Jun
03
City Council Race Open Thread
BySo Councilwoman Cape is out.
Esther Manheimer is having her campaign kickoff party this Thursday.
Mayor Bellamy launches her re-election campaign Monday.
Cecil Bothwell is reiterating his campaign launch on Friday, 6/12.
Other candidates include Jay Neal Jackson, Carl Mumpower, and Mr. Kelly Miller.
Being a candidate in this race, it’s difficult to cover it with any degree of credibility or objectivity, so I’m leaving it to you, Hooligans.
Who’s up? Who’s down? Who else will file?
23 Comments
June 3rd, 2009 at 11:32 am
I’d like to see more pictures of candidates with their families.
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June 3rd, 2009 at 12:13 pm
More toolbelts.
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June 3rd, 2009 at 3:09 pm
My most recent post here, though it doesn’t answer your questions, Gordon:
http://ashvegas.squarespace.com/journal/2009/6/2/summer-check-in-sizing-up-the-asheville-city-council-electio.html
Field is wide open. Gordon has a big head start. Cecil will make up ground quickly. I plan to meet Manheimer tomorrow. Kelly Miller is strong for re-election. Mumpower is weak. Don’t know enough about J. Jackson’s campaign apparatus to judge.
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June 3rd, 2009 at 3:41 pm
With Cape out I suspect that there will be at least two more heavy hitters to jump on the the field. The bigger the field gets the harder it will be for candidates like Gordon and Cecil. If past history tells us anything I see only one of them making it on to Council. I think they both have what it takes to make it. The Primary will give us the best idea on which of the two has the best chance. If progressives what two seats, I would suggest they generate enough ground swell and cash to fund both of them $20K + each and actually vote for both of them in the primary and general.
As best I can tell Manheimer will have all the money she needs and several pools of voters to build a great base out of. I think she will be another Holly Jones type pol that will always do well with the voters, no matter how she votes. She is definitely an early favorite to win. Even though the general public has no idea who she is. Money can fix that.
If Miller get enough cash he could brake the Ellis/Freeborn curse. I think he is a likable enough guy and has not made any mistakes so far. Seems to be doing a good job on council.
I know J. Neal Jackson and think that he too has what it takes to pull of a victory. He also is very smart and tied into city staff. He will know how do more than talk about issues. He has the background, insights, and connections create and carry out an effective agenda.
Mumpower’s time has come and gone. I think he is making a big mistake running for a third term. My feeling is two terms is enough. Time to move on. We need some fresh meat. Also if he really wanted to make a difference and change the agenda he would run for Mayor or take a year off and run against Nesbitt or Goforth in the NCGA.
I do not expect the Mayor to have a viable challenger.
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June 3rd, 2009 at 4:13 pm
Dave…While CIBO can use that against him in a mailer….I think that it will do less damage than the mailer they ran against me associated me with Elaine Lite and Partisan Elections. A good ground campaign and some TV can over come that.
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June 3rd, 2009 at 4:37 pm
There’s nothing on Manheimer’s website but who the big donors are. I already don’t like her because of this. I am in the general public and have no idea who she is.
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June 3rd, 2009 at 4:39 pm
whoops BIG FAT retraction, I missed the tabs at the top after going back to recheck my 1st impression in disbelief. Still, home page says a lot.
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June 3rd, 2009 at 5:57 pm
I had the same initial reaction as xty…all that cash, yet she can’t find a decent web designer…in this town? Plus the stress on donors, while it may be an attempt at openness (am I reaching?) it comes off the wrong way. perhaps it will change, but there is not real substance to her site.
As for Miller, I think he has made mistakes (conflict of interest “gaffe[s]” ring a bell?), and I just don’t trust anyone who is that integrated into the moneyed interests of this city to look out for me, and people like me (ie poor folk).
Mumpower still has a (albeit shrinking) constituency. Perhaps he will personally evict a few more “illegal” families to rally the
prickconservative vote.Rate this comment:
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June 3rd, 2009 at 6:08 pm
Dave,
I’d remind you that a host of community groups opposed the Parkside land deal including:
Coalition of Asheville Neighborhoods
Asheville Tree Commission
Asheville City Council
Buncombe County Commissioners
Downtown Association
Western North Carolina Alliance
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June 3rd, 2009 at 6:52 pm
Her donors seem to include a who’s who of local “anything goes” developers — Jerry Sternberg, Albert Sneed, Chris Peterson.
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June 3rd, 2009 at 11:24 pm
One more to clarify things for Dave. This is from the Blue Banner – 9/11/08:
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June 4th, 2009 at 12:19 am
Candidates should challenge each other to play “Endearing Young Charms” on a TNT-rigged pie-ano. Maybe Mumpower can run up on stage – “NOOOOOOOOOO, YOU LONG-EARED GALLOOT! LIKE THIS!!! (dee dee dee dee dee dee dee dee dee dee dee KABOOM!!!)”
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June 4th, 2009 at 6:15 am
Oh, and Dave – having known several Earth First! types who would have gladly put a bullet in the head of a Pacific Lumber Co. employee with a smile given half a chance, not to mention some of the pro-choice AND pro-life activists I’ve encountered over the years, I can honestly tell you that Lady Passion and Steve Rasmussen are not extremists. Your $0.02 worth of hyperbole isn’t even worth that much.
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June 4th, 2009 at 8:36 am
Add to Gordon’s list: The Pack Square Conservancy vetoed Coleman’s plan, and they have a veto under the agreements made with the city and county governments. It was actually a procedural error on the part of City staff that let him continue because they moved it on to the TRC before hearing from the Conservancy. His proposed building clearly violates the “sight triangle” requirement. (No buildings to block a clear view of City Hall and Buncombe courthouse from Vance Monument.) The plan should have ended there.
Oh, and minor point, I’m not “reiterating” my campaign launch. June 12 has been designated as the official public launch party/rally/concert/hoedown for a couple of months. I think the city elections aren’t on much of anyone’s radar in the spring and only barely so in the early summer.
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June 4th, 2009 at 8:49 am
Shad, some photos here:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=109514&id=113924942904&ref=nf#/album.php?aid=109514&id=113924942904
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June 4th, 2009 at 9:23 am
I agree with Tim.
MM
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June 4th, 2009 at 10:45 am
MM & Tim,
By wanting more tool belts are you suggesting we have enough tools on council and now we simply need something to hold them in place?
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June 4th, 2009 at 11:36 am
“are you suggesting we have enough tools on council”
That’s funny. No, just tryin’ ta keep it real.
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June 4th, 2009 at 12:21 pm
This may be the last Asheville City Council election in which I will vote!
my .02:
Gordon, Cecil and Mumpower (he’s about the only GOP candidate left for Republicans to vote for)
I’ll most likely vote for Gordon and Cecil, but I may vote for the Mumps just so you all will get 4 more years of Mumisms;)
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June 4th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
Considering where my heart is on the subject of community based media, ( the real thing, not Wally Bowen’s “vision” ) Im 100% behind Gordon and Cecil. With Robin out, I remain undecided on my #3.
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June 5th, 2009 at 5:14 pm
I just have a thing for toolbelts.
MM
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June 7th, 2009 at 9:56 pm
Readers Digest has the scoop.
And finally, a tool belt for women.
Thanks Tim for bringing this important subject to the conversation.
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September 28th, 2009 at 7:33 pm
GRDN SD: ’d rmnd y tht hst f cmmnty grps ppsd th Prksd lnd dl ncldng:
Cltn f shvll Nghbrhds
shvll Tr Cmmssn
shvll Cty Cncl
Bncmb Cnty Cmmssnrs
Dwntwn ssctn
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Th cty cncl dd nt xctly cvr thmslvs n glry thr. Y gt fr t f sx, thgh.
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