Last night I attended the Asheville City Council meeting where the highly charged "camping ordinance" was to be discussed. There were many arguments for and against the ordinance. City Council listened patiently while an impassioned audience expressed their views, which did not always fit the discussion at hand. The audience listened restlessly as an ordinance […]
Tag: Asheville City Council
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Asheville City Council: Occupy Asheville camping rules postponed for review
Dec. 13 marked the first regular Asheville City Council meeting for newly elected Marc Hunt and Chris Pelly, as Council tackled an array of hot-button issues, including how to handle Occupy Asheville camping on public space.
Asheville City Council preview: Of camps, contracts and apartment complexes
At its meeting tonight, Asheville City Council will consider new ordinances — aimed at Occupy Asheville — banning camping on city property; renewing a contract with First Transit to manage the city’s transit system and approval of the Aventine apartment complex just outside the city.
Occupy Asheville prepares for City Council meeting
Naomi Archer, one of the Occupy Asheville protesters, speaks at a press conference held in City-County Plaza. Occupy Asheville opposes three proposed city ordinances that would ban camping, storage and enclosed structures on city property. City Council will vote on the ordinances at tonight’s meeting, Dec. 13.
Occupy Asheville to oppose city’s proposed camping ordinances
Occupy Asheville has announced its opposition to proposed city ordinances that would ban camping, storage and enclosed structures on city property. The ordinances, which Asheville City Council will vote on tomorrow, Dec. 13, were drafted in response to an encampment by the protesters in front of City Hall.
Photo by Bill Rhodes
Council will vote on camping ban, aimed at Occupy Asheville
On Dec. 13, Asheville City Council will vote on an ordinance banning camping, storage and enclosed structures on city property. Occupy Asheville protesters are currently encamped in front of City Hall.
Council selects Esther Manheimer as Vice Mayor, new members sworn in
Tonight, Dec. 6, Asheville City Council unanimously selected Council member Esther Manheimer as the new vice mayor, swore Marc Hunt, Chris Pelly and Jan Davis into its ranks and bid farewell to Vice Mayor Brownie Newman and Council member Bill Russell. (Photo by Bill Rhodes).
LIVE: Coverage of Dec. 6 Council organizational meeting
Live Twitter coverage of Asheville City Council swearing-in Marc Hunt, Chris Pelly and Jan Davis, as well as selecting a Vice Mayor.
Asheville City Council preview: Who’s going to be Vice Mayor?
Asheville City Council will have a short organizational meeting this evening to swear in new members Marc Hunt and Chris Pelly, welcome back Jan Davis for a third term and bid farewell to Brownie Newman and Bill Russell. They’ll also select a Vice Mayor, a position that could be more important than usual in the coming two years.
Asheville City Council passes Civic Center renaming deal with U.S. Cellular
At their Nov. 22 meeting, Asheville City Council members voted 6-1 to approve a $1.3 million deal that gives U.S. Cellular naming rights to the Asheville Civic Center in an attempt to help renovate the aging facility. But other companies or organizations that want to counter-bid have a chance to do so — up till Dec. 31. During public comment on the matter, many speakers took issue with the deal, asserting it gives a corporate face to a unique piece of infrastructure with little return.
LIVE: Coverage of Nov. 22 Asheville City Council meeting
Follow live Twitter coverage of the Nov. 22 Asheville City Council meeting, including a vote on the controversial proposal to rename the Asheville Civic Center the U.S. Cellular Center.
Asheville City Council preview: name wars
A controversial proposal to rename the Asheville Civic Center the “U.S. Cellular Center” is at the top of a busy agenda for Asheville City Council tonight.
*UPDATE* With recount complete, Davis edges out Gray by 35 votes in City Council race
UPDATE: A recount of the votes completed and certified by the Buncombe County Board of Elections this afternoon, Nov. 18, didn’t significantly change the results of the election. Incumbent Jan Davis retained his third place finish – and his seat on Asheville City Council – by a total of 35 votes over challenger Lael Gray.
Letters to the editor: U.S. Cellular edition
Xpress received a large volume of letters about the proposed agreement between the city of Asheville and U.S. Cellular. Announced on Nov. 10, the deal would grant naming rights to the Chicago-based company in exchange for an investment of “up to $1.3 million over eight years.” The deal is subject to Council approval, scheduled for the Nov. 22 meeting. Dozens of readers responded with a similar argument — the negotiations were too covert; corporate sponsorship clashes with Asheville’s distinct character; the bidding process for such a deal should be open — but many of the perspectives are unique. Two readers applaud the potential deal. In the following special post, Xpress compiled the letters on the proposed agreement. (Image provided by U.S. Cellular.)
I’ll never tire of Jan Davis’ honesty and integrity
It's the day after the City Council elections and I don't know if Jan Davis has been voted in or not, but I had an experience today that cemented even more why he would be an excellent choice (again) for Asheville City Council. A few weeks ago I was told by a local car dealer […]
Civic Center renaming needs to be negotiated with citizens
Asheville City Council needs to vote “no” on naming the Asheville Civic Center the U.S. Cellular Center (it sounds like a place to take your cell phone). It was very, very deceptive of City Council member Jan Davis to not mention this renaming before the election and to decide on it and not ask the […]
Election night comes to blows *updated*
Council member Gordon Smith was hit in the head by Lael Gray’s campaign manager, David Roat, at an election-night party, according to reports. Here, Smith describes the fracas. “I went to Lael’s party, I was giving her a hug and I got hit in the back of the head,” Smith says. “I went into a crouch, there were a few more blows, he was pulled off of me, and it was over.” (Photo by Bill Rhodes.)
An election nail-biter: Jan Davis squeaks into third by 40 votes
In the Nov. 8 Asheville City Council election, incumbent Council member Jan Davis trailed challenger Lael Gray most of the evening. But in the end, he squeaked ahead by 40 points. This photo by Max Cooper shows what a nerve-wracking cliff hanger it was.
Election Day: Hunt, Pelly win Council seats; Davis, Gray likely headed for recount; sales tax passes
With all city precincts reporting, Marc Hunt and Chris Pelly have won seats on Asheville City Council. Incumbent Jan Davis has come in a mere 40 votes ahead of Lael Gray, meaning the race is likely headed for a recount. With all precincts reporting, the A-B Tech sales tax referendum has passed. (Photos by Bill Rhodes)
Please, Mayor Bellamy: don’t blame the messenger
If the Occupy Asheville movement has cost the city of Asheville any extra money in pay for our police, that responsibility lies with Mayor Terry Bellamy and not the Occupy Movement [”Fully Occupied,” Nov. 8 Xpress]. It is the mayor’s view that the movement is dangerous that has caused the larger problem. So far, her […]
Flier fight: Candidates differ on mailer
A flier funded by local businessman Chris Peterson and bearing a mocking, photoshopped picture of Asheville City Council member Cecil Bothwell, encouraging voters to back Council member Jan Davis and candidate Mark Cates has led to a condemnation by an advocacy group and public criticism. Davis has released a statement asserting he is unhappy with his inclusion in the flier, noting, “I do not believe in trickery and dirty campaigning.” Cates, meanwhile, has released a statement saying he understands’ Peterson’s view.