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Four Seasons Politics

McGrady's distillery reg reform bill advances

Hendersonville Four Seasons Politics

Stephens to retire from City Council

Hendersonville mayor pro tem Ron Stephens, a veteran member of the council, announced on Monday that he will not seek a fourth term.   Read Story »

Hendersonville Four Seasons Politics

Council members oppose — and mayor defends — gay pride proclamation

Minutes after Hendersonville Mayor Barbara Volk finished reading a proclamation declaring Hendersonville's first gay pride day on Thursday night, dozens of LGBT supporters spilled out into the parking lot of the City Operations Center. The boisterous celebration that followed went on for a half hour as the council continued its regular meeting inside.   Read Story »

Hendersonville Four Seasons Politics

Council directs manager to pursue city-county water rate equity

The Hendersonville City Council on Thursday night took a potentially significant step toward peace in the long-running and bitter water war with Henderson County.   Read Story »

Henderson County Four Seasons Politics

Mayor proclaims first gay pride day

The meeting room was full an hour before the start time for Thursday's City Council meeting, with supporters and opponents of a gay pride proclamation seated on either side of a center aisle like families and friends at a wedding — opponents on the right, supporters on the left. More than 200 people filled the room and speakers, including clergy members, activists and regular people, expressed their views for and against a proclamation declaring June 15 the city's first Hendersonville Pride Day.   Read Story »

Henderson County Four Seasons Politics

Edwards questions beer sales at college stadiums

A bill that would allow beer and wine sales at college stadiums may be sailing through the Legislature, but state Sen. Chuck Edwards is not joining the toast.   Read Story »

Hendersonville Four Seasons Politics

Gay pride proclamation expected to draw opposing crowds to council meeting

Police have made plans for crowd control when people gather tonight, possibly in the low hundreds, to support and oppose a gay pride resolution on the Hendersonville City Council's agenda. The city announced Wednesday that it was moving the meeting from City Hall to the City Operations Center on Williams Street to accommodate the expected crowd. Police plan extra coverage and have urged leaders of the pro- and anti-Hendersonville Pride proclamation. "If they want to picket on a public sidewalk they can," City Manager John Connet said. "We'll have one added officer" in addition to one that always attends council meetings. "But if others are needed, officers that are on patrol can come in." Organizers opposed to the gay pride resolution notified the city that they expect to have more than 50 people. "We are aware that there is going to be a sizable crowd at that meeting and we have addressed that," Chief Herbert Blake said. "We will have adequate staff, more than usual." The department has plans to react to "any circumstances where there may be competing constituencies in the same area. We've reached out to both sides, we've had conversations with leaders of both sides. They're not out there looking for a conflict. They're out there expressing their First Amendment views of how they feel." The city's resolution notes that in June 1969, patrons of the Stonewall Inn stood up to police harassment, in what became a turning point for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transexual community. The Hendersonville LGBTQ community "strives to create a welcoming community for all people, regardless of sexual orientation," the proclamation says. LGBTQ residents "contribute to the expression of diversity in the community, ... work alongside us ... and contribute to the success of our economic development (and) donate their time, talents and labor" to organizations and schools. They attend church and "express the same range of faith traditions as other members of our community." The resolution ends by declaring June 15 Hendersonville Pride Day, the first ever in the city. On that day, organizers plan a picnic at Patton Park and two free performances by the Atlanta Gay Men's Chorus at Trinity Presbyterian Church. "I just ask for peace and calm and don't engage them," Laura Bannister said of the protesters. President of the LGBT Democrats, Bannister is one of the organizers of the Hendersonville Pride Day on June 15. In order to make movement non-partisan, she organized a new group, called Stonewall50, after the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising. "We have 10 clergy and their congregations that are supportive of this and plan to come to this meeting and come to the picnic." A retired landcape designer, Bannister moved to Hendersonville 3½ years ago from Washington, D.C. She said she never expected the resolution to cause such a furor. "I don't think it's something she can take off the agenda," she said of Mayor Barbara Volk. "We've got lots of people that are going to show up. When they pass it, we'll all stand and clap and leave." Nancy Glowacki, a progressive activist who received an email Wednesday about the anti-Pride Day protest, said that City Attorney Sam Fritschner had called Bannister to warn her about the expected protesters. "His advice to her was to tell everyone (supporting the Pride Day proclamation) just to be quiet, don't wear provocative T-shirts. Just go right in and sit down." Travis Parker, minister of Zirconia Missionary Baptist Church for the past 14 years, spearheaded the anti-proclamation petition through change.org. On Thursday afternoon it had 641 signers. Parker said he expects around 200 people to show up to oppose the resolution. He and his congregants oppose the resolution "because of what we believe," he said. "What we believe is under attack. The reason that we're going to the City Council is because they told us that Mayor Volk is going to make a proclamation concerning June 15 and she's doing it on behalf of the city and she's saying that all of Hendersonville is in agreement with this, which we're not. That's our position." Parker, who lives outside the city limits, said he is not protesting the LGBT community in general, just the implication through the proclamation that all of Hendersonville supports the gay pride day. "Nobody is coming to say they can't have a picnic," he said. "This is America. They can do whatever they want to do." He said he has urged his church members not to be adversarial. "I have been on the phone discouraging some that might have a militant view from attending," he said. "All I'm worried about is the mayor and her proclaiming this to be a Hendersonville Gay Pride Day. If that's what she believes, she's fine. All I'm asking her to do is don't proclaim Hendersonvlle to have a Gay Pride Day." The change.org petition opposing the resolution had 641 virtual signers. "If this is allowed in your town one time, these people will take over your town and city the same as Asheville allowed. This is not the values of the county, " wrote a petition signer, Jimmy Hodge of Mill Spring. A Facebook page for Hendersonville Pride Day had 224 likes; 74 Facebook users said they planned to attend tonight's meeting.     Read Story »

Hendersonville Four Seasons Politics

Residents get first look at HHS details on Tuesday

Those interested in the long-running Hendersonville High School saga will get a first detailed look at plans for the $60 million Stillwell renovation and new construction plan when the city hosts a neighborhood compatibility meeting at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday at the City Operations Center, 305 Williams St.   Read Story »

Henderson County Four Seasons Politics

Caraker and two challengers announce City Council candidacies

A month before filing opens for city elections, an incumbent and two challengers have announced their plans to run for the Hendersonville City Council. Saying he wants to continue his focus on Seventh Avenue revitalization, the Grey Hosiery Mill project and greenways, Council member Steve Caraker announced his intention to seek a fourth term on the council. The two challengers are both young moms and business owners who say they would bring a fresh voice to the council. Council members Caraker and Ron Stephens are up for re-election this year. The filing period for city elections is July 5-19. Candidates can live anywhere in the city and all seats are elected at large by all city voters. Jennifer Hensley Jennifer Hensley, a chiropractor and mother of two who has been active in volunteer and board service, says she would be a voice for young families and for small business owners. "I've been wanting to do this for several years," she said. "I feel like I bring a lot to the table. I needed to be prepared and ready." A resident of the West Side Historic District, Hensley, 40, said she supports several initiatives the council has adopted. "I'm a huge fan of greenways," she said. She is a member of the county Parks and Recreation Board, which helped to guide a greenway master plan. "They're safe for kids. We're an aging community and they're really into exercise... I want to keep it affordable to live here. I want to keep it a great place for my kids." She said she would work to encourage small business growth. "A lot of my friends are small business owners but they don't get to vote in city elections," she said. "I want to be their voice." Along with Jeff Miller, Hensley and another challenger, Lyndsey Simpson, would add two more downtown area business owners on the board if they were elected. Her practice, Well-Adjusted Chiropractic, Acupuncture and Massage, is on Bearcat Boulevard across from Hendersonville High School. Simpson owns a graphics firm with offices in the old Federal Building on Fourth Avenue West. "I feel like I can do this," Hensley said. "I feel like I can do it responsibly and I can do it well." Here is Hensley's announcement: "Giving back to my community has always been a priority of mine. While growing up, I held a strong interest in student government and community service. Upon moving to Hendersonville in 2003, I was immediately impressed by our local leaders and the impact they make in our community. It was then that I knew I wanted to contribute to our community as a public servant.   Our incredible community has offered numerous opportunities to prepare me as a member of our Council. I am ready to fully understand, support, and acknowledge our city's residents and their diverse needs. 

For the past 10 years, I have been volunteering and serving on many local boards. "I am actively serving on The Henderson County Parks and Recreation Board, the Child Fatality and Protection Board, Henderson County Greenway Expansion Committee, and I previously served on the Hendersonville Environmental Sustainability Board. I've been honored this past year to be the Chair of The Henderson County Social Services Board.  In addition to community service, I am proud to be a wife to my amazing, supportive husband Kevin; a mom to the best kids anyone could ask for, Shelby and Enzo; and I am a successful chiropractor and small business owner here in our wonderful City of Hendersonville.   
"My love for Hendersonville is why I have chosen to run for City Council. I will continue the path of thoughtful growth that our local leaders have forged. I believe in focusing on our future and giving our great citizens a community in which to thrive. I will prioritize providing support for public safety, recreation, and healthy lifestyle opportunities. I will strive to solidify our infrastructure in order to support local businesses, thus providing jobs and creating more opportunities for affordable housing. "These elements allow all city residents an instilled sense of pride in their community."
In addition to being a Hendersonville small business owner, I'm a Hendersonville homeowner and current resident. I am a payer of city taxes. I can assure you that I will be a responsible steward of taxpayers’ money. I will do my best to listen to the needs of Hendersonville residents; and vow to serve and represent you in the best way possible. "How can you support my candidacy?  If you live in the City of Hendersonville, take the time to contact me so I may answer any and all questions you may have about how I can prove myself as the strongest candidate for City Council and earn your vote. For those outside of the city or county, I would appreciate your prayers, encouraging words, and social media support. Thank you for this opportunity to prove myself to you as the best candidate for Hendersonville's City Council." Lyndsey Simpson Saying that the makeup of the City Council does not reflect the changing demographics of the city, Lindsey Simpson announced her candidacy for the board. Lyndsey Simpson“I don’t feel like the younger families are represented. With more young families moving into our city it is time for a more diverse city council in roder to make the best decsiions to move us forward,” she said. “There’s a lot of young families moving here. I just don’t see anybody that has a young family in our city politics.” A supporter of downtown, she serves on the board of Hands On! Children’s Museum. She and her husband, Tony, have a son, Cole, who will turn 7 in August. He is a second grader at Hendersonville. The family moved from St. Augustine, Florida, three years ago. Simpson owns LS Creative, a graphic design firm with offices downtown in the Old Federal Building. “When we first moved here, I said to my husband our downtown looks like if ‘Better Homes & Gardens’ made a city. It is the cutest downtown I think I’ve ever seen," she said. "Whenever we moved here we kind of assumed that we would be in Asheville all the time. I think as a family we’ve been to Asheville probably twice. We spend most of our time down here.” The city's growth will require changes that need to be carefully planned. "Hendersonville was this ‘best kept secret’ in a lot of ways for the people that have lived here and, both fortunately and unfortunately that best kept secret has gotten out,"  she said. "My feeling on it is that no matter what we do, people are going to be moving here, the community is going to grow and we can do two different things. One is we can not push through some of these improvements that need to be made and we’re going to end up having to be reactive. That would make me concerned that we would actually lose our small-town feel. But if we take pro-active steps in accommodating the growth that we’re going to be seeing, then I think we can ensure we can keep our small town feel that we all love so much about Hendersonville.” After growing up in Titusville, Florida, Simpson, 32, received a B.A. in Graphic Design from Flagler College, in St. Augustine. President of Hands On! Children's Museum, she is also active in the Henderson County Chamber of Commerce, Kiwanis Service First Committee, Hendersonville Elementary School and the YMCA's fundraising campaign. She is a graduate of the 2019 classes of the United Way's Rising Leaders program and Vision Henderson County.   Steve Caraker A former county building inspector who is now a manager for a plumbing contractor, Caraker got into city politics when he was appointed to and later led the Historic Preservation Commission. He was first elected in 2007 in the aftermath of a citizen uprising over a proposed high-rise condo development downtown. Steve Caraker.He has been aggressive in pushing for Seventh Avenue redevelopment and the rehabilitation of the Grey Mill for apartments and has supported greenways and the independence of the city water and sewer system. He currently represents the city on the French Broad River MPO, Henderson County Transportation Advisory Board, the Mills River Partnership, Hendersonville Water and Sewer Advisory Board and the Seventh Avenue Advisory Committee and serves on the board of the Fireman’s Relief Fund.   "I have decided to try to continue my public service with the City of Hendersonville for one more term," he said in an announcement. "While a great deal has been accomplished in the past twelve years, there are some things out there, near and dear to me that remain incomplete. "I would like to continue to guide the revitalization efforts of the 7th Ave. District, and complete the task of transforming The Grey’s Hosiery Mill, continue to grow the area’s Greenway systems in the future. Traffic issues remain a significant challenge here, and the ongoing efforts to gain cooperation of local governing bodies in the best interests of all citizens of Henderson County remains a paramount interest." "I have served for quite a few years now. When I relocated to Hendersonville 20 some years ago, I felt that I had finally 'Come Home.' You will not find a more passionate advocate for this City and this county than myself. I’m very proud of what I’ve been a part of in this City and would like your support to continue to keep Hendersonville the special place it is to live, work and play."   Read Story »

Henderson County Four Seasons Politics

Scouts honor Chuck Edwards, who praises his Scoutmaster

At age 15, son of a single mom, Chuck Edwards faced a fork in the road.   Read Story »

Four Seasons Politics Archive