Letter: Williams takes action on living wage, affordable housing

Graphic by Lori Deaton

My name is Kate Tinnan, and I support Dee Williams for Asheville City Council. I have been out canvassing for 11 weeks since July. Across economic, social and racial lines, I hear the same refrain. Locals from all strata feel their city is being taken away from them, feel pushed to the margins.

One incumbent wants to keep it that way and just bus locals in for work and maybe an enjoyable outing from time to time. He’s given up on Asheville being a livable city, succumbing to the developers.

Take a look at the candidates and see who is already acting on their platforms. Dee is at the top of the list. She isn’t just supportive of a living wage; she has paid it and negotiated it for Mission Health’s employees. She isn’t just supportive of permanently affordable housing — she’s making it happen right now in Southside.

She is a born leader, and her whole life has been a preparation for this opportunity to represent all of the citizens of Asheville. It’s crucial we make this city livable for all of us. Don’t waste this moment.

You get three votes; make one of them for Dee Williams. Dee4avl.com

— Kate Tinnan
Weaverville

Editor’s note: Tinnan reports that she is a volunteer with Williams’ campaign.

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8 thoughts on “Letter: Williams takes action on living wage, affordable housing

  1. Angie

    I so want to see this woman win…she is incredibly smart and savvy and she speaks eloquently for those in Asheville who cannot speak for themselves, or are not heard when they do. I’m with HER. dee4avl.com
    Angie Song

    • NFB

      Just curious. Are you aware of the many, many political personas and incarnations Ms. Williams has been on her many runs for public office? How does one go from Carl Mumpower to Green party in just two years?

      • Angie

        I would imagine having to sit through a few meetings with the blowhard would make anyone change parties.

        • NFB

          Well, yeah. But I think you missed my overal point. Ms. Williams has changed parties many times. She’s run as a Democrat, as a Republican, as an independent. She ran as a part of Chris Peterson’s team in his attempt to create a political machine beholden to developers. She changes her political philosophy every time she runs for office so it is hard to view her latest incarnation as being genuine. And none of this goes into her past with the Opportunity Corporation or Eastview Condos.

          • Angie

            I get where you’re coming from but I support her and who she is TODAY. That’s what’s important to me. We all have a past and sometimes it’s not the best but people and circumstances can change. I believe in her. Besides, your criticism is so fervent that I can’t help wondering if you have some sort of personal history with her. That shouldn’t play a part in electing qualified officials. IMHO.

  2. John Penley

    I support her but so far I have not seen any candidate specifically mention that they will do something to honor the City’s pledge to end Veteran’s Homelessness. How about doing it ?

  3. cecil bothwell

    Williams’ current rhetoric is certainly … a dee-parture from her years allied with conservative Republicans.
    Seems like she found a new voice when the Greens were scrambling to recruit a candidate. (They asked me first and I told them running a party candidate in a non partisan race was a stupid move, doing nothing for the party in any fashion, and possibly simply attaching their label to a loss.) But right-wing Williams got Green all of a sudden.
    Sadly, young voters and those new to the community who don’t know her history, are being swayed by the emperess’ new clothes.
    Gotta do your background research folks. A candidate supported as recently as 2015 by angry right-winger Chris Peterson (who paid half her campaign bills in that election) is not liberal, or progressive or Green.

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