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From YouTube: StateOftheCity2-28-13
Description
State of the City Address by Mayor Terry Bellamy
A
Thank
you
good
afternoon.
Everyone,
it's
truly
a
pleasure
to
be
here
to
give
the
city
the
state
of
the
city
address,
usually
when
I
give
these
it's
usually
at
the
downtown
and
specific,
is
downtown
issues
or
we're
talking
about
the
rotary
or
different
civic
clubs.
But
it's
a
pleasure
to
bring
this
back
in-house
at
City,
Hall
and
so
I'm
really
excited
about
what
we
have
to
say
tonight
and
I
do
want
to
let
you
know
this
is
live
on
WR
es
as
well,
and
so
thank
you
mr.
A
Hayes,
for
this
opportunity
to
do
this,
and
everyone
get
to
hear
it
as
well
as
we're
getting
started.
I
do
want
to
not
acknowledge
a
couple
of
people
and,
first
of
all
storms,
my
husband,
Bellamy,
we've
been
married,
almost
13
years,
and
so
ever
since
I've
been
involved
with
politics,
I've
been
married
and
so
he's
been
someone
who's
been
by
my
side
and
very
supportive,
and
so
I
want
to
publicly.
Thank
you
for
that.
Thank
you,
so
very
much
honey.
A
I
have
my
children
in
my
nephew,
Imani
and
Seth
and
keep
them.
Thank
you
so
very
much
for
being
here
as
well
and
I'm,
always
supported
by
my
mom,
is
always
good
to
see
you
as
well.
Thank
you
mom
for
being
here
and
all
the
other
people
who
are
supportive
of
me.
Thank
you
so
very
much
for
being
here,
so
we're
gonna
get
right
into
this.
I
want
to
also
thank
our
council
members
who
are
here,
I
think
we
actually
have
a
full
contingency.
So
thank
you
all
so
very
much
for
coming.
A
It's
a
pleasure
to
see
each
of
you
here
I
think
it's
appropriate
to
begin
with
the
state
of
the
economy
in
Asheville.
Over
the
past
few
years,
our
nation
has
had
to
deal
with
one
of
the
most
horrific
economic
crisis
since
the
Great
Depression
and
unfortunately,
Asheville
was
not
immune
to
the
effects
of
the
economic
downturn.
Our
communities
saw
and
felt
the
impact
of
the
shift
of
the
economy.
Although
we
were
one
of
the
last
cities
to
enter
into
the
recession,
we
nonetheless
entered
the
recession.
A
An
according
to
research,
economist
Tom
to
be
buncombe
county
has
lost.
Forty
percent
of
its
construction
industry
since
2007,
which
is
an
industry
that
was
driving
at
a
significant
pace.
Our
tourism
industry,
sell
a
downturn
in
the
number
of
conferences
and
conference
attendees
who
came
to
Asheville,
and
we
saw
some
businesses
which
had
operated
in
our
community
for
decades.
Clothes
businesses
like
barbecue
in
they
close
their
doors.
Due
to
the
devastating
effect
of
the
economy,
we
saw
neighbors
lose
their
homes
to
foreclosure.
We
saw
too
many
of
us.
A
We
saw
and
too
many
of
us
felt
the
impact
of
the
worst
economy.
Since
the
Great
Depression,
our
community
and
administration
didn't
sit
idly
by
as
our
community
and
our
nation
struggled
as
a
council.
We
asked
the
status
of
look
to
look
for
ways
to
decrease
the
burden
of
doing
business
with
in
the
city
of
Asheville
and
to
make
changes
to
the
unified
development
ordinance,
which
the
staff
did
we
want
to
make.
We
want
to
make
sure
business
continued
to
thrive
in
Nashville.
It
was
doing
the
recession,
the
actual
move
forward.
A
We
saw
businesses
continue
to
grow,
1like
moge,
music,
CEO
Mike
Adams
made
the
decision
to
move
internationally
known
music
instrument
business.
His
internationally
known
music
instrument
making
business
to
downtown
Asheville
in
a
near
downtown
quarter
that
needed
reinvestment,
moat
music
not
only
brought
their
factory,
they
also
brought
the
Moog
Music
Festival
and
I
just
want
to
put
a
little
plug
in
october.
Twenty
fifth
through
27
2013
they'll
also
have
another
festival
is
when
we
will
welcome
thousands
of
individuals
to
our
community
to
two
or
more
music.
A
Since
the
announcement
of
mogh
music,
we
have
had
several
wonderful
job
announcements,
including
pli
linamar
and
new
belgium.
Each
of
these
companies
chose
actual
to
either
expand
or
locate
their
business
to
those
companies
that
chose,
as
actual
did
so
because
of
the
incredible
partnership
between
the
city
of
Asheville,
the
economic
development
coalition,
buncombe
county,
the
state
of
North
Carolina
and
a
beat
it
video
force.
C
P
lies
a
very
large
specialty.
Printer
we've
been
in
business
for
more
than
20
years,
and
we
service
the
hospitality
industry,
we're
actually
the
largest
hotel
key
card
manufacturer
in
the
world,
and
we
also
produce
products
like
gift
cards,
loyalty
cards,
membership
cards.
All
of
our
services
are
located
here
in
Asheville
working.
D
With
the
local
economic
development
group
who
asked
it
sort
of
as
a
concierge
service
to
resources
available
to
us,
we
made
the
determination
that
Asheville
is
where
we
needed
to
continue
our
commitment
continued
to
grow.
They
helped
us
cut
red
tape
wherever
they
could
and
identify
resources
available
to
us
that
we
didn't
even
know
existed.
The.
C
D
Success
in
Asheville
is
based
on
our
people.
We
can
be
located
anywhere,
but
having
the
right.
People
allows
us
to
continue
the
growth
path
and
success
that
we've
had
right
along
270
families
currently
supported
by
a
contribution
to
local
economy
of
about
nine
million
dollars
of
the
year
in
payroll.
We
are
committed
to
this
area.
B
E
History
of
linamar,
it
started
in
Guelph
Ontario,
it
started
by
our
current
chairman
about
45
years
ago,
and
he
started
as
a
small
machine
shop
and
grew
it
to
almost
a
three
billion
dollar
company.
As
far
as
Asheville
is
concerned,
I
was
the
first
employee
at
this
time.
Last
year
we
had
12
employees
and
one
machine.
We
have
140
people
working
here
right
now
and
we
have
52
machines.
The.
B
E
B
Think
one
of
the
key
factors
in
helping
us
attract
people
to
come
to
asheville
and
buncombe
county
is
the
number
of
people
that
we
can
assemble
in
the
community.
That
can
sit
down
with
the
prospect
and
talk
about
all
the
really
good
things
that
are
happening
here
and
what
they
can
provide
for
the
company
and
for
the
employees
of
the
company.
We.
F
Started
American
recycling.
My
partner
actually
started
in
back
in
Atlanta
about
30
years
ago,
after
up
15
years
or
so
I
finally
approached
and
said:
look
I
want
to
and
we
get
into
the
business
and
my
own
plants.
So
we
started
a
facility
up
in
greenville
in
2003,
and
so
we
were
working
with
some
of
the
communities
up
here,
henderson
county
in
jackson,
county
and
that's
when
it
all
kind
of
started
and
we
started
talking
and
we
finally
decided
to
do
a
facility.
F
B
F
Edc
did
come
on
board
and
helped
us
out
quite
a
bit.
They
were
instrumental
in
helping
us
find
buildings
and
then
once
we
were
actually
in
place,
got
us
involved
in
the
homecoming
job,
fair,
which
we
had
great
response
from
that
and
they've.
Just
any
time.
We've
had
questions
on
getting
involved
with
business
groups
or
other
ways.
We
can
you
get
our
name.
Other
they've
been
there
to
help
us.
We
want
to
get
more
people
recycling
and
that
will
lead
to
more
jobs
for
American
recycling
and
for
the
community
around
us.
B
G
G
B
King
was
really
a
great
announcement
for
us.
I
think
everybody.
This
met,
David
Anderson
really
really
enjoys
being
around
him,
really
likes
them.
It's
obvious
that
he
likes
the
actual
community
came
from
from
Hilton
Head
to
hear
because
he
wanted
to
be
a
part
of
the
national
scene
and
we
welcome
him
and
his
investment.
We
are
not
a
big.
G
Big
firm,
we
don't
employ
hundreds
of
people.
You
know
we're
a
smaller
firm,
but
I
really
felt
like
the
EDC
treated
us
like.
We
were
as
important
as
anyone
else
and
gave
us
the
same
consideration
and
gave
us
the
same
kind
of
straight
answers
and
brought
people
to
the
table
that
we
could
talk
to
that.
G
We
felt
like
we're,
shooting
straight
with
us
and
saying
here's
where
this
community
is
now
here's
where
Asheville
is
now
here's
our
vision
for
Asheville
and
here's
how
we
think
we're
going
to
get
there
and
frankly,
we
wanted
to
be
a
part
of
that.
I
think
that
the
beauty
of
the
place,
the
vibrancy
of
Asheville,
the
mix
of
talent
that
you
have
here,
that
you
worked
hard
to
attract
this
place.
G
I
think
all
of
those
things
are
going
to
persuade
senior
executives
regionally
and
nationally
to
consider
Asheville
as
a
place
to
hang
their
hat
and
say
we
want
to
be
part
of
this
community.
We
want
to
be
part
of
what's
happening
in
Asheville
and
I.
Think
that
that's
right
on.
I
think
that
that's
exactly
what
they
should
be
thinking.
I
firmly.
B
H
Belgium
started
in
the
summer
of
nineteen
ninety
one
and
Fort
Collins
Colorado.
As
new
belgium
has
continued
to
grow.
We've
we've
reached
some
capacity
limitations
about
our
brewery
at
four
columns,
so
conversation
began,
then
what
is
the
best
way
to
continue
our
growth
and
be
environmental
stewards,
reduce
our
environmental
footprint.
Wherever
we
can
once
we
started
developing
some
energy
behind
the
idea
of
a
second
brewery,
we
quickly
formed
a
team
of
subset
of
our
leaders
to
select
a
site.
There
were
ten
to
twenty
cities
that
met
our
criteria.
H
B
H
My
short
time
with
working
with
folks
at
the
EDC,
it's
very
clear
that
they
do
an
amazing
job
of
making
connections
and
I
know
that
our
site
selection
team
had
access
to
an
array
of
resources
when
making
the
decision
to
come
to
Asheville
whether
it
was
similar,
nonprofits
or
engineering
firms
or
neighborhood
associations,
and
now
going
forward.
I
see
them
as
an
extremely
great
resource
for
connecting
me
in
particular
to
other
business
leaders
in
Asheville
learning
how
they've
been
successful
in
starting
or
growing
their
business
in
Asheville.
You.
B
H
B
Of
the
statements
that
always
make
in
an
announcement,
it
takes
the
takes
the
whole
village
to
to
help
attract
new
industry
in
your
business.
To
the
community.
Bottom
line
is
jobs
and
it's
the
people
who
are
in
those
jobs
that
work
every
day
and
they
form
the
economy
of
asheville
and
buncombe
county.
A
A
So
too,
I
want
to
thank
new
belgium,
american
recycling
of
Western,
North,
Carolina,
Cancun
and
Linamar
for
making
an
investment
in
Asheville
in
Brooklyn,
counting
I
like
to
note
that
little
more
and
a
BTEC
received
national
recognition.
Almost
two
weeks
ago,
when
the
president
of
the
United
States
came
to
our
community
to
highlight
the
great
work
that's
happening
at
linamar
and
the
wonderful
training
program
abtech,
which
has
created
and
trained
the
company's
21st
century
workforce.
A
If
you
want
to
see
a
good
example
of
how
community
colleges
in
industry
work
together
to
strengthen
local
economies,
just
look
at
a
BTEC
and
linamar
president
ova
obama,
when
President
Obama
not
only
highlighted
the
collaboration
between
linamar
and
a
vtec
for
the
rest
of
the
nation.
He
also
talked
about
how
he
loved
Asheville
because
of
the
people
and,
of
course,
12
bones.
Asthma
hazard
has
a
richly
diverse
population
and
cultural
heritage
that
adds
to
the
dynamic
and
wonderful
field
of
our
community.
Asthma
has
become
a
true
melting
pot
of
ideas,
values
and
practices.
A
The
diversity
of
ashwins
people
has
helped
to
assert
right,
Hollywood
to
Western
North
Carolina,
the
cast
and
crew
of
The
Hunger
Games
in
Durham,
Ellicott's,
bookstore
and
dine
at
the
southern.
They
lip
line
at
neva
tech,
canopy,
adventurous
and
asheville
zip
line
canopy
canopy
adventures.
While
they
experience
what
Asheville
has
to
offer
our
community's
economy
experienced
infusion
of
support.
People
came
to
our
community
to
see
movie
stars,
but
while
they
were
here,
they
also
spent
money
in
our
hotels
and
our
restaurants.
Even
our
own
local
government
experience
a
direct
economic
impact.
A
A
More
and
more
people
want
to
visit
and
experience
Asheville
and
that's
the
good
news
for
all
of
us.
As
a
local
government.
We
are
under
pressure
to
ensure
that
our
city
delivers
all
the
actual
advertise
advertisements
claimed
during
my
set
of
downtown
address.
I
mentioned
the
need
for
the
city
of
Asheville
to
have
a
stronger
partnership
with
a
tourism
development
authority
to
look
at
a
way
to
have
a
dedicated
source
of
funds
for
capital.
Improvements
for
one
of
the
city's
top
destinations
are
downtown
from
the
product
development
fund.
A
Tva
has
invested
in
our
US
cellular
center
and
the
jamba
Lewis
Soccer
Complex
after
the
city
applied
for
funding
is
my
desire
to
see
see
the
city
of
Asheville,
expand
our
partnership
with
the
product
development
fund
board
and
the
city
of
Asheville
and
work
together
on
a
capital
improvement
plan
for
the
city
of
Asheville.
That
would
benefit
our
tourism
industry.
A
Another
significant
contributor
to
our
tourism
economy
is
our
restaurant
industry.
I
want
to
take
a
moment
to
congratulate
at
congratulate
ash
was
independently
owned
restaurants
for
helping
to
make
our
community
ash
was
America's,
first
green
dining
destination
and
I
just
want
to
say
this
that,
in
the
process
of
doing
that,
they're
making
our
community
cleaner
and
greener
I
do
want
to
thank
and
Anthony
serato.
Who
was
the
chair
of
air
at
the
time
for
that
his
leadership
on
making
that
happen
back
in.
A
As
a
city
we
have
made
us,
we
have
also
made
a
commitment
to
be
cleaner
and
greener
through
our
sustainability
efforts.
Through
our
LED
streetlights
initiative,
we
have
changed
31
3,500
lights
at
a
cost
of
eight
hundred
thousand
dollars,
and
we
have
avoided
spending
over
130
thousand
dollars
just
last
year.
Best
of
all
the
lights
were
all
manufactured
right
here
in
North
Carolina,
you
have
all
seen
our
new
buses.
Last
year
alone,
we
save
seventy
one
thousand
dollars
in
fuel
costs
and
reduce
our
co2
emissions
by
269
tons.
A
That's
like
taking
47
cars
off
the
road.
Our
Police
Department
is
continued
to
provide
an
innovative
services
in
our
community.
Apd
is
actively
working
in
the
downtown
area
to
make
it
safer
for
residents,
businesses
and
visitors.
They
are
partnering
with
the
Sheriff
Department
and
community
leaders
through
the
focus
deterrents
changing
together
initiative.
A
A
Recently,
the
US
Conference
of
Mayors
recognized
APD
for
their
efforts
to
get
unused,
prescription
drugs
out
of
medicine
cabinets
and
as
a
result
of
this
important
work,
we
have
seen
a
five
percent
decrease
in
all
crime
all
over
the
city.
I
want
to
thank
APD
for
their
partnerships
and
their
leadership
in
our
community.
A
The
work
in
a
doubt
in
the
downtown
areas
continue
to
evolve.
The
extra
downtown
association
continues
to
lead
the
way
in
providing
activities
for
people
to
enjoy
urban
settings
as
they
begin
another
season
of
downtown
after
five.
There
continue
to
look
at
ways
to
make
investments
in
downtown
to
make
it
better.
I
commend
them
for
their
work
to
get
a
permanent
canopy
for
the
stage
at
Penn
Square
Park.
As
we
move
forward,
we
still
have
to
continue
to
work
on
building
strong
partnership
partnerships
in
the
community
to
meet
the
growing
needs
of
our
community.
A
I
am
extremely
proud
of
the
partnership
between
ego,
Market,
Street,
Community,
Development,
Corporation
and
mountain
housing
opportunities.
The
partnership
is
yielding
one
of
the
biggest
investments
in
the
historic
block
area.
These
organizations
are
working
together
to
develop
eagle
marketplace
this
mixed-use.
This
mixed-use
development
will
consist
of
62,
affordable
apartments,
7,000
square
feet
of
commercial
space
and
6,000
square
feet
of
community
space.
A
More
importantly,
ego
marketplace
will
be
telling
and
a
towering
example
of
how
well
local
state
and
federal
governments
can
work
with
nonprofits
and
have
a
major
investment
that
can
transform
a
community
I
want
to
say
thank
you
so
very
much
for
Cindy
week's
leadership
and
Scott
Denton.
Thank
you.
So
very
much
for
being
here.
I.
A
Am
also
looking
forward
to
the
renovation
of
the
buildings
owned
by
the
Mount
Zion
community
development
corporation
that
are
currently
in
the
planning
stages,
as
the
downtown
continues
to
evolve.
We
as
a
council
have
to
determine
how
best
to
approach
the
rising
demand
for
additional
development.
The
south
slope
is
the
next
location
for
growth
and
development
in
our
downtown.
A
We
have
to
keep
in
mind
the
other
investments
that
will
need
to
be
supported
for
all
of
downtown
today
and
in
the
near
future.
It
is
amazing
to
watch
the
wonderful
work.
That's
happening
downtown,
however,
I
think
it's
important
to
talk
about
the
issue
of
homelessness
in
our
city.
We're
seeing
a
sharp
decline
in
the
number
of
people
who
are
chronically
homeless
since
2005
our
point-in-time
count
indicates
that
people
who
work
promptly
homeless
in
our
city
has
continued
to
decline.
A
We
currently
see
that
ninety
percent
of
the
individuals
who
are
permanently
housed
as
part
of
the
plan
to
end
chronic
homelessness.
Ninety
percent
still
remain
in
their
homes,
three
years
after
being
included
putting
their
homes.
That's
good
news.
The
only
thing
is
we
are
seeing
more
people
who
are
coming
to
our
community,
who
are
not
native
to
the
Asheville
or
Western
North
Carolina
they're,
requesting
more
social
services.
A
However,
they
are
not
willing
to
cooperate
with
the
service
providers
and
downtown
residents,
in
speaking
with
our
police,
chief
and
various
homeless
service
providers,
we're
beginning
to
see
that
we
need
to
get
a
handle
on
this
problem.
I'm
really
excited
about
the
partnerships
that
will
be
developed
in
order
to
create
a
solution
to
this
ongoing
issue.
A
I'm
really
thankful
for
the
county
commissioners,
Chamber
of
Commerce
River
link
and
the
artists
in
the
river
arts
district
for
the
early
commitment
to
the
river
arts
commission.
When
we
were
putting
the
Commission
together,
we
envisioned
a
body
coming
together
to
further
implement
the
Wilma
Dykeman
riverway
plan.
Today
we
have
that
and
so
much
more
the
demolition.
The
demolition
of
the
Icehouse
property
is
just
the
beginning
of
the
city
of
vegetables,
reinvestment
in
the
river
district,
as
we
continue
to
look
at
ways
to
realign
the
road
make
infrastructure
improvement
and
increase
development
in
the
area.
A
A
There
is
so
much
more
that
can
be
mentioned.
For
instance,
how
Habitat
for
Humanity
is
concluded
in
Kearney
place,
which
is
a
partnership
with
the
city
of
Asheville,
a
partnership
that
turned
an
eyesore
and
to
oasis
of
homes
for
working
families
in
west
asheville?
How
the
city
of
Asheville,
Youth,
Leadership
Academy
is
preparing
some
of
actuals
future
leaders
and
how
they've
earned
over
five
hundred
thousand
dollars
in
scholarships
for
their
higher
education.
A
How
the
city
of
form
a
partnership
with
UNC
Asheville's,
creating
opportunities
for
mutual
support,
how
UNC
Asheville
is
supporting
our
transit
system
and
how
they've
actively
have
been
actively
engaged
in
helping
the
joint
city-county
Sports
Commission
recruit
activities
to
our
community.
This
is
probably
a
good
time
to
remind
you
to
buy
your
tickets
for
the
Southern
Conference.
The
games
begin
on
March
the
eighth
and
will
continue
to
March
the
eleventh
and
last
year
over
30,000
people
attended
the
Southern
Conference
and
then
left
4
point
with
left
over
four
million
dollars
in
our
community.
A
I
can
continue
with
how
UNC
Asheville
help
the
city
of
Asheville
therapeutic
recreation
program
for
people
with
disabilities.
They
helped
us
get
a
bob
caps,
a
bobcat's
professional
basketball
team,
sponsored
junior
Bobcats,
adapted
basketball
program.
The
program
is
designed
for
boys
and
girls
ages,
6
to
18,
with
or
without
disabilities.
I
could
talk
about
how
organization
like
Asheville,
how
organizations
like
actual
Green,
Works
and
other
businesses
in
our
community
are
working
to
employ
those
we
have
re-entering
the
workforce
after
they
have
committed
offenses
I
can
talk
about
the
city
of
Asheville.
A
Commitment
to
equality
actual
is
leading
the
way
across
the
across
the
North
Carolina,
and
the
southeast.
More
and
more
people
are
looking
at
the
city's
benefits
program
for
information
about
our
domestic
partnership
benefits
program.
I
could
talk
about
how
staffer
has
implemented
the
Complete
Streets
policy
that
City
Council
adopted
to
help
better
connect
streets
and
the
various
modes
of
transportation
that
are
being
used
within
our
community.
A
There
are
three
pressing
issues
I
want
to
finish
with
tonight.
The
first
issue
is
the
issue
of
the
city
of
Asheville's
water
system.
It
has
been
nearly
ten
years
since
the
city
of
asheville
decided
to
dissolve
the
water
authority.
Since
that
time,
the
city
of
Asheville
has
been
committed
to
improving
the
system.
A
We
propose
we,
when
we
propose
a
water
rate,
increase,
is
very
transparent
and
open.
Our
capital
improvement
plan
and
audits
and
audits
are
easily
accessible
through
the
open
data
initiative
the
staff
has
put
in
place
and
with
all
that
being
said,
this
is
not
the
time
for
the
state
of
North
Carolina
to
use
taxpayer
time
and
resources
to
take
our
water
system
away.
A
A
Eighty-Six
percent
of
the
voters
in
the
even
election
year
said
we
don't
want
you
to
sell
or
lease
our
water
system.
Well,
that's
not
what's
at
stake
right
now,
it's
being
take
considered
to
be
taken
so
I'm
asking
those
of
you
who
are
here
and
those
who
are
listening,
I
need
your
help.
Ask
that
you
please
write,
call
email
text,
Facebook
our
state
legislators
and
let
them
know
the
Asheville-
should
continue
to
manage
and
operate
our
own
water
system.
We
want
to
continue
to
have
local
control
over
this
local
resource.
A
Next,
as
we
look
at
our
partnerships
as
we
created
look
at
how
we
can
expand,
those
partnership
is
in
this
key
thing.
It's
amazing
that
congressman
metals
has
just
gotten
an
office,
but
he's
already
called
several
times
to
talk
about
the
river
arts
district
in
the
realignment
of
the
road
and
asking.
How
can
he
play
a
part
at
the
federal
level
leveraging
partnerships
rights
act
that
will
continue
to
help
us
continue
to
be
a
wonderful
community?
A
Finally,
the
last
census
indicated
that
we're
continue
to
be
a
place.
People
want
to
relocate
once
again
top
top
requirement.
Excuse
me
top
retirements
com
named
Asheville
as
a
top
place
to
retire.
As
we
celebrate
the
desirability
to
live
here,
we
have
to
balance
the
pressure
of
growth
on
our
infrastructure.
While
we
manage
to
challenge
during
our
retreat,
I
am
going
to
ask
Council
for
greater
greater
commitment
to
our
neighborhoods.
We
have
to
do
a
better
job
of
informing
residents
about
existing
corridor
plans
and
master
plans
that
will
impact
their
neighborhoods.
A
It's
important
to
look
at
and
replicate
the
Haywood
Street
corridor
successes
in
west
asheville
in
west
asheville,
the
residents
work
with
city
staff
to
look
at
how
they
want
to
grow
along
the
hayward
corridor.
Haywood
wrote
corridor,
they
want
to
grow
in
a
way
that
requires
form
based
code.
It's
exciting
to
see
that
we're
about
to
do
something
new
in
our
community
and
the
residents
actually
wanted,
and
it
happened
because
of
talking.
A
It
happened
because
of
information
sharing,
and
so
that's
what
I'm
going
to
ask
Council
to
do
to
put
more
investment
in
talking
information,
sharing,
building
trust
with
our
neighbors
over
the
last
few
years.
We've
done
a
wonderful
job,
a
partnering
with
Buncombe
County,
the
Chamber
of
Commerce,
the
river
district
artists,
downtown
nonprofits
mission,
UNC
Asheville.
Now
it's
time
to
spend
time
partnering
with
our
residents.
In
order
for
all
of
us
to
succeed.
A
You
know,
in
conclusion
it's
amazing
to
look
at
our
city
and
see
where
it
has
grown
as
an
individual
that
has
been
on
the
council
since
1999
I'm,
really
proud
of
the
fact
that
our
community
has
grown
and
developed
in
a
reasonable
way.
I
became
mayor,
2005
and
I
did
so
with
the
support
of
my
family
and
my
friends.
Something
to
ask
my
husband
to
come.
Join
me
in
my
family.
Come
on.
A
It
has
been
an
outstanding
time
as
mayor
I,
wouldn't
trade,
anything
for
my
journey
and
most
days,
I
love
it
and
I
would
like
to
say
that
as
I
look
at
what
has
what
I
talked
about
tonight
is
all
about
team
is
all
about
partnerships,
some
things
I
didn't
vote
for,
but
when
I
signed
them
into
law,
I
accepted
them
and
moved
on.
It's
important
to
understand
that
as
mayor
I've
enjoyed,
this
I
tried
to
represent
our
community
well,
and
so
the
state
of
this
city
is
in
good
affairs.
Thank
you
all.
So
very
much.