Public Comment at the TDA Board Meeting

This morning I attended the Tourism Development Authority (TDA) Board Meeting. I wanted the Board members to be aware that Asheville residents and service workers are paying attention to their response to the need for affordable parking and improved public transportation.

The meeting was temporarily disrupted when the TDA’s internet went down—hence my remarks about the importance of reliable infrastructure at the very beginning. (I refer to infrastructure throughout because the TDA will often say that by law it can only fund infrastructure. I believe it’s important to broaden our understanding of what counts as infrastructure.)

Progressives, Labor, Gala, Youth!

My day started with Cheryl Thomas Orengo‘s Breakfast with Progressives, where we heard from my friends Kim Roney (candidate for Mayor) and Martin Moore (candidate for County Commission District 2).

Ron Ingerick and Nina Tovish in front of union bannerThen I spent the afternoon at the WNC Central Labor Council picnic with our local Union leaders and members. (Photo with me and WNC CLC leader Ron Ingerick.)

Julie Montanea, Nina Tovish, Denise Marecki, Terry van DuynThe evening featured the District 11 Dems Gala, where I was thrilled to be at a table with Julie Montanea, Denise Marecki, and Terry Van Duyn.

I closed the evening out with an after-party with the Buncombe Young Democrats. A long, rewarding day, filled with people who are working hard to make our city, county, state, and nation a better, fairer place for all.