The Community Reparations Commission, tasked with developing recommendations for Asheville and Buncombe County to address the impacts of systemic racism, currently consists of 25 members and seven alternates but has no youth representation.
Author: Xpress Contributor
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From CPP: Objections to proposed plan for WNC national forests delay process
The U.S. Forest Service’s proposed land management plan for the Pisgah and Nantahala forests has drawn thousands of objections, leading to an extension of time to review concerns. The Forest Service chief now calls the plan revision process, which took more than a decade, unsustainable.
Council approves grant for downtown microhousing
Of 80 microhousing units, 16 would be designated as affordable for people earning at or below 80% of the area median income. However, developer David Moritz confirmed that market-price rent for all of the project’s units would be about $1,000 including utilities, meaning that the city-subsidized units would not immediately be cheaper for their tenants.
From CPP: Why small NC mountain city is taking on nation’s largest hospital system
Brevard officials hope other Western North Carolina local governments will join the city’s lawsuit alleging monopolistic practices by HCA Healthcare. None have, but none say they have ruled it out.
From CPP: How can we save NC forests?
On June 7, Carolina Public Press held a free and open virtual event with a panel of experts to discuss threats to the future of public forests in the state, including climate change. A recording of the event is linked to this story.
Increased logging will benefit our national forests
“Amid constant change, our forests desperately need intentional manipulations and disturbances. Sure, left alone, Mother Nature will reset these lands for us: But it will be done through ice storms, wildfires and catastrophic, random events.”
Local, statewide nonprofits jump-start biotech sector in WNC
Local life science companies recently received a significant boost through the NC Bioneer Venture Challenge, sponsored by the N.C. Biotechnology Center and supported by nonprofit partners such as WNC-based Venture Asheville and Hatch Innovation Hub.
Planning and Zoning Commission recommends plan for Asheville greenways, sidewalks
As presented by Lucy Crown, the city’s greenways program planner, Close the GAP combines a proposed map of greenway and pedestrian networks with updates to city policies and design standards. Asheville City Council is scheduled to vote on the proposal in July.
Aesthetic anti-capitalism is hurting Asheville’s working class
“Residential construction hasn’t kept up with population growth, and the resulting scarcity pushes up rents and home prices. This means that the folks who make Asheville weird, its artists and young people, are being pushed out.”
From CPP: A good problem to have: Managing the ARPA windfall in a small NC county
Madison County’s ARPA manager says his job could wind down soon based on most uses of ARPA funds, but using them for broadband complicates things.
Q&A with Tiece Ruffin, educator and activist
Xpress speaks with Tiece Ruffin about her recent Rosa Parks Award, motherhood and her ongoing community advocacy and educational work.
From CPP: Rethinking NC mountain habitat conservation in the face of climate change
Innovative approaches such as land restoration and private-public partnerships, as well as revisiting tried approaches such as herd grazing and indigenous land management, offer partial answers to the challenges of a changing climate in WNC forests.
From CPP: Mountain trails face stress from cyclists and climate change
Maintaining trails in Western North Carolina’s mountain forests poses tough choices between recreation and sustainability.
From CPP: Elk and other large species in NC mountains constrained by changing habitats, human activity
Climate change and extreme weather events disrupt habitat areas and food sources in NC mountain forests, while human infrastructure blocks natural migration paths and creates dangers near roadways for large animal species.
From CPP: Whipsawed by erratic weather, mountain forest ecosystems under stress
Researchers seek to understand risks climate change poses for the Blue Ridge woodlands of Western North Carolina while many residents experience the disruption of extreme weather.
Why I volunteer: Roberta Birkin on Brother Wolf
Local resident Roberta Birkin reflects on her volunteer work with Brother Wolf.
Why I volunteer: Dr. John Stewart on Helpmate
Local resident Dr. John Stewart reflects on his volunteer work with Helpmate.
Why I volunteer: Tommy Oakman on The Mediation Center
Local resident Tommy Oakman reflects on his volunteer work with The Mediation Center.
Why I volunteer: Austin Brown on Bounty & Soul
Local resident Austin Brown reflects on his volunteer work with Bounty & Soul.
Why I volunteer: Connie Falcone on Open Hearts Art Center
Local resident Connie Falcone reflects on her volunteer work at Open Hearts Art Center.
Why I volunteer: Anne Dachowski on Literacy Together
Local resident Anne Dachowski reflects on her volunteer work with Literacy Together.