Cecil Bothwell: Still on Council, Now it's down to work!

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Working to Keep Asheville Real!

Still on Council

Despite all the brouhaha kicked up in December, and contrary to what you might have read in some news outlets, I was sworn in as a City Council member on December 8, and have not been exiled as of this writing.

I'm the first to admit that being internationally famous for 15 minutes was a lot of fun. As an author with seven books in print it is hard to argue with that kind of attention. Book sales shot up (more sold in December than in the past two years, combined.) I've picked up speaking engagements around the country, too. All unlooked for, and none of my doing.

The more important matter raised by those who challenged my qualifications for office under the NC Constitution (as a post-theist), involves the separation of church and state and the question of applying a religious test for public office. Thousands of people discussed the matter around the world as a result. I saw articles in at least eight other languages (German, Dutch, Portuguese, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Vietnamese, French). I received e-mails from every continent except Antarctica. It was really astonishing. And virtually without exception the idea of religious freedom was supported and the interference of religion in matters of government decried.

Now it's down to work.

In a couple of hours the Asheville City Council will start its annual retreat—a two day talkathon in which we each lay out our goals for the coming year and try to figure out what can be accomplished within the budget and time available. I'll keep you posted.

Below I've included the memo I sent to the other Council members in preparation for the retreat. You'll see it includes most of the items I discussed during last year's campaign.

Please contact me with any ideas or concerns you have about our city. I aim to represent you as effectively as possible, and that requires participation on both our parts.

Happy New Year to all.
-Cecil
Here's a link to my blog

http://cecilbothwell.com/