Asheville City Council’s 2013 was marked by financial turmoil, the first major tax hike in more than a decade, the demise of a long-standing festival, and major fights with the Legislature in Raleigh.
Tag: politics
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Ups and downs: A look at Buncombe County’s hot-button issues of 2013
It was a historic year for Buncombe County government, as the first Board of Commissioners to be elected by districts took the reins.
2013’s greatest hits: The year’s most-read news stories
A round-up of the five most-read news stories of 2013 on Mountainx.com.
Democracy N.C. report: More unaffiliated registered voters since 2008
The number of registered voters in North Carolina has increased since 2008 — but more of them are unaffiliated, with both the Republican and Democrat parties seeing losses, a study by the nonprofit Democracy North Carolina concludes. The number of registered Democrats is down significantly.
Turner announces NC Statehouse bid against Moffitt
Former UNC Asheville Assistant Vice Chancellor Brian Turner (D) announced his intention today to run for the North Carolina General Assembly in 2014 against two-term incumbent Rep. Tim Moffitt (R).
Frost elected vice chair of Buncombe Board of Commissioners
Commissioners voted 6-1 on Dec. 3 to appoint Democratic freshman Ellen Frost to succeed Holly Jones as vice chair of the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners, putting her in a symbolic leadership position as she heads into a reelection year.
Election interviews: Esther Manheimer and John Miall
As the municipal election on Tuesday, Nov. 5 draws near, time is running out for Asheville voters to decide who they want to be the city’s next mayor. The two candidates vying for the job are current Vice Mayor and lawyer Esther Manheimer and former City Risk Management director John Miall. Today, Saturday, Nov. 2 is the last day to vote early. (Caricatures by Randy Molton)
Don Yelton responds to criticism of his controversial Daily Show interview
Longtime local conservative activist Don Yelton is getting national attention for contentious comments he made Oct. 23 on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. However, he says he stands behind them.
Q&A: New Belgium announces new building plans, addresses concerns
After an eight-month delay, New Belgium Brewing will resume site work this November on its Asheville location along Craven Street in the River Arts District.
Asheville City Council election interview: Cecil Bothwell
This is the fourth in a series of interviews with Asheville City Council candidates, this time with Council member Cecil Bothwell, who’s running for a second term. Photo by Max Cooper.
Asheville City Council election interview: Gwen Wisler
This is the third in a series of interviews with Asheville City Council candidates, this time with former Coleman CEO and business owner Gwen Wisler. Photo by Max Cooper.
VIDEO: Shouting match breaks out between Bothwell and Wainscott at candidate forum
Thursday night’s City Council candidate forum did not end with closing statements about the vision candidates have for the city, but with a heated shouting match between council member Cecil Bothwell and Jonathan Wainscott.
Meadows nay, McHenry yay: WNC Congressmen split on raising debt ceiling, reopening government
In an important Oct. 16 vote, Buncombe County’s Republican congressmen split over whether to reopen the government and avoid defaulting on the nation’s debt.
Early voting begins today
Early voting begins today for local municipal elections, including the Asheville City Council and mayoral races. Photo by Caitlin Byrd.
Mayoral, City Council candidates discuss key downtown issues at Pack’s Tavern on Oct. 14
At the Oct. 14 Asheville mayoral and City Council candidate forum at Pack’s Tavern, contenders discussed pressing downtown issues highlighted in a survey by the Asheville Downtown Association.
From cleanliness to crime and toplessness to construction, the seven candidates voiced their opinions on key issues affecting the city and its residents. (pictured: John Miall and Jonathan Wainscott; photo by Max Cooper)
Voter guide awaits readers in upcoming issue of Xpress
With the general election less than a month away, Mountain Xpress has partnered with the nonprofit Children First/Communities in Schools of Buncombe County to bring the community a voter guide about Asheville and Black Mountain candidates. The guide will be included in the upcoming Oct. 16 issue of the newspaper.
WNC Vote Tracker launches website about local legislation
A partnership of local nonprofits has teamed up to create the Western North Carolina Vote Tracker.
Daily Show will put local political scene in national comedic spotlight
Asheville’s quirky political scene will soon get national attention with a segment on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” set to air later this month.
Manheimer and Miall advance in mayor’s race, Ramsey eliminated
At the end of the mayoral primary on Tuesday night, about 9 percent of Asheville’s registered voters decided that Vice Mayor Esther Manheimer and former City Risk Management Director John Miall will be the two candidates who will continue to vie for the mayor’s office.
Moffitt earns high rank from state business group
Buncombe County Rep. Tim Moffitt has been ranked the second most business friendly legislator in the state by the North Carolina FreeEnterprise Foundation.
Asheville Obamacare advocates criticize McHenry as ‘flip-flopper’
Rep. Patrick McHenry’s vote to tie federal government operations to a bill that defunds the Affordable Care Act is catching heat from local activists.
