Category: Views

While most attention is focused on the presidential and gubernatorial races, WNC’s state legislature seats will help shape the future of North Carolina politics With election season in swing, the Blade will run occasional perspectives from locals, especially focusing on politics in our corner of…

A state legislator’s trying to drastically gerrymander Asheville’s city elections. Here’s why that push matters, and where it comes from Above: A list of census blocks making up the proposed Council districts in state legislation that would force Asheville to switch to a district system.…

Terpsicorps is mounting a production centered on trans people — without their involvement or aid. Here’s the problem with that, and a satirical counter-suggestion Above: the marquee for Terpsicorps’ Transform production on Biltmore Avenue Recently, controversy erupted over Terpsicorps announcing a production centered around the…

For months, the Asheville Busker’s Collective has tried to deal with city staff in good faith to find common ground. But the latest busking proposal is more restrictive than ever, and will hurt our local culture and livelihoods Above: The Stillwater Hobos performing in a…

From Airbnb to city boards, too much of our politics focuses on property owners, but renters are half the city’s population. It’s time to listen to them seriously. City Hall under renovation. Photo by Bill Rhodes. If you haven’t heard, Airbnb and its ilk are…

Asheville’s City Attorney has consistently taken stances against basic government transparency. It’s time for Council, and the people, to demand better of a major public servant Above: Asheville City Attorney Robin Currin. File photo by Max Cooper. Recent events in Asheville have turned an eye,…

Hall Fletcher families grapple with a lack of transparency and democracy in a city school restructuring that threatens to make issues of segregation even worse Above: Hall Fletcher families, teachers and staff gather on Feb. 2 to offer proposals for restructuring their school. Photo by…

The future of Asheville’s downtown is in the balance. It’s time to have a much broader discussion about what that future should look like Above: downtown Asheville by night. Photo by Max Cooper Downtown Asheville never really leaves the news. It’s not just the seat…

Despite misinformation and outright lies, you have a legal right to talk about how much you’re paid. Given Asheville’s catastrophically low wages, it’s time for this culture of silence to end Above: Tupelo Honey’s downtown location. Last year, following wage cuts for support staff at…

With the support of our readers, the Asheville Blade did a lot in 2015 and helped change our city for the better. We aim to do even more this year Above: Fireworks outside City Hall. Photo by Bill Rhodes As winter (finally) arrives, Ashevillians shake…