Name: Nancy Nehls Nelson Profession: Retired AT&T Bell Labs Project Manager In up to two words, describe your political affiliation: Democrat In one brief sentence, describe yourself and why you’re running: I am an engaged community advocate that has the experience to be a significant voice on the Buncombe County

Name: Ed Hay Profession: Attorney In up to two words, describe your political affiliation: Democrat In one brief sentence, describe yourself and why you’re running: I’m running because county government faces new challenges in funding education, creating jobs, and adequately planning for future growth. I want to be part of the

Name: Brownie Newman Profession: Partner, Headwaters Solar In up to two words, describe your political affiliation: Democrat In one brief sentence, describe yourself and why you’re running: I am running to support our public schools and teachers, protect our mountain communities and to make sure Buncombe County remains a great

For city voters, the biggest local question on this year’s ballot are three bonds, the first in almost two decades. A quick look at the issue and what it means It’s a long ballot this election year, with contests from the presidency to an abundance of state offices, general assembly

Early voting begins Thursday, Oct. 20. Here’s what you need to know and some handy tools to help you at the polls Above: An early voting sticker, a wonderful thing you’ll be able to get starting Thursday. You don’t need ID — A federal court struck down the state’s former voting

Without much fanfare, Asheville City Council moves to put more power over hotels and downtown development in their hands, reversing nearly a decade of city policy Above: Asheville City Council member Brian Haynes. File photo by Max Cooper. Local politics, like any other level of politics, is often a study

A bevy of items — including drug enforcement, housing and the interstate — lead to a long and occasionally contentious Council meeting Above: Asheville City Council member Julie Mayfield. File photo by Max Cooper. The Sept. 16 Asheville City Council meeting was a long one, less due to a lengthy

Council sends the first bond referendum in nearly 20 years to the voters in a short meeting that illuminates the divides ahead Above: Asheville City Council member Cecil Bothwell. File photo by Max Cooper. Asheville City Council’s Aug. 9 meeting was a short one, just 40 minutes long. Front and

This November city voters might have the choice over $74 million for affordable housing, transportation and parks and rec. Behind Asheville’s first bond referendum in nearly two decades Above: City Hall under renovation. Photo by Bill Rhodes. Seventy-four million dollars. That is, by any standard, a lot of money. That’s

Lessons from Council’s summer days. South Asheville organizes, process woes send bus system plans back to the drawing board, the bond vote moves forward and policing comes under serious scrutiny Above: Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer. File photo by Max Cooper. Summer, including this particular, blistering one, is an unusual time