From Staff Reports
The City of Asheville’s top-ranking staff — as of late September — was reviewing an assistant city attorney’s emails to New Belgium Brewery, asking about employment opportunities.
Local news media revealed in mid-September that Assistant City Attorney Jannice Ashley had sent emails — in January — to New Belgium general counsel Joe Davis, asking if the company would consider hiring the brother of a friend. She also asked if the company, based in Fort Collins, Colo., was hiring any attorneys.
“P.S.: I am personally curious about whether you ever hire for a local legal team? Or does that all stay with corporate in CO?” Ashley wrote in an email time-stamped 11:52 a.m., Mon., Jan. 5.
The emails between Ashley and Davis have appeared on the website of Asheville River Gate, a publication that has been critical of the city’s deal with New Belgium to locate the brewery on the west bank of the French Broad River.
City staff has confirmed the authenticity of the emails and noted that they came from what they said was an unusually large public records request.
City Attorney Robin Currin, who supervises Asheville’s legal department, said she is looking into the exchange between the two attorneys whose employers have been involved in high-level negotiations over $3.5 million in taxpayer-funded incentives and millions of dollars in infrastructure overhauls. Currin answers directly to Asheville City Council.
“I am currently reviewing this matter, however, whether a particular employee’s actions comply with city policies is considered personnel information and disclosure is permitted only as authorized by the general statutes,” Currin told the local media in mid-September.
River Gate’s website showed three emails, the first of which is the Jan. 5 message in which Ashley said she understands the brewery is hiring and recommends the brother “of one of my best friends who is applying for a quality assurance/chemit position.” She briefly addressed his qualifications and said his personality would fit with the company.
“You are the only person at the company who I have direct contact with, hope you don’t mind my sending,” Ashley wrote Davis.
In the first email’s postscript, she asked about attorney positions.
In the second email, time-stamped 3;07 p.m. Tues., Jan. 13, the brewery’s chief attorney responds that he has passed along her job recommendations to New Belgium’s hiring manager in Asheville.
Her friend’s brother “sounds like good candidate,” he said. “So we’ll see where the chips may fall.” Davis added that the company might add an attorney in Asheville “in next few years.
“I will keep you in mind if we decided to go down that route. Let’s try to touch base next time I’m in touch — it would be great to finally meet you in person!”
In a third email, time-stamped 1:48 p.m. Wed., Jan. 14, Ashley thanked Davis, especially in regard to the attorney positions.
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