Asheville City Council has a tradition of holding gripefests on fifth Tuesdays. The meetings represent an attempt to avail members of city council to the public for input. This is a great thing for representative government to do.
The last meeting was held in south Asheville. Citizens complained that they didn’t have enough sidewalks, Sweeten Creek Road needed widening, and Springside Drive needed repairs.
Members of council and staff replied that the city did not have the funds for sidewalks. It was suggested that the city take out a loan of from $50 to $100 million to construct them. Some citizens may object to the buy now, pay later with interest approach to using their tax dollars for basic city services, but the city has so many other needs to fill.
As for Sweeten Creek, it is maintained by the state. The city has lobbied for the DOT to put its widening higher on its priority list. The city’s DPW will “look at” the potholes and likely make the needed repairs.
Represenatitves of the city used the opportunity to explain how the city was stretched for cash. It had nothing to do with excess government spending, but rather inequitable tax laws applied to a regional hub. Members of city council urged those in the audience to petition their legislators for assistance by changing the way Asheville collects sales tax redistributions and allowing it to use proceeds from a hotel tax for general-fund purposes.
To be explicit, the moral of the story is once again: Taxpayers are being too greedy. The city must first fund green fads, studies, master plans, and design review processes. The easiest way for government to get more money for essential services is to soak the tourists, because they don’t vote in Asheville elections.
