Asheville Police Department Interim Chief Wade Wood has released a statement saying that his department takes Facebook comments made by Lynn Fraser, a forensic technician employed by the APD, “very seriously.” Fraser called Occupy Asheville protesters “dirtasses” and said they needed “a hug … around the neck… with a rope.” Melissa Williams, the city’s public information and social media specialist, who commented on Fraser’s status, has offered her apologies.
Author: David Forbes
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Xpress investigating e-mails containing allegations about Ron Moore
Xpress has received several e-mails forwarded by hacker and writer Barrett Brown, purportedly from a local resident alleging Buncombe County District Attorney Ron Moore’s connection with drug trafficking, a claim Brown has also made. Xpress is investigating the e-mails, which appear to be from a local resident or someone familiar with the area, based on their content.
APD employee calls Occupy Asheville protesters “dirtasses” on Facebook ***UPDATED 2:17 p.m.***
In a Facebook post, Lynn Fraser a forensic technician with the Asheville Police Department, called Occupy Asheville protesters “dirtasses” after they complained about police officers recording a march yesterday. In comments on the post, Melissa Williams, the city’s public information and social media specialist, responds with “LMAO” or “Laughing My Ass Off.” In previous post, Fraser also designated Occupiers as a group that “just need a hug … around the neck… with a rope.”
Flier fight: Candidates differ on mailer
A flier funded by local businessman Chris Peterson and bearing a mocking, photoshopped picture of Asheville City Council member Cecil Bothwell, encouraging voters to back Council member Jan Davis and candidate Mark Cates has led to a condemnation by an advocacy group and public criticism. Davis has released a statement asserting he is unhappy with his inclusion in the flier, noting, “I do not believe in trickery and dirty campaigning.” Cates, meanwhile, has released a statement saying he understands’ Peterson’s view.
APD arrests four Occupy Asheville participants ***UPDATED 11 a.m. SUNDAY***
The Asheville Police Department has arrested four Occupy Asheville participants today, Nov. 5, for alleged actions on Nov. 2. The charges are resisting public officers, impeding traffic, unlawful assembly and, in the case of one protester, wearing a mask in public. In a statement, Occupy Asheville claims condemns the arrests and claims one of those charged was home sick on the day in question.
CIBO meeting tackles Occupy Asheville and other questions
Aggregated Twitter dispatches from this morning’s Council of Independent Business Owners breakfast, which dealt with Occupy Asheville, among other issues.
“You are beneath contempt:” Bothwell voicemail to Dunn leads to fracas
A public dispute has arisen over Asheville City Council member and congressional candidate Cecil Bothwell‘s angry voicemail to Joe Dunn, after the former Council member wrote a letter to the Asheville Citizen-Times criticizing Bothwell and Council candidate Lael Gray.
Fully occupied
Asheville City Council Oct. 25, 2011 meeting Protesters’ usage fees waived City, MSD form joint task force on water system Occupy Asheville protesters packed the Council chamber and an overflow room during Asheville City Council's Oct. 25 meeting, picking up where they’d left off two weeks before. In the interim, some 30 to 50 protesters […]
The R-word
About 40 Asheville residents trickled into a room at the YWCA on South French Broad Oct. 20 for a candidate forum sponsored by the alumnae chapter of the Alpha Sigma Theta sorority. It's forum season (there were three that week), but this one highlighted an issue that’s rarely discussed at such events: race and inclusivity. […]
Asheville City Council candidates build up funds as election approaches
The latest campaign finance reports — and the last before the Nov. 8 election — in the Asheville City Council race show some candidates rapidly increasing their funds, though the amounts still remain lower than the last race.
Asheville area unemployment dropped in September
Unemployment in the Asheville metropolitan area declined in September, from 8.4 to 8.1 percent. The local economy added about 800 jobs, with gains in the government sector offsetting losses in hospitality and trade.
Occupy Asheville protesters talk about Pack Square Park arrests
After Asheville City Council refused Occupy Asheville’s request for indefinite camping in a public park on Oct. 25, eight protesters remained in Pack Square Park after curfew and were arrested. Four of those demonstrators tell Xpress about what they did, and why they did it.
Council refuses to let Occupy Asheville camp in public park, waives fees
At its Oct. 25 meeting, Asheville City Council voted to terminate Occupy Asheville’s encampment under the Lexington Avenue bridge by Oct. 28, while waiving fees the protesters had incurred. A request by protesters to get a curfew waiver to camp in public parks failed when only one Council member supported it.
LIVE: Occupy Asheville returns to City Council, and more
For live dispatches from tonight’s Asheville City Council meeting, follow @DavidForbes or the hashtag #avlgov — or click through for our live feed. You’ll also find notes about tonight’s agenda.
Behind Asheville’s WE DO campaign
For two weeks in October, 20 same-sex couples applied for — and were refused — marriage licenses in Buncombe County. Their efforts culminated in a rally and an act of civil disobedience that led to an arrest. This WE DO campaign drew national attention and, in many ways, demonstrates a different approach to LGBT activism.
Sunday open thread
From Asheville City Council candidate forums to early voting and controversy at Mission Hospitals, plenty of news in Asheville this week, dear readers. What’s on your mind?
A few thoughts on the beginning of early voting
A citizen votes. Always.
LIVE: Coverage of Oct. 20 Asheville City Council forum
Follow live Twitter coverage of tonight’s Asheville City Council candidate forum, held at the YWCA and focusing on making the city more inclusive, here.
Forum time: Council candidates square off
Would-be voters looking to make a decision about which three of the six Asheville City Council candidates to vote for have plenty of opportunities to find out more about the candidates. This week sees not only the start of early voting, but three forums — one already past and two approaching.
City Attorney: ordinance generally allows personal megaphones
Street preachers using personal amplification are a regular sight at Bele Chere, but an Occupy Asheville protester was told by an Asheville Police Department officer that city ordinance requires them to put away their megaphone. However, according to City Attorney Bob Oast, the city generally allows the use of personal amplification in public space.
LIVE: Coverage of Oct. 18 Asheville City Council candidate forum
Live Twitter coverage of the Asheville-Buncombe League of Women Voters’ forum for the six candidates vying for three open spots on Asheville City Council.