Some people like to poke fun of little big towns for trying to incorporate. Currently, Leicester and Swannanoa are in the process of converting a lot of farmland into a town. The measures are viewed as defensive against potential annexation by Asheville.
Not long ago, Mills River incorporated vast acreage of low population density. One objection that wouldn’t have entered many people’s minds would have been that the population might be so sparse, it would be hard to dredge up folks willing to run for office.
Now, Councilman Ed Glenn has stepped down for “health reasons.†Two members of council voted to appoint Jeff Young in his stead, and the other two remaining voted for Rick Livingston. Young is a member of the planning board and the son-in-law of Councilman Wayne Carland. Livingston is the fire chief, who wants to continue in that capacity in spite of concerns he may be spreading himself too thin or needing to recuse himself from too many votes. Mills River is now asking additional members of the public to apply for office.
By way of contrast, Asheville City Councilors Holly Jones and Dr. Carl Mumpower are both seeking higher office mid-term. Though it is not policy, council traditionally appoints the fourth-highest vote getter from the last council election to fill a vacancy. That would give former appointee Bryan Freeborn two seats and make meetings so predictable the press could stay home and do something useful Tuesday nights.
