Gordon Smith for Asheville City Council

Hi BlueNC.

I'm Gordon Smith, and I'm a candidate for Asheville's City Council. I hope you'll all come to see the campaign website - Gordon For Asheville - and have a look around. On Saturday, March 14th from 2-4pm, I'll be liveblogging at firedoglake, and I'd love for you all to drop by.

More beyond the jump:

The issues affecting Asheville at this point in our history are many, and there are several that are especially urgent as we face down the greatest economic crisis since the Great Depression. People are losing their jobs and losing their homes. People who work full time can’t afford a place to live, health insurance, or child care. It is increasingly urgent that we conserve energy and water. Some our most historic neighborhoods are threatened by irresponsible development. Our City government is facing a budget shortfall in the millions of dollars as the needs of Asheville’s citizens increase.

Over the last several years, we’ve seen our city government move in a more sustainable direction regarding affordable housing, environmental protection, resource management, alternative transportation, alleviating homelessness, and reducing crime. Decision makers are to be applauded for building momentum towards a sustainable Asheville. It’s been difficult to bring change, and they’ve made some very important steps.

Today’s budget deficit forces Asheville to choose her priorities. Cuts will be made, and where those cuts are made will indicate exactly what direction our city will go. Asheville must strengthen our affordability and sustainability if we are to weather this recession and future recessions.

For all of those reasons, I’ve decided to run for a seat on Asheville City Council.

I’ve assembled an all-star campaign team, and we plan to run the best organized, hardest working campaign in city history. If chosen by the voters to represent them, I will work towards a more affordable, more sustainable Asheville for ourselves and our children.

Come visit my campaign website to learn more about me and my platform. Leave a donation and sign up to volunteer. It's going to take a group effort, and I thank you in advance.