One way to get profligate progressives under control is to seize their assets. That appears to be what Representative Tim Moffitt (R-Buncombe) is doing to Asheville. If government were to exert such targeted influence against private citizens, it would be intolerable. When government throws its power around this way to take power away from government, one gets a perverse urge to snicker under one’s breath. As much as one would like to see a quick end to government overextension, special laws for special entities is a stinky process bordering on abuse of power.
Added to Moffits string of legislation bent on undermining the City of Asheville is a new bill, introduced yesterday, that would seize the city’s water system and place it in the hands of the Metropolitan Sewerage District. Progressive leadership in both Buncombe County and the City of Asheville have come down hard on Moffitt for leaving them out of the loop on legislation he has been introducing that would harm their interests. The latest cleverly leaves mention of the word “Asheville” out of the text. Is it to outsmart search strategies?
Other bills sponsored by Moffitt would place the Asheville Regional Airport under regional authority and presumably not compensate the city for lands seized. Moffitt has also attempted to legislate a moratorium on annexation and the de-annexation of Biltmore Lake. He is also blamed for pending legislation that would require Buncombe County commissioners to be elected by as yet undrawn districts.
