Last week, Buncombe County Manager Wanda Greene‘s office ordered the removal of 17 newspaper boxes in front of the courthouse, claiming they were unsightly. The move, according to North Carolina Press Association attorney Amanda Martin, was illegal and violates First Amendment protections on newspaper racks on public property.
The newspaper boxes after their removal. Photos by Jeff Tallman
Tag: Buncombe County
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Kudos to Nelda Holder on home rule
Kudos to Nelda Holder for her column on home rule, pointing out how the N.C. Democratic Party is merely getting a taste of its own medicine [“You Say Po-tay-to,” June 22 Xpress]. Her departure from Mountain Xpress editorial power has been a huge loss. Home rule is a big part of the reason I left […]
The big deal: Linamar will bring almost 400 jobs to Asheville
County buys Volvo plant. County sells Volvo plant to Linamar Group, a Canadian manufacturer, the following year. Asheville gives Linamar $2.2 million in incentives over four years. Buncombe puts up $6.8 million in incentives. North Carolina pitches in $9 million. The hoped-for results? Almost 400 jobs for the Asheville-Buncombe area that pay, on average, more than $39,000 a year.
Governor Bev Perdue announces Linamar’s expansion. Photo by Jonathan Welch
On retainers
Buncombe County Board of Commissioners June 21, 2001 meeting $303 million budget approved Emma Elementary gets sidewalk New rules triggered by the “Great Wall of Reynolds” aim to improve the safety and appearance of large retaining walls. The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners unanimously adopted the rules at their June 21 meeting. The changes had […]
Buncombe Commissioners vote to buy former Volvo site for $7 million
The Buncombe County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously June 28 to purchase the former Volvo plant at 2169 Hendersonville Road for $7 million in taxpayer funds. In the weeks leading up to the vote, county, city and state leaders have hinted that the purchase is part of a larger, multifaceted arrangement with a private employer to take over the site. And in the hours leading up to the vote, WLOS News 13 began reporting that the employer is the Canadian-based Linamar Corporation, a large manufacturer of engines, transmissions and drive trains.
Balancing act?
Depending on whom you ask, a recent change to Buncombe County's election law is either a blatantly partisan Republican dictate from Raleigh or a much-needed adjustment to restore balance and fairness to local government after an unduly long period of Democratic rule. Ratified by the state Legislature May 19 after House and Senate votes that […]
Buncombe County Commissioners preview: Budget battle (round 2)
The Tuesday, June 7, meeting of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will feature public hearings on its 2011–2012 budget proposal and several related issues.
Future of WNC Community Media Center board in doubt after several members resign
Several members of the WNC Community Media Center Board of Directors have resigned, raising more questions about its solvency.
Leadership bicycle ride highlights multimodal progress
A group of local elected officials and community leaders gathered May 18 for the Mayor’s Leadership Ride, an annual bicycle tour of the city designed to highlight recent infrastructure improvements and upcoming projects.
Buncombe commissioner elections bill passes Senate, will become law
The North Carolina Senate passed a bill May 18 to expand the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners from five to seven members and mandate district representation in place of the current at-large elections.
WNC Community Media Center shuts down studio operations
The WNC Community Media Center has shut down studio operations while it continues to look for funding and production alternatives that would keep public-access television station URTV on the air. The nonprofit organization closed its facility at 31 College Place in downtown Asheville on Saturday night, May 14.
House passes changes to Buncombe commissioner elections
The state House of Representatives passed Republican Rep. Tim Moffitt‘s bill to expand the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners from five to seven members and mandate district representation in place of the current at-large elections. The bill would institute this change without a local referendum.
Buncombe County Commissioners preview: Health care edition
At its May 3 meeting, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners is set to hear a pair of reports that deal with different aspects of county health care: One on Western North Carolina Community Health Services (WNCCHS) and another on the state of local Adult Care homes.
Xpress Files: A look at documents related to URTV and Buncombe County funding issues
Buncombe County and The WNC Community Media Center, which operates public access television station URTV, continue to wrangle over funding issues. We’ve made several documents that help illustrate the dispute available for download.
URTV letter to Buncombe County demanding payment
(UPDATED MAY 1) This working draft of a letter from the WNC Community Media Center Board of Directors demands that Buncombe County distribute “outstanding fees” to the nonprofit organization so it can continue operating public access station URTV. As of May 1, The WNC Media Center Board was still working on the final text of […]
Original Management Agreement between URTV and Buncombe County
Download the original Management Agreement between public access television station URTV and Buncombe County below. Whether or not the contract remained valid after Feb. 1, 2010 is in dispute. URTV.Buncombe_.CONTRACT_.pdf
WNC Community Media Center presentation
This presentation by the WNC Community Media Center was put together to make its case to the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners for more funding. The request by the WNC Community Media Center’s board to present the presentation at the April 19 meeting of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners was denied. Click the hyper […]
Buncombe County Attorney Michael Frue: Legal memo RE: URTV and distribution of funds
This legal memo was written by Buncombe County Attorney Michael Frue at the instruction of Buncombe County Board of Commissioners Chair David Gantt. It outlines the county’s legal position as it relates to PEG channel funding and URTV and was released to interested parties on April 25. Click the hyper link below to download the […]
John Howell: Buncombe County report on PEG funding and URTV
This report on PEG channel funding and local public access station URTV was delivered to the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners on April 5 by John Howell of Telecommunications Consulting Associates, who advises the county on media issues. Click the hyper link below to download the report: JohnHowellReportApril5.URTV_.pdf
The commish report: Buncombe County commissioners’ April 5 session
From URTV’s funding to a proclamation recogizing Otto DeBruhl for his many years as Register of Deeds, here’s a meeting summary from freelance reporter Christopher George, along with his Twitter updates from the April 5 meeting of the Buncombe County Board Commissioners.
Buncombe ranked 17th healthiest county in North Carolina
Buncombe County is the 17th healthiest in the state, according to the County Health Rankings project. According to the rankings, the county has excellent health behavior and clinical care but problems with morbidity and environmental quality.