Position/philosophy statement
Aaron Baker is running for Brevard City Council to advocate for working families, connected neighborhoods, reasonably priced housing and a responsive and approachable local government.
Current Occupation
Marketing Director
Age (optional)
39
Campaign Phone
8285539648
Thank you for the opportunity to serve on Brevard City Council these past four years. It’s been an honor to serve the city we all love. Supporting my re-election is a vote for both experience and progress—someone who knows how local government works and is committed to helping Brevard grow and improve. My priorities remain clear: affordable housing, modern infrastructure, and a responsive, transparent city government. I believe in protecting what makes Brevard special while preparing for the future our kids will inherit. As an independent voice focused solely on our community, my loyalty is to Brevard, not any party. I’ll always put our 8,000 residents first.
Making Brevard affordable for working families is my top priority. Our city’s beauty and character come from its people, and we must prevent Brevard from becoming a place only the wealthy can afford. That means supporting multi-family housing where it fits, encouraging small-scale “missing middle” growth, and deepening partnerships with Habitat for Humanity and Housing Assistance Corporation. We must also work with the county to ensure fair property tax valuations and prevent displacement.
My other priorities are transportation, completing the Ecusta Trail, and investing in modern infrastructure while keeping local government transparent, professional, and responsive.
We must support multi-family housing where it fits the character and infrastructure of our city, especially near major corridors and services. Brevard should also encourage small, incremental growth—like backyard cottages, duplexes, and other “missing middle” homes—by streamlining permits and offering modest incentives for long-term rentals. Partnerships with Habitat for Humanity and Housing Assistance Corporation should be expanded with matching funds or city land to increase affordable housing. Finally, we must work with Transylvania County to improve the property tax revaluation process and protect residents from displacement caused by rising valuations.
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Position/philosophy statement
I’m running for Brevard City Council to help our community move forward together with practical solutions, open dialogue, and compassion for everyone in the city. My priorities include addressing affordable and workforce housing, championing homeless
Current Occupation
VP of Business Development
I bring a blend of business, community, and leadership experience to the City Council. I hold an MBA and a bachelor’s degree in Marketing from the University of Notre Dame, and I’ve led organizations in multiple industries and as many as 2,000 employees. My professional background in management and strategy has taught me how to solve problems, balance budgets, and bring people together. I believe in listening first, building consensus, and making decisions that reflect both compassion and common sense.
1. Affordable and Workforce Housing: Brevard’s housing costs are outpacing local wages. I want to explore partnerships, zoning updates, and creative incentives to make homeownership and rental options attainable for working families and essential workers.
2. Homelessness: Brevard has the compassion to find real solutions. I’ll work toward transitional housing and supportive programs that help people rebuild stability and independence.
3. Youth and Young Adult Development: We must invest in the next generation through leadership, career, and civic engagement programs to keep our young talent here at home.
I will champion a joint City/County Housing Task Force that brings together nonprofits, private developers, and community partners to turn discussion into accelerated action. We need a comprehensive housing study to clearly identify current demand and prepare for future growth. With that data, we can set bold targets to significantly increase affordable and workforce housing units. My goal is to make Brevard a place where teachers, service workers, and young families can live and thrive.
I grew up in Brevard, and I’ve seen firsthand the strength, compassion, and creativity that make this community special. I believe Brevard can be the best small town in the country, not just for our beauty and tourism, but for how we work together. Our community has proven that when we listen to one another and focus on shared goals, we can solve hard problems. Whether it’s housing, economic development, or helping our youth find their path, I want to bring people from every background and perspective to the table. My vision is for Brevard to set the example of how collaboration, compassion, and common sense can guide local government and create a community that works for everyone.
Position/philosophy statement
I am running for City Council because I believe Brevard can and should be a place where everyone feels safe, heard, and supported.
Current Occupation
Co-Owner of Newfound Artisan in Downtown Brevard
Age (optional)
40
I have lived in Brevard for over 10 years with my wife Emma. We currently own a small business in downtown Brevard. Prior to that I worked at Brevard College in a variety of roles including IT, Faculty Development, Public Information, and teaching as an adjunct faculty member. Before working at Brevard College I was in charge of training and onboarding for a private software company. I have also served on several local non-profit boards and committees since moving to Brevard. All of this experience combined with my undergraduate degree in Recreation Management from Appalachian State and my Masters Degree in Education Technology from the University of Wyoming has prepared me for the job of City Councilman.
1) Safer streets and sidewalks - As more people have moved here and more visitors come to explore it’s clear that driving, walking, and cycling around Brevard is more treacherous than it used to be.
2) More responsive government - We need a city that is proactive and responsive when it comes to serving the needs of its citizens. People shouldn’t get told to attend a committee meeting at 3:30pm on a weekday when they have a concern.
3) Affordable Housing - It’s clear that housing in Brevard is now out of reach for working people. Teachers, nurses, and law enforcement officers can’t afford to own a home in the community they serve.
Our streets and sidewalks should feel safe for everyone. We need more crosswalks, slower speed limits, more sidewalks, more bicycle infrastructure, and increased enforcement of our traffic laws. As your city councilman, I promise to do everything in my power to ensure we all feel safe, heard, and supported by our government.
I will work with stakeholders to ensure safety is top of mind. I will commit to making sure NC DOT is more responsive to the needs of the people who live here. We have to ensure our local government and NC DOT considers the safety of all residents regardless of how they choose to get around.
Having grown up in a small, rural community I understand what it means to preserve small town values. As the son of an educator, I also understand the value in learning from our past. My mother was a teacher and taught me that everyone, regardless of their background deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. I promise that as a member of city council I will bring those values with me while I work tirelessly to ensure we have a safer, more responsive, and more accessible Brevard - a community that truly reflects the values we all share. Brevard is already a very special place. I believe with the right leadership we can make it even better. If safer streets & sidewalks, a more responsive government, and houses that teachers and law enforcement officers can afford sounds good to you then join me, Doug Miller, in making Brevard better for everyone. I humbly ask for your support and your vote.
