Chris Pelly is an innovator, and that’s what Asheville needs

Transformational leadership indicates an actual capability to transform “wicked problems.” I have mostly lived in east Asheville since 1980 and the recent infrastructure improvements, for which Chris Pelly can take a lot of credit, are generating a huge positive effect. Using our public-resource pool in positive, ethical and innovative ways creates possibilities for good that are truly endless.

Adding value means you make investments that bring back value over and over again, way beyond the first cost. Government at all levels desperately needs innovators like Pelly.

East Asheville has demonstrably improved due to Pelly’s efforts. There are politically aware and capable people in east Asheville, but no one was taking the lead on simple but transformational issues like sidewalks and bus shelters.

Leadership is about seeing the empty space between the actions of conventional politicians, the unmet needs of the people, and innovating a valuable creation in the place of existing gaps.

Well done, Chris Pelly and Asheville citizens! When we do things in ways that meet the actual needs of all demographics using innovation we are not only fiscally conservative, but also positive, ethical innovators. Downtown is no less important than the other Asheville community subsets and demographics.

— Grant Millin
Asheville

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