"My passion for food plays a huge part in my life. To look at people, see the contentment in their eyes and their bellies — I want that. And this is the only way that I can give it right now. I'm not looking for wealth, I'm looking for sustainability and supporting my community and farmers. It's about the foodtopia of Asheville." Suzy Phillips
"Food trucks are probably coming. The ADA's official stance is to make sure that they will happen in a way that will be beneficial to downtown. Whatever the result, there will be winners and losers in this." Joe Minicozzi, ADA executive director
"I think it's inevitable that we're going to have affordable street food downtown, but we've got some steps we have to go through first … but I understand that [food vendors are] impatient. I think that their impatience is driving the process to some degree. I would tell them to keep it up." Gordon Smith, City Council
“Certainly a careful and thorough process is required. But food-truck vending is a fairly seasonal venture and time is of the essence … it's a costly delay for poor entrepreneurs who are struggling to make a living in a jobless city during an economic downturn.” Tim Peck, Asheville local and outspoken libertarian
“I’m on the fence. There’s a need for these food trucks at places outside of downtown, like at the Wedge. I’m still undecided about the historic district. That’s not because I’m downtown. There’s pizza places all over the place; I’m used to competition.” Jimi Rentz, DTC mobile food vending subcommittee and owner, Barley’s Tavern
“What I think AIR and the commission wants is for us to reach a just conclusion and a just resolution to this, not simply something where one person’s injustice is absolved. When you start championing causes instead of resolving issues honestly, people get hurt.” Dwight Butner, DTC, owner Vincenzo’s Ristorante & Bistro
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