Archive for Buncombe County
Results
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Yes the NC Constitutional Amendment passed 61-39, but here in Buncombe it failed. There were a lot of interesting results here at home last night, most of which bode very well for Buncombe. Let’s get the results train rolling. (Buncombe results) (NC results)
On the 10th Congressional tip, Patsy Keever steamrolled Terry Bellamy 58-26, with also-ran Tim Murphy limping in with 15%. Keever’s excellent organization outpaced the other campaigns. People love them some Patsy Keever, there’s no getting around it. Whether she can translate that into victory against a seemingly bulletproof Patrick McHenry will depend on her campaign’s ability to activate voters who haven’t come out the last several cycles.
In the 11th, Hayden Rogers romped over his competition. With 56% of the vote, he beat Cecil Bothwell by 26, and Tom Hill pulled only 14%. Cecil was a liberal candidate in a conservative district, but it’s worth noting that he won the part of the district that’s in Buncombe County by 161 votes. Rogers now has to pivot to the general election in a district that has a very high number of registered Republicans. The contrast between the 10th and the 11th couldn’t be more stark in terms of who Democratic voters chose to be their standard bearer.
In Buncombe County Commissioner races, we saw a very high Democratic turnout. If the ratio of Democratic to Republican voters is similar in November, then look for a savory County Board majority to come into office.
The Purists Guide to Voting
Posted by: | CommentsHere is my handy and informative guide to tomorrow’s big election.
Read More→
The Day Before The Day
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What’s the CW on who’s going to win all these races? Have you already voted? What do you think the GOP Presidential primary vote will look like? I’m guessing Romney doesn’t break 58% and that Ron Paul has his best southern state showing.
This would also be a great place to let everyone know where the election night parties and gatherings are.
With 37 different ballot styles in Buncombe County (Thanks a lot, Tim Moffitt), the Board of Elections may take a little more time than usual to release results tomorrow, but you can watch for results at this link right here.
Community Resilience and Emergency Preparedness
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From the Facebook page. This is going to be an exciting and important event:
In the spirit of responsibility and prudence, and building on the rich heritage of the Appalachian traditions of self-sufficiency and interdependence with our neighbors, you are invited to come join our solutions building session on community building through preparedness..
On Wednesday, May 9th, 2012, 6 PM at Posana Cafe, 1 Biltmore Avenue, downtown Asheville
Green Drinks Presents A very special event organized and sponsored by: Transition Asheville & the Food Security Cluster of the Asheville-Buncombe Food Policy Council
A panel of our city and county’s emergency response team and community leaders to discuss -
Food Security in times of Crisis, Transition, and Emergency: A Community Forum On Resilience and Emergency Preparedness
Confirmed Panelists:
Martha Salyers, Public Health Preparedness Consultant
Chris Pelly, Asheville City Council
Scott Burnette, Asheville City Fire Chief
Jerry Vehaun, Buncombe County Emergency Services
Alphie Rodriguez, YWCA
Preventive Health Director Red Cross Representative, TBD
J. Clarkson, Director of Resource Development, Manna Food Bank• How prepared is our community to handle an interruption in the distribution chain of our food supply?
• How can we as a county/city/neighborhood/family/individual help foster cooperation?
• Who is in charge in times of crisis? What plans do they have in place?
• How much food do we have for emergency use? How would it be distributed?
• What can we do to become more secure and prepared at the civic and individual levels?
• How being prepared is also a community building exercise, is good for our economy, the environment, and our health!!!
Arrive early at after 5:30 to take part in pre-event mingling.
A gay conservative speaks out on Amendment One
Posted by: | CommentsAn excellent post from my friend Chris Barron, co-founder of GOProud (Cross-posted from Pam’s House Blend):
My North Carolina ties are deep. I grew up in Goldsboro, North Carolina. I attended undergrad at UNC-Greensboro and East Carolina University and got my law degree from Wake Forest. Both of my brothers still live in North Carolina with their wives and children. I will always consider North Carolina home, which is why I am passionately urging every North Carolinian – whether liberal or conservative – to vote against Amendment 1.
I am lucky enough to be legally married to my partner of 10 years under the laws of the District of Columbia where we live. However, you don’t have to gay or in favor of gay marriage to oppose Amendment 1.
Amendment 1 not only bans gay marriage, it is also so broadly written that it bans civil unions, domestic partnerships and threatens to outlaw any benefits offered to same-sex couples. While I support marriage equality, I understand that the country is still debating this issue, and that different states are coming to different conclusions and that will continue. This debate is healthy, and reflects the best our democracy has to offer. There is simply no reason to end this debate for all time with a Constitutional amendment.
AC-T Op/Ed on AVLH2O
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Photo by Bill Rhodes
When residents, business owners and local governmental leaders throughout Buncombe County agree that the public’s water system is well-managed, it’s difficult to understand the unnecessary efforts of Rep. Tim Moffitt. Without talking to any of Buncombe’s representatives, Moffitt submitted a bill to strip the water system from Asheville and force a merger with the Metropolitan Sewerage District. After significant public outcry, Moffitt opted to move the matter into a “study committee.” Four months later, the committee returned a set of recommendations that mirrors Moffitt’s original unilateral bill.
New Transit Routes – Learn More
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Via the email machine:
Beginning Monday, May 21, the city’s bus system, currently operating as Asheville Transit, will begin operating as ART (Asheville Redefines Transit). In addition to introducing a new look, new routes and new rides, the launch will celebrate the first phase of transit master plan implementation. The new ART transit network will demonstrate the City of Asheville’s commitment to multi-modal transportation, affordability and sustainability.
In advance of the May 21 launch, the City of Asheville will host six informational drop-in sessions. Seeking to encourage citizen engagement, the sessions will use interactive tools to share information about the upcoming changes. New schedules and maps will be available to take home and opportunities to get hands on experience learning to navigate GoogleTransit, a new online tool riders can use to plan bus trips, will be available. Staff and transit commission members will be onsite to answer questions.
The April 30 session at the U.S. Cellular Center will have a new hybrid bus on display for family friendly activities and a “load your bicycle on the bus” competition.
The public can drop-in between 4-7 p.m. on any of the following dates:
Monday, April 30, U.S. Cellular Center Banquet Hall, 87 Haywood St.
Tuesday, May 1, West Asheville Community Center, 970 Haywood Rd.
Thursday, May 3, Reid Memorial Recreation Center, 133 Livingston St.
Monday, May 7, Linwood Crump – Shiloh Community Center, 121 Shiloh Rd.
Monday, May 14, East Asheville Community Center, 906 Tunnel Rd.
Tuesday, May 15, Grace Episcopal Church – Parish Hall, 871 Merrimon Ave.
Dear Chairman Moffitt
Posted by: | CommentsThis document was offered to the Legislative “Study Committee” having a look at how to remedy the problem of an excellent water system and strong Buncombe County intergovernmental relations. Have a read. Offer your thoughts. Know that there will be a public hearing on the matter at the April 24th meeting of Asheville City Council.
Dear Chairman Tim D. Moffitt and Members of the Legislative Research Commission’s Committee on Metropolitan Sewerage/Water System:
Lindsey’s Extra Awesome Voter Guide
Posted by: | CommentsLindsey Simerly sent this into my email inbox, and I thought I’d share it here. Lindsey has been involved in lots of Democratic campaigns (Jones, Smith, Newman, Reisinger, Shuler) and is currently working with the Campaign for Southern Equality as well as being Chair of the City of Asheville’s Affordable Housing Advisory Committee. She also ran for City Council in 2007, which is when I became enamored with her work ethic, intelligence, and boundless energy.
After the jump you’ll find her extra-awesome voter guide.
UPDATE/CLARIFICATION: “extra-awesome voter guide” is Lindsey’s title for this guide and post. Some folks made the assumption that Lindsey’s choices are also my endorsements. Hope this clears that up.
