Just how progressive should Asheville be?

What constitutes progressive public policy at the municipal level? The Asheville chapter of Democracy for America is sponsoring a panel discussion tonight (Wednesday, July 11) to discuss that topic. They’ll review what they think of Asheville “as is,” where the city should be going next, and what the biggest challenges are to getting there.

Panelists include Elaine Lite of the Mountain Voices Alliance, Tyrone Greenlee of Christians for a United Community and Just Economics, and Asheville City Council member Bryan Freeborn. Radio host Errington Thompson will lead the discussion.

According to organizer Doug Gibson (via press release): “We hear a lot about what makes a city good for business, or for development, or what puts a place on the various ‘best places in the U.S.’ lists, but you don’t hear as much about what makes a city good for the people living in it — what makes it good for the environment, or good for workers.”

Panelists are also being asked to discuss how the current City Council has done in terms of progressive policy and what they’d like to see Council do in the next two years. (Two of the three panelists — Lite and Freeborn — have filed for the upcoming City Council election.)

Democracy for America is a national organization that promotes socially progressive candidates at all levels of government. The DFA Asheville meeting takes place at 7 p.m. at the North Asheville Library (1030 Merrimon Ave.). Seating is limited, so the public is asked to RSVP at the group’s Web site.

— Nelda Holder, news and opinion editor

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3 thoughts on “Just how progressive should Asheville be?

  1. Tonya

    Lord help us! How about we figure out a way to get some of these weird “progressive” fruitcakes gone!

  2. mandoman

    It should be as progressive as the constituency mandates. Does the Lord help those that practice intolerance?

  3. AvlRoamer

    These “progressives” are just marxists who meet to discuss how sad they are that the citizens don’t want their commie proposals. It is funny they think they are qualified to tell the city where it should be going and to identify the challenges. Their biggest challenge is the vast majority of people who don’t believe in their ways. They should move to France where the majority would agree with them. And if disagreeing with these commies is practicing intolerance, then please, even if hypocritically, call me intolerant. (Commies are pretty intolerant.)

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