Pubdate: Wed, 13 Jun 2007
Source: Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Copyright: 2007 Mountain Xpress
Contact:  http://www.mountainx.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/941
Author: Christopher Chiaromonte

START FROM THE TOP

I have a question: Is it not ironic that the police and all other city
employees and the rest of the work force have to give a urine sample
to get a job, and they have to always have the threat of random drug
screens, yet those who make the laws and run the government do not
have to [do this]? Are they better than all the other workers?

I am running for City Council, and I will tell all of you [that] I
smoke marijuana. I challenge anyone running for any office to step
down from their high horse and tell us if they smoke, or give us a
sample of their urine. Then let us decide if we want to hire them.

It is also ironic that the Council we have now is about to make a
decision concerning how we vote, yet they don't know the law as it is
now. On the 26th of June, our City Council will decide if we are to go
back to partisan elections, which means that anyone running as an
independent will have to get a petition signed by 4 percent of the
registered voters to be able to run. As it is now, all an independent
needs is $75.

Weeks ago the vice mayor said that they wished it was easier to run as
an independent. If that is true, why are they trying to change it to
where I would need a petition?

Br. Christopher Chiaromonte

Asheville