HOT ISSUES - 2006
 

City Files Complaint Against State Involving Water Agreement: The City of Asheville filed a complaint against the State of North Carolina in State Superior Court in Wake County for a declaratory judgment as to the constitutionality of local laws known as Sullivan Acts I, II and III. More>

The latest news about the water issue: More>

 

Kennilworth Community Oppose Proposed Development: Residents are concerned that the city government will ruin their peaceful neighborhood by allowing ridgetop development. More>

 

Asheville Citizens Oppose New Downtown Parking Deck: Concern has been raised that a proposed $20 million high-rise city parking deck will adversely affect two well-known landmarks in the heart of downtown Asheville. More>

 

Local Environmental Groups Oppose the Proposal to Sell Thousands Acres of Federal Forest Lands in the Asheville Area and throughout WNC: Click on the one or more of the following groups:
n Southern Appalachian Biodiversity Group

n Western North Carolina Alliance

n The Greener Home EnvironmentaLIST

 

Panhandling: Although Asheville has city ordinance against panhandling, it remains a major problem downtown and a hot topic for both sides of this controversial issue. Click on one or more of the following articles to better understand the ordinance and this thorny issue:

n City of Asheville Report

n Opinion by MountainXpress Writer

n "Real Change, Not Spare Change" Project

 

Interstate Expansion: Many citizens oppose the State's recommendation of eight lanes on I-26. Click on one or more of the following articles or websites to journey your way through one of Asheville's most controversial and most expensive issue with potentially the greatest impact on the future direction of the city:

n I-26 Grassroots Awareness Group

n MountainXpress Environmental Activist's Opinion

n City of Asheville Issue Forum Paper

n NCDOT I-26 Project Report

 

Wal-Mart and Other Big Box Development: One of the reasons former Mayor Worley lost his bid for re-election steams from his support of Wal-Mart development. Now the new mayor and city council must address more big box development issues. Click on one or more of the following articles and websites to get a feel for how some Ashevillians feel:

n West Asheville Wal-Mart Controversy
n Support of Wal-Mart Expansion
n Weaverville Development Controversy

n Southside Wal-Mart and Growth Issues

 

City Annexations: The City of Asheville continues to grow into Buncombe County, and many citizens gringe at the thought and the accompanying higher taxes. Click on one or more of the articles and websites to get a sense of what's going on:
n Annexation Proposals Upset Citizens

n Asheville Annexation Topic on Blogspot

 

New City Council Decidedly Progressive: Call them progressive or call them liberal, the most recent election that swept in a new mix of Asheville City Council members has citizens talking. Click on some of the observations and political positions below:
n New City Council Members Sworn In

n About the Changes in Council
n Lament of the New Council's Liberalism

n Asheville Elects First Black Mayor

n About Newly Elected Robin Cape

n About Newly Appointed Bryan Freeborn
n New City Council Shows Its Power

 

Unified Development Ordinace: Known as the UDO, zoning issues are always on the front-burner, as you can see below:

n Neighborhood Coalition Speaks Out

 

OTHER 2006 NEWS...

*Sign Up for Yoga More>

*Women-in-the-Woods Outdoor Summer Program More>

*Buncombe County Gives Volvo $4 Million Economic Development Incentive, Volvo Announces 265 New Jobs More>

 *Live Butterfly Exhibit Opens at WNC Nature Center July 1 More>

* Greener Trucks Added to City Fleet More>

*Older Persons Leadership Training Free at UNCA More>

  

UNCA Concerts on the Quad Ends July 10 More> 

"Women of the World" Exhibit Opens June 30 More>

 East Coast Super Sonic Puppet Festival Features 300 Puppeteers July 20 - 23 More>