Chris Pelly’s third bid for a seat on Asheville City Council was successful, and the longtime neighborhood activist (who’s also president of the Haw Creek Community Association) has some big plans. “I intend to try to work to advance the ideas on which I based my campaign,” he reveals. “That includes expansion of our sidewalk […]
Author: David Forbes
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St. Lawrence Basilica offers $2 million for city property
The Diocese of Charlotte, which runs Asheville’s Basilica of St. Lawrence, has offered the city of Asheville $2 million for Haywood Street property located across the street from the local landmark. Asheville City Council will receive a report on the deal tonight, Jan. 10.
WE DO campaign expands to South Carolina
The Asheville-based WE DO campaign — where couples try to register for marriage licenses as a way of demanding an end to laws prohibiting same-sex marriage — is expanding to South Carolina. On Jan. 17-18, three LGBT couples will request licenses in Greenville, S.C.
Camping ban back on Council agenda, but probably won’t face vote
An ordinance banning camping on city property — drafted in response to the Occupy Asheville encampment in front of City Hall — is back on Asheville City Council’s agenda for the Jan. 10 meeting. The ban is there despite a Council committee voting 2-1 to instead send forward a permitting process for the protesters. However, the Council members on that committee say that they don’t anticipate the issue coming up for a vote, and instead expect a staff report on permits for the Occupy campers.
Pisgah Legal offers five ideas for “putting a dent in poverty in 2012”
In response to Xpress’ request for big ideas for 2012 from around the community, the team at Pisgah Legal, a local non-profit that offers aid and advocacy for low-income residents, offered five ideas for “putting a dent in poverty in 2012.”
Planning and Zoning wrangles over digital billboards, directs staff on new rules
Following a lengthy public comment period and debate among its members, the city of Asheville’s Planning and Zoning Commission voted 5-2 to direct staff to draw up new rules increasing setbacks and restricting digital billboards in certain corridors of the city.
Live Twitter coverage of Planning and Zoning consideration of digital billboards
At its meeting this evening, the city of Asheville’s Planning and Zoning Commission will consider possible changes to the city’s rules on digital billboards. Follow Live Twitter coverage of the meeting here.
Unemployment dropped in Asheville area in November
With modest job gains, the Asheville metropolitan area saw unemployment drop to 7.5 percent in November — the second-lowest in the state — while unemployment in Buncombe County declined to 7.2 percent, according to numbers released by the state’s Division of Employment Security.
Instead of ban, Council committee recommends permit process for Occupy Asheville campers
A proposed ban on camping on city property — drafted in response to Occupy Asheville‘s encampment in front of City Hall — didn’t make it past Asheville City Council’s Public Safety Committee. Instead the committee directed staff at its meeting this afternoon to look at a permitting process for campers.
Live Twitter coverage of Public Safety meeting about Occupy Asheville camping rules
Asheville City Council’s Public Safety Committee will consider (and possibly modify) a proposed ban on camping on city property developed in response to Occupy Asheville‘s encampment in front of City Hall. Follow live Twitter coverage here.
Live Twitter updates on the WNC snow
Winter’s here as temperatures have dropped and snow is falling over the Asheville area. Follow live Twitter updates on the situation here.
What’s the Big Idea? Some thoughts for Asheville in 2012
For its next two issues, Xpress will feature an array of “Big Ideas” for 2012 from local notables, citizens, politicians, activists, artists and more. Here’s a peek at some of the ideas. What’s your big idea for Asheville in the year to come?
Goodbye Asheville Civic Center, hello U.S. Cellular Center
At the close of business yesterday, no other company had submitted an upset bid to the city of Asheville, so the Asheville Civic Center will now be named the U.S. Cellular Center. The sale of the center’s naming rights, confirmed in a Nov. 22 City Council vote, was a controversial step.
Bothwell proposes moving the city of Asheville’s money to local banks
Council member Cecil Bothwell tells Xpress that he’ll propose that the city of Asheville move its funds to local banks, and push to pass such a measure in the coming year.
Photo by Max Cooper
Pelly seeking new committee, increased role for neighborhoods in city
Asheville City Council member Chris Pelly, a longtime neighborhood activist, has proposed the creation of an advisory committee intended to improve communication between the city of Asheville and neighborhoods. The committee may also play a role in resource allocation and the development process.
Proposal for Neighborhood Advisory Committee
In this document, Asheville City Council member Chris Pelly proposes the creation of a Neighborhood Advisory Committee for the city of Asheville.
APD looking for break-in suspects
The Asheville Police Department has released surveillance photos of two individuals suspected of breaking into a car downtown.
Preoccupied
Asheville City Council meeting Dec. 13, 2011 The Aventine apartments pass second reading First Transit contract renewed If new Asheville City Council members Marc Hunt and Chris Pelly expected their first regular meeting to be short and sweet, they were in for a surprise. Occupy Asheville protesters packed the Council chamber Dec. 13, opposing ordinances […]
List reveals who’s assessing candidates for Asheville’s next police chief
A group of seventeen, primarily made up of law enforcement officials and city of Asheville staff, is in the process of evaluating nine finalists for the Asheville Police Department’s next chief. Here’s who they are.
Survey: Asheville area 13th worst in the nation for finding a job
A survey conducted by employment services ManpowerGroup and published on Forbes magazine’s website rates the Asheville metropolitan area the 13th worst in the country for finding a job, with a net employment outlook of 0 percent.
Asheville City Council: Occupy Asheville camping rules postponed for review
Dec. 13 marked the first regular Asheville City Council meeting for newly elected Marc Hunt and Chris Pelly, as Council tackled an array of hot-button issues, including how to handle Occupy Asheville camping on public space.