This Thursday, the Don and Rick show will visit Asheville’s Renaissance Hotel to talk about criminal investigations associated with former Governor Mike Easley. The program will start at 6:30. As far as I’m concerned, most of what government does is criminal, anyway. As Asheville city councilman for one more week Dr. Carl Mumpower observed, criminals use the force of a gun to confiscate property, elected officials just use their powers of legislation.

At the public hearing last week, the Buncombe County Commissioners heard 22 people request that they not abridge their property rights with a zoning ordinance. (That was after a referendum on countywide zoning failed.) Four people spoke in favor of zoning to protect viewsheds and prevent housing from sliding down hillsides. The mainstream media gave the opposing viewpoints equal time. As Mountain Xpress reporter Jeff Fobes pointed out, the commissioners made no comment, but voted for zoning. The commissioners will seal the deal with a second vote Tuesday.

Following are some tips on how you can give government more of your rights this holiday season.

Since citizens have been educated out of knowing what the law is supposed to protect, an effective mechanism to transfer power to government is democracy. For example, Thursday, December 10, at 6:30 at Asheville’s Public Works Building, public input will be solicited on how to spend federal CDBG and HOME funds. In the past, persons have requested affordable (subsidized) homes with at least three bedrooms, big kitchens, and ADA compliance in case a handicapped aunt comes to visit.

Another way to snooker the people out of their property rights is to appoint them to ambassadorships. Subcommittees formed to get the community excited about implementing the Downtown Master Plan will be meeting this week:

  • Transportation & Parking – Wednesday at 9:00 am in the small conference room on the fifth floor of city hall.
  • Urban Design – Wednesday at 11:00 am in the large conference room on the fifth floor of city hall.
  • Historic Preservation – Thursday at 8:30 am in the small conference room on the fifth floor of city hall.
  • Arts & Culture – Friday in Room 209 of city hall.