Buncombe County Commissioners convene Aug. 6 to consider a variety of issues, including building a new school, creating a Buncombe County Culture and Recreation Authority, and establishing new zoning rules. This post features live updates via Twitter.
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Competing claims? NC Dept of Public Instruction analyzes state budget’s impact on schools
Confused by competing political claims over public school funding in the recently approved North Carolina budget? The N.C. Department of Public Instruction prepared an analysis with the aim of clarifying the budget’s impact on schools.
Critics, supporters mobilize for McHenry town hall in Swannanoa
Congressman Patrick McHenry will hold an Aug. 7 town hall meeting in Swannanoa to give an update on his recent legislative activities and hear from constituents.
Buncombe Commissioners to consider new school, rec authority, zoning
Buncombe County Commissioners convene Aug. 6 to consider a variety of issues, including building a new school, creating a Buncombe County Culture and Recreation Authority, and establishing new zoning rules.
As Richardson departs, more changes in city management
After the announcement of longtime Deputy City Manager Jeff Richardson’s departure Monday, the city of Asheville announced personnel changes in its upper management.
Over 250 march in educators’ protest of General Assembly
Over 200 people marched through the streets of downtown Asheville today in protest of the actions of the North Carolina General Assembly including cuts, no raises for teachers and an end to tenure. The march was organized by the Asheville City Association of Educators, in conjunction with an NCAE protest in Raleigh. Photo by Max Cooper.
Protestors urge McCrory to reject new abortion law
About 20 people rallied July 26 in downtown Asheville to urge Gov. Pat McCrory to keep a campaign promise he made not to sign any new abortion restrictions into law.
A private Bele Chere? Not so fast
As the final city-run Bele Chere approaches, rumors have swirled about a private company or organization taking it over. But according to the city of Asheville, so far they’re just rumors.
Mike Lanning on why he’s running for Asheville City Council
Mike Lanning, a former Asheville Police Department officer, filed for Asheville City Council last Friday. Lanning says recent controversies about the APD’s leadership spurred him to run, “because there needs to be someone on Council who questions city staff.”
Meet the candidates for Asheville Mayor, City Council ***UPDATED***
With filing over last Friday, Ashevilleans now have a firm idea of who’s running for office in this year’s local elections. Three candidates are vying to be the city’s next mayor, and six seek to fill three open City Council seats. Here’s a rundown of the candidates and their statements (if they’ve issued one).
Asheville City Council preview: extending downtown, and monitoring transit
Asheville City Council has a light agenda for its meeting tonight, with the only public hearing concerning extending downtown zoning. However, the consent agenda includes meatier items than usual, like $450,000 (mostly from the state) for a new public transportation monitoring system, and $380,000 for a new sidewalk project in South Asheville.
Carolina Public Press: List of state budget’s key impacts on WNC
A new North Carolina state budget proposal could have a big impact on Western North Carolina. With the General Assembly planning to vote on the $20.6 billion biennial spending plan this week, here’s a look at some of the key provisions that are likely to effect the region.
Face to face: County residents air concerns at community meetings
Three recent community meetings gave Buncombe County residents a chance to raise concerns with the Board of Commissioners.
Mail to the Chief
On July 11, Asheville City Council held “a special meeting [and] declared its support for Police Chief William Anderson, announcing that an internal investigation had found no evidence that he had engaged in a cover-up related to a March car crash involving his son, as alleged by Lt. William Wilke,” David Forbes reported. Many readers questioned the efficacy of the city administration’s oversight regarding the police chief’s behavior, and wondered what other details came to light in the closed session that preceded the announcement. (Pictured: Police Chief William Anderson. Photo by Max Cooper)
Bill to honor Mary Nesbitt and rename MAHEC campus becomes law
A bill that would both rename the Biltmore campus of the Mountain Area Education Center and honor former state representative and lifelong Asheville resident, Mary Nesbitt, was signed into law yesterday by Gov. Pat McCrory. (Photo of the bill signing courtesy of Sen. Martin Nesbitt’s Facebook page)
Done deal: Lessons from the 2012 district elections
As state Rep. Tim Moffitt contemplates a move to switch Asheville to predominantly district elections, similar changes he pushed for the Buncombe County commissioners continue to have far-reaching effects.
McCrory named one of the ‘Worst Governors in America’ by DC-based watchdog group
A report released today by Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington, a D.C.-based nonprofit government watchdog group, names North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory as one of the “Worst Governors in America.” He is joined by 17 other governors, including Texas Gov. Rick Perry.
The district advantage
UNCA political science professor Bill Sabo sees definite advantages to district election systems in cities with populations over 100,000. But with Asheville well below that threshold, it’s less clear what making such a switch here might mean.
Democracy by decree: State lawmakers may impose new city election system
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.
Buncombe Commissioners discuss development at Swannanoa meeting
Residents raised a variety of issues and concerns with Buncombe County commissioners during a July 16 community meeting in Swannanoa, including zoning, development and pedestrian safety.
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.