Asheville News

How will Asheville City Council shape up in three months?

Jason Sandford August 20, 2008

Jason Sandford

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

~~Gordon~~ Doug over at Scrutiny Hooligans got me thinking ahead to what the make-up of Asheville City Council will be later this year and next. Gordon wrote about the run for mayor next year, but comments under his posting got me wondering about how City Council will change in just about three months.

It will change because current Councilwoman Holly Jones is running for a seat on the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners. And she’s gonna win. Handily.

That will leave City Council to appoint her successor. The precedent that council has set is to choose the the person from the last election that finished just out of the money. That would give us Brayn Freeborn, who lost the election by a whisker to newcomer Bill Russell last year.

Freeborn was seeking his first election victory. He was appointed to City Council in 2005 to fill the seat left vacant when then Councilwoman Terry Bellamy won the mayor’s seat.

Will Freeborn seek the appointment? If not, where will council turn? How about former candidates Dwight Butner or Elaine Lite or Cecil Bothwell — will any of them lobby for the seat?

Somebody’s surely already thinking about this now, and the lobbying will start in earnest after Labor Day, the traditional but unofficial start of Indecision 2008.

Jason Sandford

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

Courtney, readying for her close-up

Bryan Freeborn, not necessarily interested in another full Asheville City Council term, but wants appointment

5 Comments

Ash August 21, 2008

Bryan, thanks for your response. I’ll post it.

Gordon – sorry! I’ve fixed.

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Bryan Freeborn August 21, 2008

Ashvages,

When first asked if I would take Holy’s vacated seat my reaction was, “absolutely not.” My family and I are very comfortable with me not being on council. I have a lot more freedom to advocate for and work with staff on issues that I care about. I have time for my wife, kids, and work. I am very focused on creating online platforms for quality community collaboration and direct democracy. This work I see as far more import and worthwhile than the political game of missed opportunity that is our city council and county commission.

As time away from council passes, the idea of running for council again has come and gone. I do not see Bryan Freeborn as a candidate for any office on the horizon. I have thought about the vacancy though, only because precedent has moved the fourth highest from the previous ballot in to that vacant seat. To date, I only know of that happening when a council member with an unexpired term wins the mayor’s seat.

In this case it will have been about a year since the last election and there will only be a year left on the term. The fourth highest candidate was me. For many people that would suggest that I would be the logical fill in. The other reason that I would make an appropriate choice is that I have also served on council before and know the budget, the issues, and the processes of the organization. And for this reason alone, I would take the appointment if offered. I do not think that council should appoint someone for one year that has never served in this seat before. There is too much of a learning curve. There are also all of the boards and commissions this appointed member has to be a liaison for.

Jan Davis and other members of council made it clear at this last work session, they are not interested in returning to the ballot for the replacement and appointing the fourth highest vote getter. Jan went as far as saying that being the 4th does not constitute a mandate. To me this is another signal of his idea of democracy is to follow the democratic process when it is convenient and serves his politics. He did not vote for the 4th in 05 and I do not see him doing that this time around either. Same for Carl. These are the same to members of council that supported “Let Asheville Vote.” They want wanted the voters to choose for or against partisan election, but not a vacancy on council.

That being said, I find it hard to believe that the six remaining members of council will be able to find a replacement that can get enough votes to get the appointment. I could be wrong. They may have already made up their mind. If they are not going to go back the ballot or a previous council member/mayor I would advise them to leave it vacant. It is just for one year and it will force them to build stronger consensus on issues.

I will not actively lobby for this appointment. Playing the political game did not suit me well and provided undo stress in my life. I will only offer council and the community advice and perspective on this issue. To me the choice is very clear. However, looking back on the few decisions I made on council that I now regret and think the obvious choice should have been so clear, it did not seem so at the time. I do not envy the position council is in now. It must be uncomfortable to even have to think about this knowing that the clear choice is to appoint someone they do not want to serve with them. I wish them and the community the best of luck with this. I hope that council does not go down the same path we did with partisan elections. The ultimate decision is up to council.

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zen August 21, 2008

I hope Bryan does go for it. I voted for him and like his transportation and other ideas.

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Jason August 21, 2008

If Dwight BUTTner is considered, I think I may move to WV.

Argggghhhhhhhhh!

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Gordon Smith August 21, 2008

That post was written by Doug Gibson.

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