By Screwy Hoolie
Nathan Ramsey, Chair of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, recently broke the rules of order to allow a Progress Energy representative unlimited time to speak. Ramsey's petulant disrespect for those who signed up hours earlier to have three minutes of floor time is stunning in its arrogance.
Bill Stanley, County Commissioner, sat in back-room negotiations with Progress Energy for two years without approaching the hundreds of alternative energy entrepreneurs and researchers in this area to ask for healthy energy solutions.
Carol Peterson, County Commissioner and wife of Congressman Heath Shuler's District Director Bruce Peterson, also sat in on the secret meetings. She also chose not to consult with area experts on alternative energies. Mrs. Peterson prefers polluting our air to talking to progressives. She lined up with the Commission's Republicans and will need to change her position or receive a very public rebuke.
David Young, County Commissioner and rumored candidate for Liddy Dole's Senate seat, was not, so far as Hooligans know, involved in the back room dealing with Progress Energy. Despite this, he voted with Ramsey, Stanley, and Peterson. His unwillingness to ask questions about this subversion of the democratic process puts him in the role of yes-man and/or limp noodle.
David Gantt, County Commissioner and rumored candidate for Chair, also voted for the deal despite, to our knowledge, being shut out of the secret backroom negotiations. He has not demonstrated any sort of leadership on this matter. That being said, he may be the commissioner most willing to recognize his error and move to rescind or postpone granting the lease to Progress Energy.Please write to the commissioner(s) of your choice today and/or send a letter to the editors of our fine mountain publications.
Nathan Ramsey, Chairman
(828) 768-3216 nathan.ramsey@buncombecounty.org
David Gantt
(828) 252-2852 commissioner@davidgantt.com
Bill Stanley
(828) 250-4007 bill.stanley@buncombecounty.org
Carol Peterson
(828) 250-4005 carol.peterson@buncombecounty.org
David Young
(828) 274-2555 davidy@fugazync.com
Asheville Citizen-Times
letters@citizen-times.com
Mountain Express
letters@mountainx.com
Asheville Daily Planet
news@ashevilledailyplanet.com
Asheville Tribune
tribuneeditor@bellsouth.net
Thanks for getting involved! And a special thank you to Scrutiny Hooligans for the addresses.
3 comments:
I got my list from Mountain Voices Alliance's page, but I did write the post.
Has the AC-T covered this story yet, or is this still a blogosphere / activist story.
I haven't seen it featured on the frontpage
Paul,
The AC-T considers it an "environmental" story despite its obvious health and economy aspects. They just hired a new enviromental reporter... from New Jersey... who's never lived here before...
Don't hold your breath. The AC-T is way behind the curve on this one.
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