From Staff Reports

Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer voiced  concern over national tensions of race and government in her annual State of the City address on Oct. 4.

 Despite state roadblocks, including HB2, she said the city is more focused on equity as an issue, Manheimer said during the address at the U.S. Cellular Center. The full banquet hall included most City Council members, state House Rep. John Ager and Police Chief Tammy Hooper.

The speech was made almost a year after the council chose equity and diversity as key issues and three months after the deadly police shooting of a black man resulted in racial animosity in Asheville. That was followed by the fatal shooting of a black man by police in Charlotte that led to widespread protests.

“We, as a city, value our people. We are a place for everyone, from all walks of life. Our community shares a goal of ‘cultural diversity and social and economic equity,’” Manheimer said, referencing the strategic vision worked out by council in January.

The city has been making attempts at addressing diversity, but now has bigger efforts underway, she said. Manheimer also used the speech and equity themes to pitch for voter passage of referenda for $74 million in construction bonds in the Nov. 8 general election.