The proposed legislative redistricting plan for the state of North Carolina would split Buncombe County into two parts: the eastern segment (including the city of Asheville) would join the 10th District while the western part of the county would remain in the 11th District with the other mountain counties. Splitting the Buncombe County electorate would do a disservice to the people of Asheville and to all the residents of Western North Carolina.
Asheville is largely considered the heart of Western North Carolina and, as such, it is intrinsically tied to the mountain region. It is simply illogical to put our city in a Piedmont district. We have different concerns and needs than our neighbors to the east in lower-lying areas, such as steep-slope development and a tourism-focused economy. If Asheville is put in a primarily Piedmont district, then our future representatives in the U.S. House will most likely campaign on and stand for primarily Piedmont issues.
Likewise, if the 11th District (the WNC district) does not include Asheville, then the U.S. Representative for that district, with constituents in the WNC mountains (and only half of Buncombe County) will not represent the city of Asheville. Asheville will have essentially no representation. As the “gateway” to the mountains, Asheville is economically tied to the region as a whole and deserves representation with the other mountain counties.
In summary, to ensure any true representation for Asheville in the U.S. House of Representatives, we must not split Buncombe County. Please keep Asheville, and all of Buncombe County, where it belongs: in the mountains of Western North Carolina. Go to http://www.ncga.state.nc.us and submit your public comment to tell our legislators to keep Buncombe County together.
— Michelle Day
Asheville
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