Local Matters: Russell drops from City race, poverty legal aid and Asheville as a “cesspool of sin”

In this edition of Local Matters — the Xpress weekly news podcast — reporter David Forbes talks about City Council member Bill Russell dropping out of his bid for re-election, Pisgah Legal Services efforts to increase access to legal help for the poor, and the recent claim by NC State Sen. James Forrester that Asheville is a “cesspool of sin.”

A few questions about government

Do you feel that your government, from the local level, all the way to Raleigh and Washington, D.C., has your best interests at heart? Do you feel that they spend your money in a completely open and honest manner, with accountability for each decision and every dollar? Do you feel that they run for election […]

Buncombe County’s removal of newspaper boxes may violate First Amendment

Last week, Buncombe County Manager Wanda Greene‘s office ordered the removal of 17 newspaper boxes in front of the courthouse, claiming they were unsightly. The move, according to North Carolina Press Association attorney Amanda Martin, was illegal and violates First Amendment protections on newspaper racks on public property.

The newspaper boxes after their removal. Photos by Jeff Tallman

Balancing act?

Depending on whom you ask, a recent change to Buncombe County's election law is either a blatantly partisan Republican dictate from Raleigh or a much-needed adjustment to restore balance and fairness to local government after an unduly long period of Democratic rule. Ratified by the state Legislature May 19 after House and Senate votes that […]

Water torture

Mere months before the many-headed Hydra that is the Regional Water Agreement is scheduled to expire, the central questions remain: Will Asheville and Buncombe County negotiate a settlement tying up all the loose ends? Will their lawyers wind up duking it out in court? Or will the General Assembly, like some legislative deus ex machina, […]