09.25.2024

Today’s Forecast

74º | 70% chance of precipitation
Sunrise 7:20 a.m. | Sunset 7:21 p.m.

Meet your Asheville City Council candidates

Meet the Asheville City Council candidates

The seven members of the Asheville City Council sit in front of flags

Of the current Asheville City Council members, Kim Roney (top, left), Sage Turner (top, second from right), and Sandra Kilgore (bottom, left) are nearing the end of their terms. Kilgore is not running for reelection. | Photo via City of Asheville

Now that we’re on the other side of summer, the November election is looming large. And since we’ve made sure you’re up to date with deadlines and processes at the polls, we’re bringing the ballot a little closer to home — with an introduction to the Asheville City Council candidates.

The Asheville City Council, which sets city policies and appoints the city manager, consists of seven seats. One is occupied by the mayor, and the remaining six members are elected to staggered four-year terms.

For the 2024 election, there are six candidates running for three seats. The new members will join Mayor Esther Manheimer, Antanette Mosley, Sheneika Smith, and Maggie Ullman on the council. Sandra Kilgore is not running for reelection.

CJ Domingo

Domingo is a vault operations supervisor at Loomis Securitas. His stated priorities are infrastructure; meeting basic fire, police, and medical needs; incentivizing employers to develop careers for locals; and transparency and accountability.

Kevan Frazier

Frazier is the Executive Director for WCU’s Programs in Asheville at Biltmore Park and founder of Asheville by Foot and Well Played Board Game Cafe. His priority issues are responsive leadership, meaningful and prosperous work for residents, a reasonable cost of living, and environmental stewardship.

Bo Hess

Hess is a clinical social worker, addiction specialist, and adjunct professor at WCU. His priorities are economic security, mental health and addiction care, infrastructure, environmental stewardship, and solutions for crime and safety.

Tod Leaven

Leaven is a founding partner at Leaven Law Firm. He has shared safety, affordable housing, public transportation, water supply sustainability and accessibility, infrastructure, accessibility, preservation of city parks, and city employees’ living wage as priorities.

Kim Roney, incumbent

Roney is a small business owner, music educator, and community radio producer; she has served on the council since 2020. Her stated priorities are affordability (which includes affordable housing, regional transit, and living wage certification for the city), public safety, and climate + neighborhood resiliency.

Sage Turner, incumbent

Turner is a finance and project manager; she has served on the council since 2020. Her focus areas are housing, community safety, and basic city services + infrastructure.

Are you ready to go to the polls?

Asked

Which issues do you think should be top priorities for the city council?

A. Affordable housing
B. Safety
C. Public transportation
D. Environmental stewardship

Pick your platform

Events

Wednesday, Sept. 25

WNCCHS Community Health Fair | Wednesday, Sept. 25 | 4-7 p.m. | A-B Tech Community College | Free | Celebrate 30 years of service with an afternoon of free health screenings + resources, exhibitors, food trucks, games, and live music.
Blue Ridge Pride Open Mic | Wednesday, Sept. 25 | 6-8 p.m. | Ginger’s Revenge | Free | Voice your talents in poetry, music, comedy, or performance art during a 5-minute slot.

Thursday, Sept. 26

Slice Stand-Up Comedy Contest Pageant | Thursday, Sept. 26 | 7-9 p.m. | Pulp | $15 | Laugh along to sets from the winners of three stand-up contests, then vote for your favorite.
“The Sound of Music” Sing-Along | Thursday, Sept. 26 | 7:30 p.m. | Asheville Community Theatre | $18+ | Sing along with Maria, the von Trapps, and all your favorite characters during this special immersive performance.

Friday, Sept. 27

M.A.G.M.A. Land of Sky Gem Show | Friday, Sept. 27-Sunday, Sept. 29 | Times vary | Land of Sky Event Venue, Swannanoa | Free | Embark on a treasure hunt through the gem, mineral, and jewelry offerings of more than 35 vendors.
HatchThis 2024 | Friday, Sept. 27-Sunday, Sept. 29 | Times vary | Hatch Innovation Hub | $15+ | Bring your bright business ideas to this mash-up of an accelerator, a hackathon, and a weekend-long party.

Saturday, Sept. 28

Chalk the Walk | Saturday, Sept. 28 | 9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Black Mountain Center for the Arts, Black Mountain | $5 | Show off your chalk art skills and compete to win cash prizes (or just stop by to see the masterpieces).
Wicked Weed Pridetoberfest | Saturday, Sept. 28 | 12-11 p.m. | Wicked Weed Brewpub and The Funkatorium | Free | Enjoy live music, face painting, vendors, and more during this full day of festivities benefiting Campaign for Southern Equality.*

On Wednesday, we're feeling fine again

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Weather

Heavy rain from Tropical Storm Helene is expected tomorrow, Sept. 26 into Friday. Ahead of possible flooding, power outages, and hazardous conditions in WNC, Buncombe County shared info on emergency preparedness.

Closed

Benne on Eagle announced its closure yesterday with a message of thanks, saying that the team “looks forward to starting a new chapter in this space.” The restaurant encouraged followers to keep an eye on The Foundry Hotel’s social media to stay up to date on future changes.

Open

Juancho’s Fonda is now serving up Colombian fusion cuisine on Sweeten Creek Road. Fresh dishes, like arepas and ceviche, are inspired by the flavors of Medellín, the country’s second largest city. Bonus: The menu is exclusively gluten free.

Featured

Chef Ashleigh Shanti’s Good Hot Fish is once again swimming into the spotlight. The casual seafood spot is the only NC restaurant featured on The New York Times’ list of the 50 best restaurants in America, with the listing lauding dishes like the hush puppies and fried catfish sandwich.

Festival

After a pause last year, Goombay is back. The YMI Cultural Center will host a grand reopening of its space tomorrow, Sept. 26. So check it out before the free Goombay Festival relaunches this weekend, with Black culture, art, food, and entertainment in the spotlight.

Edu

This educator made the grade. Nathan Allison of T.C. Roberson High School was named the Buncombe County Schools Principal of the Year for 2025. Allison has worked in the Buncombe County School System for almost 30 years and as T.C. Roberson’s principal since 2018. (WLOS)

Transit

What’s the drill? Geotechnical drilling operations along the French Broad River will begin on Monday, Sept. 30 for the I-26 Connector project. The work between the Jeff Bowen Bridge and Pearson Road Bridge will determine the condition of the rock around proposed bridge foundations. (Asheville Citizen-Times)

Civic

Buncombe County is taking applications for the Board of Equalization and Review. The board hears appeals from local property owners on the valuation of their property after its has gone through property assessment. Learn more about the board, and submit an application.

Kids

Time flies when you’re having fun. Buncombe County Parks and Recreation’s Community Outreach and Recreation Experiences has updated its program hours to align with kids’ after-school schedules. The CORE lineup of games, puzzles, and activities will now take place in designated parks from 3 to 5 p.m.

Home

Is your tap water free from impurities? Here’s how to find out, according to the experts.*

Finance

Did you know some credit cards can actually help you get out of debt faster? (Yes, it sounds pumpkin-spice bananas. But it’s true.) The secret: Find a credit card with a “0% intro APR” period for balance transfers. Here are hands down some of the best.*

Number

$294. That’s a real flight deal from Asheville to Madrid this year. Sign up for Going’s Premium plan + never miss a great deal again.*

Community

Dos + don’ts of local living

Unwritten rules of Asheville

View of the Asheville skyline after dark

Learn all you need to know to run these streets. | “Downtown After Dark” by Lisa S.

From constant casual dress codes to road etiquette, we’ve compiled tips, tricks, and fun memories we share as locals who know the city like the backs of our hands. Consider this your official list of unofficial Asheville rules.

Stay right on the roads

“If the first car waiting at a red light hasn’t noticed that it’s turned green, give them a few seconds before honking. Maybe they’re just busy vibin’.’” — @ophidian_spindle

“Don’t drive on Patton in West AVL at 5 p.m.” — @theemshea

Embrace authenticity (and your neighbors)

“Never ‘ogle’ at Ashevillians you might consider outlandishly dressed or styled.” — Steve H.

Explore the outdoors responsibly

“Leave No Trace when hiking, trail running, backpacking, etc. That includes apple cores, orange and banana peels, and of course, toilet tissue.” — Ann K.

“Don’t share your favorite secret swimming hole, summit, or dive bar without you knowing them REALLY WELL and that they too can keep a secret.” — @redheadedmtnwoman

Find yourself nodding along

The Buy

Shop the best shoes to pair with your fall wedding guest look, from Nordstrom’s “Wedding Guest” selection:

🥿 Save your ankles with sparkly Betsey Johnson flats.
👡 Choose champagne or silver for this five-star rated sandal.
💎 Add a touch of sparkle to your outfit with jeweled slingbacks.
👠 Go for style + function with a kitten heel on pointy-toe pumps.

More worth The Buy

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Molly

From the editor

Although a New York Times shoutout is a pretty big deal, the feature isn’t the only Ashleigh Shanti news I’m excited about — because the release date of her cookbook “Our South: Black Food Through My Lens” is just around the corner. My already overstuffed cookbook shelf will get the new addition on Tuesday, Oct. 15, and if you want a signed copy (as well as a commemorative tote bag and small bites), you can grab tickets for the launch event that same day.

Missed our previous newsletter?

›

Send Us A Scoop, Question, or Feedback

›

Advertise with us to stand out.

›

Games | Crossword, Sudoku, and More

›

Content marked with an * is paid advertising. Content marked with an ^ is created by our content studio. The company may also generate commission from affiliate links in the newsletter.

Change your preferences or unsubscribe here.

P.O. Box 2505, Greenville, SC 29602

ADVERTISE | CAREERS | ETHICS | PRIVACY | THE BUY