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 […]
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 […]
The average Buncombe county family of four pays nearly $1,600 more each year in taxes and fees to Buncombe County than the average North Carolina county resident. Why is this? In the 2011/2012 Buncombe county budget, there is a line item called “Contributions,” which is money given to outside agencies (nonprofits) through grants, contracts or […]
The Buncombe County commissioners are hoping a new program at the landfill will exemplify an old proverb: "One man's trash is another man's treasure." Their April 3 meeting featured a presentation on the "Landfill Gas-to-Energy Project.” In development for several years, the project uses methane gas produced as trash decomposes to generate electricity. A series […]
We are writing in support of Brownie Newman’s candidacy for Buncombe County commissioner. Newman exemplified leadership as an Asheville City Council member and vice mayor for environmental initiatives by slashing the city’s carbon footprint through LED bulbs for streetlamps, hybrid engines for buses and the expanded household-recycling program. More significantly, Newman demonstrated time and time […]
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 […]
Contrary to your Asheville letter writer last week concerning big government, I am a county resident and delighted to see our democratic rights finally exercised with two representatives from each of three districts on the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, thanks to Rep. Tim Moffitt [“Moffitt Goes for Big Government,” Feb. 29 Xpress]. Maybe Asheville […]
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 […]
I applaud the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners’ leadership in their efforts to reduce light pollution. Unfortunately, I live in the city, where my neighbors and I have real issues with the new LED streetlights the city has been installing this past year. They do save energy, but the city appears to have purchased the […]
On Jan. 10, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners held a “continued meeting” to discuss the results of a countywide compensation study. Although the report only looked at five job classes within the Human Services Department, the study broadly concluded that Buncombe pay is in line with larger North Carolina counties. An earlier study on […]
Sometime ago I wrote a letter highlighting how light pollution was beginning to affect the night sky here in the mountains [“Let's Do Something About Leicester's Growing Light-Pollution Problem,” Oct. 27, 2009, Xpress]. I am very gratified and satisfied to learn of the restrictions that the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners has placed on this […]
Buncombe County Board of Commissioners Jan. 10, 2012 meeting Jones questions two-tiered benefits Emotional meeting abruptly concluded Tensions ran high as the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners met Jan. 10 to consider employee-compensation policy. In a memo to the commissioners and the county manager last month, as well as an email newsletter to supporters, Commissioner […]
Buncombe County administrators failed to inform commissioners of a half-million dollars paid out for “longevity pay,” says Commissioner Holly Jones. What’s more its new-hires policy is impairing public health and safety, she said today.
I'm a pro-tax progressive, meaning if something is for the common good (like, say, education), then it's worth spending the money to do it right. Republicans think all taxes are bad, and they're dead wrong. Roads and highways are for the public good; even businesses couldn't survive without taxes. Based on what I've read — […]
I think it’s only fair and just to actually look at the facts that escaped Mr. Ramsey in his letter in the Oct. 5 Xpress [“Don Yelton, Problem Solvent”]. I am an environmental-systems engineer with a concentration in water-quality management. I have a master’s degree in environmental-systems engineering from Clemson University and a master’s degree […]
Buncombe County Board of Commissioners Sept. 13, 2011 meeting CTS building condemned, demolition planned Grants sought for Mountain Mobility Buncombe County is working to cut energy costs, lower carbon emissions and preserve farmland, various staffers told the Board of Commissioners Sept. 13 in a series of reports on current environmental initiatives. Assistant County Manager Jon […]
The proposed overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway of downtown Asheville is a horrific idea [“Skyline Item,” Aug. 24 Xpress]. While I can certainly understand the perceived potential for increased revenue that might be gleaned, it is doubtful that we would see much difference; Asheville is heavily advertised already. An overlook of a city would […]
Now we know: The Republican Party and tea party, locally and nationally, have promulgated a draconian agenda of repressive and mean-spirited legislation that must not go unchallenged. Some examples of this agenda include voter ID, overriding Gov. Bev Perdue's veto of HB 854, restricting a woman's right to choose and eliminating numerous programs for the […]
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 […]
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.
At its June 28 meeting, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will consider buying the former Volvo plant on Hendersonville Road for $7 million in hopes of luring another large employer to the property. Meanwhile, the hints keep coming that the purchase could be part of a broader multifaceted jobs announcement: Board Chair David Gantt says “it’ll be one of the biggest hits we’ve had in years.” And News 13 Anchor Russ Bowen reports via Twitter that “sources say Linamar automotive parts company to take over Volvo plant.”
