Water wars: The clock is ticking

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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Ashvegas council members were seen pow-wowing with mountain lawmakers this morning at the Cornerstone restaurant in a last ditch attempt to avoid the unavoidable.

Council members were no doubt responding to reports (here and here) that lawmakers are continuing down a path of no return, as far as council is concerned.

Those reports explain how state lawmakers are thinking about moving control of the city’s water lines to the Metropolitan Sewerage District board (right now, they just control sewer lines). That board would morph into a new, independent water authority.

With council and Buncombe commissioners in gridlock over creating a new water agreement before the current one runs out at the end of the month, lawmakers have taken the ball and run with it. That leaves council scrambling.

And that’s not good for some ambitious council members who will be seeking re-election this year. Mayor Charlie wants another term. Brownie’s thinking about a run. And the Power of Mum will no doubt consider it, as well as Joe Dunn. All these folks are on the council now.