No Race In The Mountains

(CBS)  This story was written by CBSNews.com's Stephen Smith

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Kathy Arbor worries about her hometown.

She frets about property taxes, crowded neighborhoods and pandering Democrats (or "the mafia," as she calls them).

She's upset by what she perceives as the erosion of conservative values and she's miffed by the migration of "freaks" into her city.

"It's become Berkeley," says Arbor, 51. "And I despise Berkeley."

But mostly, Arbor is worried that on Nov. 8, when Asheville, N.C. elects its next mayor, no one will show up at the polls.

"People feel like even if they vote, it doesn't make a difference," she says.

Arbor's concern is not unfounded. Residents here are lamenting an overriding sense of political apathy. Some say it is fueled by ennui, others by cynicism. Whatever the reason, only 9,698 of Asheville's 57,541 registered voters cast a ballot in last month's primary – a paltry 16.9 percent.

But those who did, voted for two candidates who make for an intriguing study in contrasts. The primary's top vote getter, Terry Bellamy, is a 33-year-old Democrat. The runner-up, Joe Dunn, is a 61-year-old Republican. Bellamy is a working mother with two children, Dunn a retired dentist with two grandchildren. Bellamy is black; Dunn is white.

In some ways, the mayoral race mirrors Asheville's complex character. This is a city that Money Magazine named one of the "Best Places to Retire." It is also a town that Rolling Stone proclaimed "America's Freak Capital." Author Thomas Wolfe and actress Andie McDowell call Asheville home; so do televangelist Billy Graham and white supremacist attorney Kirk Lyons.

"We don't fit the mold," says Dunn, who decided to run for office 30 minutes before the deadline.

If elected on Tuesday, Bellamy would be Asheville's first black mayor – perhaps more remarkable considering the city's African-American population hovers at just 17 percent.

Although there are more than 500 black mayors in the U.S., just 47 lead cities with over 50,000 residents (roughly 70,000 live in Asheville); of those, only two are mayors of cities that have a black population of less than 20 percent, according to the National Council of Black Mayors.

Bellamy, who has served on the city council for six years, says she would be proud of being the city's first black mayor but that race is not an issue. For her, being a mayor is about listening to different people.

"I don't label myself because when you start using labels, you disenfranchise some people," she says. "I may never spend time drinking at a club but someone who does and they have issues with the city of Asheville, they should feel comfortable enough to say that 'you know, I can go talk to Terry.'"

As it becomes more diverse, Asheville is suffering through some growing pains. Nestled in western North Carolina's Blue Ridge Mountains, Asheville is a beautiful town that has long drawn tourists – and is now attracting more and more people to live here.

The city's population grew nearly 12 percent from 1990 to 2000, according to the U.S. Census. Asheville's vibrant arts scene and bohemian edge continues to lure young people, while its idyllic setting entice retirees.

The result has been a cacophony of construction – soaring condos are appearing downtown and huge homes are going up in the mountains. The skyrocketing development has residents concerned.

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