Safety and hospitality ambassadors for a downtown Asheville business improvement district would be perceived as a welcome addition by some — additional “eyes and ears” on the street. But others aren’t sure that such a program is a priority.
Tag: Kim Roney
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2024 Primary Election Voter Guide
As the saying goes, “All politics is local.” At Xpress, we firmly believe this, which is why we’ve focused our primary election guide on local races that pertain specifically to Buncombe County. There will be a lot of new faces on local boards, offices, councils and benches. Asheville Vice Mayor Sandra Kilgore is one of several […]
Around Town: Asheville Gay Men’s Chorus celebrates 25 years
A 25th anniversary concert celebrating the Asheville Gay Men’s Chorus. Plus, the 26th annual Bluff Mountain Festival; The Big Secret returns; and more.
Water fee increases clear Council
The decision comes after an extended back-and-forth between Council and staffers on whether the city could freeze rates for residential customers while still generating the revenue needed for water infrastructure maintenance and other expenses.
Council members reverse course on water fees
During Council’s last scheduled work session for the fiscal year 2023-24 budget on April 11, some members appeared to reverse course on a previous push to freeze residential water fees.
Council seeks freeze on residential water fees
Residential customers pay higher rates for water than do commercial or industrial water consumers — $4.77 and $4.20 per cubic foot for single-family and multi-family housing, respectively, compared to as little as $2.29 per cubic foot for large manufacturers. Several members of Council said that the discrepancy was troubling.
Council opts for $5.9M in I-26 aesthetic improvements
The “aesthetic treatments” approved as part of the package include improved lighting, safety railing, pedestrian and bike surfaces and monument pillars.
Asheville joins Buncombe County surveillance system
An agreement between Asheville and the Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office, approved by City Council in a 4-1 vote Jan. 24, will allow the APD to use a county-operated camera network to monitor the public.
From AVL Watchdog: Information about holiday water failures is trickling out, as Asheville officials meet in private
Asheville’s water may be restored, but the spigot of information from city officials is still clogged.
Roney, left off oversight committee, questions APD spending
At the request of Council member Kim Roney, six consent agenda items pertaining to the Asheville Police Department were singled out for discussion and separate votes. Over an hour of deliberation and public comment followed.
Letter: New City Council should take note of citizens’ concerns
“There is a significant number of citizens who want to see a Council that is serious about transparency, mitigating local effects of climate change, particularly through sensible and innovative programs, and real commitment to our natural environment …”
$2.5M city grant approved for 153-unit East Asheville complex
With a unanimous vote during their Nov. 15 meeting, Asheville City Council members approved their fourth land use incentive grant of 2022. The award to South Carolina-based Orange Capital Advisors LLC brings the city’s spending on the affordable housing program this year to nearly $5.4 million.
Five takeaways from Buncombe’s 2022 general election
Complete Democratic control of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, a better-than-expected performance by Jasmine Beach-Ferrara and $70 million in new spending for county initiatives all emerged from this year’s midterm election results.
Letter: Where’s the public safety action plan?
“More resources without strategy that apprehends the true nature of the challenge won’t get the public safety and public health job done.”
Letter: Roney and Fletcher will prioritize equity, people and planet
“In this election cycle, two of the most progressive candidates are not Democrats and have no party affiliation. They are mayoral candidate Kim Roney and City Council candidate Andrew Fletcher.”
AAAC hosts its third and final 2022 Arts AVL Town Hall
The mix of working artists and arts advocates resulted in a lively, productive discussion.
2022 General Voter Guide: Asheville Mayor
General election candidates for the 2022 Asheville mayoral race share their positions with Xpress.
Asheville gets one-year update on noise ordinance
Before the noise ordinance was passed last September, most noise complaints were called in to the Asheville Police Department nonemergency line. While APD still handles nighttime noise complaints and those that might come with safety risks, the city’s Development Services Department resolved 71% of complaints over the past year.
How local candidates put donations to use
When you donate money to a political campaign, where do your dollars actually go? For local candidates, the answer for the bulk of donations is almost unanimous: mailers.
More bike lanes coming to downtown Asheville
The lanes are slated to be installed along sections of College Street and Patton Avenue, with both routes terminating at Pritchard Park. The city is prepared to accept bids for the project, which should be ready for installation later in the month.
Manheimer, Berthiaume pull in Asheville campaign funds
Mayor Esther Manheimer and climate change consultant Maggie Ullman Berthiaume have raised the most campaign funds so far in this year’s race for Asheville city government positions, according to reports filed by candidates’ campaigns. Manheimer had raised $19,550 as of mid-July, while Berthiaume had taken $29,442 in donations.