Category: News

Name: Gwen Wisler Profession: Vice Mayor of Asheville, Owner of Asheville Profits LLC, a consulting firm that asks clients to pay for services by donating time to a local non-profit In up to two words, describe your political affiliation: Democrat In one brief sentence, describe…

Name: Esther Manheimer Profession: [candidate did not reply] In up to two words, describe your political affiliation: [candidate did not reply] In one brief sentence, describe yourself and why you’re running: [candidate did not reply] General questions These questions are about problems, challenges or topics facing city government and…

A thicket of complicated issues, from the Airbnb spectre to a bus system overhaul to the “fake repeal” of HB2, hit City Hall during an unusual summer Above: a portion of the city’s new zoning maps for the River Arts District This summer’s not been…

A quick turnout prevents a possible bigoted rally in the middle of downtown. A glimpse at a community response, rumors, debates, citations and the challenges of judging the scope of the racist threat in today’s Asheville It started with a flier, more precisely, with an…

City leaders place a referendum on district elections on the ballot — but they don’t want it to pass. Behind the state’s gerrymandering push, the latest item on the November ballots and the looming legal fight Above: Proposed Asheville City Council districts under last year’s failed…

Old wounds, segregation, a lack of transparency and skyrocketing costs all collide as the city’s ambitious plans to overhaul the river district flounder Above: A painting from the cover to the 2004 Wilma Dykeman Riverway plan, depicting part of the imagined future River Arts District.…

A split Council passes a controversial budget and affordable housing deal, showing how the battle lines have shifted after a contentious political season Above: Council member Keith Young vied with his colleagues at the June 13 meeting, criticizing both a city budget than included a…

A public showdown at City Hall sets the stage for the final act of the budget wars and marks the end of a political era Above: Luis Serapio, one of the first interpreters at an Asheville City Council meeting, translating the meeting into Spanish on…

Stemming from the successful ‘About Asheville’s Government’ presentations, here’s a handy list of resources, links and context about your local government Above: City Hall under renovation, photo by Bill Rhodes Welcome back, readers. I was fortunate enough to engage with many of you during our…

It’s the most contentious budget year in over a decade and as the public ramps up to officially weigh in, many key parts of the city’s $174 million budget remain undetermined or unclear Above: Asheville by night, photo by Bill Rhodes. From policing to the…