Four candidates are battling for two seats on the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners. In each case, these contenders hold vastly different views on a range of issues, from taxes and spending to growing the economy and protecting the environment. Also at stake is which party holds a voting majority on the board. Here’s a closer look at those races.
Buncombe County Commissioners will seek public feedback on two issues tomorrow night, Sept. 16: one involving an economic incentive deal to Wicked Weed Brewing and the other regarding Weaverville zoning.
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.
Buncombe County’s Board of Commissioners faced a full agenda on Aug. 5, and by meeting’s end, they had passed several motions that will change the landscape in some significant ways. (photo by Alicia Funderburk)
“It is the responsibility of the Legislature to fund teacher pay,” District 2 incumbent Democrat Ellen Frost declared at the July 30 Council of Independent Business Owners candidate forum. But though most school funding comes from the state, the county does provide a supplement each year, usually about 20 percent of total school funding. In […]
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 […]
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.
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will convene tonight, July 8, with the primary order of business being the final adoption of the Fiscal Year 2015 budget put on hold at the previous meeting on June 17. The budget estimates $280.3 million in expenditures for the county and holds the tax rate steady at current levels.
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)
Amid ongoing budget deliberations, on June 17 Buncombe County commissioners heard appeals from local schools for more funds and decided to delay contentious decisions on whether to relocate the Health and Human Services Department and build a new aquatics center.
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.
Amid rising demand for services and confronted with a $44.3 million expansion plan, Buncombe County commissioners floated the idea June 3 of moving the Health and Human Services Department out of its facility in downtown Asheville to save costs.
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 […]
Buncombe County Manager Wanda Greene is recommending commissioners hold the tax rate steady this year and borrow $44.3 million for a new downtown Asheville building addition and parking deck. Her budget proposal, which she’ll present to the board of commissioners Tuesday, June 3, calls for keeping the county-wide property tax rate at 60.4 cents per […]
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)
As Buncombe County’s June 30 deadline to finalize its budget draws near, the competition among local groups seeking public funding has reached fever pitch.
The Buncombe County Culture and Recreation Authority recommended $1.17 million in grants to a list of 15 local nonprofit organizations — far less than the $3.86 million they requested, but more than twice as much as County Manager Wanda Greene is recommending as she prepares to craft the county budget for the next fiscal year.
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.
Buncombe County commissioners voted unanimously May 13 to give BorgWarner $1.92 million in economic incentive grants. Commissioners also unanimously approved spending $395,000 to buy two different parcels of land for school use.
Buncombe County officials joined with community partners May 13 to unveil a new plan to curb domestic violence.
Polls are open across Western North Carolina today, May 6, for voting in a variety of primary races, from congress to the county commission.
