The Haw Creek community gathered on March 11 for the annual meeting of the community association, welcoming new leadership, celebrating past accomplishments, and looking ahead to an exciting year.
Four new members—Danielle Arostegui, Jonathan Connolly, Chris Fleming, and Daniel Sanders—were elected to the board, joining re-elected incumbents Michelle Decker, Christina Maggi, and Renate Rikkers (see all board member bios). With the addition of these new voices, the board brings a renewed depth of expertise, fresh perspectives, and energy for the year ahead.
Following the election, the board selected officers for the coming year:
- Michelle Decker, President
- Christina Maggi, Vice President
- Christina Quetel, Treasurer
- Danielle Arostegui, Secretary
A highlight of the evening was celebrating community leadership, with remarks from Mayor Esther Manheimer, who recognized the many accomplishments of the Haw Creek Community Association under the leadership of Chris Pelly during his remarkable 19 years of service. His dedication and steady leadership helped make Haw Creek safer, stronger, and more connected, leaving a lasting impact on the neighborhood.
There was strong community participation: approximately 85 neighbors attended the meeting, along with several special guests:
- Bo Hess, City Council Member
- Jackie Stepp, Interim Police Chief
- Carrie Lee, Asheville Police Department Community Resource Officer for East Asheville
A presentation highlighted a productive 2025 for the association, including:
- Securing full funding for the Haw Creek Park Greenway
- Launching the Firewise Community Project to improve wildfire preparedness
- Hosting 6 educational programs, 2 community meetings, and 12 community events
Even more is planned for the coming year. Key goals include:
- Building and opening the Haw Creek Park Greenway
- Continuing implementation of the Firewise Community Project
- Planting 400 native wildflowers in planter boxes at the library
- Expanding community events and neighborhood gatherings
Residents were encouraged to get involved by joining one of the associations's five committees, which help manage much of HCCA’s day-to-day work. There are also many opportunities for neighbors to volunteer on an occasional basis.
The evening concluded with a chance to meet neighbors and reconnect at a dessert social featuring 100 choux à la crème generously donated by RendezVous. A sweet finish to the evening!
Photos by Gabriel Swinney
