Visitors to Asheville’s historic City Hall will soon see increased security measures in the form of a new entrance and a metal detector. Photo by Max Cooper.
Tag: government
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Video: Buncombe employees serve as ‘layaway angels’
Some lucky local Kmart shoppers got a pleasant holiday surprise this week when a group of Buncombe County employees paid off their layaways.
2012’s greatest hits: The year’s top news and opinion stories
Here’s a look at some of the most viewed news and opinion stories on the Xpress website this year.
Tomorrow never knows: WNC disasters past, present and future
Even as the holidays come barreling toward us, some folks around the globe fear the mythical planet Nibiru may be doing the same and will trigger some unspecified cataclysm on Dec. 21. Notwithstanding the supposed end of the Mayan calendar, however, local agencies seem focused on preparing for more realistic potential threats. Although it may not be the end of the world, Western North Carolina does remain vulnerable to a wide range of natural and human-made catastrophes, including floods, blizzards, fires and even nuclear accidents.
Video: Spend a day at the landfill and learn about its programs
A new video produced by Buncombe County aims to answer the question, “what happens to your garbage once it leaves your back door or driveway?”
Let’s speculate about the 2013 city elections
While national media are already going about the ritual of speculating about the 2016 Presidential elections, it’s not too early for Ashevilleans to start discussing who might run in the 2013 city elections — with the mayorship and three Asheville City Council seats up — and what they’ll fight about.
NC transit study: need to ensure low-income riders have access
In a study with potential implications for Asheville’s own transit system, the NC Justice Center emphasizes that systems need to focus on helping low-income riders.
State elections board dismisses Merrill’s protest
The state board of elections voted unanimously Dec. 13 to dismiss District 2 Republican candidate Christina Kelley G. Merrill’s charges that local elections officials violated any laws in counting the ballots of Warren Wilson College students.
MSD makes $57 million offer for Asheville water system, despite concerns
At its Dec. 12 meeting, the Metropolitan Sewerage District board voted to offer $57 million over 50 years for the city of Asheville’s water system. Several members expressed doubts about the fairness of the process, but stopped short of a motion formally noting their reservations.
State elections board set to consider Merrill’s appeal over Warren Wilson votes
The N.C. Board of Elections will meet Dec. 13 at 10 a.m. in Raleigh to consider District 2 Republican candidate Christina Kelley G. Merrill’s protest over hundreds of ballots cast by residents of Warren Wilson College.
Asheville City Council reaffirms opposition to state-forced water merger, strengthens easement
Asheville City Council finally heard long-awaited reports on a possible water system merger today. Council also reaffirmed its unanimous opposition to the state legislature forcing the issue and strengthened the conservation easement on the local watershed.
LIVE: Twitter coverage of the Dec. 11 Asheville City Council meeting
It’s going to be a busy night (and afternoon) at Asheville City Council, as it considers a long-awaited report on a possible merger of the city’s water system, board members for the Business Improvement District, and, of course, the “pub cycle.” Follow all the goings-on with our live Twitter coverage.
Dispatches from local community forum on N.C. budget and economy
The United Way, N.C. Budget and Tax Center and other organizations teamed up Dec. 11 to host a community forum on the economy, state budget, and tax modernization. Here’s a look at the forum via Tweets and photos from attendees, rounded up using Storify.
“Defend our Water” rally this evening
Opponents of the state legislature forcing Asheville’s water system into a merger with the Metropolitan Sewerage District are rallying downtown this evening.
Results of District 2 hand recount show Fryar and Frost winning commission seats
The results of a Dec. 7 hand recount of all the ballots in District 2 showed Republican Mike Fryar in first place and Democrat Ellen Frost’s lead over Republican Christina Kelley G. Merrill growing slightly to 18 votes for the second spot.
City releases water merger report, finds local agreement best option
The city of Asheville has released a report by the Raftellis consulting firm on a possible merger with the Metropolitan Sewerage District. The report claims that an “inter-local agreement” between the two would have the greatest benefit while avoiding the cost of a merger. MSD taking over the city system will, according to the report, cost the city around $3.75 million a year.
City freezes lead arts administrator job, evaluating cultural programs
The city of Asheville has frozen the position of Cultural Arts Superintendent, vacant since the departure of Diane Ruggiero in September, pending a review of the city’s budget process. City staff are also evaluating the department’s programs to determine how to continue providing its “core services.”
Asheville City Council Dec. 7 retreat cancelled
***UPDATED 2:37 p.m. Dec. 5: the retreat has been cancelled.*** Asheville City Council’s retreat this Friday will focus on relations with state and county legislators.
State board orders all District 2 ballots recounted by hand
The North Carolina Board of Elections ordered local officials Dec. 4 to recount, by hand, all ballots cast in the District 2 Buncombe County Board of Commissioner’s race.
New commissioners set own pay at same rate as predecessors
Amid an ongoing dispute over the District 2 election results, the new Buncombe County commissioners from other areas held their first meeting Dec. 4 and set their own compensation at the same rate as their predecessors, making themselves some of the most well-paid commissioners in the state.
LIVE: Updates from the Dec. 4 Buncombe County commissioners’ meeting
Amid an ongoing dispute over the District 2 election results, the new Buncombe County commissioners from other areas were sworn in yesterday, Dec. 3, and are scheduled to consider the controversial issue of setting their own pay at today’s meeting. This post contains live updates from the meeting via Twitter.