The Asheville Citizen-Times today has announced its endorsements for Asheville City Council. The newspaper has anointed incumbent Robin Cape and newcomers Esther Manheimer and J. Neal Jackson. The newspaper also endorsed Mayor Terry Bellamy for mayor.
In its editorial, the newspaper writes that the field for City Council is generally strong: “You could almost draw three names from the field out of the hat and still have a good council.” It goes on to say that no matter who wins, “we don’t see a significant combination of three winners that would drastically alter the next council.”
Questions to ponder: How will the candidates react? Do newspaper endorsements matter? Why did a record number of people stay home and decline to vote in the primary election, and will voter-turn out remain at a record low in the Nov. 3 election?
Who will you endorse, with your vote? Can’t wait to read your comments.
Read the Citizen-Times endorsements here.
Our picks:
Incumbent Robin Cape, who is running a write-in campaign, brings a collaborative, inquisitive personality to the table and knows the issues inside and out. A solution seeker in times crying out for solutions, Cape deserves a chance to continue her council career, and we feel Asheville deserves that as well.
Esther Manheimer, real estate litigator and land-use attorney, says she wants to bring “objectivity and transparency to the regulatory process” in Asheville, a stance we wholeheartedly agree with. Her experience in the nuts and bolts of process — she served as an attorney for the N.C. General Assembly for four years before her current career — should help her hit the ground running and give her a depth of experience the city will benefit from.
J. Neal Jackson, owner of Eagle Market’s Convenience Store. Jackson will bring a perspective — and represent a voice — for a segment of the community that often feels its outlook and voice are not heard. He’ll also bring youth (he’s 31) and a refreshingly frank attitude to the table.
4 Comments
"No response from Bothwell?"
He’s drafting his 1000-page rebuttal complete with footnotes as we speak.
No response from Bothwell?
They could also hurt with the reactionaries who think that the ACT is just a communist rag, so I guess it all ends up being a wash.
Not a huge surprise in their picks, although it is interesting that in the past they have made specific comments about each of the candidates they did not endorse. Also, four years ago they endorsed Carl Mumpower and this year they didn’t.
I thought the ACT endorsements were a pleasant surprise. I’m not sure how much they ultimately help a candidate, but they sure won’t hurt (except perhaps among uber-hippies who disdain anything coming from "the man"). They will likely provide a boost going into the last week before the election for Cape, Manheimer, and Jackson.