From Staff Reports

HENDERSONVILLE — Following its story on the Hendersonville budget proposal that featured dance in a video, Asheville television station WLOS (News 13) included the following responses in its “Comment Bubble:”

• ConcernedCitizeninHendo — “The video is tone deaf. It’s an unfortunate example of how smart, hard-working, people can be made to look like clowns under misguided leadership. How were you all convinced to do this crazy video? Or were you pressured into it?

“I have a public relations degree and can’t believe this is the best you could come up with. You are dancing with the title of Hurricane Helene looming overhead. And, the only time I want parking fees brought up again is when you get rid of it. Huge mistake! Main Street Hendersonville is not a major city attracting the tourism to justify parking meters. You have effectively driven out your local shoppers and diners. And you know this is what you did. You’ve been told about it how many times now?!

“I am against ‘cancel culture,’ so please reflect on why this was the wrong idea at the wrong time in WNC history for a cutesy approach to increasing taxes and fees.”

• SwiftHemisphere — “I agree. I lost my home in Hurricane Helene and (am) staying in a hotel (and) having to pay out of pocket for it... which is right around $1,200 every 10 days. And I own property where my house once stood, and they are telling me I have to pay more for my registration on my vehicle ,when they’ve already raised property taxes several times for the same reason they are giving here. For roads and sidewalks? I pay property taxes for that every year, I thought?! SMH (shaking my head), it’s sad, — it truly is. ‘Tone deaf’ is an understatement.”

• CT1226 — “Increased everything else — might as well increased taxes too. Hendersonville’s becoming a place for the wealthy.”

• Commonsenseisback — “Please tell me this is a joke.”

• Daniel84 — “Dancing to rate increases. WOW. I guess I forgot to be distracted, or are ignoring the words on the screen.”

• Passthenachos — “I’m only guessing here, but this makes me think there were a few very outgoing, high-energy people who thought ‘hey! This could really be fun, let’s do this!’ And then they started ‘gently’ pressuring the introverts to join in. Subtle pressure — ‘We’re all going to film this and then we’ll have lunch together. Oh, that’s right, you don’t like to do anything fun. You’re the only one in the section who said ‘no,’ so why do you think everyone would be looking at you?’ Sound familiar to anyone? 

“I’m hoping that this is just a few minutes of silliness that will never be repeated.”

• mrinfo — “I am so glad I am outside city limits. How much time and money was spent on that garbage? They actually believe that was an accomplishment?”

• Wivenhoe  —“Nice. Someone needs to pay for all those homeless folks glomming on the downtown benches.  Lemme guess: H’ville is now run by Dems, right?”

• TheCowardTrump — “Way to show your ignorace. Henderson County is overwhelmingly conservative. Most elected officials in the city/county are from your precious ‘party of freedom.’“

• Antiyou — “The Asheville stench must be blowing South.”

• johnbarleycorn — “Are these ‘adults’ or kids in first grade? It’s very silly and embarrassing.” 

• WLB292 — “Not cringe and unprofessional at all.”

• johnbarleycorn — “Send in the clowns... Don’t bother — they’re here!”