“I dreamed of The Race Relations Station, a place where all kinds of people gather in small groups, simply getting to know folks different from themselves and discovering their common humanity.”
At last, the most wonderful time of the year
“I have a fantasy, sparked by a friend’s wistful Facebook comment, that everyone could come together to spread all of these many jolly activities (and their associated deadlines) throughout the year, perhaps loosely attached to an underperforming existing holiday.”
2018 in review: Ten notable Buncombe government accomplishments, by George Wood
Interim Buncombe County Manager George Wood summarizes some of the county’s most notable achievements in 2018.
2018 in review: 12 biggest impacts on Asheville neighborhoods, by CAN
Coalition of Asheville Neighborhoods’ Chair Amy Kemp shares her perspective on issues that had the greatest impact on the city’s neighborhoods in 2018.
2018 in review: Top Buncombe tourism accomplishments, by Stephanie Pace Brown
Explore Asheville Convention and Visitors Bureau’s Stephanie Pace Brown makes her pitch for the area’s tourism industry’s top accomplishments of the past year.
2018 in review: Why I chose Asheville, by new City Manager Debra Campbell
According to news reports, Debra Campbell could have had her pick of city or county manager positions in the Southeast. Xpress asked why she chose Asheville.
2018 in review: Top 10 Buncombe economic accomplishments, by Kit Cramer
Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Kit Cramer weighed in on the year’s top economic development accomplishments in Buncombe County, starting with funding progress on the Interstate 26 Connector.
2018 in review: Best things about being Asheville’s mayor, by Esther Manheimer
The pay (just kidding). I get to represent the awesome people of Asheville, who are compassionate and truly care about making our community a better place to live for everyone (and don’t mind telling me exactly how to do it!). My absolute favorite part of the job is meeting with schoolchildren of all ages from […]
On our minds in 2018: The year in Opinion
Readers, you had a lot to say about local politics and civic goings-on in the region this year. From tourism and development to bears and the county government scandal, here’s a look back at some of the hot topics that sparked your opinions.
Top pick of 2018: An engaged, empowered community
Your continued participation in this locally focused journalistic conversation — this project of growing and sustaining a healthy, vibrant community whose members speak up for the changes that matter to them — is the most important story of 2018 for Xpress.
An antidote to hate: Know and love your neighbor
“As diverse as we are, let us seek harmony and unity and prove that America is better than our fear and division by spreading the seeds of compassion and justice within us all.”
No room for the inn: The Gospel According to Jerry
“The city allowed the builder to go through all the expensive steps required to get total approval from all regulatory agencies, and then several Council members announced their intent to vote against it because, in their great wisdom, they have made the arbitrary decision that Asheville already has too many hotels.”
To fear or not to fear? A little understanding can go a long way in West Asheville
“We must recognize that as long as we prioritize more hotels, more restaurants, more new construction (none of which is wholly bad), we must also acknowledge the consequences of those priorities — the displacement of people on the margins — and find ways to sustainably address them.”
Asheville forum explores how we can get more involved in community life
“As we talked with people in community forums, we heard about places and events that are bringing people together, from public libraries to town commons to Friday night football games, and people wondered whether we could do more to build off those gathering places.”
Why 2018 isn’t the ‘year of the woman’ in NC
“Let’s all make women reappear instead of disappear politically and the ‘year of the woman’ commonplace and not just about 2018.”
Mission Health deal raises critical questions for WNC: The Gospel According to Jerry
“To me, the biggest question of all is: What is our leverage to make sure this private corporation fulfills its contract?”
Time for a ‘bear summit’?
“At the very least, City Council or the Wildlife Commission could stage a ‘bear summit’ to document the number and character of close calls.”
Making peace with bears
“Bears are not the enemy! We’re the ones who have to decide if we’re going to be the enemy. Coexistence is possible: We can do it, but it’s a practice.”
Kiss and say goodbye: Addressing the real cause of addiction
“If we’re going to solve the addiction problem, we can’t just treat the symptom; we have to address the cause.”
County scandal offers choices, opportunity
“This is the perfect time to unwind, review, learn and rebuild the structure and environment to epitomize best practices — to create a system that, at its core, honors and promotes an ethical culture and is dedicated to the highest ideals of leadership, integrity, transparency and accountability.”
How you, too, can create more home choices
“Enough people are willing to trade square footage with mortgages for low-hassle, smaller spaces for rent — provided what they get in return is access to all the advantages of walkable, in-town living.”