John Ager Incumbent, Democrat Website: electjohnager.org Occupation: Farmer, legislator Previous candidacy or offices held: N.C. House, two terms Key endorsements: League of Conservation Voters; Buncombe County and North Carolina Association of Educators; State Employees Association of North Carolina; Sierra Club, WNC Central Labor Council Amount of money raised: $150,000 Top three donors: All individuals and […]
Commission candidates debate alleged corruption, school safety
During a debate organized by the Council of Independent Business Owners on Oct. 5, candidates vying for seats on the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners talked school safety, affordable housing and how the county should respond to the fallout from the Wanda Greene investigation.
News briefs: Build a playground, equal representation urged for Mission successor foundation
In a Sept. 25 open letter, ten local organizations called on the Dogwood Health Trust, which would come into existence to receive the proceeds of the proposed sale of Mission Health to for-profit Healthcare Corporation of America, to ensure proportional representation of women and nonwhites on its board. The signatories also called for all geographic areas served by the trust to be represented.
Commissioners bicker over early voting, delay benefit decisions
Commissioners quibbled over extra money for early voting sites in Buncombe County during their meeting on Oct. 2. They also delayed a decision on cuts to certain employee benefits.
League of Women Voters cuts short Leicester forum
Four candidates, including three Democrats in contested races, showed up to the event. Their three Republican opponents — Senate incumbent Chuck Edwards, House candidate Marilyn Brown and Commissioner Robert Pressley — didn’t appear. According to League policy, candidates without an opponent present are limited to a two-minute opening statement.
Sheriff, Soil & Water candidates voice opinions at forum
No matter one’s political affiliation, it is difficult to deny that recent politicking at the national level has departed from traditional norms. Based on the Sept. 26 League of Women Voters of Asheville-Buncombe County candidate forum at the West Asheville Library, local races are sharing in that unconventionality as well.
Camera-shy candidate kicks off voter forum
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.