Somethin’ stinks
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Of course, SB 285 is not really about “representation”. Nothing in Edwards’ mindlessly partisan, gerrymandering, voter suppressing, democracy hating history suggest that he gives a hoot about the principle of fair representation. Rather, this is a sleazy and shameful attempt to use the Leg. to exclusively benefit the GOP. This is why his bill isn’t statewide and doesn’t even include my Hendersonville, which he also represents.
Don’t get me wrong, I like district representation and hope that the people of Asheville and Hendersonville eventually adopt it. With it, candidates do lots more door knocking and neighborhood meetings while relying less on slates, branding, fundraising and mass advertising. Then, the elected pols do a better job of representing the particular needs of their neighbor-constituents, rather than the city-wide power structure.
So, the Leg. should kill Edwards’ transparent plot unless it’s put to a vote of the people of Asheville OR it’s imposed upon all cities in the state, thus advantaging and disadvantaging the GOP equally.