PARTIAL

Downtown Master Plan Updated at Advisory Meeting on Dec. 12
*THE ADVISORY COMMITTEE for the Asheville Downtown Master Plan will meet on Fri., Dec. 12, 2008 | The meeting will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the Office of Economic Development, 29 Haywood Street, project manager Sasha Vrtunski announced on Dec. 10 | To be discussed by the committee is additional information received from the consultants, the master plan schedule, as well as a report from the subcommittee charged with reviewing specific issues. The public is invited to attend. | For details, Click Here>

Police Announce DUI Crackdown During the Holidays
*ASHEVILLE POLICE are participating in a 2008 holiday campaign to clamp down on intoxicated drivers | The Asheville Police Department recently announced that it will work in conjunction with agencies statewide and participate in the North Carolina governor’s highway safety program known as “Booze It & Lose It" campaign. Announced actions include stepped up patrols and a concentration on impaired drivers.

UNC Asheville to Close for Winter Break
*UNC ASHEVILLE WILL BE CLOSED for winter break Dec. 20, 2008, through Jan. 4, 2009. | Some UNCA offices will be open on a limited basis Dec. 22-23, Dec. 29-31 and Jan. 2. | For more details, Click Here>

Steve Rasmussen: Speaking at a public meeting in front of the old Buncombe County commissioners this past summer, Rasmussen delivered a petition signed by thousands of concerned citizens to Stop Parkside. The old commission was chaired by Nathan Ramsey, who was instrumental in creating the Parkside mess that continues today. Ramsey was ousted this past election by David Gannt, who must now deal with the ongoing contentious Parkside problem. The Parkside development and controversy is perpetuated by Asheville developer Stewart Coleman, who refuses to back down and recently said he intends to demolish Asheville's oldest structure, the Hayes & Hopson building. * Photo: Belzak/Mediabear
  
Why Save the Hayes & Hopson Building from Demolition
'Heritage conservation and heritage tourism are two of Asheville's greatest strengths' -Steve Rasmussen 
*STEVE RASMUSSEN SPEAKS OUT in favor of preserving Asheville's heritage  by saving the Hayes & Hopson Building, Asheville's oldest structure slated for demolition by Stewart Coleman, developer/builder of 21 Battery Park condominiums and the controversial Parkside project in front City Hall. | Steve Rasmussen, one of the key figures in those who have publicly opposed Parkside and in saving Asheville's historic magnolia, now speaks out against Stewart Coleman's threat to destroy another important piece of Asheville's heritage. Rasmussen's recent  letter to the Downtown Commission urges them to vote against the demolition of the Hayes & Hopson building at their Fri., Dec. 12, 2008, meeting. | Writes Steve Rasmussen: "Let's set an example with the Hayes-Hopson -- and with other underutilized historic treasures in Asheville -- that will reverberate from Asheville to Raleigh to Washington, D.C. Heritage conservation and heritage tourism are two of Asheville's greatest strengths -- and if we stand up and do what's right by them, our old buildings could begin renewing our economy as soon as next Inauguration Day." | For Rasmussen's complete letter on why saving the Hayes-Hopson building should be a citywide priority that must be supported by the Downtown Commission, Click Here>

 Surprise, Surprise. It's Kelly Miller as Councilman!
*EXECUTIVE V.P. OF CHAMBER OF COMMERCE KELLY MILLER WAS APPOINTED BY ASHEVILLE CITY COUNCIL AS ITS NEWEST MEMBER at the regularly scheduled Asheville City Council monthly meeting on Dec. 9, 2008  | Kelly Miller replaces Holly Jones, who vacated her seat on the Asheville City Council when she won her bid and was installed as one of five Buncombe County commissioners. The Asheville City Council reviewed over 40 applications. | For Miller's official application, Click Here> | Scrutiny Hooligans called Miller's appointment a "surprise outcome" and predicts that he will represent the interests of the tourism sector of the economy given his position as executive vice president of the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce. For Hooligans' commentary, Click Here> | For WLOS-TV13's news clip, Click Here> | For the short list of five from which Miller was chosen, as reported by MountainXpress, Click Here> | For MTNX's previous and informative article about the initial "47 hats in the ring," and to see who Miller beat in the final cut, Click Here>