For the last ten years or so, I have suffered a chronic condition that causes me to think the world gets worse with each successive Asheville City Council meeting. Here’s what made my jaw drop this week:

Domestic Partner Registry
The LGBTQ community wants gay marriage. Since that is too radical for political traction, they are systematically constructing a clone thereof. Each step along the way is designed to vilify anybody who opposes the measure. Who doesn’t want people to be treated equally? The large amount of time city council is spending looking at gay rights implies that LGBTQ people are more equal than the rest.

It has been suggested that domestic partner benefits would help persons with AIDS partner up with city employees to help pay the sky-scraping costs of keeping them alive. Some say that is bologna. Either way, wouldn’t it make more sense for the county, since they and not the city oversee government health assistance, to provide more AIDS assistance? Councilmen Cecil Bothwell and Bill Russell have suggested, since most adults work anyway, maybe it would be more equitable to provide family assistance for dependents rather than partners.

I may be incorrect, but I still think prosperity is a function of hard work and talent. Others, however, argue the LGBTQ lifestyles are directly linked to economic success. If Asheville leadership makes gay-friendly gestures, then gays will come to Asheville and generate wealth. This implies it is the role of government to decide what kind of people it wants to live and do business within its jurisdiction.

This week’s goal, to create a domestic partners registry, which thankfully is voluntary, seems to work against equal treatment. The first time I heard about it, it sounded like the bedroom police camel getting its nose in the tent. Evidently, registering will require proof of gaiety. Registration fees will also generate revenue for the city, and that is the main thing for government these days. To a Martian observing Earthling behavior, it would look the same as if the city were fining people for being gay and adding them to a list like the one government compiles for sex offenders. Can’t we all just be people and find better things to do than stand around counting who is gay and who is not?

The domestic partner registry is scheduled to go live May 1.

The Solvent Cornucopia of Deficit
Saturday, Troy Kickler and Dr. Michael Sanera came to town to talk about Article 1, Section 8 and the Tenth Amendment. City council, by way of the consent agenda, is expected to approve:

  • acceptance of $1,599,500 from the FTA for two hybrid and two diesel buses.
  • acceptance of $514,139 from the FAA as reimbursement for airport terminal renovations.
  • partnering with the Asheville Art Museum in applying for a $250,000 grant from the NEA.

State Law
Council received a report on potentially-pertinent bills moving through the NCGA.

There is sheer delight in watching the state balk and shrivel at the mention of Biltmore Farms. Unfortunately, I am not aware of a single other person or group that can even bend an ear. Bills calling for a moratorium on annexation until July 1, 2012 are moving through both houses. If that doesn’t stop Asheville’s legally-contested annexation of Biltmore Lake, a special bill has been introduced to stop annexation by municipalities in Buncombe County for five years. If that fails, there is an extra-special bill to specifically override anything the courts are doing and repeal the Biltmore Lake annexation.

Other bills of interest include HB 281, which would allow persons in an ETJ to run for office and vote in city elections; SB 315, which would make it legal for candidates for public office to put dangerous snipe signs on highway rights-of-way; and HB 349, which would mitigate financial hardships of stormwater fees for persons installing green roofs.

At the request of Mayor Terry Bellamy, acting on behalf of the NC Metropolitan Mayors Coalition, council will be asked to approve a resolution opposing cuts to the budgets of state universities and community colleges. Maybe you would like to look at what’s going on at UNCA and see if you can spot any fat for cutting.