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Buncombe County Commissioners to Discuss Controversial I-26 Connector Alternatives Tonight
Asheville Design Center's Joe Minicozzi Speaks Out, Chamber Weighs In, Shuford Gives Two Cents, Mittan Provides Insights
*JAN. 6 PUBLIC MEETING Schedule: The Commissioners' regular public meeting will begin at 4:30 p.m., Tues., Jan. 6, 2009, in Commission Chambers, which is located in Room 204 of the Buncombe Courthouse in Downtown Asheville. The public is encouraged to attend and give comment.
*WRITES ADC'S JOE MINICOZZI in Scrutiny Hooligans: "... Because of the amount of approved plans and resolutions that support the separation of interstate and local traffic (and DOT’s own admission that keeping interstate and local traffic together is 'dangerous') selecting an Alternate that goes against this will almost certainly guarantee a lawsuit that will tie this project up for another decade." On Dec. 21, 2008, Asheville Design Center's Joe Minicozzi took off the kid gloves and spoke against the Commissioners rush to approve an I-26 design that lacks community support. Joining other concerned citizens, Minicozzi spoke out on Scrutiny Hooligans' update concerning the I-26 connector issue. For Minicozzi's complete statement (Response #10): Click Here> | *CHAMBER WEIGHS IN on its I-26 Connector recommendation: The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce recently posted its recommendation for how the commissioners should vote concerning the I-26 connector | Click Here> | *SCOTT SHUFORD, a key figure in the Parkside scandal, gives his unsolicited opinion. For commentary about Shuford's opinion at Scrutiny Hooligans, Click Here> | *LOCAL MEDIA PERSONALITY MATT MITTAN ("Take A Stand") provides useful background information about the I-26 Connector alternative. For Mittan's info and additional useful links, Click Here> | *FOR MORE NEWS about this growing tempest, Click Here>
UNC Asheville Now Open, Weather Calendar Available
*UNC ASHEVILLE Classes Resume | The University of North Carolina at Asheville, which had been closed for winter break, is now open with limited hours. | For Ramsey Library hours, which will be limited until Jan. 14, 2009, Click Here> | For UNCA's main website, which includes course info, public events, and campus news, Click Here> | For info on how to order UNCA's popular, annual weather calendar, Click Here>
Annual 'State of Downtown' Luncheon Jan. 8
*INTENDED TO ADDRESS Needs and Concerns of Downtown Businesses and Residents | Presented by the Asheville Downtown Association. To reserve your place, Click Here>
VIEW FROM BEAUCATCHER OVERLOOK PARK * Photo: TPL
Public Meeting to Discuss New Park Jan. 8
*PUBLIC MEETING SET FOR JAN. 8, 2009, to discuss purchase of 30 acres to create new park | City of Asheville, Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts Department is hosting a meeting to invite public comment on the city's purchase of property known as Beaucatcher Overlook Park to be used for recreational purposes. The tract is said to be the largest parcel of undeveloped land within the city limits. | For details, Click Here>
Grove Park Inn's Gingerbread House Display Thru Jan. 11
*'TIL JAN. 11: Gingerbread House National Competition and Display | Held annually at the Grove Park Inn & Resort and open to the public. | For photos and info, Click Here>
Downtown Master Plan Public Meeting Jan. 15, Draft Unveiling Jan. 12 at Advisory Meeting
*FINAL PUBLIC MEETING: The last draft of the Downtown Master Plan will be presented Thurs., Jan. 15, 2009, 7-9 p.m. at the Asheville Civic Center | The public is encouraged to attend, said project manager Sasha Vrtunski. The consultants will present a summary of the plan, and there will be time for questions and answers. The Asheville City Council will likely vote on the plan (and any changes) in March. | “This is an important meeting for our community,” said Downtown Commission chair Pat Whalen. “We’ve all worked hard on this – many citizens have come to multiple meetings - and now we have the chance to see the product and provide our feedback.” For details, Click Here> | According to MountainXpress, an earlier unveiling of a draft plan is scheduled. The 88-page draft report will be discussed at the Downtown Master Plan Advisory Committee meeting on Jan. 12. For MTX article, Click Here>
Apply for Citizen Commission Posts by Jan. 15
*CITIZENS ENCOURAGED TO APPLY to fill one of a number vacancies | The City of Asheville has a number of city council boards and commission openings that must be filled. Deadline for applications: Jan. 15, 2009. | For details, Click Here>
City Government Closed Jan. 21, Peace March Scheduled
*ON MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR., DAY, Mon., Jan. 21, 2009, the City of Asheville offices will be closed | Also, the annual peace march will begin at 11:30 a.m. on Jan. 21. | For details, Click Here>
ASHBIZ.COM
THE BUSINESS OF ASHEVILLE
Designing for Human Comfort Jan. 7
*LUNCH 'N LEARN at Bobo Gallery | Affiliated Consultants' founder Phil Bisesi along with Mike Marion will present a workshop about how to create a more comfortable and productive work environment, and at the same time lower operating costs. The hour presentation will begin at noon on Jan. 7, 2009. | For details, Click Here>
Starting A Business in Tough Times Jan. 17
*S.C.O.R.E. PRESENTS a half-day seminar | The seminar, scheduled for Jan. 17 from 8:30 to 12 noon, is sponsored by the Asheville law firm of Patla, Straus, Robinson & Moore, PA, which specializes in business and corporate law. | For details, Click Here>
WNC to Get First Large-Scale Solar Farm
*MARKETWATCH REPORTED ON OCT. 27, 2008 that Three Carolina Companies Will Partner Together to Make Solar Farm A Reality | For details about the FLS Energy, Progress Energy and Evergreen Packaging project on a former landfill, Click Here>
*ASHEVILLE #41 Best Place | To live and launch | Click Here>
*ADVANTAGEWEST | Attracting business to WNC | Click Here>
*ASHEVILLE AREA Chamber of Commerce | Active | Click Here>
*HUB | A catalyst for business collaboration | Click Here>
*MOUNTAIN BizWorks | Helping new businesses succeed | Click Here>
*REAL ESTATE Weekly | Articles and listings | Click Here>
*S.C.O.R.E. | Seasoned expert help | Click Here>
