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From YouTube: ACCPressConference
Description
Asheville City Council Press Conference about HB 488.
A
Good
morning,
everyone,
thank
you
all
so
very
much
for
coming
out
good
morning
good
morning
good
morning.
Thank
you
all
so
very
much
for
coming
out
and
instead
of
having
people
sit
down
on
my
ass
literally,
if
my
council,
former
mayors,
former
council
members,
were
coming,
state
legislators
would
come
stand
with
me
as
we
start
this
out.
A
A
Good
morning,
everyone
is
a
pleasure
to
bring
you
all
to
city
council
this
morning
under
unfortunate
circumstances.
It's
great
to
see
so
many
leaders
here
who
have
influenced
the
direction
of
our
community
is
because
of
the
leadership
that
you
have
behind
me
that
the
city
of
vegetable
has
seen
an
unprecedented
growth
and
we've
been
able
to
weather
the
recession
and
many
storms.
A
Our
city
has
faced
I'm,
really
proud
that
over
the
years
that
are
represented
here
behind
me,
we
can
say
the
ash
was
a
beautiful
place
not
only
to
live
it
to
work,
but
also
to
visit
it's
because
of
the
collective
policies
that
were
approved
by
individuals
who
are
standing
behind
me.
We
have
seen
ash
will
become
one
of
the
best
places
to
live
when
farmers
had
said.
We
wanted
to
bless
best
places
to
do
business,
but,
more
importantly,
we
are
one
who
have
one
of
the
lowest
unemployment
rates
in
the
state.
We've
added
more
jobs.
A
A
Because
this
group
behind
us,
we
have
unprecedented,
we
have
created
as
a
community,
we
think
about
the
vibrancy
of
Asheville
and
what
makes
us
a
unique
community.
It's
because
the
people
behind
me
during
the
time
that
they've
served
they've
worked
and
they
built
bridges,
whether
it's
through
the
linden
sky,
Regional,
Council
weather,
is
working
with
Pak
place,
whether
it's
working
with
buckle,
County
Commissioners.
A
Our
leaders
have
committed
to
working
with
individuals
to
make
this
community
better
and
when
they've
worked,
they've
not
only
thought
about
the
city
of
Oshawa
and
the
citizens
of
Asheville,
they
thought
about
the
citizens
of
buncombe
county
and
the
millions
of
citizens
citizens
from
across
this
country
and
the
globe
who
come
to
Asheville
to
visit
our
community.
So
today
is
troubling
when
we
think
about
House
bill
for
88.
It
forces
the
laws
of
the
city's
water
system,
forcing
the
transfer
of
assets
is
harmful
to
our
state.
A
What
efforts
encourage
economic
development
and
business
growth,
so
sibility
and
predictability
in
terms
of
municipal
assets
and
agreements
are
in
strictly
are
extremely
important
in
terms
of
how
Asheville,
North,
Carolina
and
North
Carolina
are
viewed
as
a
place
to
do
business
based
upon
the
pinna
of
a
state
treasurer.
Those
factors
could
impact
the
bond
ratings
in
North
Carolina,
which
may
increase
the
taxpayers
cost
to
borrow
funds
for
critical
capital
infrastructure.
A
The
uncertainties
created
by
this
mode
could
also
undermine
the
ability
of
other
cities
and
towns
to
issue
bonds,
because
they
would
have
to
be
disclosed
potential
lenders
in
the
future
impacting
desirability
in
the
bond
market.
Over
the
last
few
months,
you've
heard
this
council
and
myself
talk
about
the
issues
impacting
House
bill
for
a
88,
impacting
our
city.
A
B
B
We
must
fight
and
we
must
win,
and
we
must
keep
this
water
system
under
the
control
of
elected
officials.
So
when
we
don't
like
what
they
do,
we
can
get
redress
of
our
grievances,
which
we
have
done
periodically
through
the
years.
So
I
commend
you
on
this
I.
Thank
you
for
doing
it.
You're
doing
this
all
service
in
this
county,
and
hopefully
some
of
the
other
local
governments
in
the
area
and
perhaps
even
the
county,
will
join
you
in
this
effort.
Thank
you.
C
C
5,000
signatures
that
I
delivered
with
a
cover
letter
to
the
governor
to
governor
McCrory,
asking
him
to
veto
this
bill
and,
as
you
know,
he
led
it.
He
will
let
it
go
into
law
without
his
signature
and
I
believe
that
the
reason
he
did,
that
is
because
he
knows
how
important
it
is
to
keep
an
accountability
going
with
water
systems
to
keep
cities
intact.
C
C
For
fighting
this
for
for
valuing
the
city
and
for
recognizing
the
real
economic
hub
that
we
are
in
Western,
North
Carolina,
because
you're
not
alone,
there
are
other
cities
across
the
state
who
could
face
the
same
issue
and
it's.
It
was
never
more
obvious
to
me
than
when
representatives
stam
from
Wake
County
put
in
his
amendment
to
protect
the
citizens
in
wake
county
from
being
harmed
by
this
bill.
So
that
tells
you
that
this
is
not
just
about
Asheville.
It's
about
cities
and
towns,
all
over
the
state,
so
I.
Thank
you.
C
A
D
Thank
You
mayor
I'd,
like
to
say
it's
a
pleasure
to
be
here:
it's
not
really
that
much
of
a
pleasure
under
the
circumstances,
but
I
am
delighted
to
join
in
with
all
the
other
folks
standing
up
here.
It's
really
hard
for
me
to
figure
out
where
to
start
so
much
has
already
been
said.
So
much
has
been
published
in
the
newspaper
and
on
the
television
and
on
the
blogs
about
how
this
will
harm
the
city
of
Asheville
and
how
it
is
not
the
right
thing
to
do.
D
I
have
to
tell
you
that
I'm,
actually
in
a
state
of
shock
I,
would
never,
in
my
mildest
in
my
wildest
dreams,
had
thought
that
the
Legislature
would
take
an
action
to
strip
Asheville
or
any
city
for
that
matter
of
such
a
significant
asset
created
well
over
a
hundred
years
ago
with
the
acquisition
of
property
in
North
Fork.
That
is
probably
worth
billions
of
dollars.
Today,
it's
unprecedented
to
me.
It
sets
a
very
bad
precedent
for
the
rest
of
the
state.
D
I
have
been
heavily
involved
with
the
water
system
during
my
tenure
on
City
Council
and
as
mayor
I
served
as
chairman
of
the
Water
Authority
for
a
period
of
time,
and
I
can
tell
you-
we've
been
good
stewards
and
we
have
done
our
very
best
to
work
with
buncombe
county
work
with
Henderson
County
when
that
was
appropriate,
and
there
has
been
so
much
in
the
way
of
misleading
statements
made
in
connection
with
this
controversy
that
I've
tried
to
set
the
stage
for
their
taking.
That
just
are
not
true,
as
I
said
a
minute
ago.
D
E
My
my
printing
machine
did
something
wacky
on
me
this
morning
and
being
the
techno
nincompoop
that
I
am
I,
didn't
know
how
to
correct
it
before
I
came
over
here.
So
I
will
read
this
with
his
few
halts
as
possible.
You
know
when
I
was
mayor
and
would
meet
or
speak
over
the
phone
with
various
company
heads
business.
E
People
who
were
thinking
about
coming
to
our
community
to
set
up
shop
the
three
prime
issues
they
were
concerned
about
for
their
companies
and
for
their
personal
families,
was
the
water,
the
schools
and
the
convenience
of
the
airport,
and
so
it
tells
you
how
important
these
issues
are
that
are
being
confiscated
and
threatened
by
some
folks
in
the
state
legislature.
You
know
recently
governor
McCrory
stated
that
in
referring
to
the
federal
government,
he
said
that
states
should
have
more
independence
and
flexibility
in
spurring
its
own
growth.
E
Well,
eighty-six
percent
of
the
people
in
Asheville
asked
for
the
same
consideration
from
the
state
and
didn't
get
it
so
I
guess,
what's
good,
for
the
goose
is
not
necessarily
good
for
the
gander.
I
will
try
not
to
repeat
anything,
that's
been
said
or
will
be
said
so
I'll
keep
my
remarks
limited
at
its
worst.
The
Moffett
McGrady
Ramsey
bill
is
discriminatory
legislation
because
it
uniquely
in
many
ways,
targets
just
Asheville
several
cities,
as
Susan
for
sure
just
mentioned:
wake
county
we're
actually
granted
exemptions
from
this
legislation
by
simply
asking
for
it.
E
House
bill
this
house
bill
offers
no
compensation
to
the
taxpaying
rate
paying
public
that
has
invested
over
many
years
in
a
water
system.
That's
the
envy
of
cities
across
this
country.
Even
eminent
domain
has
a
return
for
its
taking.
This
bowl
also
allows
for
the
privatization
of
the
authorities
administration,
in
spite
of
the
fact
that
mr.
Moffat
has
repeatedly
promised
that
privatization
was
not
on
the
agenda.
This
would
allow
an
unelected
private
administration
to
condemn
property
set
rates,
impose
taxes
and
more.
E
What
this
legislation
also
allows
is
for
Henderson
County
to
get
a
disproportionate
number
of
seats
on
the
authority
and
will
ultimately
result
in
Buncombe
County
residents,
which
includes
asheville
residents
to
subsidize
growth,
jobs,
the
economy,
water
and
sewers
for
Henderson,
County,
asheville
and
buncombe
county
have
come
a
long
way
recognized
for
its
early
visionaries.
It's
hard
working
people,
its
businesses
and
tourism,
and
its
inclusion
on
so
many
best
lists.
F
F
You
see
I
learned
the
lesson
when
I
was
mayor,
I
had
hosted
a
reception
up
at
the
grove
park
inn
and
there
were
200
people,
and
I
was
introduced
and
expected
to
make
a
a
talk,
a
speech.
Well,
let
me
tell
you:
I
got
the
most
applause.
I
have
ever
gotten
from
any
speech
that
I
took.
What
I
said
was
the
speech
this
evening
will
be.
There
is
no
speech
so
I'll
make
it
quick.
F
I'll
go
back
really
to
1997.
I
was
mayor,
then,
actually,
even
before
that
1995
I
was
mayor
between
93
and
95
or
97.
Actually,
for
two
terms,
I
was
on
the
land
of
sky
board.
With
the
chair
of
the
henderson
county
commission,
his
name
was
volley
good.
We
got
on
famously,
we
cooperated
and
created
the
mills,
river
water
submissive
station.
Okay,
everything
was
going
very
well.
F
F
Nashville
has
been
a
good
steward
since
that
time
for
the
for
the
water
system.
We
really
have
we've
put
money
into
it,
millions
and
millions
of
dollars
upgrading
this
system,
and
when
you
consider
our
system
is
over
100
years
old
in
some
places
a
hundred
years
old
mug
in
most
most
areas,
maybe
50
and
60,
and
some
it
needs
continual
continual
maintenance
and
service
because
of
the
high
water
pressures
that
we
have
well.
F
This
is
pretty
common
knowledge,
but
to
have
two
legislators,
one
from
Henderson
County
and
one
who
does
not
even
live
in
the
city
of
Asheville,
create
legislation
to
take
the
water
system
from
us.
This
is
the
city
of
Asheville's,
most
valuable
asset,
and
for
a
long
time
since
the
30s
we
have
been
adding
to
and
extending
water
in
every
area
that
needed
to
be
built
out
to
take.
This
is
really
a
disaster
for
this
city,
because
it
could
conceivably
create
a
lot
of
jobs
in
the
future.
F
F
Let
me
give
you
an
example:
if
you
have
a
farm
and
you
leased
out
part
of
your
farm
to
someone
to
share
crop,
etc,
etc,
that
person
doesn't
own
your
property.
If
I
rent
a
house
I,
don't
develop
any
ownership
in
that
house,
and
so
it
is,
the
city
of
Asheville
owns
the
water
system
for
the
benefit
of
its
citizens.
If
you
have
stock
and
Duke
Energy,
you
are
a
part
owner
because
you
paid
for
it
specifically.
F
However,
if
you
are
a
customer
of
Duke
Energy,
do
you
have
ownership?
No,
you
do
not.
So
this
is
a
taking
it's
a
taking
and
taking
are
provided
for
by
the
law
they
and
their
legal.
If
compensation
is
provided,
I
see
no
compensation
in
this
and
I
think
this
is
a
disaster
for
the
city.
I
think
that
the
Legislature
should
be
quite
aware
of
what
they
are
doing
and
what
long-term
detriments
will
occur.
Because
of
this.
Thank
you
for
listening.
F
H
G
G
A
I
Well,
first
of
all,
I
say
I,
who
really
do
feel
outnumbered
up
here.
It's
a
well
as
true
as
Republican
in
serving
up
here
in
meribel
me
and
Jan
and
charlie.
There
you
go.
It
was
a
pleasure
of
I
was
on
council
on
05,
and
we
devoted
to
take
the
water
system
back
and
I
supported
that
one
hundred
percent
I
felt
like
to
see
should
have
the
right
to
put
water
lines
and
wherever
it
wants
to,
because
that
workplaces
in
Asheville,
where
water
lines
weren't
there
so
I,
supported
that.
I
But
I'm
going
to
have
to
give
you
a
little
bit
of
the
Republican.
Come
back
on
this
I
don't
agree
with
lauded
this,
but
when
we
take
it
back,
we
were
going
to
charge
differential
water
rates,
which
I
strongly
oppose.
I
was
the
only
one
who
counseled
it
did
I
thought.
If
we
do
this,
we're
going
to
inherit
the
wind
and
I
think
we
have
to
a
certain
degree
now
I'm,
not
blaming
Asheville
for
all
this,
but
that's
one
of
the
issues
I
think
there's
some
pushback
on
the
legislature.
I
I
Another
argument
is
the
money
has
been
taken
out
of
the
water
system
for
various
city
issues,
I
think
if
we've
taken
a
low-key
approach,
some
of
this
has
been
would
have
been
avoided,
but
but
I
do
believe.
The
legislature
and
I
have
a
lot
of
friends
down
there
or
wrong
I.
Don't
know
how
you
can
say
with
a
straight
face,
especially
after
the
b-tree
reservoirs
were
built
in
the
infrastructure
to
bring
water
into
the
city.
I
I,
don't
see
how
you
can
say
that
you
can
just
take
that
away
without
reimbursing
the
city,
for
it
I
think
my
colleagues,
not
my
colleague
of
my
friends
in
raleigh,
are
wrong
about
this
and,
as
a
republic,
I'm
will
standing
up
here
and
support
the
city
of
Asheville
on
this
wall
seat.
It's
unfortunate
I
think
that
maybe
actually
it's
a
little
overstating
the
fact
that
they
should
control
all
the
water
system
out
here,
but
reimbursements.
A
big
issue
for
me
and
I
do
think.
I
The
b-tree
reservoir
in
other
places
were
built
way
before
the
soul
of
an
agreement
was
ever
put
in
place
and
personally
I'm
upset
that
my
colleagues
and
Rob,
my
colleagues,
but
some
of
my
friends
and
Rowley
reduce
the
city.
It's
going
to
hurt
all
of
us.
It's
going
to
hurt
me
it's
going
to
hurt
everybody
here,
and
so,
as
one
Republican,
almost
any
parent
say
my
party's
wrong.
Thank.
J
Would
like
to
thank
everyone
that
came
today,
I
appreciate
your
your
support.
I
appreciate
your
interest
I
appreciate
all
of
these
behind
us
that
are
working
to
solve
this
situation.
I'd
like
to
say
from
a
little
bit
of
experience
that
they've
chosen,
some
very
fine
law
firms
and
I'd
like
to
say
that
one
of
the
things
that
Lenny
said
this
is
not
a
Democrat
Republican.
J
K
Wanted
to
pass
along
that
I
had
breakfast
with
board
of
commissioners
chair
David
gant
this
morning.
He
said
he
couldn't
be
here,
but
he's
100-percent
behind
us
he's
on
board
with
Asheville
in
regard
to
this
lawsuit
and
I
want
to
say
that
I'm
only
being
slightly
hyperbolic
when
I
say
that
they'll
get
the
water
system
when
they
can
pry
my
cold
dead
hands
from
around
the
pipe.
L
Very
briefly,
mayor,
a
lot
of
foresight
was
shown
a
hundred
years
ago
when
they
are
the
leaders
of
that
day
brought
together
the
b-tree
and
North
Fork
reservoirs
and
preserve
that
today
and
and
I
appreciate
all
the
support
being
shown
here
by
past
and
present
leaders
to
continue
to
protect
that
asset
here
and
I.
Think
I
think
one
thing
that's
sort
of
seen
in
this
process
here
and
with
this
legislation
here
it's
served
to
bring
Asheville
together
in
a
way
that
few
other
issues
have
and
I
really
appreciate.
M
At
this
point
we
have
improved
that
system
greatly
since
that
dissolution,
and
in
fact
it
was
in
very
serious
disrepair
and
had
we
not
done
that
that
would
not
have
happened
in
this
period
of
time,
so
we've
developed
a
tremendous
system
still
needs
lots
of
work
and
we're
in
a
position
to
be
the
steward
of
that
work,
and
it's
the
way
it
should
be.
It's
the
way
it's
intended
to
be
and
for
us
to
lose
the
ability
to
do.
That
would
be
a
tragedy
for
this.
This
whole
area
at
whole
region.
A
I
want
to
thank
everyone
for
coming
out
today
and
again.
I
want
to
thank
all
the
current
elected
officials.
Was
former
elected
officials
for
being
here.
I
will
open
it
up
for
questions,
but
I
do
want.
I
won't
hear
any
of
the
subjects
that
have
already
been
touched
on,
but
please
know
that
we
have
made
sure
we
were
transparent
in
this
process
and
I
think
it's
fair
to
state
or
restate
that
when
it
was
put
upon
us
that
the
committee
said
that
we
are
to
work
with
MSD
to
look
at
a
possible
merger
scenario.
A
We
took
that
challenge
on
seriously.
It
wasn't
something
that
we
slide
it.
We
sent
a
lot
of
information
over.
We
received
a
lot
of
information.
We
did
a
lot
of
analysis,
we
looked
at
collaborations
and
we
were
getting
to
the
place
where
there
were
some
possibilities
for
us
to
collaborate
to
have
some
cost
savings,
and
we've
looked
at
those
I.
Think
it's
important
to
point
out
with
the
capital
improvement
program
that
the
city
of
Asheville
has
we
work
with
the
MSD
program
and
their
capital
improvement
program.
A
We've
never
been
about
against
partnership
as
a
city
as
a
council
as
a
community.
We're
always
looking
at
positive
partnerships
and
I
think
what
the
state
is
doing
is
a
little
hip
is
quite
heavy
handed
and
I,
don't
think
it's
in
the
best
interest
of
Asheville,
Vulcan,
County
or
any
municipality
or
County
and
North
Carolina
I
will
open
it
up
for
questions
at
this
time
and
if
there
aren't
yes,
miss
Howe.
A
We've
never
had
anybody
ask
to
help
us
with
a
legal
fire.
I
won't
take
out.
I
will
take
the
check,
so
I
won't
say
no,
how
about
that?
Will
the
Legal
Defense
Fund
to
keep
the
water
I
think
we
can
come
up
with
a
enterprise
fun
to
put
it
in
for
the
water
system
and
I
think
Lauren
on
your
way
out.
You
can
pick
set
up
for
us.
H
A
H
A
N
Cates
I
would
clarify
that
the
there
there
was
a
proposal
that
was
put
together
by
the
MSD.
It
was
not
officially
offered
to
the
city,
but
it
was
a
proposal
that
have
made
various
assumptions
about
a
merger
and
the
57
million
dollars
assumed
that
the
watershed
property
would
not
be
included
in
the
transfer
any
of
the
infrastructure
included
and
that
20,000
plus
acre
part
of
the
part
of
the
asset.
A
So
they
asked
the
answer
to
me:
I
never
received
the
proposal
on
behalf
of
the
city
of
Asheville
in
writing
from
MSD
for
57
million
dollars
for
our
water
system,
that's
valued
at
over
or
nearly
a
billion
dollars.
When
you
include
everything,
that's
part
of
it,
you
can't
take.
You
can't
have
water
without
the
water
sources
from
the
media.
E
N
A
Good
question
and
we
will
have
to
get
this
I
don't
want
to
misquote,
and
so
we
will
have
to
get
that
back
to
this
in
two
important
for
us
to
just
for
me
to
do
it
off
the
cuff
all
right.
Thank
you
all
so
very
much
for
coming
I'ma,
but
I
am
available
for
I
am
available
for
questions
after
this.
Thank
you
all
so
very
much.