Asheville Citizen-Times from Asheville, North Carolina • Page 1

TN. HERITAGE km mm mimm 1 luli' COUGARS EYE FIRST JUDGE RULES ON MIIILE IN SCHOOL HISTORY FA 1 1 QTATFM FMTQ 7 SPORTS, CI MUUN FAINS, Bl ASHEVILLE CITIZEN-TIMES VOICE OF THE MOUNTAINS Wednesday December 9, 2009 75 cents IT 3 SWORN INTO OFFICE, BOTHWELL AFFIRMED More can tartan jr IT i vaccine it -1 1 WEB EXTRA For more about H1N1 flu and to see photo galleries of previous clinics, visit Clinics open to general public By Nancl Bompey ASHEVILLE Health departments around Western North Carolina are starting to give H1N1 flu vaccine to anyone who wants it as supplies of the vaccine increase statewide. The N.C.a Division of Public Health advised health care providers, retail pharmacies and local health departments on Tuesday to make the vaccine available to everyone. Until now, when deliveries were slow, health officials recommended giving the vaccine to peo- pie only in five high-risk priority groups. The state has received more than 2 million doses of H1N1 vaccine so far, which has been distributed to health care providers in every county.

"In many areas of the state, it appears demand for the vaccine by those in the groups initially targeted for vaccination has begun to drop off," state Public Health Director Please see H1N1 on A4 PHOTOS BY ERIN Cecil Bothwell takes the oath of office Esther Manhelmer swears on the Torah Gordon Smith swears on the Bible as a as a city councilman Tuesday evening, as a city councllwoman Tuesday city councilman Tuesday evening. Face of Asheville's government changes COUNCILS EFFECTS ON YOU Builder stands behind Woods New council members seated; Newman elected vice mayor 1 Golfer planned Cliffs course Plans call for least 14 more miles over 10 years. Just acquiring land could cost $600,000 through 2014. Construction would be millions more. Government grants and private donations help, but the council must decide whether to commit taxpayer money.

ON THE WEB Go to CITI-ZEN- TIMES.com fnr nhntn 1 1 mmm i Mii IIIM 11 nnJ Since 2007, the council has committed to $3.3 million in incentives for businesses agreeing to locate, keep or expand a facility. The businesses also promised to keep or create 1,720 jobs. The new council will face similar spending decisions. By Joel Burgess ASHEVILLE The face of the government in charge of safety and services for more than 100,000 people living in and around Western North Carolina's biggest city now has a new look. Three new members took the oath of office Tuesday to join the seven-member Asheville City Council.

The new governing body also unanimously elected a new vice mayor, picking two-term Councilman Brownie Newman to replace Jan Davis, who held the post for two years. Davis will continue serving as a regular member of the council. New council members Cecil Bothwell, Esther Manheimer and Gordon Smith and re-elected Mayor Terry Bellamy, who was also sworn in Tuesday, campaigned on issues ranging from improving public transit to finishing overhauls of city programs. But the new and old council members are facing a stark reality that includes a projected $5 million deficit and what city financial staff are calling a "structural imbalance" between revenues and spending. The chart in this story shows the role the council plays in services, taxes and fees for the 79,393 city residents and thousands more who use city services but live outside Asheville.

It also shows some of the choices they may have to make regarding those issues. Council members have said they hope sales tax revenues are not as low as projected but are already looking at cuts from garbage pickup to parks and recreation. Council members' families, supporters and others overflowed from the council's meeting chambers in Please see COUNCIL on A7 WEB EXTRA Go to for a photo gallery and video. By Ashley Wilson SWANNANOA An October video on The Cliffs at High Carolina's Web site shows Tiger Woods touring the site of his planned golf course and talking about how his family influenced his decision to design his first American golf course in the upscale community. "With a wife and two kids, your perspective on life changes," he says in the video.

"I want to have my kids experience something like this. I want to be able to bring them up here and feel safe, feel secure." Woods has become the focus of a media storm since he crashed his sport utility vehicle outside his Orlando, area home Nov. 27. The accident and Woods' refusal to speak with authorities about it has fueled speculation about a possible dispute between him and his wife, Elin. Last week, Woods issued a statement saying he regrets letting his family down through unspec- Tiger Woods galleries of Tiger Woods at the Cliffs.

ified "transgressions." Still, Cliffs developers are standing by their gold-standard pitchman and course designer. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the Woods family as they deal with this personal and private family matter. Our relationship with Tiger Woods and our commitment to The Cliffs at High Carolina remains unchanged," the development said in a statement to the Citizen-Times. The developer's support falls in line with Woods' corporate sponsors, many of whom have said they plan to maintain their relationships with him. Woods became the first $1 billion athlete largely through sponsorships with Nike Golf, and others.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. City buses provide 5,000 rides a day to city and noncity residents. The city recently lost federal funding for some routes and is in the process of revamping its system, which could cost an extra $2.1 million by 2011. Most city landowners got a break In 2007 when council trimmed the tax rate from 42.38 cents per $100 of assessed property value to 42 cents. Some fees Increased, such as a doubling of the recycling fee.

More Increases are sure to be on the table. Index Today's forecast 0 llllllllll 5 Items from local nonprofits that help hospice patients, pets, honeybees and more. Page B4 IRAQ ATTACKS: A series of coordinated attacks Tuesday struck Baghdad, including two suicide car bombers and another vehicle that blew up near government sites. Page A2 HOLIDAY BREWS: May we pour you a candy cane lnfusedeer? Asheville Brewing gets creative. Find the Beer Guy, Page B4 CAT MEN HOT: The Western Carolina men's basketball team is on a seven-game winning streak.

Page CI COACHING GIANT: Hall of Fame volleyball coach Jan Stanley is retiring at the end of the season at West Henderson. Page CI JOBS PUSH: President Barack Obama called for new federal spending to reduce unemployment. Page A2 LOST OPTION: Senate Democrats tentatively agreed Tuesday night to drop a government-run insurance option from sweeping health care legislation. Page A4 GIFTS THAT KEEP GIVING: Buy the activist on your list unique COMICS B6-7 WINS B4-8 LOTTERIES A2 MOUNTAINS Bl-3 NATIONWORLD A2-3, 6 OBITUARIES B2-3 OPINION MO PUZZLES C8 A CANNOT NEWSPAPER I VOL 140 NO. 343 30 pases ffl 20O9 Windy, rain High 56, Low 27 WEATHER, CIO QUESTIONS ABOUT CIRCULATION? Call (800) 672-2472.