KC & the Sunshine Band makes disco magic in Cherokee — Pg. 10 LLE I V HE AS ASHEVILLEʼS GREATEST NEWSPAPER
February 2013
Vol. 9, No. 3
An Independent Newspaper Serving Greater Asheville
Dancing the night away
www.ashevilledailyplanet.com
Gun debate takes aim at solutions From Staff Reports
Daily Planet Staff Photo
in a sparkly dress, Beth Denson, a student at A-B Tech, jumped up on the stage with the band to dance on New Year’s Eve at Magnolia’s Raw Bar & Grille in downtown Asheville. It was the last night that A Social Function, Magnolia’s house band for 18 years, would play in that capacity at the popular nightspot. A picture of the band appears on Page 16.
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FLETCHER — A “Guns in America” debate got heated at times, but all participatns emerged unscathed on Jan. 24 at the WNC Agricultural Center. The debate, hosted by Asheville’s WLOS-TV (News 13) and moderated by Mark Hyman, drew about 150 people, packing the debate room. Hyman is vice president for corporate relations for Sinclair Corp., owner of WLOS. Catching the most flak from the mostly pro-gun crowd were panelists Gail McNeill, a liberal who has run for political office locally; and Cecil Bothwell, a member of Asheville City Council. McNeill and Bothwell favored generally tougher controls on gun ownership. The other panelists included Rick Munger, behavioral health supervisor for the Buncombe County Health Center; and the two major pro-gun advocates — Jane Bilello, chairwoman of the Asheville Tea Party; and Brian Nemec, head of the Asheville Rifle Club. The audience appeared to be mostly progun. At one point, a woman in the audience asked how many people at the debate are members of the National Rifle Association. About one-third to one-half of the audience raised its hands. Hyman’s’s first question was addressed
to the crowd: “Is there anything that absolutely could have prevented what happened at Sandy Hook Elementary School” in Connecticut recently? For the answer of “yes,” the clapping was loud, while it was more subdued for “no.” Bilello noted her amazement that, “after 80-plus years of this discussion,” the apparent best solution experts were able to come up with is to “put up gun-free zone signs.” When challenged by Hyman on her stance against gun-free zones marked by signage, Bilello did not back down. “Absolutely ... If you look at the horrific incidents that have happened in gun-free zones ... Gun-free zones have never worked — and never will. We need to get rid of gun-free zones.” Some in the audience cheered and applauded her comments. The local tea party chief, who noted that she is a retired teacher, also said that “we need to get police officers in our schools. There are many retired law enforcement” officers who would be delighted to earn some extra spending money, while protecting American children, Bilello said. Bothwell then entered the fray by emphasizing that he holds views on guns “diametrically opposite” to Bilello’s. “After all these regulations, we’re still not safe,” he said. “If guns make people safe, then America would be the safest” country on the planet. See GUN, Page 8
New N.C. governor visits WNC ... first
From Staff Reports
WOODFIN — Pat McCrory delivered on his promise to make the Asheville area the site of his first out-of-town visit on Jan. 7, following his inauguration as North Carolina’s 74th governor . McCrory, a Republican, addressed a diverse crowd — Republicans and Democrats, business and academic leaders and protesters — at the Crest Center. During his visit, he was approached by some opponents of a proposed takeover, spearheaded by the state, of Asheville’s regional water system. Under the
plan, the system would be merged into the Metropolitan Sewerage District of Buncombe County. The governor told the news media before his address tthat he would act as a facilitator in the debate over the water system. While McCrory said he has yet to decide what should happen with the water system, he said a long-term solution needs to be developed, involving state and local leadership. After his address, the governor was expected to talk about the issue in a private meeting with local leaders in attendance, including David Gantt, chair-
man of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners; and Terry Bellamy, Asheville’s mayor. Bellamy introduced the governor, praising his accomplishments as mayor of Charlotte. While keeping the tax rate low, she said McCrory led the “Queen City” in economic development, infrastructure improvements and crime control. “I know you will do a great job (as governor) because you did a great job as mayor” of Charlotte, Bellamy said, turning to glance at a smiling McCrory. See GOVERNOR, Page 6
Gov. Pat McCrory