Jun
03
All Ears #20
ByIt’s Thursday, so here’s your weekly installment of All Ears.
In an effort to create ease of access to government, I’m opening this thread for all of your Asheville concerns. Leave your observations, visions, rants, and gushy love letters here.
(p.s. Big congratulations to everyone who worked so hard to land the Southern Conference Basketball Tournament for 2012-2014!)
48 Comments
June 3rd, 2010 at 1:45 pm
Hi Gordon, time for an inane question.
I recently watched a Mythbusters’ episode where they explored whether or not a stun gun/taser plus pepper spray could spark into flame. One of the things they discussed is that certain pepper sprays are flammable and some are non-flammable. I did a little poking around the net and this has indeed happened in some circumstances.
So the question is, does the police department use flammable or non-flammable pepper spray?
Rate this comment:
0 
1
June 3rd, 2010 at 1:53 pm
I live on Yale Street in West Asheville. For over a week, water has been bubbling up from a crack in the street’s pavement. I called the Water Department last week, and they said they’d send someone out to look at it, but as far as I can tell, no one has been out yet. This is the 3rd or 4th time in 12 months that we’ve had water leaks come up through the street. The city will come out and patch that particular place, but it doesn’t solve the problem permanently.
Rate this comment:
1 
1
June 3rd, 2010 at 8:45 pm
the public art in this town blows. Most of it is garden variety bland ineffectual pointless ambiguous space occupying formless blah. And the rest if pretty much kitsch. The most exciting and interesting stuff is of the graffiti variety. I would urge you to look at what the city of San Francisco has done recently, and without much cost to the city they have added a lot of exciting pieces of public art.
Rate this comment:
1 
0
June 3rd, 2010 at 9:20 pm
Graffiti looks better than what I saw on a city bus,looked like vandalism not art.
Rate this comment:
3 
2
June 3rd, 2010 at 10:13 pm
A new idea for Pack Square marketing:
A new downtown park…. $17 million +
Children laughing and splashing in the new splash pool… Priceless
Seriously, the place is crawling with thrilled little kids. For all that is wrong with Pack Square, that splash pad is a hit!
Rate this comment:
2 
1
June 4th, 2010 at 8:12 am
Speaking of public art, I think the new signage around town is money well spent. They are elegant– with the decorative tops–easy to read and cleverly & helpfully placed.
Rate this comment:
1 
1
June 4th, 2010 at 8:23 am
Maybe you can use some of the revenue you hope gambling machines will generate for the the city to commission and install public art. It could go a long way in raising the cultural milieu for Asheville following your reprehensible decision to allow the expansion of cheap, honky video gambling around town.
Rate this comment:
1 
1
June 4th, 2010 at 8:48 am
Fools and their money…
Rate this comment:
1 
0
June 4th, 2010 at 10:54 am
Platypus – I’ve sent the question to the City Manager, and I’ll let you know here when I receive an answer.
SW – Thanks for letting me know. I’ll get more information and reply here.
Shad – Links?
Jim – The Transit Art pieces were chosen by a panel of folks from various backgrounds. The great and difficult thing about Public Art is that everyone will have different aesthetic opinions. What’s incontivertible, however, is that Public Art improves quality of life.
CJ – I’m glad you like the ‘Wayfinding’ signage. Again, different people have different opinions on the aesthetics.
Evelyn – That’s not a bad idea. If our budget situation were less dire, I might pursue. It’s certainly an idea I’ll keep in mind.
Rate this comment:
0 
2
June 4th, 2010 at 12:09 pm
Thanks, Gordon. I appreciate it. I’ll be the first to admit I don’t know much about the subject, but can you find out how old the water pipes in West Asheville are and when the streets were last re-paved? The City will come out and do little fixes like I said, but we’ve got cracks in the streets with grass growing through them, not to much the frequent water leaks I mentioned.
Rate this comment:
0 
0
June 4th, 2010 at 1:23 pm
I can’t find the exact article I was thinking of, but here are some links of the kinda of innovate, creative (and meaningful) public art that is out there:
http://dornob.com/exploding-glass-or-architectural-art-installation/
http://dornob.com/1600-stacked-chairs-massive-public-art-installation/
http://www.sfartscommission.org/pubartcollection/wp-content/uploads/2009/03/gogginnbbirds4.jpg
If I find the article I was looking for I will send it along…
Rate this comment:
2 
1
June 4th, 2010 at 4:05 pm
You’ve got to be kidding.
Rate this comment:
1 
0
June 4th, 2010 at 4:10 pm
SW,
I received this email from Steve Shoaf, our Water Resources Director:
Hopefully that’ll take care of it for you!
Rate this comment:
0 
0
June 4th, 2010 at 4:13 pm
That first one was kind of pretty. I liked it. Looks a lot better than a lot of the absolute shite I’ve seen around town. *cough*240UnderpassMural*cough*
Rate this comment:
1 
0
June 4th, 2010 at 6:57 pm
My point is showing those examples was only to give an idea as to what is possible, what is out there. In a certain way the public “art” that exists in this town is quite fitting; it’s shallow, inoffensive and commercial…but it is possible to attract original and inventive art to the city without scaring away the tourists. #justsaying
Rate this comment:
0 
0
June 4th, 2010 at 7:08 pm
I’ve often felt that the only public art that would be acceptable to the majority of our citizenry would be a statue of Billy Graham on a horse, wielding the righteous sword of religious certainty.
On the other hand, I have, from the beginning, loved the abstract piece in front of the Federal Building, and love it more every time I go by it. The best art, in my opinion, leaves room for each viewer to conclude what it means and what it means to them. This sculpture embodies a lot of the things I hold dear about public art: it’s scale, its ability to invoke strong feelings, and its ever changing vista as it rusts and as it is viewed from different angles.
Vive le art!
Rate this comment:
1 
1
June 4th, 2010 at 7:32 pm
Cohen, how hilarious. You belittle the beliefs of a large percentage of your fellow citizens as you pretend to discuss art! Hardy har-har. Make fun of the rubes, now THAT’S high brow!!!! Way to open up this “all ears” forum to “everyone”. This IS a CITY COUNCILMAN’S blog, ya know? He even sez it’s a “new way to interact with council”, although I’ve never been clear if the comments here actually go to other council members…
By the way, Cohen,since we’re being honest, I have a twelve-year-old nephew who is a much better cartoonist than you, and he has a more nuanced sense of irony. In short, you blow. (Ooooops. Gordon’s gonna be mad! I dissed one of his peeps for dissing people who aren’t Gordon’s peeps!)
Yikes! I’ll get in touble for being mean to Cohen, but no one here will EVER get in trouble for treating with contempt and derision anyone in Asheville who doesn’t agree with them.
Rate this comment:
3 
4
June 4th, 2010 at 7:42 pm
Thanks, Gordon. They are repairing the leak as we speak. I really appreciate you looking into it.
I like most of the public art around town, but no one could accuse me of having rarified tastes. Shrug.
Rate this comment:
0 
0
June 4th, 2010 at 8:34 pm
Sue,
I fail to see how David jokingly suggested statue belittles anyone, but it has been my experience (and I’ve had a lot of it) that many socalled Christians somehow feel as they should be immune from jests. I’ve never understood this attitude that you think the world owes you the right not to be offended. If you truly have faith what does it matter? And ya, and lets hear some choice cuts from the Right Reverand:number 1
number 2
Just a sample, Franklins work is even more exciting.
FWIW, I like the idea of a statue of Graham.
Rate this comment:
1 
1
June 4th, 2010 at 10:10 pm
I appreciate your honesty, Sue. I do.
And I have also seen some 12 year-olds art that is beyond my skills, whatever those might be.
I was responding to a previous number of posts about public art on this thread, and expressing my opinion about some here in Asheville.
My idea about a tribute to Billy Graham could have easily been about any other public figure here; reading and hearing about the public antipathy to abstract, non-representational statuary, I thought what they might like would be a more classic, realistic carving.Maybe one of our civic leaders, or Coach Williams instead.
When Gordon and I talked about posting some of my cartoons here, he specifically stated that he was not to be exempted from being lampooned. And, when in my opinion, he does something that merits a cartoon, I will do one. Even if it blows.
Rate this comment:
1 
1
June 5th, 2010 at 7:47 pm
David’s Graham-on-a-horse comment reminds me of the equestrian statue of Bartolomeo Colleoni by Verrochio, one of the most famous of its type, and how Colleoni is portrayed with what has been called “the sneer of command” like the one we’ve often seen on Dick Cheney’s face.
Rate this comment:
0 
1
June 5th, 2010 at 7:56 pm
Misspelled Verrocchio! Drat.
Rate this comment:
1 
0
June 8th, 2010 at 3:42 pm
Where is Asheville going to get the $3-5 Million for the Southern Conference Civic Center improvements??
Rate this comment:
4 
3
June 8th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
Agnes,
Thanks for asking this question here. I was listening to your co-host talk about this as I drove to City Hall today. The improvements will be paid for in partnership between Buncombe County, the Tourism Product Development Fund, and others. I’m looking forward to learning more about the details myself.
The SoCon basketball tournament will be an enormous economic boon to our downtown. As you know, March can be awfully slow for Asheville businesses. Having this tournament will aid the entire region as we sell hotel rooms, food, entertainment, and retail products.
I was gratified to hear you and Matt talking about how you both support having SoCon in Asheville and how you support improvements to our Civic Center. The question of “where’s the money coming from?” is a wise one to ask.
Rate this comment:
2 
2
June 8th, 2010 at 4:10 pm
But you’re the one who is in elected office, you should be the one asking these questions before the contract was signed to begin with. Especially with all the money that Pack Square owes the city and Grove Arcade asking for help. Where IS this money going to come from?
June 9th, 2010 at 12:08 am
Agnes,
My understanding is that the TPDF will be covering the lion’s share, with the City and County also participating. This item has not come before City Council for a vote.
Conflating the positive economic development news of SoCon with the Pack Square Conservancy’s debt and the Grove Arcade’s request isn’t terribly educative, but I understand how it’s easy to lump them together if one is seeking to validate an ideological stance.
Civic Center renovations will be paid for in a partnership b/w the City, County, and TDA.
The Pack Square Conservancy’s debt will be repaid by the Conservancy.
The Grove Arcade is asking the city to count its tax revenue towards debt. I’m sure you’re aware of the history of this historic building and how it came into the city’s hands. Further, I’m sure you’re aware of the partnership with Progress Energy that’s allowed for a great deal of the renovation to take place.
In this time of enormous economic difficulty, public/private partnerships are more important than ever. If you have suggestions or reflections on alternatives, please share them here. I’m all ears.
Rate this comment:
2 
2
June 9th, 2010 at 12:23 am
Counting taxes against debt essentially removes the tax liability until the debt is repaid, a deal other taxpayers would love to have I suspect.
Rate this comment:
1 
1
June 9th, 2010 at 8:47 am
I think you’re right, Jim. I’ve asked staff for other options.
Rate this comment:
1 
1
June 9th, 2010 at 4:57 pm
The city doesn’t have the money. The County doesn’t have the money. Collectively, they don’t have the money. The only way this is going to be done in time is to issue bonds. You know it and I know it. The people deserve to have the full facts in order to make an informed decision. They also need to understand that if the room tax revenues slow, if other tax collections dip, and this debt obligation falters, the city and county taxpayers will be left holding the bill… which will have to be paid for by either cutting services/programs in other areas OR with the only other means the State allows local governments… property tax increases.
Rate this comment:
2 
2
June 9th, 2010 at 6:06 pm
I see. Your supposition is that the City or the County will issue bonds and that this is a secret agenda, plan, or fait accompli. You’re certainly not alone in being fearful and angry regarding taxes, but I’d urge you to look at each issue in context.
The TDA has been very successful in funding lots of great projects from Azalea Park to the Moogseum. Even during our economic downturn they’ve been successful in meeting their obligations.
The Conservancy has raised lots of money, and there’s plenty of reason to expect they’ll raise the rest. Should they fail, then there are other options to pay off the park rather than bonds.
The Grove Arcade is the most difficult problem of the three, and I’m waiting to hear more from staff before deciding how best to proceed.
Thanks for your passion and urgency, Agnes. It’s great to have people who care so deeply about the health of our community.
Rate this comment:
3 
1
June 10th, 2010 at 4:24 pm
Gordon, you forgot to throw in there “racist” along with “angry and fearful.” Thanks for that.
The conservancy is your example of things that work in this context?? The project started at $8 Million dollars and is now up to over $20 Million. They still owe $2M and it wasn’t supposed to cost the taxpayers… but they turned around and got got 4$ Million form the Federal Government ie; the taxpayers.
The TDA is indeed successful at raising money for prohjects, unfortunately the way it is structured and the way the funds flow, it would never have enough to pay all that money without issuing bonds! I can give the breakdown if need be.
Rate this comment:
2 
4
June 10th, 2010 at 5:18 pm
oops. and i can splle real gud tew… typos galore above. D’oh!
Rate this comment:
1 
3
June 10th, 2010 at 10:59 pm
Agnes is manufacturing rage so that her Matt can have something to blather about. Pay no mind to her.
Rate this comment:
3 
4
June 11th, 2010 at 12:25 pm
I am so sick of Libertarians, Tea Party douches (sorry, but it is true for 99% of you tea-people) 9/12′ers, and Beckians, Randians, Paulnuts, and other assorted “movements” complaining about taxes and socialism and all the other manufactured crap they suddenly seem to care about now that a _______ ( your choice: a. Black man/radical b. Communist c. Fascist d. Freedom-hatin’ secret-Muslim being Kenyan) is in office.
I’m not saying anything new here, but this thread just made me think of that…
June 11th, 2010 at 6:31 pm
If Agnes had her way, Asheville wouldn’t even have a space program. Oh, wait. I don’t think I was supposed to mention that.
Rate this comment:
1 
0
June 12th, 2010 at 1:42 am
Is the population of Asheville(82,000- legal)sustainable?
Snip snip.
Rate this comment:
0 
0
June 12th, 2010 at 7:48 pm
So glad to see I am dealing with adults here. Adults who care about actual ISSUES and not agends.
Oh wait…sigh.
Rate this comment:
2 
4
June 12th, 2010 at 9:04 pm
I care about wide variety of issues, and I am no even paid to do so by a massive media conglomerate.
Rate this comment:
2 
2
June 12th, 2010 at 10:36 pm
Erm, shad, nobody gets paid to care about issues by a massive media conglomerate. They get paid not to care, while appearing to care a whole lot. You think it’s EASY crying in front of a blackboard for an audience of millions of people without giving the joke away?
Rate this comment:
3 
0
June 13th, 2010 at 8:08 pm
It would be different if I were just making this stuff up, but according to the TDA and the Chamber of Commerce, this is how it is.
The money from the TDA goes directly to the TDA. The city has no control over where TDA funding goes, TDA allocates what funds they can for brick and mortar developments, like what is being considered for the SoCon and civic centre upgrades.
The only problem is that under state law, the TDA can only obligate debt service for ten years. State law also “restricts the TDA from committing more than 33% to debt payment from money received each year from room tax capital improvement funds. ”
That amount last year was only $1.5 million. Of the $1.5 million they are only allowed to commit 33%, or around only $500K. The civic center project is now being pushed as a $5 Million project, so with interest, it would take more than the 10 years allowed by law to pay off. This means that the other option is for the TDA to commit to pay the City an annual payment to help pay the debt on bonds that would be issued by the city. The problem with this is that it would only be able to cover about 1/3 to half the annual debt obligation, which leaves, you guessed it, us to pay the new debt on the back of the taxpayers.
Why not privatize the Civic Center? Or at least consider it. And if bonds are to be issued and new debt is going to be put to the taxpayers, put it up for a vote of the people.
Rate this comment:
2 
3
June 13th, 2010 at 10:01 pm
Eeeeeek!
Agnes, “privatize” is a very, very dirty word to me. It seems generally to end in looting and making a mess ten times worse than whatever the privateers were originally wailing about. And when the wheels come off the privatized enterprise, somehow the profits taken therefrom are always sacrosanct while the public need, which the former government organ once served, gets jettisoned.
A very, very, very dirty word, one which causes me to look suspiciously upon every other word that goes slumming with it.
Rate this comment:
2 
1
June 14th, 2010 at 10:27 am
So let’s continue to throw money into this money pit called the civic center. Are you saying that all the businesses downtown and elsewhere that are owned by private individuals are also so scary and evil? Interesting. Asheville city will never be able to make the civic center into what it has the potential to be. Not in my lifetime…heck, it’s been this long and it STILL is languishing. Only 20 years of remodels for…. what exactly? Oh wait…they DID get a new roof right?
Rate this comment:
2 
3
June 14th, 2010 at 12:01 pm
Asheville city will never be able to make the civic center into what it has the potential to be.
You can’t possibly know this.
Rate this comment:
2 
2
June 14th, 2010 at 3:26 pm
oops, looks like the costs just went up to $5.5M. Again, why not considr privitazation, if bonds are to be used on the backs of the tax payers, why not put it up for a vote of the people who put you in office. all 12% who actually bothered to vote. sigh.
Rate this comment:
2 
3
June 14th, 2010 at 6:18 pm
Yeah, because once something is privatized it automatically makes it awesome! Here’s a question: why should the people of this city give away a prized asset just because the whole “mine is mine and screw the rest of you” crowd equates paying taxes with gubment oppression.
I look forward to listening to Mat blather about this on the radio. #notreallyIwasbeingsarcastic
Rate this comment:
1 
0
June 15th, 2010 at 10:33 am
Here’s another question or few: Why should we keep paying for a money pit that can’t even get the most basic upgrades and a new roof after over 20 years of money being thrown into it? If city council is going to issue bonds on the backs of the taxpayers, why not put it up for a vote?
Rate this comment:
4 
2
June 15th, 2010 at 1:27 pm
I have some questions: Why do we keep paying for roads that get potholes? Wouldn’t it be better if we privatized all the roads? Why do we pay taxes so lazy poor single mothers can collect food stamps and have more poor children? How come we elect people to make decisions on our behalf when it would be so much better if I could just make those decisions for everyone? Why do these jeans make my butt look big?
Rate this comment:
1 
2
June 15th, 2010 at 3:16 pm
The jeans don’t make your butt look big, your butt makes your butt look big.
Rate this comment:
3 
1