Tonight! Buncombe County Commission – Democratic Candidates Debate

I’ll just use Mountain Voices Alliance presser:

“Mountain Voices Alliance (MVA) will host a forum for Democratic Buncombe County Commission candidates on Monday, April 21 from 7-9 p.m. at the Woodfin Community Center. Doors will open at 6 p.m. to allow the public time to submit questions for the candidates. The forum will begin promptly at 7 p.m.

“We felt there was a pressing need to provide the citizens of Buncombe County with an opportunity to meet the candidates and hear their views on some of the most pressing issues our communities are facing,” said MVA Chairwoman Elaine Lite. “Knowledge is power, and as voters, we need to have as much information as possible before we enter the voting booth to make intelligent and thoughtful decisions.”

Those who have responded and will appear include Keith Thomson, Cecil Bothwell, Holly Jones, K. Ray Bailey, and Vernon Dover, as well as Commission Chair candidate, David Gantt. Incumbents Carol Peterson and Bill Stanley will not attend and Robert Hill has not responded.

MVA has also scheduled a forum for Republican candidates on April 29 at the same time and location. An updated press release will be issued as soon as all candidates have confirmed.

To get to the Woodfin Community Center from Asheville and south, take 19/23 to Elk Mountain Rd. Make a left at exit and go 6/10 mile past the Woodfin Town Hall to Penley Ave. Go left on Penley and immediate left onto Community Dr. From Weaverville and north, take Elk Mountain Rd. (exit 24), make a right and then follow same directions. For more information, call 255-8537.

Mountain Voices Alliance (www.mvalliance.net) works to preserve and protect the environment, including the natural beauty, abundant resources, quality of life and cultural heritage of our communities. This all-volunteer group actively opposed the Progress Energy oil plant in Woodfin last year and helps to raise awareness of policies to protect the area from over-development, especially the dangers of building on steep slopes.

I hope to see y’all there. Can you believe Bill Stanley has only bothered to come to one out of four candidate debates? He’s skipping this one because he cooks for the Shrine Club on Mondays. Priorities, priorities…