The candidates are Susan Fisher, Democrat, and Bill Porter, Republican. Susan Fisher Age: 49Occupation: Member of the N.C. General Assembly; former director, Kids Voting/Buncombe CountyYears in WNC: Fifth-generation nativeEducation: B.A. in speech pathology and audiology, University of MarylandPolitical party: DemocratPolitical experience: Eight years on the Asheville City Board of Education (four as chairperson). Gov. Hunt’s … Read more
McCartney’s spirit will overcome diatribe We at Enduring Ties will finally respond to Terri and Stewart David’s intimidation and harassment of our supporters and collaborators. They have waged a dogged campaign against the Oct. 29 charitable event at Diana Wortham Theatre (to support early detection of breast cancer and programs that enrich lives). They have … Read more
Trail mixer If you’re like a lot of single people, the idea of trying to meet others singles at a bar rates right up there with a trip to the dentist or trying to give a 140-pound Irish wolfhound a bath. Sharon Frazier, founder of Mountains to Climb (an outdoor-adventure company that takes visitors on … Read more
School leaders typically report to the local government whose residents they serve. So why would top officials of the Buncombe County Schools appear before the Asheville City Council to field assorted hot-button questions, as they did at Council’s Oct. 19 work session? The answer, it seems, has to do with the “A-word.” When Asheville annexes … Read more
In the wake of the recent catastrophic floods, the role of FEMA, local emergency responders, insurance companies and others involved in cleaning up the damage has been much in the news. But stream banks in the area also suffered severe erosion in many places, and restoring them is the job of a relatively little-known branch … Read more
The candidates are R.L. Clark, Republican, and Martin L. Nesbitt, Democrat. R.L. Clark Age: 73Address: 2 Quail Cove Road, AshevilleOccupation: Small-business ownerYears in WNC: 40 in Buncombe; Madison County nativeEducation: B.S. in business administration; M.Ed., Western Carolina UniversityPolitical party: RepublicanPolitical experience: N.C. Senate, 1995-98 1. What sets you apart from your opponent? “As a member … Read more
The candidates are Tom Apodaca, Republican, and Matthew C. Rogers, Democrat. Tom Apodaca Age: 46Address: 214 N. King St., HendersonvilleOccupation: Small-business ownerYears in WNC: 27Education: B.S. in finance, Western Carolina UniversityPolitical party: RepublicanPolitical experience: State senator since 2002 1. What sets you apart from your opponent? “I would have to say experience. Two years under … Read more
Two Buncombe County residents have filed a formal complaint with the North Carolina State Board of Elections, alleging that Rep. Wilma Sherrill (R-Buncombe), who is seeking re-election, is constitutionally ineligible to hold office. The state constitution forbids elected officials from concurrently holding a second elective office, as well as most appointed positions at the local, … Read more
The candidates are Doug Jones, Democrat, and Wilma Sherrill, Republican. Doug Jones Age: 27Address:24 Elkmont Drive, AshevilleOccupation: TeacherYears in WNC: 9Education: B.A., UNCA; M.A., Appalachian State; M.Sc., University of EdinburghPolitical party: DemocratPolitical experience: President, Buncombe County Young Democrats 1. What sets you apart from your opponent? “Where do I begin? I think my youth sets … Read more
“Cancer is a wake-up call, like any life-threatening illness,” local visual artist Vera Struck, herself an eight-year survivor, recently explained via e-mail. “To me,” says Struck, “every day is a gift.” For Struck and other survivors, that gift is something that must be shared — either as a way of healing oneself, of helping others … Read more
