The great divide: Issues of race, justice, opportunit­y discussed at YWCA election forum

The final question asked of Asheville’s two mayoral and five city council candidates did not focus on the usual inquires raised during this municipal election. It wasn’t about the economy. It wasn’t about jobs. It wasn’t about the police department — though it certainly touched on all of those topics. And it had nothing to do with the Asheville Art Museum. (Photo by Max Cooper)

Mayoral, City Council candidates discuss key downtown issues at Pack’s Tavern on Oct. 14

At the Oct. 14 Asheville mayoral and City Council candidate forum at Pack’s Tavern, contenders discussed pressing downtown issues highlighted in a survey by the Asheville Downtown Association.
From cleanliness to crime and toplessness to construction, the seven candidates voiced their opinions on key issues affecting the city and its residents. (pictured: John Miall and Jonathan Wainscott; photo by Max Cooper)

A day of debates for Asheville mayor, Council candidates

Today has no shortage of debates about local government and the future of our city. The three mayoral candidates meet at the Council of Independent Business Owners luncheon this afternoon, then have a rematch at tonight’s Get There Asheville forum, where they will be joined by the five Asheville City Council candidates. Follow live Twitter dispatches of today’s debates here.

Asheville City Council: more agricultur­e, a festival search, and downtown crime

At tonight’s meeting, Asheville City Council approved new rules allowing urban farming and produce sales throughout the city. Council also approved starting the search for a summer event to replace Bele Chere. On a less optimistic note, the public and city officials discussed increasing issues of crime, policing and homelessness in Asheville’s core.