Scenic NC’s 2012 lawsuit RE: tree-cutting for billboards

Opponents of the state’s new billboard law prepared a complaint and temporary restraining order request Feb. 29, 2012, in Wake County Superior Court. The legal action by Scenic NC, Inc., is aimed at keeping the N.C. Department of Transportation from permitting vegetation removal – primarily trees – in front of billboards and other outdoor advertising under new temporary rules set to take effect March 1.

http://www.mountainx.com/files/Scenic_NC:Legal.pdf

The Beat

After months of denying speculation that he wouldn't seek another term in Congress, Rep. Heath Shuler reversed course Feb. 1, saying he’ll retire from office when his term ends in January. “I have always said family comes first, and I never intended to be a career politician,” the Democrat said in an email statement. “I […]

Rep. Heath Shuler won’t seek re-election, will retire from Congress *Updated*

After denying speculation for months that he wouldn’t seek re-election to Congress, Democratic Rep. Heath Shuler (NC11) reversed course Feb. 1 and announced that he will retire from the office when his current term ends in January. *This post was updated Feb. 2 with a video of Democrat Cecil Bothwell responding to the news. With Shuler out of the race, Bothwell is currently the only Democrat contending for the seat.*

Keever says experience sets her apart from Bellamy

Rep. Patsy Keever huddled with a group of supporters in downtown Asheville on Jan. 19 to formally announce her candidacy for Congress in the 10th District, which stretches from the mountains to Gaston County. Now she faces Asheville Mayor Terry Bellamy and a host of other Democratic challengers vying to be their party’s congressional nominee against Republican Rep. Patrick McHenry in the November election. Photo by Bill Rhodes.

Battles and backlash: Local author Bill Forstchen on Newt Gingrich, politics and history *Updated*

In the wake of releasing the ninth book he’s co-written with presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich, local author/historian Bill Forstchen now finds himself in the throes of the Republican primary. And Gingrich’s huge win yesterday, Jan. 22, in the South Carolina primary, has brought renewed interest to the campaign.

NRCC targets Rep. Heath Shuler, charging Democrat “negligenc­e” in failed deficit reduction deal

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.

Patsy Keever: I’ll run for Congress in the 10th District if redistrict­ing maps hold

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.

Dispatches from DC: Cecil Bothwell at the Take Back the American Dream Conference *UPDATED*

Asheville City Council member and congressional candidate Cecil Bothwell is in Washington, D.C., for the Take Back the Dream Conference. Bothwell won a scholarship to attend by Democracy for America, a progressive organization founded by former Vermont Governor, Howard Dean. This post contains Bothwell’s live dispatches from the event as it unfolds.

Photos from Sept. 28 presentati­on by Alina Fernandez, daughter of Fidel Castro, at UNCA

On Sept. 28 at UNCA, Alina Fernandez, Fidel Castro’s daughter, shared a combination of her personal story and Cuba’s story to a room full of people standing and sitting anywhere they could fit.  She talked about Fidel as the leader of the “hairy men on TV” that shouted slogans about change and visited her at […]

A few questions about government

Do you feel that your government, from the local level, all the way to Raleigh and Washington, D.C., has your best interests at heart? Do you feel that they spend your money in a completely open and honest manner, with accountability for each decision and every dollar? Do you feel that they run for election […]