Thoughts on turtles, crows and helping Asheville get another Progressive.

[brainshrub]

Asheville City Council should respect the will of the voters and appoint Bryan Freeborn.

Here is an amusing story that provides a good lesson for people who value democracy and Progressive values:

Mr. Turtle was walking down the road when he spotted a crow at the tip top of a very tall tree. He shouted, "Good Morning, Mr. Crow!"

Mr. Crow shouted back down, "Good Morning Mr. Turtle!"

Mr. Turtle shouted up, "Whatcha doin' today?" and the answer shouted back down was, "Absolutely nothin' Mr. Turtle - Absolutely Nothin' and loving it."

Well, that sounded pretty good to Mr. Turtle, so he shouted back up, "Do you think I could do that too?"

Mr. Crow shouted back down, "I don't see why not!"

So, Mr. Turtle lay down on the side of the road and began Doing Absolutely Nothing.

In 30 minutes a fox came along and ate him.

The moral of the story is: You can get away with Doing Absolutely Nothing, but only if you are really high up.

I am relating the above anecdote as a cautionary tale to Progressives around the country who are still glowing from their recent victories in this past month's elections. It showed great strength and potential, but we are not high up by a long shot.

In fact, there is still work to do from the November 8th election!

For example, in Asheville, NC progressive candidates are now the majority on the City Council. As icing on the cake, Terri Bellamy, with an unusually high turnout for an off-year election, won the race for Mayor. Her promotion leaves a vacant seat on the City Council, and now the new council members must appoint someone to fill it. (There are seven seats, one of those is filled by the Mayor.)

During the 2005 race, there were three available council slots that were won by Holly Jones, Robin Cape and Carl Mumpower.

The logical candidate for the seat made vacant by Bellamy's promotion would be Bryan Freeborn, who came in a strong 4th place and was endorsed by the DFA.

Bryan Freeborn earned his votes the old-fashioned way: By knocking on doors and putting forth a strong platform based on issues the citizens cared about; Such as public transportation, verifiable paper ballots and solid planning practices to improve the quality of life for all Ashevillians.

However, just when you'd think it's okay to Do Absolutely Nothing, there is talk among the sitting council-members that Bryan may not get appointed! Certain members of the council, whom have previously publicly stated that they have progressive values, are now claiming that there is a possibility that they will not vote for Bryan Freeborn!

If you value the will of the voters, please take the time to write to the Asheville City Council and politely insist that they honor the voters wishes by appointing Bryan Freeborn to City Council.

Here's the information:

Incoming Mayor Terry Bellamy: [e-mail]
Councilwoman-Elect Robin Cape : [e-mail]
Councilman Jan Davis: [e-mail]
Councilwoman Holly Jones: [e-mail]
Councilman Carl Mumpower: [e-mail]
Councilman Brownie Newman: [e-mail]

www.brainshrub.com/appoint-freeborn

[wishlist]

1. Terry Bellamy stated she supports Bryan Freeborn (Cit Times interview)

In her recent interview in the Asheville Citizen-Times, she stated her definite support for appointing Bryan.

[brainshrub]

2. Yes, so is Robin Cape.

Mumpower may vote for Dunn because Dunn's mayoral race got more votes than Freeborn when he ran for City Council.

Well duh! That's because Freeborn wasn't running for mayor!!!

I will understand if Mumpower votes for Dunn. They are both republicans, and conservatives don't but much faith in democracy when the icky poor-people vote for someone they don't like.

However, both Jones and Brownie are self-described "progressives." They have no excuse not to support the will of the people.