Day: November 12, 2008
The Green Scene
A reader’s call-in question led Xpress from plastics to thieves this week. At the start, we set out to find out why some plastic can be recycled and some can’t. We got an answer but then stumbled upon a perplexing trend in the world of recycling: thieves who’ll snatch up aluminum cans, washers and dryers, … Read more
Buncombe Commissioners
While the lion’s share of public attention was focused elsewhere on Election Day, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners tackled three major issues, all left over from their last meeting on Oct. 6. Nov. 4 was also the current board’s next-to-last session. Later that night, Chair Nathan Ramsey lost his seat to Vice Chair David … Read more
All over but the shoutin’
Obamalina: President-elect Barack Obama at his recent rally in Asheville. With help from Buncombe voters, he became the first Democrat to carry the state since 1976. Photo By Jonathan Welch It was a great night for feeling Blue in Buncombe. A surge in voter turnout, fueled by intense interest in the presidential contest, paid off … Read more
Turnout takes the spotlight in 2008
It was a banner election year for North Carolina. At press time, voter turnout hovered between 69 and 70 percent, awaiting full tabulation of provisional and absentee ballots. That amounts to more than 4.3 million of the state’s nearly 6.3 million registered voters, more than half of whom took advantage of early voting. “Turnout overall … Read more
WNC stays mainly Republican red
Colorful election maps may still be dominating the 2008 election coverage, but what does it all mean? In Western North Carolina, Buncombe and Jackson counties went for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama, but they were dots of blue afloat in a sea of Republican red. That’s the big picture, at any rate (The Washington Post … Read more
Dems are in the House (and Senate)
Two Democratic state representatives and a state senator kept their seats on election night, and another narrowly nabbed a seat historically held by Republicans. Born to be Whild! Jane Whilden speaks to supporters after she and other Democrats swept Buncombe’s legislative districts. Photo By Anne Fitten Glenn In the latter race, political newbie Jane Whilden … Read more
Democrats dominate commissioner races
The new Buncombe County Board of Commissioners will consist entirely of Democrats, as David Gantt ousted the board’s lone Republican, Nathan Ramsey, on Nov. 4 to claim the chairman’s seat. Amid the celebration, the victors vowed to tackle the economic issues facing the county. Riding high: Re-elected Democratic commissioners Bill Stanley (far left) and Carol … Read more
