“Sustainability” has cropped up frequently in city policy statements in recent years, often accompanied by pleas for denser, more affordable housing to promote a style of living that proponents maintain is more energy-efficient and compatible with mass transit. But Montford resident Bernard Carman says he’s not impressed. He's owned a historic home on Cumberland Avenue, […]
Author: David Forbes
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Police looking for suspect in HomeTrust bank robbery
The Asheville Police Department is looking for a suspect in a bank robbery this morning at HomeTrust bank on Woodfin Street.
On the town
Editor’s note: On Sept. 10, reporter David Forbes and photographer Jonathan Welch accompanied Capt. Daryl Fisher of the Asheville Police Department on a five-hour patrol. Here is some of what they saw and heard… It's just around sunset, and the drum circle's in full swing. The downtown streets are clogged with drummers, tourists and spectators. […]
LIVE: Asheville City Council preview: Zoning and updates
Asheville City Council has a busy agenda for its Nov. 9 meeting, including a bevy of zoning decisions, updates on everything from the city’s carbon to economic stimulus spending, development policies, and considering (for the third time) new rules on cellphone towers. For live updates, follow Senior News Reporter David Forbes (@DavidForbes) via Twitter (#avlgov).
Scenes from the Rally for Equality
On Nov. 7 in downtown Asheville, about 150 people attended a rally organized by the activist group Just Us For All, intended to “expose inequality and its effects on the LGBTQ community” and oppose the possibility of a state ban on legal recognition of same-sex partnerships. Photos by Jerry Nelson.
“Rally for Equality” in downtown Nov. 7
Tomorrow, Nov. 7, local activist group Just Us For All, formed after the We Are Not Bashful march earlier this year, will hold a rally in downtown Asheville, intended to “expose inequality and its effects on the LGBTQ community.”
Buncombe stays blue
By the time Buncombe County Democratic Party Chair Charles Carter took the stage at the Renaissance hotel last night to brandish a copy of the Asheville Citizen-Times for a “Dewey defeats Truman”-style moment, it was clear that the county had defied the national trend, with local Democrats in most cases winning handily over their GOP rivals.
Softening the blow
Asheville City Council Oct. 26 meeting Cell-tower ordinance changes postponed again Sustainability incentives pass second reading Montford Commons deal approved Coopers Hawk Drive annexation to proceed “Let's be swift,” Asheville Mayor Terry Bellamy urged her City Council colleagues early in their Oct. 26 meeting. Most of the agenda items, she noted, were things Council had […]
Letter from Martin Nesbitt refusing to answer Xpress questionnaire
In this letter, state Senator Martin Nesbitt refuses to answer Xpress’ annual election questionnaire, asserting that “my extensive legislative service is a more accurate reflection of my views.” nesbitt_letter.pdf
Bothwell will change vote, support sustainability bonuses
In a statement released this afternoon, Asheville City Council member Cecil Bothwell, who opposed a contentious sustainability bonus ordinance on Oct. 12, announced that he has changed his mind and will support a second reading of the ordinance at tonight’s meeting.
Wayfinding sign repair underway
Workers install one of the newly repaired wayfinding signs along Haywood Street. Infamously, the original wayfinding signs began peeling shortly after their installation, leading to a legal battle between the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority and L&H Signs, the original installer. In September, the TDA chose a new company, Geograph Industries, to repair the signs.
Asheville City Council preview: Deja vu edition
One might be forgiven for feeling like they’ve been here before when looking at the agenda for Asheville City Council’s Oct. 26 meeting. The major items — new rules for cellphone towers, an annexation, incentives for Montford Commons and incentives for sustainable and affordable housing — have all been before Council during the last few months.
Crossroads
In a tumultuous election year, with Republicans seeking to regain control of Congress, North Carolina's 11th Congressional District is an appealing target. Comprising both urban, Democratic Asheville and the more Republican-leaning surrounding counties, the district is rated “Republican +6” by the Cook Partisan Voting Index. Incumbent Heath Shuler, a conservative Blue Dog Democrat, is fighting […]
It’s the economy
Rep. Susan Fisher and her Republican challenger, John Carroll. Photo by Michael Muller North Carolina’s 114th state House District begins in north Asheville and extends over Weaverville, Leicester and much of northern Buncombe County. Democrat Susan Fisher has held the seat for the last seven years. But Republican John Carroll, a real-estate agent and former […]
Casing the joint
The Buncombe County district attorney oversees a growing court system with a big caseload. The holder of this office has considerable power over how individual cases are handled, whether plea bargains are made, and how crimes are punished (or not) by the court system. For 20 years, Democrat Ron Moore has been top gun at […]
Read the wayfinding sign contract
Xpress has the contract for the infamous peeling wayfinding signs, available for the public to read.
The Wayfinding signs contract
The contract between the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority and L&H Signs of Reading, Pa. After the signs began peeling, this became the issue of a legal battle between the two, and the TDA has now contracted another company to repair the signs. Part 1 wayfinding1.pdf Part 2 wayfinding2.pdf Part 3 wayfinding3.pdf Part 4 wayfinding4.pdf
Duncan, Shuler, WNC sheriffs tout anti-child pornography efforts
At a press conference Friday, Buncombe County Sheriff Van Duncan, along with other WNC Sheriffs, touted the success of Operation Western Shield, an anti-child pornography effort he says has led to a number of recent arrests. The assembled officials also praised Rep. Heath Shuler, who helped secure federal funding for the effort and spoke at the conference.
Photos by Michael Muller
Un-Kenilworthy
Asheville City Council Sept. 28 meeting Kenilworth residents up in arms re proposed development Council members debate expanding affordable-housing incentives Asheville City Council members unanimously rejected the proposed 100-unit Caledonia Apartments at their Sept. 28 meeting. Kenilworth residents turned out in force, filling the Council chamber and an overflow room downstairs. Many wore stickers proclaiming […]
Donation push, Gideon sermon at city United Way presentation raise questions
A city staff member has questioned what he says was a mandatory meeting at which United Way representatives made a funding pitch, followed by a Gideons member distributing Bibles, giving a sermon and leading staff in prayer. City representatives say the United Way presentation was not mandatory and Police Chief Bill Hogan says he’s apologized for the Gideons presentation.
City soliciting questions, answers over Facebook
The city of Asheville is launching a new question and answer effort from the public, this time via Facebook, complete with a video introduction.
