Redistrict­ing reform is everyone’s concern

I would like to thank the Mountain Xpress for covering the recent bipartisan redistricting reform rally in downtown Asheville [“Coming Together,” Aug. 7]. Though redistricting reform might not get as much media coverage as some of the more “hot button” issues, redistricting reform really is an issue that could bring us all together, regardless of […]

For your informatio­n

This Independence Day marks 47 years since the landmark Freedom of Information Act was signed into federal law, yet Americans are still distrustful of government. A 2013 Pew Research Center poll showed that only 26 percent of Americans surveyed say they can trust government in Washington "almost always or most of the time" — among […]

Is Voter ID really worth all these burdens?

Last week, North Carolina House Speaker Thom Tillis announced that a Voter ID bill “will move fairly quickly” through the General Assembly this year. The League of Women Voters has been a vocal opponent of similar Voter ID bills introduced recently in state legislatures across the country. We should not be so blinded by concerns […]

I’m going Gray

It’s not every day you get the opportunity to vote for a candidate as refreshing and inspiring as Lael Gray. This July, I kept waiting for a candidate I could wholeheartedly support to come along. While I have closely monitored local political races for years, Lael is the only Asheville City Council candidate who has […]

Redistrict­ing, gerrymande­ring and power

“Let’s be candid: this is all about power.” Those were the words of Bob Orr, executive director of North Carolinians for Constitutional Law and a former North Carolina gubernatorial candidate and Supreme Court Judge. Orr was one of three speakers to address the 50 to 60 people who attended the free screening of the documentary film, Gerrymandering, at UNC Asheville’s Reuter Center June 16.

The holistic approach

Whether we’re talking about pets or people, a holistic health approach emphasizes the importance of looking at the big picture and treating the system as a whole, instead of addressing only specific symptoms. In addition to reminding us that “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” and that it’s “way easier to […]

A pet primer

As a professional dog walker, my pet-care motto is: “When in doubt, wear them out.” Exercise makes a difference for your pet. It helps keep Fido or Garfield at a healthy weight, which prevents such debilitating health problems as arthritis and diabetes — just a few problems that plague overweight pets. Exercise and mental stimulation […]