Here is another story on Asheville City Council’s retreat. Below are just two illustrations of how the vision redistributes income from the working poor. The first proposes taking tax dollars from ditch diggers and toilet cleaners to help entrepreneurs get ahead:
Smith announced a new initiative, Buncombe Community Capital, which would leverage a portion of the city’s investment portfolio to invest in local small businesses through community development financial institutions including Self-Help Credit Union, Mountain BizWorks and The Support Center. Other Council members seemed to support the idea.
The next one shows the city is living beyond its means. That is what “partnership” means. By getting public utilities and the hospital to partner for strategic goals, we force rate hikes.
Council discussed the importance of engaging with a wide range of partners, from utility provider Duke Energy to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, from Buncombe County to the North Carolina General Assembly and from Mission Health to the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority. Not overlooked were the importance of partnerships with private companies, community groups, nonprofits and individuals.
