Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
A lot of folks may be focused on the upcoming November elections, but there’s plenty of thought being put into next year’s Asheville City Council elections. The first evidence was last week’s move by Councilman Bill Russell to publicly declare that he’s dropping his affiliation with the Republican Party. With reporter in tow, Russell changed his party affiliation to “unaffiliated.” That reads to me as a sign that he’s preparing for a re-election run next year.
Along with Russell, council members Jan Davis and Vice Mayor Brownie Newman will also be up for re-election. Both have strong constituencies. I wouldn’t be surprised to see both run for re-election. But Davis has had a recent health scare, and I could see him throwing in the towel on City Council.
So who else might be lining up a run at City Council? I have it on good authority that Asheville businesswoman Lesley Groetsch is strongly considering a run next year. Groetsch has been a mover and shaker on the Asheville scene since she and her husband Jack moved to Asheville from New Orleans several years ago. The couple managed the Orange Peel and successfully reinvigorated a classic Asheville venue. They built it into the nationally recognized venue that it is today.
Over the past two years, Groetsch has opened the Sazerac cocktail bar and restaurant on Broadway, and earlier this year opened Tingle’s Cafe, another restaurant, right next door.
Groetsch, who has worked for Reynolds Mountain to market the high-end development in Woodfin, is also well-known to many as a radio personality. She and co-host Blake Butler, a former Buncombe County Democratic Party chairman, appear daily at 880 AM on a liberal talk radio show called Local Edge Radio with Blake and Lesley.
With her business credentials and radio show exposure, Groestsch would come out of the gate with a pretty high profile around town, which would certainly help her. She’s also a woman running for a board that has had a dearth of female representation.
I e-mailed Groetsch to ask for her response. Here’s her e-mail back:
I’ve heard those rumors too, and I’m flattered. As an owner of businesses in downtown Asheville, someone who has worked hard to contribute to the vitality of this incredible city, I would, of course, be interested in serving the city and giving something back. And as a parent, I’m motivated to work in any capacity that will help ensure this city will be a promising place today and in the future. But I need to weigh this decision and talk to my family about taking such a step. If I do decide to run, I’ll let you know.
Smart, motivated, caring and energetic is how I would describe Lesley. She would be an asset to the council–bringing a business-friendly progressive viewpoint. Run, Lesley, run!
Though I'm not a city resident, I would heartily endorse Lesley for City Council. She's already a proven asset to Asheville — the Orange Peel is as much a miracle story as is the entire downtown revitalization. And anyone who has listened to the show or followed her Tweets knows that, as Linda says, Lesley is one smart (and sassy!) cookie. This is not talk show for entertainment. You can tell that she has done her homework on important political issues, both on the local front and nationally. In short: Go, Lesley!
Also, one true progressive, TJ Thomasson, recently moved back inside the city limits of Asheville. It could be a signal of his intentions to make a run for Council as well.
Wow. I love the Blake & Lesley show on 880 The Revolution. When it comes to politics, Lesley is one smart cookie. She's sharp; she's got the facts. And a heart for doing what's right. I loved it when Blake & Lesley interviewed Cecil Bothwell and he told the story of the Hot Dog King. (The city of Asheville has paid the Hot Dog King $10,000 a month for 24 months – and he's in prison for the Bobby Medford scandal?!) As citizens and voters, we need to know more inside stories like that one. I only listen to the radio show when I'm in my car and sometimes I just pull over and park – to hear the end of the story. Yep, I hope Lesley does run for City Council.