HCA takes over Mission Health
Buddy K Big Band revs up Blk. Mtn
See STORY, Pg. A6
— See REVIEW, Pg. B1
Holocaust survivor recaps anti-Semitism — See STORY, Pg. A5
Walter Ziffer
LLE I V HE AS ASHEVILLEʼS GREATEST NEWSPAPER
March 2019
Vol. 15, No. 04
An Independent Newspaper Serving Greater Asheville www.ashevilledailyplanet.com FREE
‘Muslim Mafia’ author says U.S. faces big Islamic threat
Biltmore House exhibit revisits the Gilded Age
By JOHN NORTH
john@AshevilleDailyPlanet.com
SKYLAND — Chris Gaubatz, undercover agent in the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas and author of the book “Muslim Mafia” (telling of that experience), described on Feb. 12 the threat to this nation’s future posed by jihadis workng slyly to impose Islam’s Sharia law throughout the United States — and those in the U.S. government who cooperate with them. His talk, which drew about 60 people to the Skyland Fire Department, was hosted by the Asheville Tea Party. On the following night, about 55 people were scheduled to hear him at a repeat of the address in Hendersonville. Afterward, he fielded questions and ended the session with a book-signing. His book was available for sale at the meeting. ATP Chair Jane Bilello, who introduced Gaubatz, began the meeting by noting that “we are the Asheville Tea Party and we also are a state and federal PAC (political action committee).” She said the ATP has “almost 1,500 subscribers on our newsletter list.” Next, Bilello thanked the Buncombe Chris Gaubatz County Republican Women’s Club for the snacks and refreshments served before the meeting. Bilello triggered applause when she added, “We were one of the 100 tea parties across the country that stood firm” — and won — in a dispute with the IRS over their tax-exempt status. “The ‘looney tunes’ (radical leftists) were running after us,” during the (Brett) Kavanaugh proceedings,” which she attended. “It was just awful to see how they behaved.” Next, she noted, “We actually had a conference call recently with President (Donald) Trump,” regarding his support for the wall along the United States’ border with Mexico. Speaking in general terms, Bilello quoted Edmund Burke’s famous saying, “The only thing evil needs to succeed is for good men and women to do nothing.” See “MUSLIM MAFIA” AUTHOR, Page A8
A new exhibition, “A Vanderbilt House Party: Guests, Grandeur & Galas,” is being offered through May 27 at the Biltmore House in Asheville. To that end, the colorized version of a photograph (above) from the Vanderbilt archives depicts afternoon tea on the Loggia of Biltmore House with the Vanderbilts, in September 1900.
Special photo courtesy of THE BILTMORE COMPANY
From left are Edith Vanderbilt, Madame Rambaud (Edith Vanderbilt’s former chaperone), Lila Vanderbilt Webb (George Vanderbilt’s sister), Mary Webb (Lila Webb’s sister-in-law), Isabella Stewart Gardner, unidentified man, and George Vanderbilt.
A complete story on the exhibit appears on Page B5
America’s next top (plastic) remodel?
Q: I’m seeing so many women on Instagram who’ve had themselves made over to be super hot through cosmetic surgery and injectable fillers. They all have the same face — with big, luscious lips and huge doll-like eyes. In every shot, they’re in full makeup — crazy eyeliner, tons of contouring. Do guys actually like this plastic Barbie look? Are guys cool with cosmetic surgery in general? -- Curious Want to know the answer? See ADVICE GODDESS, Page A14
The Advice Goddess
See GILDED AGE, Page
New Asheville city manager says she plans to ‘collaborate’
Debra Campbell
Asheville’s new City Manager Debra Campbell shared her goals and aspirations for the city — and said her job is to “collaborate” rather than to be “a mover and a shaker” — during a Feb. 1 meeting of the Council of Independent Business Owners at UNC Asheville’s Sherrill Center. About 60 people attended. Also making presentations were state Sen. Chuck Edwards, R-Hendersonville, with a state legislative update; and UNCA’s new Chancellor Nancy J. Cable, who unveiled her vision for the university. Prior to the speeches, CIBO chief Buzzy Cannaday, who served as moderator, recognized the elected
guests — or their representatives — who were present, including Edwards, Asheville Mayor Ether Manheimer, Buncombe County commissioners Amanda Edwards and Al Whitesides, Black Mountain Alderman Larry Harris, Robin Ramsey representing U.S. Sen. Richard Burr, R-Winston-Salem; and former Buncombe County Republican Party chairman Henry Mitchell, representing U.S. Rep. Mark Meadows, R-Highlands. Manheimer, who frequently addresses CIBO, introduced Campbell, who, she said, was hired as Asheville’s city manager in December 2018. Previously, Campbell was an assistant city manager for Charlotte.
She has more than 30 years experience in government work, Manheimer said of Campbell. “She hails from Chattanooga, Tenn.” Prior to leaving Charlotte, Campbell recently was “ranked one of the 50 most influential women in Mecklenburg County. You can see why she was an attractive candidate to us.” The CIBO members and guests applauded enthusiastically as Campbell smiled out at them and then said, “Thank you all for inviting me. What I’d like to say is, thank you, (city) council, thank you, community, for the warm welcome you have provided for me.” See NEW CITY MANAGER, Page A9