From Daily Planet Staff Reports

A furor erupted in some circles locally after Asheville City Councilman noted recently that “ .... while I disagree with the idea of involuntary annexation on purely theoretical grounds, I cannot oppose it as a practical matter.”

In addition, he riled some non-residents, when he stated that outsiders who enter Asheville are a “burden” on the taxpayers because they generally cost the city more than the latter realizes from them in revenue.

Bothwell, who bills himself as a progressive Democrat, did not return an e-mail from a reporter on Oct. 5, seeking his viewpoint.

However, in a Web posting in late Sepbember on the Mountain Xpress comment board, Bothwell said, “Asheville has the largest daily change of population of any city in North Carolina. We swell from about 80,000 at night to about 120,000 each day — mostly commuters and shoppers, and some tourists. Expecting current residents to shoulder the burden for those who live nearby and gain the advantages of urban life is every bit as unfair as forced annexation.

“Best estimates are that the net change for an average home in Royal Pines ($153,000) will be $325 per year (if they are currently paying for trash pickup). That service is about $180 per year, so the letter writer, with a slightly smaller than average house and no trash service, will probably see a $350-$400 change, and that doesn’t account for a reduction in fire insurance which will follow from the improved rating once under the city system.”

His comments on forced annexation arose following the outcry against the city’s plan to annex the Royal Pines neighborhood in the Arden area, just south of Asheville. A number of Royal Pines’ residents and others have expressed opposition over the proposal, with some lamenting that North Carolina is among the few remaining states that still allow forced annexation, wherein a locality is allowed — unilaterally — to incorporate an area without its residents’ approval.

Betty Jackson, the head of StopWoodfin.org and a local property rights activist, was among those who responded to Bothwell’s assertions. She wrote, “Cecil, you know full well that the bulk of problems experienced by municipal government are due to the fact that NC is not a home rule state.

“Your problems need to be taken up with Raleigh, and you need to stop taking them out on the people.

“Your argument is still all about encroachment.  Who cares what the NCLM has concocted for a definition of what’s urban? I care about what’s right for the people.”

Speaking for the Asheville Tea Party, board member Tim Peck told The Daily Planet that the group’s position is as follows: “The Asheville Tea Party stands firmly in support of the property rights of individuals.

Involuntary annexation is an outright violation of individual rights because it deprives property owners of the ability to use their judgment regarding the use and disposal of their own property.

Bothwell’s ideological opposite, Chad Nesbitt, chairman of the Buncombe County Republican Party, said Oct. 5 that Bothwell’s admission of his conflict between his philosophy and actions on forced annexation “is typical of the radical left, to say something like that.

“That’s called a hypocrite — and a lot of Buncombe County Democratic leaders” are guilty of the same failing, he said.

After a pause, Nesbitt said Bothwell’s position on forced annexation “doesn’t surprise me” because he is a progressive.

As for Bothwell’s comments about outsiders being a “burden” to Asheville taxpayers, Nesbitt said, “I can tell you that statement, coming from a city councilman, is appalling ... If people didn’t come there (to the city) to shop or spend their money (otherwise),” the taxpayers would suffer even worse.

Further, Nesbitt charged, “That’s a typical state of Asheville’s Democratic leaders.” He further labeled Bothwell’s statement as “a terrible thing to say” because it is insulting to those who lives outside the city and travel to it to work, shop, eat or visit.

To avoid a boycott or other repercussions, Nesbitt said, “He (Bothwell) owes the City of Asheville an apology.”
Meanwhile, Charles Carter, chairman of the Buncombe Democratic Party, said in a separate interview Oct. 5 that Bothwell “is on a city council that’s nonpartisan.”

As for forced annexation, Carter said, “I don’t know what his comments were (on that topic), but I do know the job of the Democrats is to elect Democrats and then help them in campaigns.”

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Asheville City Councilman Cecil Bothwell

He added, “The Buncombe County Democratic Party doesn’t have a position on forced annexation. We have Democratic candidates, like Jane Whilden and Elvin Dixon, who are against it, and we have others who are for it ... We are a big tent” party. When pressed, Carter declined to identify any Democratic candidates who favor forced annexation.

Regarding Bothwell’s burden-on-the city remarks, Carter said, “I would need to see what he said, specifically. I don’t know the full context.”

In various media outlets, including on WWNC’s (570 AM) “Take a Stand With Matt Mittan,” Bothwell, who spoke on the show and drew much criticism, went toe-to-toe with Mittan, an opponent of forced annexation, on the issue.

Later, Bothwell reportedly even told Mittan he will never appear on his daily talk show again, refuses to return his phone calls and even “de-friended” Mittan on his FaceBook account.

Mittan noted in a Web posting, “So ... Councilman Cecil Bothwell has removed me from his ‘friend list’ ... I am now blocked from seeing his FaceBook page, where he was calling me names and accusing me of lying, etc. ... Typical .... <sigh>”

In response, Bothwell said in a Web posting, “Mittan went way off the ... line, headlining his Web story to say that I called county residents ‘freeloaders,’ quoting my comments out of context, accusing me of attack a private citizen ... I’ve had trouble with Mittan’s crap in the past, but the love story is over. I have no intention of furthering his agenda by participating in any forum with him or his show again. I’ll be happy to take my discussion of annexation issues to the people of the city (and Royal Pines) or to debate the issue with another elected official. The media is not my constituency.”

In another Web posting, Bothwell said, “I am so very weary of Matt Mittan. He is vile. This week he is taking my comments about annexation out of context, selectively quoting and putting words in my mouth that I never said — all for the sake of ratings (dollars). Nothing but a tiny town Glenn Beck wannabe. Sigh. Asheville could do so much better.”