For Immediate Release, September 14, 2022
Contact: J.W. Glass, (813) 833-5301, jwglass@centeractionfund.org
Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund Endorses Kim Roney for Mayor of Asheville
ASHEVILLE, N.C.— The Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund, the 501(c)(4) political arm of the Center for Biological Diversity, announced today that it is endorsing Kim Roney for mayor of Asheville.
“Kim Roney truly is the progressive environmental champion that Asheville needs to tackle the climate crisis while ensuring the community’s needs are placed above polluting industries,” said J.W. Glass, southeast political director at the Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund. “Now more than ever we need leaders who will fight for our environment. We know Roney will deliver and we’re proud to endorse her.”
“Many in Asheville are struggling to make ends meet as the cost of living rises while unchecked tourism and for-profit development strain our natural resources, burden our infrastructure, and displace our vulnerable neighbors,” Roney said. “We need an equitable transition through the overlapping crises of the pandemic, climate change, systemic racism, and economic uncertainty. I’m running because the work we must do to ensure a resilient community includes urgent action to take better care of the planet and each other, which means addressing affordability and public safety, including meaningful action to address our stated Climate Emergency.”
As a member of the Asheville City Council, Roney was the only one to vote against the Open Space Amendment, a destructive ordinance that drastically reduces the amount of open space in the city, decreases tree canopy, increases flooding risks and benefits only developers. She also worked to secure an urban forester position, which is essential to improving and maintaining the healthy urban forest of Asheville while responding to the climate crisis.
Roney is running against incumbent Esther Manheimer, a real estate attorney and corporate Democrat whose platform includes no mention of climate change. Manheimer oversaw the runaway gentrification and development of Asheville while taking campaign contributions from developers and realtors.
The Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund is a national nonprofit organization that advocates for legislation and legislators that will advance a progressive environmental agenda. The Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund is the 501(c)(4) affiliate of the Center for Biological Diversity, but these organizations’ names are not interchangeable. This news release is from the Center for Biological Diversity Action Fund, not the Center for Biological Diversity.