Commission Chair Brownie Newman is trying to move forward with more changes to the county's personnel ordinance, but said he doesn't have support from a majority of commissioners.

Newman pushing for changes amid ‘eroding public trust’

Posted on October 16, 2017October 16, 2017 by Dan Hesse

Buncombe County Commission Chair Brownie Newman is trying to expedite more changes to the county’s personnel ordinance, but not all commissioners are on board with his proposals.

Undead legislation

Posted on October 8, 2017October 6, 2017 by Molton

Asheville, N.C.

GREENE BACKS: Former County Manager Wanda Greene hauled in more than $500,000 for six months of work in 2017 before retiring on June 30. In the past four years, she netted more than $1.6 million through her salary and a series of bonuses and incentives.

Take the money and run: Greene nets $500K payday over 6 months

Posted on October 6, 2017October 7, 2017 by Dan Hesse

Former Buncombe County Manager Wanda Greene cashed out on a $500,000 payday for six months of work in 2017 and more than $1.6 million over the past four years.

HOTLINE BLING: Buncombe County commissioners approved a measure that sets up an employee complaint hotline. It will be monitored by a third party company and is also available to the public.

Commissioners take aim at nepotism, workplace retaliation

Posted on October 5, 2017October 5, 2017 by Dan Hesse

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners unanimously approved changes to the county’s personnel ordinance that establishes a whistle blower hotline and providers more detailed language on immediate family members working together.

TARGETING OPIOIDS: Buncombe County District Attorney Todd Williams is rolling out diversion options for some people charged with opioid possession while maintaining the county will fully prosecute those who traffic in opioid-related drugs.

DA warns of new opioid danger, announces diversion program

Posted on October 3, 2017October 3, 2017 by Dan Hesse

The Buncombe County District Attorney is looking to give opioid offenders treatment rather than jail time via a new diversion program.

ROLLING ALONG: The 11th annual Tour de Pumpkin on Oct. 7 will let cyclists enjoy the countryside around Rutherfordton with tour distances of 50 or 100 kilometers. The ride is one of several cycling events that celebrate the crisp weather and brilliant colors of autumn. Photo courtesy of the Tour de Pumpkin

ICYMI: Xpress stories from the issue of Sept. 27, 2017

Posted on October 2, 2017October 2, 2017 by Virginia Daffron

From the area’s largest single construction project to fall planting, Xpress has the scoop on local fall happenings. Here are some of our best stories from the previous week to keep you reading as you wait for our next issue, coming to a paper box near you on Wednesday, Oct. 4.

McHenry speaks

Posted on October 1, 2017September 29, 2017 by Molton

Asheville, N.C.

CLASS IS IN SESSION: County commissioners heard from a panel of experts about logistics and costs surrounding the ongoing effort to expand preschool offerings.

Buncombe commissioners study preschool expansion

Posted on September 27, 2017September 28, 2017 by Dan Hesse

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners heard about ongoing efforts to expand access to affordable preschool across the county.

2017 Asheville City Council and mayor primary election guide

Posted on September 25, 2017October 2, 2017 by Carolyn Morrisroe

The Asheville City Council primary is set for Tuesday, Oct. 10. Early voting is already underway and Xpress’ voting guide has Q&As with all the candidates along with other voting resources.

RUNNING FOR MAYOR: From left, Asheville mayoral candidates Martin Ramsey, Esther Manheimer and Jonathan Wainscott take part in a forum at UNC Asheville on Sept. 18. Photo by Carolyn Morrisroe

Mayoral candidates take on city’s challenges

Posted on September 21, 2017September 22, 2017 by Carolyn Morrisroe

The three candidates for mayor of Asheville put forth their views on race, sustainability and affordability at a forum hosted by the Student Government Association and the Political Science Club at UNC Asheville on Sept. 18.

CANDIDATE LINEUP: Asheville City Council candidates at a Sept. 18 forum at UNCA. From left: Kim Roney, Andrew Fletcher, Gwen Wisler, Dee Williams, Pratik Bhakta, Jeremy Goldstein, Cecil Bothwell, Vijay Kapoor, Adrian Vassallo, Sheneika Smith, Rich Lee and Jan (Howard) Kubiniec and moderator Tim Hussey. Photo by Carolyn Morrisroe

Race, housing take center stage in Council candidate forum

Posted on September 20, 2017September 23, 2017 by Carolyn Morrisroe

Who can afford to live here and how can we all live together? Those questions formed the crux of the conversation among Asheville City Council candidates at a Sept. 18 forum where two issues garnered strong and varying viewpoints: the lack of affordable housing and persistent racial tensions in Asheville.

County moves to give internal auditor autonomy

Posted on September 19, 2017September 19, 2017 by Dan Hesse

Buncombe County’s Audit Committee approved changes to its structure in hopes of giving the internal auditor more independence. It will be up to the Board of Commissioners to sign off on the recommendations.

ADDING IT UP: Former Buncombe County Manager Wanda Greene doled out $118,366 in salary increases intended for the county’s lowest earners. Data from the county about the raises show 36 percent of that money went to employees making between $40,001 and $75,000, and 48 percent went to those making more than $75,000. In all, 16 percent of raise money went to county employees making less than $40,000. Photo by Arianna Moore; graphic by Xpress

Raising questions: Past pay increases present puzzles

Posted on September 17, 2017September 15, 2017 by Dan Hesse

As questions swirl around an ongoing FBI probe into former Buncombe County Manager Wanda Greene, some top officials are scrutinizing the results of a directive they say was meant to boost the earnings of the county’s lowest-paid employees.

Flight of fantasy

Posted on September 17, 2017September 15, 2017 by Molton

Asheville, N.C.

PROPERTY PROBLEMS: As cities across the South move to address controversial Confederate monuments in the wake of the Aug. 12 violence in Charlottesville, Asheville and Buncombe County officials face the complex question of who exactly owns Pack Square, where the Vance Monument and Robert E. Lee/John Connally marker sit. Photo by Max Hunt

A mystery in-deed: Who owns Pack Square?

Posted on September 15, 2017September 15, 2017 by Max Hunt

Pack Square lies at the center of Asheville’s sense of itself as a city, but recent attention to the area — and the monuments to Confederate figures located there — has highlighted a curious anomaly of history and law: No one can say for sure who owns the piece of land where the Vance Monument sits.

SPEAKING ON THE ISSUES: From left: Asheville City Council candidates Rich Lee, Cecil Bothwell, Sheneika Smith, Dee Williams, Kim Roney and Jan (Howard) Kubiniec participate in a forum hosted by the Asheville chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America on Sept. 13. Photo by David Floyd

Vying for endorsement, 4 City Council candidates identify as socialists

Posted on September 14, 2017September 19, 2017 by David Floyd

Six candidates for Asheville City Council participated in a forum hosted by the Asheville chapter of the Democratic Socialists of America on Sept. 13. Hot topics included affordability and police reform.

Asheville City Council to look at Shiloh subdivision

Posted on September 11, 2017September 11, 2017 by Carolyn Morrisroe

On Sept. 12, Asheville City Council will dive back into discussion of a proposed subdivision in the Shiloh community and will tackle a proposal to ease the parking crunch downtown by allowing temporary gravel lots.

THE LONG WAY: The above map shows where Long Shoals Apartments would be located at 556 Long Shoals Road. The project includes 472 apartment units and 15,000 square feet of commercial space.

BOA to consider nearly 700 apartment units in South, East Asheville

Posted on September 9, 2017September 9, 2017 by Dan Hesse

Among items on the Board of Adjustment’s agenda are two proposed apartment complexes in East and South Asheville.

IN THE ZONE: Commissioners unanimously denied a zoning request that had multiple members of Fairview voicing opposition to the request.

Solar farm moves forward, rezoning stalls out

Posted on September 7, 2017September 7, 2017 by Dan Hesse

The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners tapped Duke Energy for a solar farm project at the old county landfill and unanimously denied a rezoning request.