Concerning the issue of “pink slime,” as school students of North Carolina we are probably on a daily basis consuming this product some way or somehow. Whether in school with cheese burgers or tacos and burritos, this mixture that was once used for dog food and cooking oil is entering into our bodies. Every year, … Read more
Sen. Richard Burr toured Asheville's Thermo Fisher Scientific facility April 12 and held a town hall-style meeting with plant employees. Burr praised the manufacturer’s innovative practices and ideas, specifically the Zero Landfill Initiative, which aims to eliminate sending material to the landfill by 2015. Burr said he shares Thermo Fisher’s goal of innovation, citing his … Read more
Long before Rep. Shuler announced his retirement, Cecil Bothwell had determined that he was willing to do what some would consider — in the current political climate — almost foolhardy, but also unbelievably admirable. Bothwell — no ordinary man, no conventional candidate — was already running. Because a person of Cecil Bothwell’s caliber is willing to … Read more
Enjoy an episode of Art in the Twenty-First Century, featuring "artists at work and speaking in their own words as they demonstrate the power of art to alter perception,” on Wednesday, April 18 at 7 p.m. Screened in the upstairs library of the Phil Mechanic Studios, 109 Roberts St. Info: http://www.ashevillecourtyard.com. Take an in-depth look … Read more
Here are five guidelines for Democratic candidates: Support publicly financed elections (they are much less expensive than the auctions we ostensibly call elections today). Reverse Citizens United, a terrible ruling by the five conservative Supreme Court justices. Back a financial stock transaction tax; it paid for World Wars I and II, and FDR’s infrastructure programs. … Read more
On May 8 there are two areas of our ballot I am particularly interested in: one is the anti-family marriage-amendment referendum, referred to as Amendment One; the other is deciding the person to represent us in the 10th Congressional District. I have been working with my organization, Neighbors for Equality, for over seven months now … Read more
There is no one more qualified to speak for Buncombe County, District 2 (Fairview, Black Mountain, Swannanoa, Weaverville, Barnardsville, French Broad), than JoAnn Morgan. JoAnn, a farm girl and native of Buncombe County, exemplifies the definition of honest, caring leadership. She understands fully that now is a critical time for our county, and more importantly, … Read more
Integrity is not often a word heard in politics. Neither is compassion, sincerity or generosity. These are ideals we teach our children, aspire to in our own lives, but do not always find in our elected officials. Buncombe County is fortunate to have a public servant who embodies to these principles — Drew Reisinger, our … Read more
I am writing to endorse Terry VanDuyn for Buncombe County commissioner. In these tough times with our politicians, at all levels, more concerned about their jobs than their constituents, it's comforting and surprising to find a candidate who doesn't have a "dog in the fight." Her 20-plus years experience in the technology sector gives her … Read more
