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."