Tonight, Dec. 6, Asheville City Council unanimously selected Council member Esther Manheimer as the new vice mayor, swore Marc Hunt, Chris Pelly and Jan Davis into its ranks and bid farewell to Vice Mayor Brownie Newman and Council member Bill Russell. (Photo by Bill Rhodes).
After serving for 23 years on the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, Vice Chair Bill Stanley is planning to retire from public office when his current term ends next year.
Turns out Asheville Vice Mayor Brownie Newman isn’t bowing out of local politics. While the two-term Asheville City Council member’s last official day in office is tomorrow, he has his sights set on a seat on the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, and announced a run this afternoon.
An email sent out by the National Republican Congressional Committee targets 11th District Rep. Heath Shuler, blaming the Haywood County Democrat for what seems to be the impending failure of the bipartisian “Super Committee” to endorse a plan to cut the deficit. Although Shuler wasn’t on the committee, the national effort could be the opening salvo in its effort to soften his support and unseat him next year.
UPDATE: A recount of the votes completed and certified by the Buncombe County Board of Elections this afternoon, Nov. 18, didn’t significantly change the results of the election. Incumbent Jan Davis retained his third place finish – and his seat on Asheville City Council – by a total of 35 votes over challenger Lael Gray.
Statehouse Rep. Patsy Keever confirmed today, Nov. 18, via a message on her Facebook page, that she’s planning to run for Congress in the 10th District if the redistricting maps proposed by the General Assembly become law ahead of the February 2012 filing deadline. If so, she would face Asheville Mayor Terry Bellamy in the Democratic primary.
Xpress news reporter Jake Frankel talks about the razor-thin win of Jan Davis over Lael Gray for Asheville City Council.
Asheville Mayor Terry Bellamy announced today, Nov. 15, that she’s running for Congress in the 10th District, which the North Carolina General Assembly redrew earlier this year to include most of the city.
Rep. Patrick McHenry held his first public event in Asheville since the General Assembly redrew congressional districts to put most of the city in his 10th District, introducing himself to the Council of Independent Business Owners at the group’s Nov. 10 luncheon.
The rancor over the quarter-cent sales-tax increase to fund capital improvements at A-B Tech didn’t end when the polls closed on Nov. 8.
Council member Gordon Smith was hit in the head by Lael Gray’s campaign manager, David Roat, at an election-night party, according to reports. Here, Smith describes the fracas. “I went to Lael’s party, I was giving her a hug and I got hit in the back of the head,” Smith says. “I went into a crouch, there were a few more blows, he was pulled off of me, and it was over.” (Photo by Bill Rhodes.)
In the Nov. 8 Asheville City Council election, incumbent Council member Jan Davis trailed challenger Lael Gray most of the evening. But in the end, he squeaked ahead by 40 points. This photo by Max Cooper shows what a nerve-wracking cliff hanger it was.
With all city precincts reporting, Marc Hunt and Chris Pelly have won seats on Asheville City Council. Incumbent Jan Davis has come in a mere 40 votes ahead of Lael Gray, meaning the race is likely headed for a recount. With all precincts reporting, the A-B Tech sales tax referendum has passed. (Photos by Bill Rhodes)
After voting, Mark Keady shows off his daughter’s “I voted” sticker out side the poll at T.C. Roberson High School. Polls are open until 7:30.
City council candidate Marc Hunt greets voter Cynthia Corley outside the Reid Center. Polls are open today until 7:30p.m.
City Council candidate Lael Gray greets a voter at T.C. Roberson High School. Polls are open until 7:30 p.m. today.
Incumbent Asheville City Council member Jan Davis campaigns for re-election at T.C. Roberson High School. Polls are open today until 7:30p.m.
Hank Dunn, President of A-B Tech and Chris Pelly, candidate for City Council, campaign outside the Montford Community Center. Polls are open today until 7:30 p.m.
A flier funded by local businessman Chris Peterson and bearing a mocking, photoshopped picture of Asheville City Council member Cecil Bothwell, encouraging voters to back Council member Jan Davis and candidate Mark Cates has led to a condemnation by an advocacy group and public criticism. Davis has released a statement asserting he is unhappy with his inclusion in the flier, noting, “I do not believe in trickery and dirty campaigning.” Cates, meanwhile, has released a statement saying he understands’ Peterson’s view.
In this podcast, Xpress Green Scene reporter Susan Andrew discusses a recent environmental questionnaire answered by all six Asheville City Council candidates.
Environmental concerns are important to many Ashevillians, but how deeply has the green ethic permeated local leadership? Here’s what the six candidates vying for three seats on the City Council had to say. Photo by Susan Andrew.
