In the wake of Todd Williams’ historic victory over District Attorney Ron Moore in the May 6 Democratic primary, two unaffiliated candidates are mounting petition campaigns to get their names on the November ballot. Ben Scales, a local attorney in private practice, and Rebecca Knight, a former Buncombe County District Court judge, are each seeking […]
Buncombe County Manager Wanda Greene is recommending commissioners hold the tax rate steady this year and borrow $44.3 million for a new downtown Asheville building addition and parking deck. Her budget proposal, which she’ll present to the board of commissioners Tuesday, June 3, calls for keeping the county-wide property tax rate at 60.4 cents per […]
Nancy Waldrop announced May 29 that she’s mounting a last-minute petition drive to get on the November ballot as an unaffiliated candidate for the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners in District 3. (photo by Alicia Funderburk)
As Buncombe County’s June 30 deadline to finalize its budget draws near, the competition among local groups seeking public funding has reached fever pitch.
The Buncombe County Culture and Recreation Authority recommended $1.17 million in grants to a list of 15 local nonprofit organizations — far less than the $3.86 million they requested, but more than twice as much as County Manager Wanda Greene is recommending as she prepares to craft the county budget for the next fiscal year.
On Tuesday, May 20, Buncombe County will consider a request from Moogfest for $250,000 in public funding to produce the technology, art and music festival again next year.
The May 6 primary proved historic, as Buncombe County voters propelled district attorney candidate Todd Williams to a landslide victory over Ron Moore, who had held the position for 24 years. Voters also outed incumbent Buncombe Commissioner David King and set up several battles going into the fall general election. Here’s a rundown of some of the key local races and results.
Buncombe County commissioners voted unanimously May 13 to give BorgWarner $1.92 million in economic incentive grants. Commissioners also unanimously approved spending $395,000 to buy two different parcels of land for school use.
Buncombe County officials joined with community partners May 13 to unveil a new plan to curb domestic violence.
Polls are open across Western North Carolina today, May 6, for voting in a variety of primary races, from congress to the county commission.
In District 3, which stretches from Arden to Sandy Mush, incumbent Republican David King is being challenged by Miranda DeBruhl. Xpress asked each candidate five questions designed to elicit their priorities and views.
In District 2, which encompasses Fairview, Black Mountain and Weaverville, Vice Chair Ellen Frost, a Democrat, faces a primary challenge from former Commissioner Carol Peterson. Xpress asked each candidate five questions designed to elicit their priorities and views.
In District 1, roughly equivalent to the city of Asheville, incumbent Democrat Brownie Newman is being challenged by Keith Young. Xpress asked each candidate five questions designed to elicit their priorities and views.
“In North Carolina, sustainability plans are pretty rare,” reports Scott Mouw, recycling director at the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources. “Not many communities have taken on the task of comprehensively looking at their environmental footprint and worked through ways to reduce that footprint.” In fact, Buncombe County is one of only a handful in the state to have such a plan, unanimously adopted by the Board of Commissioners May 15, 2012. But what is it, exactly? And what does it mean for current and future residents?
Early voting for the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners primary starts April 24 — just two days after Earth Day. The juxtaposition underscores the fundamental link between sustainability and politics.
The first group of students in Lenoir-Rhyne University’s new sustainability studies program may be small, but the fruits of their research might eventually have a big local impact. Based at the Asheville campus, the new master’s degree program requires students to complete a “capstone” project combining graduate-level research with real-world conditions and needs. This spring, […]
Buncombe Commissioners acted April 15 to build a new bus shelter, restructure the county’s fire districts and prevent the FDA from implementing new rules that could hamper local brewers’ ability to sell spent grains to farmers for animal feed.
Buncombe Commissioners voted along party lines April 1 to give Mountain Bizworks $50,000 toward a new microloan program that will help small local businesses get needed capital. The local business nonprofit will leverage the county funds to receive an additional $300,000 from the federal Small Business Association Microloan Program.
As Mountain Bizworks continues to restructure its services, Buncombe commissioners are considering a plan to give the influential local business nonprofit $50,000 toward a new microloan program.
The concept that is driving the Buncombe Cultural Alliance’s mission is collective impact. The leadership team hosted a three-hour focus group at the 2014 Creative Sector Summit to share their progress and solicit feedback on a strategy draft.
As local leaders wrestle with different ideas about which route is best for an Interstate 26 connector through downtown Asheville, the N.C. Department of Transportation has put together a series of maps and charts to help inform the public about the options.
