Local government boards have a significant impact on public policy.  They are populated by elected officials who claim to seek the voice of the people, and their recommendations often become ordinances, resolutions, or proclamations.

These boards are often the first place where conservatives can have their voices heard on important issues. When a measure comes before the Board of Education, City Council, or county commissioners, most of the kinks have been ironed out, and its passage is inevitable.

This means that conservatives have a limited window of opportunity to influence public policy. It will be too late if we wait until the last minute to speak up.

That’s why conservatives need to get involved in local government boards. These boards are a training ground for future leaders and provide a valuable opportunity to shape public policy.

Of course, not all local government boards are created equal. Some are more open to conservative voices than others. But even on the most liberal boards, conservatives can make a difference by providing a different perspective and challenging the status quo.

So, if you’re a conservative who wants to make a difference in your community, I encourage you to get involved in local government boards. It’s a great way to have your voice heard and help shape your community’s future.

Here are some tips for getting involved in local government boards (Do your research. Before applying to serve on a board, learn as much as possible about the board’s mission and responsibilities.):

• City of Asheville boards and commissions (https://www.ashevillenc.gov/department/city-clerk/boards-and-commissions/)

• Buncombe County boards and commissions (https://www.buncombecounty.org/transparency/boards-commissions/default.aspx)

• Buncombe County Board of Education advisory councils (https://www.buncombeschools.org/o/bcs/page/advisory-councils)

Be prepared to answer questions. When you apply to serve on a board, you will likely be asked questions about your experience, views on public policy, and commitment to the board’s mission.

Be a team-player. Once appointed to a board, it’s important to be willing to work with people from different backgrounds and viewpoints. Help encourage non-conservatives to do the same.

Be persistent. Don’t give up if you don’t get appointed to a board the first time you apply. Keep applying, and eventually, you will be successful.

I believe that conservatives have a lot to offer local government boards. We bring a different perspective and a commitment to limited government. We also have a strong work ethic and a willingness to serve our communities.

I urge you to get involved in local government boards. It’s a great way to make a difference in your community and help shape our county’s future.

Have you ever served on a local government board? What was your experience like?  

I invite you to participate in First Tuesday’s survey, “Thoughts About Serving on Local Government Boards, Commissions or Committees.”  https://www.FirstTuesCons.com/Take-Action/Survey2/

 Be heard! Thank you!

Shame on GOP candidates at debate who condoned abortion

America has become so morally corrupt that some who claim to be 100 percent pro-life — and participated in the first Republican presidential debate — seemed willing to accept murdering babies through the 15th week of pregnancy.                        

One of the participants claimed that those who support a “total ban on abortion” cannot be elected in this country. If she/or he is correct, it shows the high point of ungodliness (that) America has attained.

Perhaps instead of us calling it aborting an unborn fetus, we should call it what it really is —  “murdering an innocent, unborn human baby.”  God has not given anyone — male or female — the right to kill an innocent baby.    

If a person is a supporter of abortion (murdering unborn babies), quit being so proud of yourself, you have the blood of innocent babies on your hands. I am not saying this in condemnation, but as a suggestion to seek God in repentance.

Supporting the mass murder of innocent unborn babies makes you a participant in murder— and that makes you a murderer!              

America is getting full of murderers and many other forms of ungodliness, such a homosexually, mass stealing, assaulting innocent humans — and our police. One can go on and on!

In America, and in the world, disrespect of God and His just laws, has reached an almost unbelievable point. In our own country, disrespect for human life is a daily occurrence. Those who holler the loudest about taking the guns away from people — and blame the guns instead of the shooters — are generally those who support murdering the innocent unborn.    

Those folks are the biggest murderers around, and many are in our states and federal government, including the highest office in our land.  

They obviously do not know God, or the word of God — or they purposedly disobey His laws.   

God is still ready to forgive, and Jesus already died for your sins, (so) just believe, admit you sinned — and repent.

Church leader fires back after being‘canceled’ by woke gang

I have been labeled as a hater and a threat to the LGBTQ+ community — banned and blackballed by the city, the county, corporations and foundations. 

Here is the most recent letter (that we) delivered  to these individuals in a package with examples of books, sexual explicit positions, vulgar language and genital parts.  

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To Asheville City and Buncombe County Officials:  

“We are writing to request that, as leaders in the community, you represent not just those who vote for you, but all people including children. As it is, there is a quiet epidemic of children in our schools being mentally molested when it comes to providing pornographic and gender-confusing material to children. 

“One of the stages of grooming is desensitizing children to sexual content to make it easier for them to engage in sexual activity at a young age. Anyone supporting and providing these materials in schools is complicit in sexually predatory behavior toward children. 

“As elected leaders of our community, we hope you will stand up to this cultural wave of sexual abuse and exploitation of children. There are middle school libraries flooded with sexual illicit language, pornographic images and positions, promoting bi-sexual, lesbian and homosexual activities. 

“Also, among the middle and high schools are books promoting heavy drug use, suicide, murder, molestation and rape, graphic sexual images and activities. 

“Please view images of books. Not only are there erotic, graphic books in schools picturing oral, anal, homo- and heterosexual sex, but books meant to confuse children’s minds regarding gender.

“Gender dysphoria is a mental health condition, and also a social contagion according to studies. The push for gender confusion is leading to self-hate, body mutilation, and contributes to serious mental health disorders. 

“It is baffling why schools would purposely contribute to the mental anguish of children, brainwashing them into believing the anti-science stance that a person can be born in the wrong body. 

“Eighty-four percent of gender-confused children who don’t choose puberty blockers desist from their dysphoria. Basically, they grow out of the condition, but still school libraries are full of books trying to convince children gender is fluid.

“The push for medical transitioning has caused irreversible harm to many, and these examples can be found in the stories of de-transitioners. 

“Young girls as young as 13 are having double mastectomies, and now some are citing their deep regret and lifelong health problems including brittle bones, sterilization, achy joints, vaginal atrophy, and a host of mental disorders. 

“We need to have compassion for youth who are suffering from gender dysphoria instead of recruiting more children into this movement. Medical activists are purposely creating lifelong patients for profit. 

“Trans activists are luring children away from their families encouraging “no contact” to isolate them to complete their brainwashing tactics. 

“Corporations are normalizing gender dysphoria for profit. 

“Schools are the breeding ground where children are being lied to and set up to be victims of these medical, trans, and corporate predators. 

“We ask you please purge schools of any predatory materials and instead focus on non-biased education. 

“It is our respectful request that these books be removed from the school libraries and returned to the sender.

 â€œThis is where you can find an extensive list of books that are found in Asheville and Buncombe County Schools — www.pavementeducationproject.com. 

“We ask that you heed the North Carolina General Statutes laws according to – 14-190.1,13-17a. 

“If we can’t come to a respectful resolution to remove these books, then will be forced to share these books and locations with national media platforms.

  “Shalom — and gracious blessings!” 

EDITOR’S NOTE: Gates’ letter to the editor noted that his separate letter to Asheville and Buncombe officials was “signed in agreement” with Concerned Citizens of Asheville, Courtney Blossman and “local and surrounding churches.”