Name: Rich Lee Profession: Financial Advisor Political Affiliation: Democrat Why I’m running: The next few years will be a crucial test of Asheville’s strength and creativity as a city: how we absorb a flood of new people and money while holding onto the things we all…

Marc Hunt is Asheville’s incumbent Vice Mayor Name: Marc Hunt Profession: Former whitewater outfitter, community development lender, and land conservation professional In up to two words, describe your political affiliation: Democrat In one brief sentence, describe yourself and why you’re running: I am deeply committed…

Name: Brian Haynes Profession: Assistant Manager, Habitat for Humanity Re-Store In up to two words, describe your political affiliation: Progressive Unafilliated In one brief sentence, describe yourself and why you’re running: I am a native, former downtown business owner and long time Habitat supporter. I am running because I do…

Name: Joe Grady Profession: Sales Specialist in Home and Business Group with Best Buy, and Community Commander overseeing the community volunteerism for 13 stores. In up to two words, describe your political affiliation: Independent In one brief sentence, describe yourself and why you’re running: I…

City government will finally pay a living wage to all its employees. But the worker who raised concerns in the first place was fired. Above: Lauren Bacchus, a U.S. Cellular Center worker who raised concerns late last year about a lack of living wage for workers…

Communities bring forward a mix of topics — from saving a downtown forest to cat cafes — with varying reactions from Council Above: Vice Mayor Marc Hunt. File photo by Max Cooper. With the huge fight over short-term rentals dying down (at least for a bit),…

While City Council wrangled over short-term rentals and the future of the city, I sat with the crowd in an overflow room. Here’s what I witnessed Above: City Hall under renovation, file photo by Bill Rhodes. The Aug. 25 Asheville City Council meeting saw a…

The short-term rental issue hits City Hall with a contentious debate, as Council tries to put the brakes on Airbnb and its ilk Above: Mayor Esther Manheimer, who vociferously defended the city’s ban on short-term rentals in most neighborhoods and the need to be careful…

After months of debate stepped-up fines on short-term rentals — and relaxed rules on residents renting out rooms — go to Council tonight. But a decision might be delayed due to concerns about how to grapple with a rapidly-changing issue Above: The logo for Airbnb,…

With a department in trouble a chief departs and Asheville’s city manager starts the search for another. Here’s the first of a two-part series delving into what happened next Above: City Manager Gary Jackson, behind his nametag on the Asheville City Council dais. File photo…