Woodfin – A Woodfin man who is running for the Woodfin mayor’s seat this year changed his name several years ago. Josh Blade, who was Josh O’Neil, told the Tribune, “I did change my last name a few years ago. The reason is because my last name was O’Neil, and there was always a problem with the many different ways the name could be spelled and especially with the apostrophe. The punctuation couldn’t be entered into certain computer systems, it made it difficult when trying to retrieve my name in company databases, and even the DMV couldn’t put it on my license. Eventually, I decided to change it, and I chose a name that I liked, would be easy to spell, and had no punctuation.” Blade said that he legally had the name changed by going to the Buncombe County Clerk of the Superior Court Special Proceedings Division. The Tribune could find no criminal history under either of his names. Blade is the only person to announce a run for the mayor’s position so far.
Josh Blade. Photo submitted.