An election is looming for three of the seven seats open on Asheville City Council and interest, thusfar, appears to be lackluster — to say the least.

As of July 5, only two people have filed for the posts — incumbent Bill Russell and challenger Marc Hunt. The latter is a long-time chairman of the greenways commission.

Meanwhile, the other two incumbents, Vice Mayor Brownie Newman and Councilman Jan Davis, have said they are unsure whether they will seek re-election. Both have noted that the four-year terms constitute a significant time commitment.

With filing ending July 15 at the Buncombe County Elections Services, it is critically important that qualified citizens step forward and declare their candidacy because the city is facing many tough challenges in the future.

There are two other newcomers expected to file, including Mark Cates, a small business consultant; and Chris Pelly, president of the Haw Creek Community Association.

The interest level this year is minuscule compared to 2009, when 12 candidates vied for four seats, including the mayor’s office; and 2007, when 15 people sought seats on council.

The recent record appears to have been in 1983, when 22 candidates ran for council seats in Asheville.
Some political observers have sagely suggested that the disinterest may be the result of a poor economy, — and the state General Assembly’s exercising ever-increasing control over local issues, and thereby causing local citizens to feel that council does not wield much power.

In our view, Asheville is the jewel in the crown of North Carolina — and needs the best leadership possible. We encourage interested citizens to file, so that voters have a choice in who leads this eclectic city into the future.