At the first of three planned Asheville-Buncombe County League of Women Voters’ candidate forums, the Republican candidate for N.C. Senate District 49 made an unusual request: Don’t take my picture and don’t record my words.
News in brief: Get hip to van life, attend election forums
Enjoy a glimpse of life on the open road at the Asheville Van Life Rally Friday, Sept. 21-Sunday, Sept. 23, or take in one of the many campaign forums showcasing local candidates for local, state and national offices in this year’s general election.
Earl-y voting
ASHEVILLE, N.C.angry
New PAC calls for Republican takeover of county board
A new political action committee wants to flip the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, which currently has a 4-3 Democratic majority, to Republican. Their motivation? Democrats controlled the board and, they claim, provided poor oversight during a period of alleged corruption.
Meadows confirms no FEMA aid for region at CIBO power lunch
Meadows noted that Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator Brock Long’s letter on Aug. 20 denying Gov. Roy Cooper’s request for a federal disaster declaration was likely the final word on the matter. “I think that decision has been made,” he said. “Obviously, that’s a decision that they didn’t feel met the threshold [for supplemental federal assistance].”
McHenry’s treatment plan
ASHEVILLE, NC
Trump administration’s trade war worries WNC businesses
Local farmers and manufacturers express concern about the impact retaliatory tariffs sparked by new Trump administration trade policies could have on their businesses.
Local business news in brief from our issue of Aug. 15, 2018
Perhaps your business needs startup capital to make your idea fly. Or maybe rubbing elbows with lawmakers will give you an edge. Opportunities for building business skills, attracting investment and developing business relationships abound in WNC throughout the late summer and into the fall, and our business news in brief will keep you in the know.
Feds bring charges against three former Buncombe officials, including Greene
A federal grand jury returned a bill of indictment on Aug. 7, bringing charges against three former Buncombe County officials: former County Manager Wanda Greene, former County Manager Mandy Stone and former Planning Director and Assistant County Manager Jon Creighton.
State board settles Buncombe dispute over early voting locations
After internal disagreement among the Buncombe County Board of Elections members, the North Carolina State Board of Elections has accepted a proposal for 11 early voting locations. Local board member Jake Quinn championed the continued use of the Grant Center to ensure access for the African-American community in the area.
McHenry hears harsh criticism at Buncombe town hall meeting
Many accused the representative, in his House leadership position as chief deputy majority whip, of giving a free pass to President Donald Trump for behavior they believe to be unethical. McHenry responded by saying he’s chosen to focus on achieving legislative goals, not sharing his opinions on Trump’s communication style.
Candidates file for judicial and nonpartisan seats
Buncombe County’s judiciary is set to remain unchanged with none of the incumbent judges facing opposition in the polls. So far the board of education races are shaping up similarly but there is still time for others to file and the Soil and Water board could see changes with five candidates vying for two seats.
Constitutional amendment on hunting and fishing rights may have political motives
In November, North Carolina voters will choose whether to add the right to hunt, fish and harvest wildlife to their constitution. If the amendment passes, the state will join 21 others, including all of the South save Florida, Maryland and West Virginia, in explicitly affirming this right.
In photos: Families Belong Together Rally on June 30
Over 1,000 people from Asheville and Western North Carolina participated in the “Families Belong Together” rally on downtown Asheville’s Haywood Street on June 30 to protest family separation at the country’s southern border and the current administration’s zero-tolerance immigration policy.
WNC environmental programs and agencies could see more cuts in new state budget
Local legislators and environmental advocates share their thoughts on which state budgetary and policy decisions could have a big impact on WNC’s environment in the coming fiscal year and beyond. They cited issues including the state’s response to novel contaminants like GenX chemicals, the budget for the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality and funding for the Clean Water Management, Parks and Recreation and Farmland Preservation trust funds.
Re-education may be necessary
ASHEVILLE, NC
Discussing MX election coverage with WPVM’s Mark Lieberman
Three Xpress reporters joined WPVM 103.7 FM radio host Mark Lieberman for a chat about our primary election coverage — among other topics — on May 15.
Police accountability and transparency focus of City Council meeting
Amid calls for increased public access to policing data, Asheville City Council left the city’s volunteer board dedicated to hearing residents’ concerns about law enforcement in place for now. At the same time, the elected officials noted many vacancies on the Citizens Police Advisory Committee and signaled their longterm intent to dissolve the body once the newly forming Human Relations Commission has gotten up and running.
Primary winners respond to election results
The primary election on May 8 produced a combination of expected and surprising victories. We talk to some of the local winners.
WNC House of Representatives primary results finalize fall battles
N.C.’s tenth and eleventh congressional district primary results finalize fall races with McHenry and Meadows maneuvering to defend their seats.
2018 Buncombe County primary election results wrap up race for some, boost others into general
With the hard-fought primary now behind them, some Buncombe County candidates can breathe a sigh of relief, while for others the hard work is only beginning.