Letter writer: Smith is focused on important county issues

Graphic by Lori Deaton

I support Gordon Smith for Buncombe County commissioner because we need a champion to fight for local residents.

While our tourism industry has experienced tremendous growth over the past decade, local residents find it increasingly difficult to live and work here.

Gordon is focused on important issues such as affordable housing, living wages and increased accountability from the Tourism Development Authority.

Our hotel-occupancy tax serves a single purpose — increase the number of hotel stays. This is different from most cities in the country and leaves residents holding the bill for increased public safety and infrastructure costs.

We need local leaders who are willing to stand up to hoteliers and demand a fair deal for residents. When the TDA proposed an increase in the hotel-occupancy tax, Gordon advocated that a portion of the tax be allocated to local infrastructure needs.
Gordon has continued to apply pressure to the TDA, refusing to appoint board members who won’t push to revise the occupancy-tax structure and demanding that tourism-related businesses pay living wages to their employees.

Gordon also supports increased government transparency. Last year, I proposed an open data policy to make it easier for citizens to access the information that drives our public decisions; Gordon was instrumental in seeing that resolution adopted by the city.

The continued growth of Asheville and Buncombe County will present challenges; I encourage you to join me in supporting Gordon’s efforts to preserve a community where residents have the opportunity to thrive.

— Patrick Conant
Asheville

Editor’s note: Conant reports that his business (PRC Applications) was contracted to create Smith’s campaign website (www.gordonforbuncombe.org).

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40 thoughts on “Letter writer: Smith is focused on important county issues

          • mynameis

            It is, when you so obviously project your own life situation on to others. Self-awareness will set you free, Tim.

          • “Self-awareness will set you free, Tim.”

            Again, a comment about me, of course, and nothing in defense of Smith (how could you?).

            How terribly invalid of you. Does this ever get you anywhere?

          • mynameis

            “How terribly invalid of you”.

            How much are you getting paid to say that, Tim?

          • “How much are you getting paid to say that, Tim?”

            Still nothing on topic. It really is about me in your world. What a surprise. I kind of like it that you can’t carry on an intelligent discussion. I think you could do this all day.

          • mynameis

            It’s absolutely on topic, Tim, and it’s shocking that you don’t get that simple point. You accused Gordon of “getting people to create a phony public image”, when that’s in fact exactly what you do.

            But continue your little insult tirade. It’s charming. And completely “on topic”.

          • “A comedy act is only as good as its stooge.”

            Odd, isn’t it? You have nothing. Still. Do you see a pattern now? Nothing.

            Anything on the topic?

          • Peter Robbins

            Guess I shouldn’t have gone with such a high-cultural reference.

          • bsummers

            I believe he’s invoking a classic Cheech and Chong routine as an example of what it’s like to try to talk to someone who is unwilling or unable to maintain a coherent conversation.

          • “Guess I shouldn’t have gone with such a high-cultural reference”

            Again, not even close to on the topic. You should take your act on the road. It certainly isn’t working here.

          • “Gordon is focused on important issues ”

            It’s tough getting honest people to create a phony public image for you. Why not just pay somebody to do it?

          • “Say goodnight, Timmy.”

            Personal insults, ‘ad hominem’, movie quotes, off-topic rambling nonsense.

            Why quit when you’re ahead?

          • Peter Robbins

            Be that way. Beduhbebeduhbebeduhbe, that’s all, folks.

          • Peter Robbins

            Look, I’m still willing to help him work on his comedy stylings, but I don’t think he understands — Larry wasn’t the funny one.

          • “I’m still willing to help him work on his comedy stylings”

            It’s Gordon Smith that needs your help. Not me, dear boy.

          • Peter Robbins

            Well, he’s going to have to ask me himself. I don’t communicate through flunkies.

          • “Well, he’s going to have to ask me himself. I don’t communicate through flunkies.”

            Oh. Ha ha. Yes, oh sage of the comment board. Another insult. My, my. You ARE a clever debater. A master. You should have stuck with your earlier intention.

            “Beduhbebeduhbebeduhbe, that’s all, folks”

            You certainly can’t help Gordon Smith now. Why you can hardly help yourself. You’re not doing either any good.

          • bsummers

            You’re not doing either any good.

            Like the “good” you did for Tim Moffitt?

            To invoke another classic comedy routine: “You keep using that word. I do not think that word means what you think it means.”

  1. Lulz

    LOL, Smith is focused on being a pompous clown that hides when people ask questions lulz.

    • Yep

      exactly! lieberal progressives RUN from natural questions from voters … just watch how they avoid questions, like on their
      websites for example … uh huh.

  2. bsummers

    I do think it’s unfortunate when people submit letters like this, or commentaries in general, without disclosing that they are in the employ of political candidates.

    Hey, look! It’s all about Tim Peck again. Dammit!

    • Lulz

      LOL, yet it’s up the Xpress to also do due dilligence lulz. Too bad that they don’t hold certain people to the same standard they do others lulz. Simply because Smith and his McKibbon announcement and subsequent ignoring of questions shows everyone just how much of an elitist hipster snob he really is lulz.

  3. Jeff Fobes

    Much of this comment thread would fit better in an online forum rather than as comments in response to a letter to the editor. Please direct your comments to the topic of the letter.

    • Yep

      so WHY did you shut down your brisk ONLINE FORUM some years ago ??? duh.

      people are SICK of gordon smith and city council all together!

  4. tsalagi sister

    Ya know, as an observer of the political egos on the left and the right, my only question is. Why can’t both sides learn to build bridges and not walls.Hate is NOT just the tool of the

    right.I have met progressives who are eugenics advocates just as the T
    reputed are derogatory to the poor.So sick of human lives being made a political football but self. Absorbed people.yes stonewalling behavior exists.On both sides.patroning progressives engender my wrath as much as the far right. No balancer no deep critical thinking nor voices of the oppressed are ever heard.Grow up..you all are so lucky to be able to be out there working for change.The disabled envy you.truth is the political machine here grinds lives down to a nub while stealing millions of dollars.Not to mention violating civil rights.I am so disgusted, I may not even vote.Sad state of discourse when civility and RESPECT are denigrated

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