 12 years’ worth of public comments from board meetings. I was fascinated by what I learned and take the people’s concerns very seriously.
Question 4
What is one of the most important things you want to see happen for the citizens of Haywood County?
Howards Answer: I want the people of Haywood County and their families to be safe and to live in a clean, beautiful environment with good wages and opportunities to open new businesses. I also want to ensure that the Haywood County Sheriff’s Department, our municipalities, and all law enforcement agencies remain strong and have the resources they need.I am committed to making sure that the challenges facing our citizens and families are met with the appropriate support and services. Although I am a man, I want women voters to know that I understand and respect the sensitive issues women face, including caring for their children and families, and I am committed to ensuring women’s voices are heard.As a commissioner, I will always be available to everyone—regardless of political affiliation or gender. I promise there is no problem too small that I will not take seriously or do my best to help address.
Question 5
Do you want to change laws to stop bear hunting?
No, bear and deer hunting is embedded in our history. I have friends that hunt, my ancestors hunted. The video that that was published shows me advocating a Florida state sponsored two-day bear hunt. I was supporting 80% of the people of Florida and bear hunters that were against the state issuing thousands of licenses to reduce the black bear population in two days. There was no scientific data to show that was necessary. Bear hunters themselves were against this! The state cost hundreds of bears; mothers and cubs to be slaughter for no reason. For two decades I fought to stop Florida from arranging this organized slaughter of bears, and we did stop it.
Question 6
Are you an animal activist and want to protect neglected and abused animals?
Yes, I supported Doris Day. Doris Day was a animal welfare activist who founded the Doris Day Animal Foundation (1978) and the Doris Day Animal League (1987) to advocate for legislative protection, spay/neuter programs, and rescue efforts. I support the humane society and many organizations. If I am elected as a Haywood County Commissioner, I will be the champion for the protection of abused animals in Haywood County. I will work with the commissioners to enact much tougher laws for people that abuse animals and will advocate better education for people that have animals. Animals cannot speak for themselves, so we must speak for them.
Question 7
Why is it that passing a state drug bill and making the drug issue one of your main issues?
(Watch my drug video here) I remember growing up in Haywood County, we did not have the drugs invading our county like we do now, nor did I see people die daily from it. Drugs will poison a person, a family, a career, a county even a state. Drugs can invade our schools, ruin our children’s lives, destroy a county’s economy and can kill. The drug epidemic and to win the war on drugs must be won at different levels. The first level is sending in our US military to fight the war on narco world traffickers. It is estimated we have lost 10 million people to drug addiction. Some of those drugs have shown up here in Haywood County. The second level is the state level. We must have a tough drug comprehensive drug bill to make sure the drug dealers have long tough sentences for their actions. The drug bill must also address getting drug addicted people off drugs and back into our society to live normal lives. Many chronic drug users are not only putting their own lives at risk, but they usually deal drugs to support their own habit. The chronic, addicted drug user is destroying their families, their loved ones, their careers, and costing our society a fortune. The burden falls on our hospitals, the Sheriff departments, our law enforcement and emergency services. But the worse scenario is that the drug users lose their life. The third level is done in our county. The county must focus on drug rehabilitation for the user. We had to build a jail for 30 million dollars and had to borrow the money at 3.5% interest. If we do not have a commissioner that is pro-active in making sure, we win this war on drugs, which is a continuous battle, we will eventually lose the war on drugs. If I am elected as a Haywood County Commissioner, I am going to work with the board to make sure that we continue to support the Haywood County Sheriff Department and law enforcement to continue to fight the war on drugs. I am going to make sure that our Haywood County employees and our deputies have better paying compensation. I am going to work with the board to make sure we have a bigger facility for drug rehabilitation, alcoholism and mental illness. Jails do not rehabilitate a drug user. The Sheriff’s department and law enforcement are not responsible to rehabilitate drug users or give out sentences. The district attorneys can only prosecute cases, they are also not responsible either. The judges in a county can only give our sentences under the guidelines from the state. This is why, if I am elected, I will on my own time work. Please watch my video about how I feel about the drug epidemic.
Question 8
How do you plan to bring new industry to Haywood County when our government keeps telling us we do not have enough infrastructure ?
It is true that certain industry requires infrastructure to be installed and land to be developed. Economic jobs do not require the infrastructure. The county can reach out to chamber of commerce and business trade shows throughout the country to promote Haywood County as a place for people to open a new business. As certain parts of the country become difficult for business to remain open, and crime being on a rise, many of these businesses may want to come to NC. Haywood County has plenty to offer a business owner. We can give tax incentives; we can convey that opening a business in here has no red tape. The Haywood County government is easy to work with. Our beautiful county sits in one of the most beautiful environments anywhere including the weather. We have a college in Haywood County and in our surrounding counties to help with training for specific needs. There are many advantages for people to want to open a business in Haywood County and offer good paying jobs. If elected as a commissioner, I will be very pro-active in going to trade shows and working with the Haywood County Economic Department.
Question 9
Why do we need to be careful with spending when we have a budget over one hundred million dollars?
It’s important to not have wasteful spending and to not invest in projects that are not needed. The money we save can be put into reserve for unknown catastrophes. Getting rid of wasteful spending can help us increase compensation for Haywood County Employees and law enforcement. It can also help subsidize teachers’ salaries, it can provide additional funds for law enforcement, and the Sheriff office to fit the war on drugs and crimes. By bringing in thousands of jobs and being careful on our spending, that can also help keep our property and other taxes down.
Question 10
Do you care about our seniors and Veterans?
I have a mother who is 90 years old and a stepfather that is 85 years old. I have a clear understanding of the challenges that our seniors face every day. As a commissioner, I would put our seniors and the challenges of our Veterans as a top priority and make sure they have everything they need. Making sure they have a good support system, medication, clean/safe housing, and transportation is another priority.
Question 11
Do you support the Haywood County School Board and Teachers?
Yes, our teachers have a major impact of the students. Our children are our future so supporting is critical. Our teachers are under paid and undervalued. Teachers can never be compensated enough for the sacrifices they make. I support the school board and all the members for all their efforts to keep the school system running. If I am elected as a commissioner, I will always make sure the school board has the funds they need to continue providing for our students.
Millionaire Businessman and Successful Real Estate Investor Howard Knepper (Republican)
I am a 40-year Haywood County resident, running for Haywood County Commissioner! I will try to stop the drug-addiction epidemic and save thousands of lives in Haywood County and North Carolina by lobbying for comprehensive drug rehabilitation bills at the state level to be passed into law.
I came to Haywood County in 1966. My father met the Rollman and Kaufman families, who founded
Wellco Shoe Enterprises in 1944 in Waynesville. My father was so impressed with the Rollman and Kaufman families and their ingenious shoe molds that he dedicated the next 30 years of his life to keeping Wellco nationally and internationally relevant in the shoe-manufacturing world. My father always told me that what truly made Wellco successful were the dedicated and hardworking Wellco employees in Haywood County. I have had a successful 40-year career as a mortgage broker. I also am the owner of the Philly Italian Pasta and Sub franchise corporation in Canton. I developed and constructed the building on my property in Canton NC, where the restaurant operates today. I have been a lifetime advocate and Guardian Ad Litem for the 11th Judicial Circuit Court of Florida, advocating and being the voice for abused and neglected children. I am also a lifetime supporter of all A.S.P.C.A. & all humane societies for the protection of abused and neglected animals.
Read Below About What All I Support And Believe In.
Knepper for Haywood County Commissioner
I want to earn the trust of Haywood County voters by clearly communicating some of my key positions, should I be privileged by you, the voter, to serve as a commissioner. I will represent everyone — Republican, Democrat, or Independent.
I care about each and every person and their concerns. The Haywood County budget is over $100 million a year. The Haywood County Board of Commissioners is responsible for overseeing where a large amount of that money is spent. This is why it is extremely important that voters choose the right commissioners, who will hold that seat for four years.
Haywood County District Attorney Ashley Welch Supports Any New State Laws That Could Help Save Lives
I had the honor of meeting with honorable Haywood County District Attorney Ashley Welch. I appreciated the time she took to listen to my concerns about the drug addiction epidemic, and the bill that I am going to lobby in Raleigh to be passed into law to save many lives. She truly cares about people, their safety and saving lives. She supports any constructive efforts to save lives from addiction.
I want the citizens of Haywood County to know that one of my primary concerns is the drug addiction epidemic in Haywood County and all 100 counties in NC. I have seen drug addiction destroy the addict’s life, their families, their careers. Its puts a major burden on the sheriff department, the healthcare system, EMS and the court system, but the worst outcome is the loss of the life of the drug addict individual.
Over the last four months, I have met with Haywood County employers, employees, department heads, representatives, voters, and non-profit organizations. I have listened intently and pledged to each and every one of them that if elected, I will address all their concerns. I also appreciated Haywood County Manager, Bryant Morehead meeting with me to answer questions that I had.