John Locke Foundation: Western NC

Lame

It looks like the news sources sent their reporters home for the weekend. I thought I might do a man on the street thing to, rather than pontificating on my own, find out why Buncombe voters went against the national trends. For example, who were they trusting when they voted as if teacher pay increases […]

Bonding Mythology

What’s a deficit? What’s debt? Who cares? The city is going to partner with the Asheville Area Arts Council for a National Endowment for the Arts grant to celebrate distinctive placemaking and blah, blah, blah. It’s enough to accessorize a little black dress and partake of wine and cheese. Then, you may scratch your chin […]

Like Robinson Caruso

On Asheville City Council’s agenda for next Tuesday is a request to authorize the mayor to sign the following: ENVIRONMENT AMERICA’S GLOBAL WARMING SOLUTIONS CAMPAIGN Global warming is hurting America. According to the National Climate Assessment; extreme drought and wildfires in the West; downpours and megastorms like Superstorm Sandy; and sea level rise and flooding […]

Votes So Nice They’re Counted Twice

According to Watauga County Elections Director Jane Ann Hodges, votes from the Cove Creek precinct were initially counted twice. The difference is enough to cause two contenders for commissioner to swap term lengths. Billy Kennedy will now get the four-year term initially believed to be David Blust’s. Blust will now only serve two years unless […]

Western N.C.
Headlines

Turner defeats Moffitt for House seat

ARDEN — Democrat Brian Turner unseated two-term incumbent state Rep. Tim Moffitt on Tuesday in Buncombe County’s most expensive and hotly contested local race. Turner had 51.9 percent of votes to 48.1 for the Republican Moffitt in House District 116 in complete but unofficial returns. A Turner victory might have seemed like a huge upset a year ago. Moffitt was involved in drawing district boundaries in 2011, and the district’s voting patterns favor Republicans.

Mayor: City in ‘triage mode’ with police department

ASHEVILLE — The city is in “triage mode” in dealing with problems at the Police Department, the mayor said on Monday. Mayor Esther Manheimer also said she is concerned no one would be able to successfully lead the department right now. Her comments were the strongest yet from an elected official. Some on the City Council have said the problems are the result of a few disgruntled officers.

Asheville legal bills in water case top $550,000

ASHEVILLE — City government has spent more than $550,000 in legal fees defending ownership of its water system, and system customers are footing the bill. Mayor Esther Manheimer said the amount is not out of line considering how complicated the case is and that the blame for the expenditure lies with state legislators who voted for a 2013 law that would transfer the system to the Metropolitan Sewerage District without compensation.

Western N.C.'s Greatest Hits

Transit system impact

Asheville's transit system has the smallest impact on regional travel, according to a report by Dr. David Hartgen of UNCC.

Asheville congestion

Future road congestion could threaten North Carolina’s economy, but Asheville is better prepared for congestion than most other N.C. cities.

Shuler and amnesty

U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler, D-N.C., and several Republican members of Congress try get Senate to resist attempts to grant amnesty to illegal immigrants.

Research

By The Numbers: What Government Costs in North Carolina Cities and Counties FY 2012

The economic recession that hit full force in 2008 was declared officially over in June 2009 when the country experienced two quarters of very slow growth. But a troubled housing sector and a still-sluggish economy with high unemployment have contributed to the fiscal crises facing many cities and counties in North Carolina. As always, this edition of By the Numbers is must reading for government officials and taxpayers alike. It highlights what kinds of fiscal problems face local governments in an economy that grows only very slowly. With the facts given here, county commissioners and city council members can easily compare their area’s tax burden to similarly situated cities or counties. For taxpayers, BTN is a starting point for questions about taxes and spending, enabling them to hold their elected and appointed officials accountable.

Agenda 2014: A Candidate's Guide to Key Issues in North Carolina Public Policy

Every two years since 1996, coinciding with North Carolina's races for the General Assembly, the John Locke Foundation has published a revised edition of Agenda, our public policy guide for candidates and voters. Typically as we enter the campaign season, candidates for public office in North Carolina are faced with a daunting task: to develop informed positions on dozens of public policy issues. In the pages of Agenda 2014 we provide a concise and easily digestible guide covering a wide range of specific issues, from taxes and spending to energy policy and education.

City and County Issue Guide 2014

Policymakers in the many local governments of North Carolina face a host of important challenges. This issue guide offers solutions to problems that confront North Carolinians at municipal and county levels. The common thread in these recommendations is freedom. By increasing individual freedom, local governments can foster the prosperity of all North Carolinians and keep open avenues to innovative solutions from enterprising citizens.