Details: The public hearing on fracking in WNC

Concerned or excited about the prospect of increased oil and gas development in Western North Carolina? The North Carolina Mining and Energy Commission has scheduled a public hearing for Sept. 12 in Cullowhee and welcomes your feedback on proposed rules that could help pave the way for hydraulic fracturing – also known as ‘fracking’ – […]

Judge’s decision blocks transfer of Asheville’s water system

Last evening, June 9, the city of Asheville released the news: Judge Howard Manning has ruled that North Carolina legislators’ move to take over the local water system violates the state constitution. “The Water Act,” he ruled, “is not a valid exercise of the sovereign power of the legislative branch.” Kirk Ross, with Carolina Public […]

Paying the piper

Passing a new budget resolution and agreeing to hire additional legal counsel were the two top items at the May 15 meeting of the board of the Metropolitan Sewerage District of Buncombe County. The preliminary budget for the public agency, totaling roughly $40 million, includes a 2.5 percent rate increase for domestic users, a $16.7 […]

Asheville water belongs to Asheville

I applaud former Mayor Leni Sitnick's stand against the forces in Raleigh that would rob Asheville of its water rights without due compensation. Rep. Tim Moffitt — he who was re-elected only because of gerrymandering — has been the stalking horse for the takeover of Asheville's rights by the corporate drones whom he represents. He […]

Moffitt’s loyalties lie elsewhere

Tim Moffitt's campaign is swimming in cash from outside sources. In 2010, his backers included Art Pope, the mogul from Dollar General and ALEC, the shadowy extremist group that seems determined to take the "public" out of public education. This year it's something called the Carolina Business Coalition Education Fund, which does not reveal its […]

Stop it, Moffitt

North Carolina Rep. Tim Moffitt and his study committee recommended to the General Assembly that Asheville city water be taken over by the state; this bill is expected to be voted on soon. See ashevillewater.blogspot.com for updates. Jane Whilden is running against Moffitt for the N.C. House of Representatives, District 116. Please spread the word […]

Get to know Tim Moffitt

Recently, I attended a public forum at Jubilee concerning the study and potential takeover of the Asheville city water system by a legislative “study committee” chaired by Rep. Tim Moffitt. A daunting majority of citizens attending were against the notion of the N.C. Legislature seizing this very valuable city water system and restructuring it as […]