VP candidate Sarah Palin visited the Asheville Civic Center last week. Following her visit, members of city council received emails about what has been described as a brouhaha. Police Chief Bill Hogan, apparently at the suggestion of Dr. Carl Mumpower, addressed council before the public to set the matter straight. Hogan, who said of his decision to purchase segways for cops downtown, “Keep Asheville weird!” remarked that outsiders were not used to the city. Asheville is a diverse community, and people are “jaded” to others being upfront and vocal about their differences of opinion. No punches flew, but Hogan said some people come from towns where their opinions aren’t challenged. Councilwoman Robin Cape remarked that some got freaked out to see officers cutting up with a local homeless street preacher who goes about in dreadlocks and a crimson robe. The event was also held concurrently with and on the route of the Zombie Walk. (Web sites with photos are too gory for me to want to link to them.) This short article is very well written.