Mayor Bellamy Criticized Unfairly

The GLBT and others in Asheville are unfairly criticizing Mayor Terry Bellamy. Some of the rumors that I have heard or read in the Citizen-Times recently about people ignoring the mayor and refusing to serve her in eateries, is simply childish. Is there no respect for anyone in this town?

Bellamy, the first elected Black mayor in Asheville has been elected and re-elected to a second term. It seems to me she is satisfying most of her constituency. At the Council meeting last week, Mayor Bellamy, said she voted against the resolution because she did not understand and did not have enough information to make a decision. Any elected official has the right right to vote “yes” or “no” on any issue before them.

The GLBT should have delegated several members to meet with Mayor
Bellamy to discuss her questions regarding the resolution before the
meeting. More liberal members on the Asheville City Council have not
attempted to answer any doubts or questions the mayor may have had about
the resolution. One member of the city council has called her a
“disgrace” to the office. This is totally unfair and uncalled for. What a
sorry state of affairs in this city that is touted and advertised all
the time as open to diversity and all things social. Asheville is not
Camelot.

 Why was the resolution being “rushed” through Council in the first
place? I think there is a power grab going on now within the City
Council. Instead of taking care of the business as they were elected to
do, Council seems to be more interested in debating and fighting about
social issues. I think by now, anyone who has the political sense to see
it, can figure the members on the Council who want Bellamy’s job.
Furthermore, some of the very people going after the Mayor are fellow
members of the Council, and new people moving in here from San Francisco
and other larger cities very different from Asheville.

Caution is advised at this time, and people are watching as this issue
unfolds. Some remarks and actions by those people working in restaurants
and the LGBT community in Asheville are flirting very close to the edge
with stirring racism.

Do we need this? I think NOT!

~ Judy Ausley
Judy Ausley is a retired journalist who resides in the City of Asheville.