This letter is about the equal and consistent enforcement of the panhandling ordinance by the police department. A recent online article from a local newspaper dated July 23, 2014, indicated that there had been an increase in arrests in downtown for panhandling. Asheville police Sgt. Dave Romick was quoted as saying: “Asheville officers assigned to the […]

There’s a terrific, all-volunteer local charity called Children’s Welfare League that promotes the education and welfare of disadvantaged students in the high schools of Asheville and Buncombe County. As a volunteer with CWL, I have worked on several projects with Terry Van Duyn, and she is one of the most diligent, dedicated, passionate, selfless individuals […]

Recently, you had a story about how well Ayurveda works (“Ayurveda Rising: New Program Highlights Local Practice, Art and Training,” Sept. 24, Xpress). It most definitely does. Earlier this year, I ran across information for different vision problems in an inexpensive book of mine, Ancient Healing Secrets (Practical Cures That Work Today) by Dian Dincin Buchman. (Her […]

In your article of Sept. 17  (“Simple Solutions: Cherokee’s Garden Kit Program Spurs Community Wellness”), Chief Michell Hicks discussed how the community garden kits benefit the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Indians tribal members, stating that the Cherokee “suffer from the excesses of modern living” and “are working to overcome poor eating habits, a lack of […]

For some years, my husband and I have been fortunate to own homes in both Sarasota, Fla.,  where we worked, and a vacation home here in Asheville. After we both retired three years ago, we had to downsize to one home. It was a tough choice, but we both said that Sarasota had lost the one […]

Asheville is a wonderful city. It’s no wonder so many tourists are lured to this beautiful environment. The Blue Ridge Mountains provide us with a plethora of hiking trails, waterfalls and stunning views. We’re surrounded by nature’s gifts. But the exquisite scenery isn’t the only reason Asheville is unique. We have a vibrant music scene, […]

I love our beer. I love our water. Sometimes, I’m the “dd” (designated driver) and would love to enjoy a cold local Asheville beer (nonalcoholic) instead of grabbing a European option. It would be wonderful to have an Asheville brewery make one or all the local brewers chip in to make one together that is available […]

Thanks to the Voter Guide by the Blue Ridge Republican Women’s Club. Being that there is no straight party voting this election, this publication makes it very easy to see who not to vote for. Take this publication with you to the polls and DO NOT VOTE for anyone in this guide. Vote Democrat, and […]

Who will be the best representative for North Carolina’s  10th Congressional District? Someone like Patrick McHenry, who has taken thousands from the fracking and fossil fuel industries and the banking sectors, or Tate MacQueen, who continues to fight against pollution at the CTS site in Asheville? Polls show that most Americans support strengthening Social Security and […]

My husband and I are many times a house divided in our political opinions. However, we certainly agree on Sen. Terry Van Duyn! Politicians come and go, and some seem to be motivated for the interest of only a select few. As we have come to know Terry Van Duyn over the years, we realize […]

While taking hours over the weekend to register 10 voters, I heard on the news that Americans for Prosperity sent out a mailer to hundreds of North Carolinians targeting African-American communities and other Democratic-leaning neighborhoods with false information about voter registration. Among the misinformation in the mailer: two different deadlines for mailing registration applications; instructions […]

Move to Amend of Buncombe County will sponsor a presentation by David Cobb of the National Move to Amend organization on Tuesday, Oct. 21, at 7 p.m. at Jubilee! on Wall Street. Move to Amend is a national grassroots coalition that works toward overcoming corporate power by calling for a constitutional amendment ending corporate personhood […]

Following the hearing about fracking in Cullowhee with over 80 people speaking eloquently against it, the historic people’s climate march attracted over 400,000 people in New York.  At least 75 people from Western North Carolina attended that march and a support rally in Pack Square. I rode that bus to New York, and it was thrilling to […]

Voters in North Carolina House District 116 considering whether to vote for Rep. Tim Moffitt or Brian Turner should consider the following facts: During his tenure in office, Moffitt was the sole sponsor of a law that restored the vote on annexation to the people of North Carolina after 53 years of being deprived of […]

Please support affordable housing so that Asheville can be a thriving community. I read that 1,400 new apartments are getting built right now, and almost none of them are affordable to the average worker in Asheville. There are countless talented people here, and we need them to remain here. If there is affordable living, then […]

Only contraception can save the world or Buncombe County. This means that among things that can’t save Buncombe are bike lanes, solar panels, wind generators, vegetarianism, organic farming, stream bank mitigation, stormwater management or manure management sheds. A big reason most of the above can’t save Buncombe is because they require steel to make, as […]

Miranda DeBruhl will bring fiscal responsibility to the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners. I am supporting Miranda DeBruhl because of her commitment to fiscal responsibility, local small business and private property rights. A native of Buncombe County, Miranda lives in Leicester with her husband, Kelly, and their two young children. Miranda is a registered nurse […]

After reading letters  like Kriss Sands’ on being barred from the Mountain State Fair for going barefoot [“Why I Won’t Be Attending Mountain State Fair This year,” Sept. 10, Xpress] and also seeing people disregarding the “No Shoes, No Service” public health codes in Asheville stores and restaurants, I feel people need a little biology and history lesson […]

Having visited all of Asheville’s celebrated breweries, I’ve noticed a glaring lack of staff diversity. Is there a cogent, explicable, rational reason for this phenomena? Dennis Hill Asheville