The so-called “parking-gate” saga continued Aug. 12, as Asheville City Council member Cecil Bothwell and Buncombe County Commissioner took to the airwaves to spar.
In Photos: Mountain Moral Monday heats up in Pack Square
The Asheville Police Department estimated 3,500 people crowded into Pack Square Park at 5 p.m. on Monday, carrying signs expressing outrage against a number of local and state issues: women’s health, education, environment, water, equality and voting rights, among others.
Buncombe commissioner candidates debate
Differing visions for Buncombe County’s future collided July 30, as the Council of Independent Business Owners hosted the campaign season’s first candidate forum. Four candidates made their case for two seats on the Board of Commissioners. Sparring for District 2 Incumbent Democrat Ellen Frost faces a rematch with Republican Christina Merrill in District 2, which […]
Campaign season heats up: Buncombe commissioner candidate forum July 30
A July 30 candidate forum unofficially kicks off what’s shaping up to be an intense campaign season for seats on the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners.
Poetic injustice: Locals respond to N.C.’s poet laureate debate
Poetry has long been an action-packed artistic genre in Western North Carolina. Here, it’s not merely written but spoken, slammed and taken into schools (thanks to Poetry Alive! — which celebrates its 30th anniversary with an event at The White Horse on Aug. 15 — and LEAF in Schools & Streets, among other initiatives). In […]
‘Mountain Moral Monday’ rally returns to Asheville Aug. 4
The ‘Mountain Moral Monday’ rally will return to downtown Asheville Aug. 4, aiming to bring together thousands of people from across the region to protest what they see as destructive state policies and help get out the vote in this year’s election.
Video: Did ‘Obama’s spiritual advisor’ go on ‘race rant’ in Hot Springs?
Calling Dr. Jim Wallis President Barack Obama’s “spiritual advisor,” the popular conservative news and opinion website The Daily Caller reported July 7 that the liberal evangelical leader went on a “race rant” at a recent event Hot Springs. But was it really an accusatory, racist rant, from a man “who has the ear of the leader of the free world,” as the website alleges? Or was it part of a constructive dialogue on a tough topic?
Waldrop earns spot on ballot, launches campaign for Buncombe Commission
Nancy Waldrop — the wife of current Buncombe Commissioner David King — earned an unaffiliated spot on the Nov. 4 ballot and immediately launched a campaign to represent District 3 on the board of commissioners. (photo by Alicia Funderburk)
Petition drive update: Scales will face Williams for DA; Waldrop likely on commission ballot
Ben Scales turned in more than 7,958 verified signatures to the Buncombe County Board of Elections by the June 12 deadline, earning him an unaffiliated spot on the Nov. 4 district attorney ballot against Democrat Todd Williams.
Judge’s decision blocks transfer of Asheville’s water system
Last evening, June 9, the city of Asheville released the news: Judge Howard Manning has ruled that North Carolina legislators’ move to take over the local water system violates the state constitution. “The Water Act,” he ruled, “is not a valid exercise of the sovereign power of the legislative branch.” Kirk Ross, with Carolina Public […]
Signature events: Scales, Knight mount petition drives in DA race
In the wake of Todd Williams’ historic victory over District Attorney Ron Moore in the May 6 Democratic primary, two unaffiliated candidates are mounting petition campaigns to get their names on the November ballot. Ben Scales, a local attorney in private practice, and Rebecca Knight, a former Buncombe County District Court judge, are each seeking […]
Waldrop mounts petition drive to succeed husband on Buncombe Commission
Nancy Waldrop announced May 29 that she’s mounting a last-minute petition drive to get on the November ballot as an unaffiliated candidate for the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners in District 3. (photo by Alicia Funderburk)
Judge hears Asheville suit fighting water-system transfer
One year ago, the city of Asheville filed suit to block a state bill that mandates the transfer of the water system to the Metropolitan Sewerage District of Buncombe County. On May 23, a Wake County judge heard both sides plead their case. And both say that no matter the judge’s decision, an appeal is […]
Meadows and Shuler team up to push for ‘Road to Nowhere’ money
The effort to secure compensation for Swain County from the federal government for a road it never completed has been a long and twisted tale, full of contentious political debate among Western North Carolina congressmen both old and new. The issue is now back in the news, as current GOP Rep. Mark Meadows has joined […]
Election analysis: Buncombe voters make changes, set up fall battles
The May 6 primary proved historic, as Buncombe County voters propelled district attorney candidate Todd Williams to a landslide victory over Ron Moore, who had held the position for 24 years. Voters also outed incumbent Buncombe Commissioner David King and set up several battles going into the fall general election. Here’s a rundown of some of the key local races and results.
Election results: Buncombe gets new district attorney, commissioner
After serving for 24 years as Buncombe County’s District Attorney, Ron Moore lost his job to challenger Todd Williams in a landslide Democratic primary. And in the District 3 Buncombe County commissioners race, political newcomer Miranda DeBruhl defeated incumbent David King in the Republican primary. Here’s a rundown of some of the key local May 6 election results. Photo by Jesse Farthing.
Election day May 6: Polls open across WNC
Polls are open across Western North Carolina today, May 6, for voting in a variety of primary races, from congress to the county commission.
New survey ranks local judicial candidates
With time quickly counting down to the May 6 primary election, a new survey by the N.C. Bar Association evaluates the candidates running to be local District Court judges.
District 3 commissioner primary questionnaire: King vs. DeBruhl
In District 3, which stretches from Arden to Sandy Mush, incumbent Republican David King is being challenged by Miranda DeBruhl. Xpress asked each candidate five questions designed to elicit their priorities and views.
District 2 commissioner primary questionnaire: Frost vs. Peterson
In District 2, which encompasses Fairview, Black Mountain and Weaverville, Vice Chair Ellen Frost, a Democrat, faces a primary challenge from former Commissioner Carol Peterson. Xpress asked each candidate five questions designed to elicit their priorities and views.
District 1 commissioner primary questionnaire: Newman vs. Young
In District 1, roughly equivalent to the city of Asheville, incumbent Democrat Brownie Newman is being challenged by Keith Young. Xpress asked each candidate five questions designed to elicit their priorities and views.