Pubdate: Wed, 25 Sep 2002
Source: Asheville Citizen-Times (NC)
Copyright: 2002 Asheville Citizen-Times
Contact:  http://www.citizen-times.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/863
Author: Clarke Morrison
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/pot.htm (Cannabis)
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/decrim.htm (Decrim/Legalization)

CANDIDATES FORUM DRUMS UP POLITICAL INTEREST AT UNCA

ASHEVILLE - Working as a congressional intern in Washington, D.C., over the 
summer, UNC Asheville senior Jenny Bowen was struck by the fact that most 
of those in power are older men.

"I realized how little voice our generation has in politics," she said.

So in an attempt to connect younger people to the world of politics and 
issues that affect them, Bowen and other members of the university's 
Student Government Association held a forum Wednesday attended by several 
local candidates for public office.

"I believe the best way to get people to vote is to get them active in the 
process," said Bowen, who interned for U.S. Rep. Charles Taylor, a 
Republican representing Western North Carolina. "I think our age group 
doesn't voice what we need to be represented."

While Taylor and other incumbents weren't able to attend the forum at UNCA, 
a variety of candidates talked about their priorities and fielded questions 
on issues ranging from air quality to taxes to the legalization of marijuana.

Tom Albright, a senior majoring in computer science, wanted to know about 
Bill Porter's proposal to eliminate the state income tax. Porter, a 
Republican seeking election to the state House in the 114th District, said 
other states such as Texas and Florida don't have an income tax, instead 
relying on a large sales tax for revenues.

"High taxes are driving businesses out, forcing older people to work to 
keep their homes," he said.

Student Dennis Woods questioned the candidates about their stances on the 
legalization of marijuana, saying the drug hasn't been shown to be harmful 
and that many people are needlessly imprisoned for nonviolent drug offenses.

Sean Haugh, a Libertarian running for U.S. Senate, agreed with Woods, but 
none of the other candidates did.

"Libertarians feel very strongly we ought to legalize marijuana," Haugh 
said. "No matter what the laws are, it doesn't change what people do. 
There's no reason to put pot smokers in jail."

But Bruce Goforth, a Democrat running for the state House in District 115, 
said drug use leads to increased crime and he doesn't favor legalization.

Sam Neill, a Democrat seeking to unseat Taylor in the U.S. House, praised 
the N.C. General Assembly's passage of the Clean Smokestacks Act, but said 
that 78 percent of Western North Carolina's air pollution comes from 
outside the region, harming the health of people and the area's economy.

Federal legislation is needed to clean up the emissions from power plants 
in other states, he said. Neill said he'd also work to reduce class sizes 
in the elementary school grades and provide grants for attending college.

But R.L. Clark, a Republican seeking election to the state Senate in 
District 49, said North Carolina already has a "tremendous education 
budget," and that local people should be given "the real authority to set 
the agenda for the public school system."

Patricia Kaufmann and Roger Smith, who both are running for District Court 
judge in Buncombe County, explained to the students that judicial 
candidates are prohibited from discussing political issues but can pledge 
to be fair and impartial.

Student Chris Bubenik, who helped organize the forum, said he thought it 
was useful.

"A lot of students think that politicians only work for older people," he 
said. "But once (candidates) hear our concerns, they are better prepared to 
fulfill our needs."
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager