Earlier this summer, Robin Cape faced what appeared to be an "either-or" situation: Either mount a City Council re-election campaign, or step aside to focus on the concurrent crises of her father's death and her divorce. As a mother, she chose to focus on protecting her children during that difficult time. Thankfully, she and the children emerged not only stronger, but more quickly than Robin had anticipated.
Although she had missed the primary registration process, she still had a burning desire to continue working for a better Asheville, as a Council member. She decided to embark on the arduous process of campaigning as a "write-in" candidate for City Council.
Running as a write-in candidate is a lot harder than running in the primary and general election because the election laws of North Carolina do not make write-in an easy-access route to elected office, although one would think the write-in route would be a fundamental component of the democratic electoral process.
I have worked with Robin for years and have found her to be anything but wishy-washy. I have found her:
• To be a good listener with a profound respect for the political beliefs of others,
• To be willing to ask herself and other elected officials the tough questions about Asheville's future and how as an elected leader she can contribute to the betterment of our community, and to not accept vague and ambiguous answers,
• To not be afraid of creative abrasion (strong differences of opinion) and to let the best idea win — remembering always what Aldus Huxley said: "It should not be a question of who is right, but what is right,"
• To exhibit strength of character consistent with what Norman Vincent Peal said: "Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to stay there,"
• To display that unique trait of leadership that Arthur Miller observed to be the ability "to find the magnetic core that will draw together a fragmented public,"
• To have earned influence through performance. Influence is earned when people buy into your character, competence and consistency, and
• To see public life/service as an elected official as worthy and ennobling.
She is just the kind of elected leader that I would want to have as a critical player in charting the course for the future of my community.
— Mack B. Pearsall
Asheville
“Elected Leader?” I think these people are supposed to be servants, not “leaders.”
I also hope that Ms. Cape does a little research and finds cause to dissociates herself from Sierra Club and Smart Growth. As socially and politically aware as Ashevillers are, these affiliations will hurt her campaign.
As a true Conservative, i plan on writing in [b]Tim Peck for City Council![/b]