Can you spell cognitive dissonance? That’s what many of us experienced on Sept. 13 at the Madison County commissioners’ meeting. After a spectacular outpouring of evidence against the prudence of approving the various Wolf Ridge development applications for rezoning, they were indeed approved. At that point, many of us experienced a total scrambling of our … Read more
The American democracy is dysfunctional; its nominal leader, George W. Bush, is dysfunctional; and we, the people, are dysfunctional. All organizations and families are influenced by internal dynamics that are as faithful and predictable as the laws of gravity. Each one of us treats other people as we were treated in childhood. And the least … Read more
Regarding Mr. Jeffrey Q. Smith’s critique [Letters, “Revisiting Those Cats and Snakes,” Sept. 12] of my “Kitties and Copperheads” commentary [Aug. 8], I agree that we were wrong to kill the snakes, and in my summation [I] explained that it was fear itself that challenged us. In doing my research, I learned how comparatively nonlethal … Read more
Nelda Holder’s story on child labor [“Two Boys, Two Worlds,” Sept. 22] told a moving and disturbing story about two young boys whose lives are desperate enough to leave them open to being exploited in a variety of ways by unethical people. Over the last three years, I have volunteered as an outreach worker with … Read more
City Council needs to do its job and protect the assets of our city! The Ellington developers look at this project in terms of the return on their investment. Do they live in Asheville? Do they care about Asheville in any way other than monetarily? I’m not opposed to a return on investment, but please—let’s … Read more
Sorry to disappoint the Disclaimer, Molton and the liberal fringe on my announced run for Congress, but I won’t be resigning from City Council, my practice, or persisting efforts to get our socialist Council members to come out of the closet. Look for a spirited challenge of Congressman Shuler’s real voting record—without any attached meanness—and … Read more
Are area Peak Fitness members upset that this club is closing? Are you disturbed that we’re being forced to transfer to a facility that is not “similar” (no pool, sauna or jacuzzi)? Are you dismayed that you have to spend more on gas to drive farther from home on a very busy road? Let’s take … Read more
When I first read about the wild chickens on Starnes Avenue [“Foraging Ahead,” June 20], I thought what a strange thing to see in the city. About six weeks ago I moved to Starnes, and I can attest that “Big Bro” and his gaggle of hens took a bit of getting used to. Though the … Read more
The issue of citizen oversight of our Asheville Police Department has been brought up a lot recently, but our leaders have thus far failed to enact anything with meaning. Our city established a Citizens/Police Advisory Committee (CPAC) years ago, but advice is completely different from genuine oversight. And if you can point to one thing … Read more
