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Last night, City Council voted unanimously to hire a professional polling company to gauge municipal citizens’ opinion on whether Asheville should be divided into districts for City elections. Currently, all members of City Council are voted on citywide. Prior to the vote, Mayor Esther Manheimer read a letter from State Senator Chuck Edwards, wherein he stated his intention to file a bill to divide Asheville into districts later this year. This move would be reflective of the State legislature’s obvious intention to divvy up Asheville geographically over the last year or so.
There appears to be no nuance in this debate. Asheville will be split into voting districts sometime in the future. While it may not sit right with a lot of people locally (including our elected officials who are directly affected), it is the reality of living in a Dillon Rule state. Dillon Rule state municipalities, like Asheville, are limited in what rules and ordinances they can enact by their presiding State legislatures. Generally, we can only do what Raleigh allows us to do, within the law.
Therefore, let us not waste time spending months gauging public interest. Let us spend that time wisely on educating our citizenry and engaging knowledgeable consultants and experts on how we draw the districts. Let us make the process fair, equitable and void of political influence. Many of city residents and businesses do feel left out of our local political process. A large portion of that issue can be addressed through districts.
We support a plan that allows each district (whether it be 4 or 6) to vote a couple of candidates through to a general election. Thereafter, every city voter can have a say on who sits on the Council as a whole. Geographic representation is guaranteed by having the candidates come from districts but the whole citizenry still would get to vote for all candidates.
In addition, we think it’s important that all candidates be elected in even number years, when turnout is larger. Electing city council at one time avoids having a constant election season. This structure would curb the frequently divisive campaigns that go along with the current staggered, odd-year elections. It would provide more time for good governance. We support a system that does not create more political divisiveness, nor that promotes too much provincial thinking.
Regardless of the plan put forward, let’s not waste time or taxpayer money on figuring out if. That decision ostensibly has been made for us. Let’s now focus on how to go forward fairly and effectively.
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Legislative Update: Feb. 16-28
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With the NC General Assembly session underway, our goal is to provide you with updates on bills filed in the legislature that may be of interest to the business community and local economic development. Bills will be listed as they are filed weekly, not necessarily as made into law.
Elections Transparency Act – Act changing Board of Education, Municipal and Judicial elections partisan statewide. Currently, all of these elections are non-partisan.
HB2 Repeal– Bipartisan attempt to repeal HB2, increase punishment for certain harassment/misconduct as it relates to public accommodations, sets out method through which cities can pass nondiscrimination ordinances (e.g., cooling off period, referendum)
Nonpartisan Redistricting Commission – Establishes a Temporary Redistricting Advisory Commission to draw independent district lines, as of the 2020 Census
Critical Infrastructure/Special Assessments– Act, which has already passed the House, would authorize Cities and Counties to pay for infrastructure using private funds, possibly repaid through special assessments on benefited properties
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Expanding access to high-quality early education
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The Asheville Chamber has joined forces with other business and community members as part of the Asheville Buncombe Preschool Planning Collaborative (ABPPC) working to increase access to affordable, high quality preschool for three- and four-year-olds in Asheville and Buncombe County.
High quality preschool early care and education is proven to make a huge difference in the lives of children and their families. For working parents, lack of quality child care is a barrier to employment. When a parent knows their child is well-cared for, they’re more focused and productive on the job. For children themselves, research shows that preschool helps children at a time when their brains are rapidly developing. Early learning experiences extend throughout a child's education and have long-term impacts on his/her success.
Asheville Chamber President & CEO Kit Cramer, who is a member of the collaborative, said: “I continue to hear the same complaints from employers about job applicants, largely around soft skills. I think investment in preschool, and even earlier in child care, may be a missing link to employ-ability in the long run.”
Learn more about the Asheville Buncombe Preschool Planning Collaborative
Mountain Xpress article with interviews from members of the group
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Business award nominations due March 10th
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Each year we honor businesses and individuals for their growth, success and leadership in the business community. Nominations for both our Sky High Growth Awards and Small Business Leader of the Year are due by March 10th. Nominate a company or business leader you think is doing incredible work in our community.
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| | March Business After Hours
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5:30 - 7:00 p.m. | Irene Wortham Center Adult Day Center, 18 Azalea St. | Details
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| | Educational Series: Leadership Greatest Hits
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8-9 a.m. | Asheville Chamber, 36 Montford Ave. | Details & Registration
Jael Rattigan, co-founder of French Broad Chocolates, will share the lessons that have most impacted her leadership style and will divulge her best sources. While running a successful company, Jael has been a devoted student of business, devouring books on leadership and management, and enrolling in an MBA program.Learn some great tips to help you be a better leader now and set on a course of self-directed leadership education with the provided list of resources.
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| | Ribbon Cutting for Asheville Helicopter Tours
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4:00 p.m. | 240 Wright Brothers Way, Fletcher, NC 28732 | Details
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| | March Business Before Hours
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8:00 - 9:00 a.m. | PNC Bank, One Town Square Blvd., Suite 250, Asheville | Details
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| | Mega Networking - Spring 2017
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| | Raleigh Legislative Visit
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| | Sky High Growth Awards Reception
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5:30 p.m. | The Venue, 21 N. Market St., Asheville, NC 28801
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| | Chamber & EDC Annual Meeting
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5:30 p.m. | The Omni Grove Park Inn, 290 Macon Ave., Asheville, NC 28804
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Internet Marketing Bootcamp
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Join the team from the JB Media Institute for a Spring Half-day Internet Marketing Bootcamp on Tuesday, March 28. This event will take place at the Goodwill Training Facility auditorium in West Asheville from 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. and will cover the following topics: Digital Marketing Trends in 2017: Small Businesses Edition Small Business Strategies to Improve Google Rankings How to Know When You’re Ready for Social Media Advertising Early bird pricing is in effect from now until March 10. Purchase tickets now at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/jb-media-institute-spring-internet-marketing-bootcamp-tickets-32132733872
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