Category: Views

No, Asheville’s government isn’t far-left. That’s absurd. But over the past decade city government’s politics have changed. Here’s an analysis of what actually happened. Above: A pride flag flies from City Hall after the state’s ban on equal marriage was struck down in October. Photo…

Ashevillians played an important role fighting for marriage equality throughout the region and country. When the Supreme Court decision came down last month, they gathered to celebrate and rally. Above: Pride flags wave in Pack Square on June 26 as locals gather in a rally…

If Ashevillians had any doubt about the impact of the hotel industry, the entitled whining of its representatives over the room tax reveals their oblivious greed Above: The Hyatt Place hotel under construction on Haywood Street, one of several going up in downtown. The recent…

Locals resent the hotel boom because it represents and furthers the worst aspects of today’s Asheville. What’s behind the anger, and what it means Above: The BB&T building, future site of an ‘upper-upscale hotel’ First it was “upscale,” then “boutique” and “luxury.” Now we have “upper-upscale.”…

A deeper look at short-term rentals and how, in the hands of the wealthy, they will hollow out our city — something that’s already happened around the country Above: Part of the Carolina Lane/Chicken Alley area, where some former apartments have been turned into short-term…

With little discussion or transparency, Asheville City Council moved this week to end downtown’s fare free transit zone, an important aid for some citizens. That needs to change, and any changes to the zone deserve a full public discussion Above: The fare free zone in…

Whooping cough is making a local comeback. More on this once-defeated disease, why it’s returning and how our society’s frayed Above: The Bortedella pertussis bacteria that causes whooping cough, image from the Center for Disease Control Whooping cough is an easy disease to ignore. With…

The coal-fired Asheville power plant is causing dangerous air pollution. It’s time for locals to push to rein Duke Energy in and protect our air. Above: the Asheville power plant. Photo from the Beyond Coal campaign. Every three to four days, communities downwind of Duke Energy’s…

Once again, an important request for public records faces lengthy, unexplained delays from the city of Asheville. It’s time for this disturbing pattern to end Above: City Hall, file photo by Max Cooper. Update: The city of Asheville does track records of police complaints in annual…

It’s time to bring the focus on violence against trans people as the Fix Society movement pushes locally for justice, better services and an end to hate Above: A flier for the recent Fix Society rally and forum in Asheville. Photo by Jennifer M. Barge.…