Photo by Dr. David Marlin In Tryon, the much-heralded World Equestrian Games depart -- trailing mud, blame, and a lot of Buncombe taxpayer money. "The tumult and the shouting dies; the captains and the kings depart" -- Rudyard Kipling MILL SPRING, NC -- The World Equestrian Games rode off into the sunset last week like the...
Pictured Above: Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer is all smiles as she accepts a $20,000 Buncombe Parks and Recreation check from County Commission Chairman Brownie Newman (l) and another in the same amount from Robbie Sweetzer & Linda Giltz of Connect Buncombe. (City of Asheville photo) $40K in for a Greenway, $40K out for artwork. It's all good. Item: The...
This photo, taken July 31, shows the exit area of the Tryon International Equestrian Center, which is being expanded to 1,000 spaces, in anticipation of the World Equestrian Games. Most articles about the Games have featured a photo of a beautiful horse and a formally-dressed rider clearing a hurdle. Enquiring Minds thought its readers would rather see a photo that...
County approves garbage collection rate hike as grand jury, FBI probe Waste Pro At its July 10 meeting the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners approved an 8% rate increase for WastePro, the Florida-based garbage hauler with whom the county has a contract through 2019. (That amounted to less than half the 17% increase Waste Pro was seeking.) Earlier...
Nick Bottom, unaware he has been changed into an ass, startles his fellow actors in A Midsummer Night's Dream (act 3, scene 1) in a performance at Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. (From a contemporary woodcut.) Council Passes Budget, Adopts Police Measures Last week the Asheville City Council passed the city’s 2018-2019 operating budget, as well as a package of three resolutions...
Oliver Cromwell and his Roundheads invade and shut down the Long Parliament, 1653 Parliamentary paralysis, “Public Filibuster” Drive Young’s police proposals through; Kapoor calls foul, seeks June 19 do-over Asheville City Council already had more than enough routine business scheduled for its upcoming (June 19) meeting, but now it will also be dealing with the fallout from its...
The corner of Charlotte and Chestnut Streets, looking north. This is where the road diet will begin. (Photo by Roger McCredie) Is the city’s plan a victory for bicyclists’ “tactical urbanism” ? “The reason they are removing the lane for a bike lane is because a small group of elitist wealthy bicycle riders have been vocal and...
Plaintiffs exact promises from city in exchange for settling anti-bond lawsuit The plaintiffs in a lawsuit over the legality of $74 million worth of general obligation bonds have settled their dispute with the City of Asheville out of court. The case had been under appeal since last October but had not yet been calendared for a hearing. Retired...
The aftermath of a racially-charged beating shines a light on multiple other problems in one of America’s “Best Small Cities” Public Opinion Poles: These flyers appeared on utility poles in various locations across Asheville on March 20, just hours before the city council voted to dismiss City Manager Gary Jackson "As public servants, we...
Asheville city councilman with residence issues plans to run Against 12th District incumbent...with residence issues. Asheville City Councilman Keith Young Ordinarily, Asheville City Councilman Keith Young’s announcement that he intends to run for Congress would have done no more than raise a few eyebrows over his confidence and ambition; the city council gig is, after...
