Buncombe ends look at employee pay, benefits

Here’s an excerpt from the Asheville Citizen-Times article: Buncombe County officials have quietly abandoned plans for a broad study of employee pay first proposed after county commissioners took heat for having afforded themselves the state’s most generous compensation package. Commissioners have taken no formal vote to rescind plans to perform the study at a cost […]

AC-T columnist John Boyle: Franklin Graham plays the Obama as secret Muslim card

Here’s an excerpt from the piece by Asheville Citizen-Times columnist John Boyle: I’m not sure Franklin Graham is a Christian. I mean, he says he’s a Christian, and he goes to church and runs a Christian charity and all, but really, is that enough proof? I’m being facetious here, but Graham’s recent appearance on an […]

Moffitt violates ethics rules with campaign announcements

Here’s an excerpt from the Asheville Citizen-Times article: Two state lawmakers have violated ethics rules that prohibit the use of General Assembly email for campaign purposes. … Ethical Principal and Guideline 7, drafted in 2007, says lawmakers may not conduct campaign activities in state offices or with state equipment. … Republican Rep. Tim Moffitt, who […]

League of Women Voters hosting Feb. 22 forum on redistricting

League of Women Voters to hold forum on Redistricting: Voting Rights & Voting Wrongs The Asheville-Buncombe County League of Women Voters will hold a public forum on North Carolina’s decennial redistricting on Wednesday, February 22, from 7:00-9:00 p.m. at the Jewish Community Center at 236 Charlotte Street. Like all League-sponsored forums, this event will be […]

Buncombe GOP urges people to attend Feb.  23 water forum

Here’s the message from the Buncombe County Republican Party via the group’s email newsletter: Friends, Below is information on the public forum regarding important issues in the Buncombe County area. Republicans are continually lacking representation at these public forums and we encourage you to come out learn about the issues lending your voice to the […]

Buncombe Commission­ers vote ‘no’ on mobile homes; Byrd challenges Gantt for board chair

At their Feb. 21 meeting, Buncombe County commissioners denied a rezoning request that would’ve allowed more mobile homes in Reynolds and approved $50,000 for a job training program. Dr. Milton Byrd also announced that he’s going to try to unseat incumbent Board Chair David Gantt by running against him in the May 8 Democratic primary.

Asheville protesters don’t want Postal Service, post offices cut

Here’s an excerpt from the Asheville Citizen-Times article: ASHEVILLE — A mixture of protesters, postal workers and politicians — both living and dead — gathered Monday afternoon at Pack Square Park with a clear message: Save post offices and postal jobs. … The Postal Service is forecast to lose a record $14.1 billion this year. […]

District Attorney Jeff Hunt officially files to run for congress

Here’s the press release from the Jeff Hunt campaign: District Attorney Jeff Hunt Officially Files for Congress Hunt considered “frontrunner” in crowded field BREVARD, NC (February 21, 2012) – Today, District Attorney Jeff Hunt, a candidate for the 11th District Republican nomination, made his run for Congress official by filing paperwork with the North Carolina […]

Free tax preparation available for families earning less than $50,000

Here’s the press release: Free Tax Preparation for Families Earning Less than $50,000 (Western North Carolina) – OnTrack Financial Education & Counseling’s Free Tax Preparation Program offers free tax preparation to households earning less than $50,000. Already in 2012, the program has helped over 252 working families in WNC complete their taxes for free, resulting […]

Patsy Keever: Last week’s NCGA session was a waste of taxpayer money

Here’s the text of Buncombe Statehouse Rep. Patsy Keever’s latest email newsletter, sent out Feb. 17: A Page from Patsy Fellow taxpayers, we just spent another $50,000 yesterday for an unnecessary, wasteful legislative session which lasted less than 20 minutes. Granted, we had been told that it would be a skeleton session with no votes. […]

Murphy officially files to run for U.S. House seat (NC–10)

Here’s the press release from the Timothy Murphy campaign: Murphy officially files for U.S. House seat Rutherfordton resident Timothy Murphy has officially filed for the Democratic nomination for U.S. House in North Carolina’s 10th Congressional District. Rutherfordton, North Carolina – [February 17, 2012] – Timothy Murphy, of Rutherfordton, has officially declared his candidacy for United […]

Marie M. Hall will file to run for Buncombe Register of Deeds, hold Feb. 21 kickoff

Here’s the press release from Buncombe County Register of Deeds Democratic candidate Marie Hall: Marie M. Hall, long-time Executive Assistant and Administrative Officer in the Buncombe County Register of Deeds office for Otto DeBruhl, announced today that she will be filing for the seat held by Otto DeBruhl who retired in 2011.  She will file […]