Downtown goes wireless The Wi-Fi revolution has come to Asheville. Wireless Internet access, or Wi-Fi, is now freely available to anyone with a wireless-ready computer within the central business district. Expanding a program that began in City/County Plaza back in May, Buncombe County recently began providing free wireless access in a roughly triangular “hot spot” […]

Opinions from an online survey on the future of the Asheville Civic Center indicate public support for keeping the facility at its current location, and enhancing and updating the building to make it suitable for a full range of performances and events. The survey was offered on the Mountain Xpress Web site from Sept. 7-30, […]

Challenging the image of God Somewhere along the feminist path, the push for inclusive language and imagery lost its momentum — particularly in the area of religion — says Sandra Smith. And on Thursday, Oct. 13, she and a number of other women (and maybe a few men) are going to try to find out […]

Terry Bellamy Age: 33Residence: West AshevilleOccupation: Marketing and development manager, Mountain Housing OpportunitiesYears in Asheville: 33Education: B.A. in English (UNC-Charlotte); enrolled in Duke University Nonprofit Certification Program; working on M.A. in English (WCU)Political party: DemocratPolitical experience: Six years on City Council 1. Should the city or a regional authority own the water system? “The city […]

Bill Branyon Age: 50Residence: North AshevilleOccupation: Novelist, journalist, activist, historian, clerkYears in Asheville: 25Education: B.A. in history (Vanderbilt University), master’s in history (WCU)Political party: DemocratPolitical experience: WNC Alliance UDO Committee, opposing Super Wal-Mart, I-26 Awareness Group, co-chair of local protests against first Gulf War, former Green Line reporter on city beat 1. Should the city […]

Dwight Butner Age: 53Residence: Beverly HillsOccupation: restaurateurYears in Asheville: 30Education: B.A. in history (Eckerd College), plus some courses in political science and business (UNCA)Political party: DemocratPolitical experience: First run for elective office; worked on Gary Hart’s 1980 and 1984 campaigns 1. Should the city or a regional authority own the water system? “Asheville should own […]

Robin Cape Age: 48Residence: North AshevilleOccupation: musicianYears in Asheville: 17Education: studied art & literature at UNCA and UNC-Chapel HillPolitical party: DemocratPolitical experience: Woodfin Water Board since 2003 1. Should the city or a regional authority own the water system? “The city.” 2. Do you agree with the decision to hold closed meetings concerning the Water […]

Joe Dunn Age: 61Residence: South AshevilleOccupation: Retired dentistYears in Asheville: 44Education: B.A. (UNC), D.M.D. (University of Louisville)Political party: RepublicanPolitical experience: Four years on City Council 1. Should the city or a regional authority own the water system? “All monies [should] go back into the system ([not] … the general fund). No differential rates (controlling water […]

Bryan Freeborn Age: 29Residence: West AshevilleOccupation: Self-employed carpenterYears in Asheville: 4Education: B.A. in history (Evergreen State College), pursuing master’s in public affairs (WCU)Political party: DemocratPolitical experience: Asheville Transit Commission, Democratic Party State Executive Committee, Young Democrats, active on environmental and transit issues, prior City Council campaign 1. Should the city or a regional authority own […]

Matthew Hebb Age: 24Residence: Central AshevilleOccupation: Food serviceYears in Asheville: A year-and-a-half (plus more than five years when younger)Education: Bachelor’s degree in political science (University of Central Florida)Political party: Republican (leaning Libertarian)Political experience: Republican Executive Committee; president, Young Republicans; has worked on municipal campaigns in other areas 1. Should the city or a regional authority […]

Jan Howard Age: 55Residence: KenilworthOccupation: Guardian ad Litem (volunteer); former teacher, photojournalistYears in Asheville: 15+Education: B.A. in English (Indiana University) master’s in education (University of New Orleans)Political party: DemocratPolitical experience: Kenilworth Residents Association, Coalition of Asheville Neighborhoods, Preservation Society, regular fixture at City Council meetings 1. Should the city or a regional authority own the […]

Holly Jones Age: 43Residence: Montford HillsOccupation: Executive director, YWCA of AshevilleYears in Asheville: 9Education: B.A. in public-policy analysis (UNC-Chapel Hill), master’s in divinity (Duke University), master’s in public health (Chapel Hill)Political party: DemocratPolitical experience: Four years on City Council, community-based organizing for housing, children and health care 1. Should the city or a regional authority […]

Carl Mumpower Age: 52Residence: Town MountainOccupation: PsychologistYears in Asheville: Most of my lifeEducation: M.A. in education (Western Carolina University), M.S.W. (University of Georgia), Ph.D. in psychology (Union Institute)Political party: RepublicanPolitical experience: Four years on City Council, two as vice mayor 1. Should the city or a regional authority own the water system? “Almost every city […]

Chris Pelly Age: 48Residence: Haw CreekOccupation: Real-estate brokerYears in Asheville: 15Education: Arizona State UniversityPolitical party: DemocratPolitical experience: Ran for City Council 2003; president, Coalition of Asheville Neighborhoods 2004 to present; president, Haw Creek Community Association, 1995 to 2004 1. Should the city or a regional authority own the water system? “City-owned. City ownership provides an […]

Selina Sullivan Age: 38Residence: Central AshevilleOccupation: Public relations/community development director, WLFA 91.3Years in Asheville: 29 (most recently since 2000)Education: B.S. in business administration/management (Shaw University), some graduate courses (WCU)Political party: DemocratPolitical experience: Vice chair, Planning & Zoning Commission; lobbied state legislators re education/retraining funding; vice president, N.C. Women Work 1. Should the city or a […]

Keith Thomson Age: 45Residence: near UNCAOccupation: Computer-network-systems engineer, small-business ownerYears in Asheville: Since 1981, except to attend school in Chapel HillEducation: B.A. (UNCA), M.A. (UNC-Chapel Hill)Political party: DemocratPolitical experience: Asheville City Schools (Budget Advisory Committee, Innovation Task Force, PTO president); Children First of Buncombe County; Asheville-Buncombe Clean Air Community Trust; YMI Cultural Center; Citizens for […]

Charles Worley Age: 60Residence: North AshevilleOccupation: AttorneyYears in Asheville: About 60Education: B.A. in political science and law degree (both UNC-Chapel Hill)Political party: DemocratPolitical experience: One term as mayor plus three terms on City Council 1. Should the city or a regional authority own the water system? “It should be a city-owned system.” 2. Do you […]

Reenacting desegregation The Asheville area sees no shortage of historical reenactments. For better or for worse, most of them pay tribute to events and personalities from various wars, the Civil War being the most common. But come this weekend, Asheville will witness a reenactment saluting the history and heroes of another struggle: the fight to […]

Campaign Calendar • Sept. 21 community forum: The West Asheville Business Association is sponsoring an open community forum for candidates for Asheville City Council and mayor at 6:30 p.m. The forum will be held at the West Asheville Community Center, 970 Haywood Road, behind the fire station and West Asheville Library. • Sept. 21 pub […]

Tattoo town Sure, Asheville’s renowned for the art that’s produced, displayed and sold here. You can’t walk a block, it seems, without hitting a store full of artful objects of one kind or another. But on your way to just about any downtown location (and in many other parts of Asheville), you’d have to be […]

Campaign Calendar • Sept. 8 fish fry (Thu): Asheville City Council candidate Keith Thomson is holding a free, open-invitation catfish-fry dinner, 6 to 7:30 p.m., at the Randolph Learning Center (90 Montford Ave., next to the new Asheville Chamber of Commerce). Contact info@keithforasheville.org for more information. • Sept. 12 town hall meeting (Mon): City Council […]