Democracy for America held a rally for Asheville’s progressive candidates for city council. DFA is a national PAC headed by Jim Dean, Howard Dean’s brother. Last year, all candidates endorsed by the PAC were seated in office. One, Bryan Freeborn, was appointed.

The event was called Up Late with the Candidates because it was scheduled to run until 11:00pm. Any candidate for Asheville City Council who thinks 11:00pm is late is running for the wrong office.

For those of you who don’t know what a progressive is, one of the candidates is running on a slogan of “community, responsibility, opportunity.”

Another’s platform includes:
1) strong land use regulations and enforcement
2) comprehensive land use planning
3) preservation of farmland, forests, and open space inside and outside of city limits
4) strong steep slope ordinances
5) protection and expansion of green space and public parks
6) inclusionary zoning for all new developments
7) a city-funded land trust keeping housing affordable in perpetuity
8) a city-wide retail size cap to curb big box development
9) expansion of the current living wage ordinance
10) a prohibition on chain stores downtown
11) city sponsorship of a downtown farmers and artisans market
12) a hotel tax
13) requiring green building practices and energy efficiency for new construction
14) stronger oversight and enforcement of existing ordinances
15) improved public transportation.

The third candidate states, “As gas prices continue to rise and our city’s population becomes more active we have an obligation (Warning: This link is rated PG.) to invest in multi-modal transportation options. . . . By eliminating the cost of owning and operating a vehicle we are providing a greater potential for individuals in our community to reinvest in our local economy through buying or improving their housing, starting a small business, or increase their ability for consumer economic exchange.”