It has been over two years since I made my last run for Asheville City Council. While a number of things have changed in the intervening time, it amazes me how many of the same challenges and opportunities still face Asheville. On Thursday, July 19, 2007, I filed the necessary documents to form a committee for the purpose of asking the voters of the City of Asheville to choose me to represent them as a City Councilperson. One of the events that has changed since my last run for council is that I am now a registered, unaffiliated (Independent) voter.
Due to the controversy surrounding this particular years election, a number of people have asked questions concerning why I am running and, perhaps more importantly why I chose to change my affilation from Democrat to "Independent". Both questions deserve thoughtful responses.
My decision to run for City Council was an evolving, almost organic one. I was leaning against running for City Council this cycle because of personal business opportunities, satisfaction with the contributions I was making on a number of boards and commissions, as well as personal, family considerations. The events surrounding our local election over the last few months have caused me to reconsider and decide to seek office. There are three decisions facing the community that will be addressed in this election. First, the citizens of Asheville will decide in this election how they want to be governed. Will we have an election system that encourages "voting for the person" or one more influenced by political parties? Will all of our candidates be allowed to seek office by the same rules or will some play by different rules? Second, the citizens of Asheville will decide over the next few years how we are going to grow? Central to that issue is not only how we are going to live, but more importantly, how our children and grandchildren are going to live, work and build their lives. What future will our children have? Will they walk in the woods, get a job, buy a house and freely live their lives? I want to help make sure that all of the people important to us have an opportunity to live, work and build a good life here. Lastly, how are we going to treat one another? Are we going to continue to be a tolerant "live and let live" community where everyone is allowed to pursue happiness as they see fit? Or not? I believe that those are the key questions we face and I want to be a part of answering them.
I have become an "Independent" unaffiliated voter because I fundamentally believe that at the local level, we need to get back to basics. Both parties seem to be driven by doctrinaire, ideological minorities who do not connect any real way with the challenges facing ordinary people or our local community. I want to come at all of our challenges without the burden of "doctrine" or "agenda". I want to be devoted to the general welfare of our community with no thought to any future office. I hope you will help me.
