A June 3 email from Rep. Tim Moffitt to Asheville Mayor Terry Bellamy revealed a plan that has city officials and some residents up in arms.
Tag: election
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District elections: Beyond the rhetoric
The recent disclosure that state Rep. Tim Moffitt had drafted a bill to change Asheville City Council contests from an at-large system to predominantly district elections has triggered heated debate among both elected officials and the general public. Although Moffitt hasn’t yet filed the bill, which mirrors the state-mandated 2011 switch for the Buncombe County commissioners, he could follow through at any time, and the potential impacts are substantial. In the following articles, Xpress takes a closer look at what such a move might mean for this city — and for this year’s scheduled elections.
Jonathan Wainscott announces run for Asheville City Council
Jonathan Wainscott, a West Asheville resident and small business owner, announced July 12 that he plans to run for Asheville City Council.
Merrill drops election lawsuit, will run for Buncombe Commission again next year
Eight months after last year’s election, Republican Christina Kelly G. Merrill is dropping a lawsuit challenging results that showed her just 18 votes shy of winning a seat on the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners. Instead, the Fairview resident says she’ll mount a campaign for a seat on the board next year.
Candidate filing for 2013 local elections starts today
Filing begins today, July 5, to run for Asheville City Council and other local positions this year.
A cultural bypass
Amid a contentious behind-the-scenes debate, a bill that would've originally allowed Buncombe County and its cities to consolidate parks and recreation departments was revised June 26 in the North Carolina Senate to exclude municipalities completely. First garnering bipartisan support this spring, recent revisions have highlighted ongoing political tensions between local and state officials over consolidation […]
Buncombe commissioners split over culture authority, likely to delay budget vote
Buncombe County commissioners may likely delay their vote today on a $337 million budget. The source of the postponement appears to be the contentious behind-the-scenes debate over state legislation that would allow them to create an independent Cultural and Recreation Authority that consolidates services offered by the county and municipalities within Buncombe. Some commissioners say they weren’t consulted about a recent amendment to the CRA bill, and it’s unclear whether a majority of commissioners supported the amendment.
In Asheville speech, Scalia decries judicial activism
U.S. Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia decried judicial activism and told the hundreds of lawyers gathered June 21 in Asheville that their law degrees don’t qualify them to determine the moral values of society.
Emails reveal more about state lawmakers’ push to overhaul Asheville’s elections
More emails obtained by Xpress shed new light on the push by some local lawmakers to impose a district election system on the city of Asheville.
Emails reveal state reps trying to settle Asheville water lawsuit, may change city elections
Emails obtained by Xpress reveal that some state legislators have asked city of Asheville representatives to drop their lawsuit contesting a state-mandated transfer of the water system to the Metropolitan Sewerage District. The emails also show legislators discussing the fate of legislation that consolidates Asheville and Buncombe County parks-and-recreation services — a move that could save the city $5 million a year. Further, the candid discussions shine a light on a long-rumored proposal that the state may force Asheville to switch to district-based elections.
‘Firm correctness’: an I Ching app predicts the Asheville City Council elections
Amid the lawsuits and budget wrangling, Asheville City Council elections are approaching. There’s something clearly missing in the media speculation about who will run and win: electronic versions of ancient Chinese prophecy. Here’s what my I-Ching phone app says about each campaign, along with some agricultural and marital advice.
Are you being served? County budget woes have local nonprofits facing the ax
Grappling with their toughest budget in a decade, the Buncombe County commissioners have been debating austerity measures that would put the squeeze on many local nonprofits for the foreseeable future. And amid a still-sputtering economy, most of those groups are already struggling after years of rising demand and dwindling funding sources.
Advocates for redistricting reform tout new study; poll shows overwhelming support
Ahead of the last election, Buncombe County was split between two congressional districts, and lines were redrawn in ways that helped Republicans get elected to the N.C. Statehouse and Buncombe County Board of Commissioners. Now, a new study shows how gerrymandering distorts elections in North Carolina, while a new poll finds overwhelming public support for changing the redistricting process.
Meadows reports back from Congress: ‘It’s unbelievably bad’
Freshman Rep. Mark Meadows met with a group of local business leaders April 30 and shared some scalding thoughts on what he’s encountered during his first few months in Congress.
Keever tapped to lead Buncombe Democratic Party
In the wake of big losses at the polls last fall, Patsy Keever is taking the reins of the Buncombe County Democratic Party.
Gwen Wisler announces run for Asheville City Council
Local businesswoman Gwen Wisler is the latest candiate throwing her hat in to the race for Asheville City Council.
Voting rights curtailed
House Bill 451, filed with the state legislature on March 27, will cut a full week of early voting and abolish voting on Sunday. While conservative politicians claim that this will save a large sum of tax dollars, little consideration has been given to the impact this bill would have on impoverished and working-class voters. […]
Moffitt’s new business popular with GOP colleagues; critics question ethics, legality
Rep. Tim Moffitt has started a new political media firm that’s gaining popularity among his GOP colleagues in the North Carolina General Assembly. However, critics question the ethics and legalities of the new venture.
McHenry won’t run for U.S. senate, will seek another term in House
Despite poll numbers fueling speculation that he might run for U.S. Senate next year against Sen. Kay Hagan, Rep. Patrick McHenry says he’ll seek another term in the U.S. House representing Western North Carolina’s 10th District.
Back in the game: Lesley Groetsch hosts new radio show
Local progressive radio personality Lesley Groetsch is back on the air, hosting a daily show on 1350 WZGM.
Equality or sacrilege? Community weighs in on partner benefits for county employees
Here’s a look at some of what supporters and detractors had to say during a recent public hearing on providing domestic partner benefits to Buncombe County employees.