What’s going on at the Asheville-Buncombe Community Relations Council? (part 2)

Jason Sandford

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

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I’m following up on original query of Oct. 29, asking if anyone knew what was going on at the Asheville-Buncombe Community Relations Council after I received notice from a loyal reader that longtime council Executive Director Bob Smith was seen leaving with a box of personal items and locks on the council office’s doors were being changed.

So far, I haven’t heard a peep, but I’m still working on finding an answer.

Meantime, I thought I’d start by compiling some background information. 

Smith had been with the Community Relations Council for more than 25 years, and had a reputation as a stalwart community member who stood up for social and racial justice in the Asheville area. In May, Smith was honored for his work as the recipient of the 2010 Evan Mahaney Champion of Civil Liberties Award from the WNC chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union.

Smith, an Asheville native, has served on numerous state and local boards. Before he joined the Community Relations Council in 1983, he was the federal compliance officer for the city of Asheville, where he oversaw all federal monies coming to the city. 

The stated purpose of the council is to “provide a community-wide approach to the solutions of human problems as they relate to racial, ethnic, religious and class relationships, and to promote progress in Asheville and Buncombe County towards employment.”

Smith was paid $66,150 as the council’s executive director for the 2008-’09 tax year, according to the council’s federal tax filing. The organization had total revenue of $232,196, according to the filing.

The council’s board is as follows, according to the organization’s tax filing:

Larry McCallum – chairman

Edward Hay – vice chair (former Asheville City Councilman)

Bonnie Habel – secretary

Linda McDaniel – treasurer

Arthur Solido

Clara Jeter

Craig White

Jill Fromewick

Marvin Viera

Rodney Lytle

Sharon Lewis

William Hogan (chief of Asheville Police Department)

William Moore

Willie Mae Brown

Kate Pett

Bill Russell (Asheville City Council member)

Leslie Hennessee

Doris Gietzentanner

Van Duncan (Buncombe County Sheriff)

Mike Burkhead

The Community Relations Council board is scheduled to meet at 4:30 p.m. on the last Wednedsay of November in an Asheville Housing Authority board room, according to the city of Asheville website. The council’s Facebook page hasn’t been updated since August.

If anyone has further information, please leave a comment or email me at [email protected]