Archive for October 2009
The Asheville Citizen-Times had a couple of nice write-ups about our City Council candidates.
The first is a feature on Carl Mumpower. Here’s an exerpt:
Mumpower has older ties to the mountains than any other candidate, but he’s not a native. He was born in London to an English mother, Barbara. His father, Ralph, was born in Yancey County and was a 20-year Navy veteran before his death in 2000.
He went to Owen High School, then volunteered for a tour of duty in Vietnam. Afterward, he studied psychology and went on to get graduate degrees from Western Carolina University, the University of Georgia and Union Institute.
As an Asheville psychologist he specialized in families and workplace violence and volunteered to counsel prostitutes, “one of the saddest groups I think we have in our culture,” he said.
The other is an endorsement for Republican candidate J. Neal Jackson.
J. Neal Jackson, owner of Eagle Market’s Convenience Store. Jackson will bring a perspective — and represent a voice — for a segment of the community that often feels its outlook and voice are not heard. He’ll also bring youth (he’s 31) and a refreshingly frank attitude to the table.
Have you voted yet? Check out our Republican candidates for 2009 and then go vote!
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Earlier this week, the Weaverville Town Council voted unanimously to forcibly annex 612 individuals, forcing them into higher property taxes and extra fees whether they like it or not. The Buncombe County Republican Party opposes forced annexation. It infringes on personal liberty and property rights and raises taxes on families without representation.
This decision was made by the following elected officials:
Mayor
Mary “Bett” Stroud – D (not running for re-election)
Councilpersons
Dottie Sherrill – D (running for re-election unopposed in 2009)
Don Hallingse – R (not running for re-election)
Walter Currie – D (up for re-election in 2011)
Doug Jackson – U (up for re-election in 2011)
Gene Knoefel – U (up for re-election in 2011)
It is especially disappointing when a Republican ignores the will and rights of the people and instead does what is expedient at the time. This highlights the need for us to elect principled Republicans.
Just because North Carolina law allows local politicians to force their laws on citizens who never had the chance to vote for them, doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do.
If you would like to help us with our Legislative Watch Committee so that we can keep a closer eye on all of our elected officials, please contact us.
If you can help with any amount, Ryan Croft is raising money for his campaign for City Council. All he needs is $2000. Now if he can run his campaign for $2000 while progressives need tens of thousands for each of theirs, imagine what he can do for Asheville’s budget!
Donate online by clicking this link. You do not need a paypal account to donate through paypal. You can use a regular credit card. Please give today!
If enough people are interested in riding, Asheville Tea Party will offer a charter bus to the November 14th Taxpayer March on Raleigh. (See downloadable flier for details on the march itself.)
At present, only 20 people are signed up for the bus. They need a minimum of 38 people to make the charter affordable.
They must have this information in to the bus company no later than Friday in order to confirm the reservation.
Please contact Erika Franzi at erikafranzi@mac.com as soon as possible if you wish to ride the bus. At current fuel prices, a vehicle getting 25 mpg will cost about $48 to make the round trip to Raleigh and back (520 miles.)
They can offer you a round trip ride on a comfortable charter bus for $50 per passenger.
Think of it! No driving means no fighting traffic on I-40, and no long drive ahead of you at the end of an exciting day. We will also be able to visit with each other and watch some DVD’s on the ride there and back.
Tentative Schedule:
- Saturday 11.14.09
- Leave Asheville at 5:00 am
- Four and half hours travel time + 1 hour breakfast time
- Arrive in Raleigh at Halifax Mall by 10:30 am
- The November 14th Taxpayer March on Raleigh will begin at 11am and include a march and rally.
- Leave Raleigh at 3:00 pm
- Four and half hours travel time + 1 hour dinner time
- Arrive in Asheville by 8:30 pm.
If you are interested, please contact Erika right away.
For more information on the Taxpayer March on Raleigh, view this downloadable flier, then share it with a friend!
It took a couple of days to figure it out but Republican candidate Ryan Croft will be on the ballot for Asheville City Council, after Kelly Miller’s decision to withdraw from the race.
You can vote for Ryan Croft, J. Neal Jackson, Carl Mumpower, and Robert Edwards starting October 15 at the early voting centers.
Here is the information from the Board of Elections about where and when to vote early:
Early voting will begin on Thursday, October 15 in the downtown office and on Saturday, October 24 at the other remote locations.
Downtown Office:
Board of Elections
189 College St.
Asheville, NC 28801
Downtown Office Hours of Operation:
8 a.m. – 6 p.m. Weekdays starting October 15, 2009
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday, October 24, 2009
8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Ending Saturday, October 31, 2009
Remote Voting Locations:
10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Saturday, October 24 and weekdays through Friday, October 30
8 a.m. – 1 p.m. Ending Saturday, October 31, 2009
North Asheville Branch Library
1030 Merrimon Ave.
Asheville, NC 28804
South Buncombe Branch Library
260 Overlook Rd.
Asheville, NC 28803
Parks, Recreation and Cultural Arts Dept Building
70 Gashes Creek Rd.
Asheville, NC 28805
West Asheville Branch Library
942 Haywood Rd.
Asheville, NC 28806
The Asheville Citizen-Times today reported that Kelly Miller, who came in 4th in the Council primary, is dropping out of the race. According to the article:
Miller made the announcement at noon during a tearful press conference on the steps of City Hall. His wife has cancer, and he needs time to care for her, Miller said.
Miller will complete his term, which ends in December. The general election for mayor and City Council will be held Nov. 3.
The councilman said he plans to stay active in city affairs.
Please send your thoughts and prayers to Kelly and Kate Miller and their family during this very challenging time.
The following message was sent by Dr. Carl Mumpower, City Council member and candidate….
Yesterday’s Asheville City Council primary vote is complete. The results can be reviewed on the new and excellent Buncombe County Board of Election site -
http://results.enr.clarityelections.com/NC/Buncombe/10744/17176/en/md.html?cid=0105
I placed 5th in a line-up of 6 candidates with a total voter turnout of 11.1%. A couple of notes on that outcome-
1) The top three primary winners typically win the general election.
2) The gap between the first three in the next three in this election is dramatic.
3) The election was realistically decided by the 90% of the voters who stayed home.
I wanted to drop a note of thanks to my supporters and the good folks who did step out to vote. I appreciate the consideration I received and am comfortable with the outcome.
What’s next?I will not be doing anything different over the coming month. As I said early on – after 8 years the people of Asheville know my name and what I stand for. I will return for a third term with enthusiasm or depart with gratitude per their decision.
In terms of campaigning forward, I will participate actively in all forums, respond to surveys, be available for questions, and come anywhere to meet with any group of citizens. I will not be spending any money on my campaign – either my own or anyone else’s. I am not interested in purchasing a seat on Asheville’s City Council.
The question has come up about my needing to campaign harder. I have been campaigning hard – by serving my office in a principled, energetic, creative, and persistent fashion. As the only conservative member of the Council (as measured by voting records) I have been given generous opportunity through the media to illuminate my positions. No one could have asked for more and no one has had more visibility on political matters in our community.
My standing in the vote outcome comes down to voter turnout and voter choice. Although I have a demonstrated unwillingness to seduce voters, there is no issue with name recognition or visibility – the things that most candidates are spending money on. The voters of Asheville have quietly said that they may want other leadership – either with their vote or by staying home.
Looking back, my consistent stance has been toward being careful with other people’s money, supporting traditional values, and resisting the expansion of socialistic governance at the local level. I would not change a thing and will not change a thing going forward.
What I will do is work hard over the next thirty days and then accept the final decision of the voters with peace of mind.
Again, many thanks for the consideration I have been given by all.
Carl Mumpower
Asheville City Council
The results are in… Robert Edwards easily made it into the general election with 17.12% of the vote. Carl Mumpower and J. Neal Jackson will also be on the Asheville ballot for City Council. Mumpower was the highest vote-getter in quite a few precincts.
Our Republican candidates in other municipalities in Buncombe also need support this November. Please be sure to check out all of our candidates before you vote on November 3rd!
The general election for all municipal races is November 3, 2009, with early voting October 15-31.
Our Republican candidates are: Robert Edwards for Mayor, and Ryan Croft, J. Neal Jackson, and Carl Mumpower for City Council.
Vote at your regular polling location!
According to a new Rasmussen poll, ethics is now a higher priority to voters than the economy. That’s a pretty big statement considering how bad the economy is.
We could not agree more. That’s why we are proud to support our Republican candidates. Carl Mumpower refuses to accept any money from special interests, although we doubt if they would hold any sway with him even if he did take their money. Asheville City Council candidate Ryan Croft has chosen to campaign the old fashioned way, by pounding pavement and knocking on doors, rather than throwing huge fundraisers to bring in tens of thousands of dollars from deep pockets. Our candidates are obligated only to their own conscience, the rule of law, and the local tax payers.
But just in case they aren’t, the Buncombe County Republican Party has already begun work on our Legislative Watch Committee. Our volunteers will keep a watchful eye on all of our elected officials, particularly Republicans, to ensure that they are voting according to our party’s principles. We are focusing on local first, but hope to expand this service to our officials at all levels of government.
We need more help. Will you volunteer for this important effort? Contact us!