Marc Hunt is Asheville’s incumbent Vice Mayor Name: Marc Hunt Profession: Former whitewater outfitter, community development lender, and land conservation professional In up to two words, describe your political affiliation: Democrat In one brief sentence, describe yourself and why you’re running: I am deeply committed to improving our community, and

Name: Brian Haynes Profession: Assistant Manager, Habitat for Humanity Re-Store In up to two words, describe your political affiliation: Progressive Unafilliated In one brief sentence, describe yourself and why you’re running: I am a native, former downtown business owner and long time Habitat supporter. I am running because I do not like the current pro

Name: Joe Grady Profession: Sales Specialist in Home and Business Group with Best Buy, and Community Commander overseeing the community volunteerism for 13 stores. In up to two words, describe your political affiliation: Independent In one brief sentence, describe yourself and why you’re running: I am a visionary with a

From missed stops to buses in disrepair and low morale, drivers and local activists assert the company in charge of managing Asheville’s transit system is failing Above: The SUV that, according to multiple drivers, transported some Asheville transit system riders in recent weeks because the system had a critical lack

City government will finally pay a living wage to all its employees. But the worker who raised concerns in the first place was fired. Above: Lauren Bacchus, a U.S. Cellular Center worker who raised concerns late last year about a lack of living wage for workers there. Shortly after going public

Communities bring forward a mix of topics — from saving a downtown forest to cat cafes — with varying reactions from Council Above: Vice Mayor Marc Hunt. File photo by Max Cooper. With the huge fight over short-term rentals dying down (at least for a bit), the Sept. 8 Asheville City

With poor wages and working conditions a major problem in Asheville, Labor Day is an excellent time to look at some changes Above: The fight for the eight-hour working day rallied workers around the world. Image via Wikimedia. It’s Labor Day. In Asheville it’s a day off for some, a

While City Council wrangled over short-term rentals and the future of the city, I sat with the crowd in an overflow room. Here’s what I witnessed Above: City Hall under renovation, file photo by Bill Rhodes. The Aug. 25 Asheville City Council meeting saw a big fight over short-term rentals

The short-term rental issue hits City Hall with a contentious debate, as Council tries to put the brakes on Airbnb and its ilk Above: Mayor Esther Manheimer, who vociferously defended the city’s ban on short-term rentals in most neighborhoods and the need to be careful about any regulations allowing any

After months of debate stepped-up fines on short-term rentals — and relaxed rules on residents renting out rooms — go to Council tonight. But a decision might be delayed due to concerns about how to grapple with a rapidly-changing issue Above: The logo for Airbnb, the tech giant that’s played