Election Day isn’t until tomorrow, Tuesday, Nov. 4, but thousands of Buncombe County voters have already gone to the polls. The percentage of local residents who voted early was relatively high this year despite a new state law that reduced the number of days it was available. This year 41,746 Buncombe residents voted early, compared […]
Students at Warren Wilson College delivered a contentious 18 vote win to Ellen Frost in 2012, giving Democrats a one seat majority on the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners. She faces a rematch with Republican opponent Christina Merrill this year for control of District 2, and the two candidates returned to the decisive campus in Swannanoa for an Oct. 29 forum. (Photo by Petras Barcas)
School board members are, in fact, the elected officials most closely connected to local school systems’ day-to-day operations. An Oct. 9 forum highlighted the issues and the candidates for Buncombe County’s board.
County commissioners will convene today, Oct. 21, to consider two financial decisions related to county and city institutions. The first concerns the Buncombe County Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) of Western North Carolina, which is seeking financial assistance for various upgrades and improvement projects, by way of Wisconsin: The organization is seeking the proceeds of […]
Four candidates are battling for two seats on the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners. In each case, these contenders hold vastly different views on a range of issues, from taxes and spending to growing the economy and protecting the environment. Also at stake is which party holds a voting majority on the board. Here’s a closer look at those races.
In a Civitas “flash” poll of 300 Buncombe County residents Oct. 3-6, Rep. Nathan Ramsey trailed Democratic challenger John Ager by 13 points.
Buncombe County Commissioners will seek public feedback on two issues tomorrow night, Sept. 16: one involving an economic incentive deal to Wicked Weed Brewing and the other regarding Weaverville zoning.
It’s been a hard few months for Buncombe County Register of Deeds Drew Reisinger. His office remains under intense scrutiny following the news that Reisinger, an elected official, closed the Deeds office in February during inclement weather and a governor-declared State of Emergency. No other Buncombe County department closed at the time. Buncombe officials later responded to the apparent […]
Hours after he was supposed to show up, a bicyclist has been reported missing. His last known whereabouts were the trails at the Kolo Bike Park, but that plus a basic description is all that the Buncombe County Rescue Squad volunteers know before setting out on this staged drill. Carrying bags of gear that typically […]
The so-called “parking-gate” saga continued Aug. 12, as Asheville City Council member Cecil Bothwell and Buncombe County Commissioner took to the airwaves to spar.
Buncombe County’s Board of Commissioners faced a full agenda on Aug. 5, and by meeting’s end, they had passed several motions that will change the landscape in some significant ways. (photo by Alicia Funderburk)
“It is the responsibility of the Legislature to fund teacher pay,” District 2 incumbent Democrat Ellen Frost declared at the July 30 Council of Independent Business Owners candidate forum. But though most school funding comes from the state, the county does provide a supplement each year, usually about 20 percent of total school funding. In […]
Differing visions for Buncombe County’s future collided July 30, as the Council of Independent Business Owners hosted the campaign season’s first candidate forum. Four candidates made their case for two seats on the Board of Commissioners. Sparring for District 2 Incumbent Democrat Ellen Frost faces a rematch with Republican Christina Merrill in District 2, which […]
A July 30 candidate forum unofficially kicks off what’s shaping up to be an intense campaign season for seats on the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners.
Buncombe County is taking new steps to alleviate poverty, and it’s looking to the community for ideas. Representatives of 22 organizations attended a July 15 Buncombe County Health and Human Services (BCHHS) meeting, where they learned of Buncombe’s new Request for Information (RFI) on poverty remediation. County leaders are interested in community practices to remedy poverty and are seeking information […]
The blogosphere is abuzz these days with romantic visions of picturesque miniature dwellings. And a growing number of local advocates say the “tiny home movement” could help achieve a wealth of positive outcomes, from environmental efficiencies to enhanced affordability. Amid the swelling interest, however, many hurdles remain.
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will convene tonight, July 8, with the primary order of business being the final adoption of the Fiscal Year 2015 budget put on hold at the previous meeting on June 17. The budget estimates $280.3 million in expenditures for the county and holds the tax rate steady at current levels.
Nancy Waldrop — the wife of current Buncombe Commissioner David King — earned an unaffiliated spot on the Nov. 4 ballot and immediately launched a campaign to represent District 3 on the board of commissioners. (photo by Alicia Funderburk)
Amid ongoing budget deliberations, on June 17 Buncombe County commissioners heard appeals from local schools for more funds and decided to delay contentious decisions on whether to relocate the Health and Human Services Department and build a new aquatics center.
Ben Scales turned in more than 7,958 verified signatures to the Buncombe County Board of Elections by the June 12 deadline, earning him an unaffiliated spot on the Nov. 4 district attorney ballot against Democrat Todd Williams.
Amid rising demand for services and confronted with a $44.3 million expansion plan, Buncombe County commissioners floated the idea June 3 of moving the Health and Human Services Department out of its facility in downtown Asheville to save costs.
