[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 45 (Monday, March 22, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E505]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


           CURTIS RATCLIFF REMEMBERED AS FRIEND OF TAXPAYERS

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                         HON. CHARLES H. TAYLOR

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 22, 1999

  Mr. TAYLOR of North Carolina. Mr. Speaker, Buncombe County, Western 
North Carolina and America lost a true leader this week, R. Curtis 
Ratcliff. ``Curt'' was a leader in Buncombe County government for 
nearly two decades and fighter for the taxpayers. I am honored to share 
with my colleagues The Asheville Citizen Times of March 18th 
appreciation of Curt.

           [From the Asheville Citizen Times, Mar. 18, 1999]

               Ratcliff Remembered as Friend to Taxpayers

                           (By Barbara Blake)

       Leicester--R. Curtis ``Curt'' Ratcliff was a man who 
     ruffled plenty of political feathers during his 16 years at 
     the helm of Buncombe County government. But few would argue 
     with the fact that he was a champion of the ``little man'' 
     and a passionate advocate for county taxpayers.
       Ratcliff, who died Monday at age 69, had friends and foes 
     in the political arena. But community leaders who worked with 
     Ratcliff during more than two decades in public service said 
     Wednesday he was a man of his word, a tireless proponent of 
     fiscal responsibility and a friend to the community.
       ``Sure, there were partisan politics,'' said former County 
     Commissioner Doris Giezentanner, one of many Democrats who 
     squabbled with the Republican leader during his four terms as 
     chairman of the county board.
       ``That always happens on a mixed board or even one that is 
     one party or another,'' Giezentanner said. ``But it's quickly 
     forgotten; I will always remember Curtis as a kind, generous 
     person even when we differed politically.''
       Ratcliff, who served as commission chairman from 1972 until 
     he was defeated in 1988 by UNCA political science professor 
     Eugene Rainey, differed politically with a lot of elected 
     officials over the years--sometimes even those of his own 
     party, if they seemed to favor citizens inside rather than 
     outside the city of Asheville.
       Former Asheville Mayor Louis Bissette was one of them--a 
     Republican, but a champion of the city's interests in 
     divisive issues like the revamping of the city-county water 
     agreement.
       ``There were some very difficult issues that arose 
     during the 1980s between the city of Asheville and 
     Buncombe County,'' Blasette said. ``But even in the midst 
     of those emotional times, I always found you could depend 
     on Curt Ratcliff's word, and he always acted in what he 
     believed to be the best interests of the people of 
     Buncombe County.''
       Tom Sobol, current chairman of the board, was a newcomer 
     during Ratcliff's last term, 1984-88. One of two Democrats--
     with Giezentanner--on the five-member commission, Sobol 
     clashed frequently with the Republican leader.
       ``Even though I was in the minority party, Curt was always 
     up front and totally honest with me on every issue that came 
     up,'' Sobol said. ``We had different political philosophies, 
     but he was always up front about where he was going to be (on 
     an issue) and what was going to happen.''
       Ratcliff also kept his door open to the freshman 
     commissioner and offered help when it was needed.
       ``I never went into Curt's office that he wouldn't take 
     time to explain to me the workings of some county government 
     problem I had a question about,'' Sobol said, ``That meant a 
     great deal to me, that he would take time to deal with me 
     when he didn't have to.''
       Former Republican Commissioner Jesse Ledbetter, who served 
     two terms with Ratcliff, said the long-time chairman was ``an 
     advocate for the little people of Buncombe County, 
     particularly those living outside the city.''
       ``During this century, I do not know of a better friend to 
     the taxpayers than Curt Ratcliff was,'' Ledbetter said. ``He 
     was always very meticulous in the wise use of public funds, 
     and in safeguarding all public assets.''
       ``He was a good friend in every way,'' Ledbetter said.

       

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