Two new: Commission­ers take first steps to replace aging schools

Buncombe County Board of Commissioners March 20, 2012 meeting Environmentalists urge joining billboard lawsuit March 23 proclaimed Women Veterans History Day Two new school buildings are in the works for Asheville. At their March 20 meeting, the Buncombe County commissioners unanimously approved taking the first steps toward replacing the aging Asheville Middle School and Isaac […]

Public gives legislator­s an earful on water system

The public weighed in on the fate of the city’s water system today, Feb. 23, with the majority telling a study group of four legislators that the utility should remain in the city’s hands. (In this photo, Asheville City Manager Gary Jackson and City council members Jan Davis, Esther Manheimer and Chris Pelly talk with Henderson County Commissioner Charles Messer. Photo by Bill Rhodes)

Buncombe Commission­ers vote ‘no’ on mobile homes; Byrd challenges Gantt for board chair

At their Feb. 21 meeting, Buncombe County commissioners denied a rezoning request that would’ve allowed more mobile homes in Reynolds and approved $50,000 for a job training program. Dr. Milton Byrd also announced that he’s going to try to unseat incumbent Board Chair David Gantt by running against him in the May 8 Democratic primary.

Changes celebrated at Buncombe County Health and Human Services Department

About 75 department heads, staffers, elected officials and others gathered Feb. 15 to celebrate recent renovations to the Buncombe County Health and Human Services Department building in downtown Asheville.
(Pictured here: Board chair David Gantt and Commissioner Carol Peterson try out a new kids play area in the building’s lobby. Photos by Bill Rhodes)

Buncombe commission­ers: Retreat and advance

Jones urges Asheville Middle School renovation Mandatory trash pickup discussed The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners huddled with staff Jan. 31 to discuss past accomplishments and current priorities. Here's a look at some of the considerable ground they covered during their four-hour retreat. Where we’ve been County Manager Wanda Greene began by handing the commissioners […]

Sunday open thread

Interstate 40 was cleared, Asheville City Council retreated, the downtown Bank of America closed up, the role of religion was fiercely debated at the Buncombe County Board of Education, Shuler bowed out, the city looked at restricting newspaper boxes, Council headed to East Asheville, and a deal over the Occupy Asheville camp remained out of reach. Whew. It was a busy, busy news week in Asheville.