“’Economic development’ is a proven strategy of neoliberalism, getting people to feel grateful for a small payoff in jobs after their wealth and prosperity have been stolen by austerity policies.”
Tag: Buncombe County Board of Commissioners
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Council to vote on Vance removal Dec. 8
Mayor Esther Manheimer emailed Xpress the evening of Dec. 7 to say that Council was moving the Vance item from reports to new business, allowing for both public comment and a vote. She did not immediately respond to a request for clarification regarding the rationale behind that change.
Casting the first stone: The Gospel According to Jerry
“If we follow that logic, though, shouldn’t we also tear down Vance Elementary School rather than merely renaming it?”
Buncombe board to vote on Vance removal recommendation
On Monday, Dec. 7, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will decide whether to accept the recommendation of the Vance Monument Task Force, a body jointly appointed by the county and city of Asheville, to take down the downtown obelisk that memorializes Confederate Gov. Zebulon Vance.
Council, Commission to welcome new members
Sandra Kilgore, Sage Turner and Kim Roney will officially become Asheville City Council members on Tuesday, Dec. 1. And on Dec. 7, newcomers Terri Wells and Parker Sloan will be sworn in to the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners alongside returning incumbents Jasmine Beach-Ferrara and Brownie Newman.
Letter: Keep fighting against aerospace plant
“Couldn’t we wait for something like a company making turbines for windmills and tidal power or offer incentives to aid sustainable businesses instead?”
Vance Monument Task Force recommends removal
Members of the Vance Monument Task Force voted 11-1 on Nov. 19 to remove the monument from the center of downtown Asheville, marking an end to 12 weeks of intense public comment and community division.
Unanimous approval for $27M Pratt & Whitney subsidy
No Buncombe County commissioners addressed why the subsidy was necessary for the company to make its investment during their Nov. 17 meeting. P&W is a division of Raytheon Technologies, a Fortune 50 company with approximately $10 billion in cash reserves.
Buncombe proposes $27M subsidy for Pratt & Whitney
Under a proposed economic development incentive agreement, Buncombe County taxpayers would subsidize the division of military contractor Raytheon Technologies, which made over $77 billion last fiscal year, to the tune of $27 million.
Key takeaways from Buncombe’s 2020 elections
Xpress has compiled election night summaries for each of the contests previously included in our general election voter guide. The Buncombe County Board of Elections will not officially certify results until Friday, Nov. 13, and the state board will not issue certification until Tuesday, Nov. 24.
Buncombe may forgive over $105K in hotel tax penalties
According to a presentation available before Board of Commissioners meeting on Thursday, Nov. 5, 67 lodging businesses have been delinquent in reporting or remitting occupancy taxes due March through September, with an additional 29 establishments yet to report at least one month of taxes during that period.
Letter: Wells cares deeply about our community
“In today’s deeply weird political climate, we need people who unify us, who listen to people and who act for the greatest good.”
Letter: Elect honest, experienced, expert leaders in Buncombe County
“Honest, experienced and expert leaders can soon run the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners when we elect Robert Pressley — candidate for chair; Glenda Weinert — District 1; Anthony Penland — District 2; Joe Belcher — District 3!”
Edwards discusses retaliation against Asheville for police funding shifts
Addressing the Council of Independent Business Owners, Republican Sen. Chuck Edwards argued that Asheville was “bowing to the radicals that are asking for police departments to be defunded.” To ensure law and order, Edwards continued, he is developing legislation that would strip state funds from cities that cut law enforcement.
Letter: Wells supports broadband access for all
“To strengthen our community, support our citizens and increase employment opportunities, vote for Terri Wells.”
County urges vigilance as COVID-19 cases creep upward
“People are out and about, sometimes with symptoms, putting people at risk,” said Stacie Saunders, Buncombe County’s public health director, during an Oct. 20 update to the county Board of Commissioners. “Folks are not adhering to the precautions like keeping 6 feet apart.”
Buncombe beats revenue projections during COVID-19
At about $32.47 million, actual sales taxes through the end of the 2020 fiscal year were still down 3.2% from the budgeted target of more than $33.53 million. But during an April 7 budget work session, Budget Director Jennifer Barnette had projected sales tax revenue at just $30 million due to the impacts of the coronavirus, a decrease of more than 8.9%.
2020 General Election Voter Guide
In preparation for the general election of Tuesday, Nov. 3, Xpress sent questions to all candidates in contested races representing Buncombe County voters. Responses from candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives, N.C. General Assembly, Buncombe County-level races and Asheville City Council are all collected here.
Letter: We can depend on Wells
“If you vote for Terri Wells for county commissioner of District 1, you can expect an honest and hardworking person for your commissioner.”
2020 General Voter Guide: Buncombe County Board of Commissioners
Candidates in the 2020 general election for four seats on the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners give their answers for the Mountain Xpress voter guide.
Letter: Wells has skills, values needed for county government
“A vote for Terri is a vote for family farms, for education and for thriving rural communities!”