Holding steady

Buncombe County Board of Commissioners June 5, 2012 meeting Commissioner candidates slam budget Waste Pro gets 4 percent rate increase Although a public hearing on the budget was on the June 5 agenda, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners didn't wait for residents to weigh in before diving into some of its most rancorous issues. […]

An informed voter (thanks to Xpress)

Hats off to Mountain Xpress for the voter guide edition [“Election 2012: Pick Your Players,” May 2 Xpress]. The guide helped me to select candidates for county commissioner and county commission chair. I was unable to find good info on where each candidate stood on the issues from the online voter guide. I think the […]

A new hotel?

More commercial development is on the way for a spot in Oteen, thanks to a unanimous rezoning decision by the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners at its May 1 meeting. At the urging of property owner H.P. Patel, a vacant 1.78-acre parcel at 1501 Tunnel Road was rezoned from R–2 (Residential District) to CS (Commercial […]

Michelle Pace Wood, Democrat, candidate for District 3, Buncombe County Commission­ers

Party Democrat Slogan Your Voice For Jobs Profession Small Business Owner Residence Candler Funding Report to be filed soon. Top donors are Ben Pace ($1,000) and Jamie Pace ($1,000). Endorsements None 1. Do you favor A) creating a regional water authority, B) giving the existing system to the Metropolitan Sewerage District or C) leaving it […]

Linda Southard, Republican­, candidate for District 3, Buncombe County Commission­ers

Party Republican Slogan Elect a Citizen, Not a Politician Profession Businesswoman and successful entrepreneur Residence Candler Funding Mostly self-funded. Endorsements Buncombe County Board of Education member Lisa Baldwin, Buncombe Forward 1. Do you favor A) creating a regional water authority, B) giving the existing system to the Metropolitan Sewerage District or C) leaving it under […]

Mike Fryar, Republican­, candidate for District 2, Buncombe County Commission­ers

Party: Republican Slogan: “Common Sense Solutions” Profession: Small-business owner, former race-car engine builder Residence: Fairview Funding: Top donors are Roy and Becky Ramsey ($750), James Young ($750), Mark Delk ($500), Linsey and Teresa DeBruhl ($250), Mark Meadows ($250), Kelly & Miranda DeBruhl ($250), Albert Sneed ($250) Endorsements: Nathan Ramsey, former chairman, Buncombe County Board of […]

Robert Knapp, Republican candidate for District 3, Buncombe County Commission­ers

Party: Republican Slogan: None Profession: Semiretired CPA Residence: Asheville Funding: “Self-funded. Have contributed $1,000 of my own money to set up the campaign account and will spend about $10,000 more.” Endorsements: “There aren’t usually endorsements in a primary race, so I haven’t felt it prudent to ask for one. All five Republican candidates in District […]

Wide open:No incumbent in District 3 commission­er races

In the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners races, District 3 seems fertile ground for Republicans. Five robust GOP candidates will face off in the May 8 primary, contending for two spots on the November ballot. Encompassing a swath of western Buncombe County that includes Enka/Candler, Leicester, Biltmore Forest and parts of south Asheville, District 3 […]

Six for two: Three Democrats, three Republican­s vie for District 2 commission­er seats

The six candidates in the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners’ District 2 races appear to be contesting a political no man’s land. Although the district was created only last year, the areas it encompasses (from Leicester to Black Mountain and Barnardsville to Fairview) haven’t consistently favored either party. In the May 8 primary, three Republicans […]