The Beat: News roundup

Jobs, not cuts: Motivated by the recently passed national debt deal, about 100 people gathered in Pack Square Aug. 10 to rally for jobs and protest the plan they said will force cuts to important programs. Photo by Jerry Nelson

There’s more news than what Xpress can fit in print each week: Here are some excerpts from mountainx.com, where you’ll find the full stories.

Rally for jobs: Local progressive leaders tout “Contract for the American Dream”

About 100 people gathered in Pack Square Aug. 10 to rally for jobs.

Inspired by the recently passed national debt deal, local members of the progressive MoveOn coalition organized the event to protest the plan they say, in a press release, “will do nothing to create jobs, forces deep cuts to important programs that protect the middle class [and] asks nothing of big corporations and millionaires.”

Elected representatives, labor leaders and other speakers echoed that sentiment as they led the crowd in chants of “jobs, not cuts!”

Local radio host Lesley Groetsch emceed the event, telling attendees that “the tea-partyers and Republicans were sent to office to focus on jobs, and they’ve done nothing. We need to focus on jobs.”

Alluding to recent actions by the Republican-controlled General Assembly to change Buncombe County’s election laws and draw most of Asheville out of the 11th Congressional District, Groetsch charged that “if you’re a town of progressives, you have a target on your backs.”

Buncombe Democratic Rep. Patsy Keever echoed that sentiment in her remarks, asserting that “the tea party has devastated our country and community.” To fund government programs and lower the debt, Keever garnered applause when she declared that she supports “raising taxes for people who can afford to pay higher taxes.” 

And he’s off: Republican David King starts commissioners race

Even though the election is more than 14 months away, the first Republican challenger officially started the race for the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners last week. Candler resident David King filed with the Board of Elections Aug. 10 to open a campaign committee.

Under a new election system engineered by Republicans in Raleigh, King plans to run for one of two open seats in the 116th District, which encompasses much of the western part of the county, including Leicester and Enka. Voter demographics in the district seem to heavily favor Republicans.

All four incumbent commissioners and the board chair are up for reelection Nov. 6; all are Democrats. However, none of the incumbents live in the 116 District, so they will not be directly targeted by King or others running there. The new law mandates that the board expands to seven members.

Noting that the change to district elections “presents a new opportunity to get elected,” King says he’s running to “make sure the taxpayers’ voice is heard.”

Gift of light: Local campaign aims to deliver solar bulbs to Haiti

America Green International is mounting a local campaign to deliver 1,000 solar light bulbs to Haitian refugees.

The effort began after a trip to Haiti last January to explore the benefits of introducing green technologies there, says Program Coordinator Leah Quintal. Her and other aid workers gave a man who operates a food stand a pair of small solar lights.

“Then he pointed at all of the nearby tents and said ‘this is wonderful, when are you bringing them back for everyone here?’” explains Quintal. “That spurred the whole conversation around this program. … Even one light bulb can be so transformative. It changes that person’s life. When you get a solar light, it’s renewable energy, so you cut the cost of kerosene, a dramatic cost, so you can spend the money to improve your life in other ways.”

The program has already delivered 250 solar lights to Haitians in need.

And Quintal has been a familiar face at local festivals this summer, operating out of booths to sell more of the lights and raise money for the program (they cost $20 a piece). The lights can also be purchased for use here at home, where they’re becoming increasingly popular among hikers and campers. All the proceeds from the American Green booths go to fund the Haitian effort.

— Jake Frankel

SHARE

Thanks for reading through to the end…

We share your inclination to get the whole story. For the past 25 years, Xpress has been committed to in-depth, balanced reporting about the greater Asheville area. We want everyone to have access to our stories. That’s a big part of why we've never charged for the paper or put up a paywall.

We’re pretty sure that you know journalism faces big challenges these days. Advertising no longer pays the whole cost. Media outlets around the country are asking their readers to chip in. Xpress needs help, too. We hope you’ll consider signing up to be a member of Xpress. For as little as $5 a month — the cost of a craft beer or kombucha — you can help keep local journalism strong. It only takes a moment.

About Webmaster
Mountain Xpress Webmaster Follow me @MXWebTeam

Before you comment

The comments section is here to provide a platform for civil dialogue on the issues we face together as a local community. Xpress is committed to offering this platform for all voices, but when the tone of the discussion gets nasty or strays off topic, we believe many people choose not to participate. Xpress editors are determined to moderate comments to ensure a constructive interchange is maintained. All comments judged not to be in keeping with the spirit of civil discourse will be removed and repeat violators will be banned. See here for our terms of service. Thank you for being part of this effort to promote respectful discussion.

Leave a Reply

To leave a reply you may Login with your Mountain Xpress account, connect socially or enter your name and e-mail. Your e-mail address will not be published. All fields are required.