Gwen Wisler (I) gwenwisler.com Occupation: Owner, Asheville Profits LLC Previous candidacy: Elected to City Council 2013, elected vice mayor in 2015 Affiliations: Democratic Party, Botanical Gardens at Asheville, Sierra Club, Working Wheels, Asheville on Bikes, Blue Ridge Bike Club Short-answer questions Why are you running for City Council? I will work for a safe, vibrant, […]
Dee Williams dee4avl.com Occupation: President, Dee Williams and Co. Inc. Previous candidacy: Several unsuccessful bids for City Council, including in 2015, and one for Buncombe County Board of Commissioners Affiliations: Independent, Green Party Short-answer questions Why are you running for City Council? I have been successful in providing actionable strategies and measurable change in the […]
Adrian Vassallo adrian4avl.com Occupation: Business development executive and CPA with Dixon Hughes Goodman LLP Previous candidacy: Did not answer Affiliations: • Asheville Downtown Association (10 years, board member, treasurer and president) • Asheville Downtown Association Foundation (board chair) • Downtown Commission (4 years, chair) • HUB Alliance (2 years, member) • LEAF Community Arts (2 […]
Sheneika Smith sheneikaforasheville.com Occupation: Program instructor/community engagement coordinator (Green Opportunities) Previous candidacy: None Affiliations: Democrat Short-answer questions Why are you running for City Council? I’m an Asheville native who is concerned that our city’s growth and development will continue to disproportionately advantage outsiders while extracting vital resources from local businesses and families. I am a […]
Kim Roney kimroneyforasheville.com Occupation: Piano teacher, bartender at The Mothlight Previous candidacy: None Affiliations: 103.3 Asheville FM, City of Asheville’s Multimodal Transportation Commission, City of Asheville’s Transit Committee, Asheville Skateboard Foundation, Asheville on Bikes Short-answer questions Why are you running for City Council? Asheville is at a critical turning point, with many people struggling to […]
Rich Lee richworksfor.me Occupation: Financial adviser Previous candidacy: 2015 City Council (first runner-up) Affiliations: Democrat Short-answer questions Why are you running for City Council? From traffic and infrastructure to job growth and housing, the city is looking for proactive, pragmatic leadership. We want a visionary Council, yes, but one that knows how to work ideas […]
Jan (Howard) Kubiniec Did not provide website. Occupation: Retired schoolteacher/homemaker Previous candidacy: Previously a candidate in 2003 and 2005 for City Council Affiliations: None listed Short-answer questions Why are you running for City Council? Our city is at a huge turning point with our rapid, massive growth. I’m running for Council because I feel like […]
Vijay Kapoor kapoorforcouncil.org Occupation: Municipal budget consultant (small-business owner) Previous candidacy: None Affiliations: Graduate of University of Chicago and University of Pennsylvania Law School; board member of UNC Asheville Foundation; Democratic Party; South Asheville Resident & Business Community Organization Short-answer questions Why are you running for City Council? I’m running to ensure that all Asheville […]
Jeremy Goldstein goldstein2017.com Occupation: Local business owner, commercial real estate brokerage company Previous candidacy: None Affiliations: Unaffiliated Short-answer questions Why are you running for City Council? To preserve and protect our quality of life during this period of intense growth. What relevant experience makes you a good candidate for City Council? Local, small downtown business […]
Andrew Fletcher fletcherforcouncil.com Occupation: Musician Previous candidacy: None Affiliations: Registered unaffiliated/independent Short-answer questions Why are you running for City Council? City Council shouldn’t be just for the wealthy, business-owning traditional political class. Someone who works paycheck-to-paycheck, a renter, who understands struggling economically in this city — that describes the underrepresented side of Asheville. Our politicians […]
Cecil Bothwell (I) cecilbothwell.com Occupation: Publisher/artist/musician Previous candidacy: Incumbent, elected 2009, re-elected 2013 Affiliations: Member of the board of the People’s Park Foundation, Biblioworks.org, Projecto de las Escuelas Guatemaltecas, PARC. Treasurer PARC PAC. Member Democratic Party, Democracy for America, ACLU. Short-answer questions Why are you running for City Council? My track record on Council is […]
Pratik Bhakta pratik4citycouncil.com Occupation: Hotelier Previous candidacy: None Affiliations: Did not provide Short-answer questions Why are you running for City Council? I am running to make a difference. I am passionate about Asheville and want to see our city thrive. However, we need better fiscal responsibility in our budgeting process and we need better accountability […]
You don’t have to be a dam expert to realize that the new Bee Tree Reservoir holds a whole lot of water (more than 520 million gallons, actually). Dormant for nearly 10 years before its April 25, 2008, reopening, Bee Tree was the city’s primary drinking-water source for more than a quarter-century. After that it […]
