The Asheville Blade
@avlblade.bsky.social
Sharp journalism, analysis and perspectives without fear. Leftist news co-op based in Asheville.
Read our work at: https://ashevilleblade.com
Support us and subscribe at: https://patreon.com/AvlBlade
Background photo by Max Cooper
Read our work at: https://ashevilleblade.com
Support us and subscribe at: https://patreon.com/AvlBlade
Background photo by Max Cooper
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Last month's marketing blitz depicted post-Helene Asheville as happy, fully recovered and ready to welcome rich tourists.
Nothing could be further from the truth: Asheville is still a disaster zone.
The first part of our new series, The Crisis After the Crisis. ashevilleblade.com?p=5349 #avlnews
Nothing could be further from the truth: Asheville is still a disaster zone.
The first part of our new series, The Crisis After the Crisis. ashevilleblade.com?p=5349 #avlnews
Reposted by The Asheville Blade
Some good news: Asheville is out of a covid wave for the first time in four months.
However, with holidays here this is almost certainly a temporary reprieve. Keep masking up in indoor public spaces, especially crowded ones, and review risks/precautions with those close to you. #avlnews
However, with holidays here this is almost certainly a temporary reprieve. Keep masking up in indoor public spaces, especially crowded ones, and review risks/precautions with those close to you. #avlnews
November 23, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Some good news: Asheville is out of a covid wave for the first time in four months.
However, with holidays here this is almost certainly a temporary reprieve. Keep masking up in indoor public spaces, especially crowded ones, and review risks/precautions with those close to you. #avlnews
However, with holidays here this is almost certainly a temporary reprieve. Keep masking up in indoor public spaces, especially crowded ones, and review risks/precautions with those close to you. #avlnews
Some good news: Asheville is out of a covid wave for the first time in four months.
However, with holidays here this is almost certainly a temporary reprieve. Keep masking up in indoor public spaces, especially crowded ones, and review risks/precautions with those close to you. #avlnews
However, with holidays here this is almost certainly a temporary reprieve. Keep masking up in indoor public spaces, especially crowded ones, and review risks/precautions with those close to you. #avlnews
November 23, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Some good news: Asheville is out of a covid wave for the first time in four months.
However, with holidays here this is almost certainly a temporary reprieve. Keep masking up in indoor public spaces, especially crowded ones, and review risks/precautions with those close to you. #avlnews
However, with holidays here this is almost certainly a temporary reprieve. Keep masking up in indoor public spaces, especially crowded ones, and review risks/precautions with those close to you. #avlnews
Reposted by The Asheville Blade
I've covered politics here for over 20 years. Here's how this tactic works:
1) Proposal gains momentum.
2) Council members, status quo orgs claim more time is needed. Trying to show good faith, other orgs go along.
3) Proposal is watered down, delayed in in endless process then quietly killed.
1) Proposal gains momentum.
2) Council members, status quo orgs claim more time is needed. Trying to show good faith, other orgs go along.
3) Proposal is watered down, delayed in in endless process then quietly killed.
Resolution barring ICE/CBP using city property will not proceed this meeting, after more conservative council members refused to advance it and council member Kim Roney folded rather than face an ounce of conflict. #avlgov
Council member Kim Roney, who proposed — with array of community groups — the resolution barring ICE/CBP from using city property, immediately folds, thanking other council members for considering it but not pressing for it to be on agenda or voted on anytime soon. #avlgov
November 21, 2025 at 1:15 PM
I've covered politics here for over 20 years. Here's how this tactic works:
1) Proposal gains momentum.
2) Council members, status quo orgs claim more time is needed. Trying to show good faith, other orgs go along.
3) Proposal is watered down, delayed in in endless process then quietly killed.
1) Proposal gains momentum.
2) Council members, status quo orgs claim more time is needed. Trying to show good faith, other orgs go along.
3) Proposal is watered down, delayed in in endless process then quietly killed.
Reposted by The Asheville Blade
Resolution barring ICE/CBP using city property will not proceed this meeting, after more conservative council members refused to advance it and council member Kim Roney folded rather than face an ounce of conflict. #avlgov
Council member Kim Roney, who proposed — with array of community groups — the resolution barring ICE/CBP from using city property, immediately folds, thanking other council members for considering it but not pressing for it to be on agenda or voted on anytime soon. #avlgov
November 18, 2025 at 10:27 PM
Resolution barring ICE/CBP using city property will not proceed this meeting, after more conservative council members refused to advance it and council member Kim Roney folded rather than face an ounce of conflict. #avlgov
Reposted by The Asheville Blade
Update to the resolution before Asheville city council to ban ICE/CBP from using city owned property
Resolution barring ICE/CBP using city property will not proceed this meeting, after more conservative council members refused to advance it and council member Kim Roney folded rather than face an ounce of conflict. #avlgov
Council member Kim Roney, who proposed — with array of community groups — the resolution barring ICE/CBP from using city property, immediately folds, thanking other council members for considering it but not pressing for it to be on agenda or voted on anytime soon. #avlgov
November 19, 2025 at 1:46 AM
Update to the resolution before Asheville city council to ban ICE/CBP from using city owned property
Reposted by The Asheville Blade
Thank you for following @avlblade.bsky.social coverage of tonight's Asheville city council meeting. We are a local media collective made up entirely of working class trans people.
We need your support. Subscribe below
Or make a one-time donation at paypal.me/AshevilleBlade #avlgov
We need your support. Subscribe below
Or make a one-time donation at paypal.me/AshevilleBlade #avlgov
Get more from The Asheville Blade on Patreon
creating hard-hitting journalism
patreon.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:40 AM
Thank you for following @avlblade.bsky.social coverage of tonight's Asheville city council meeting. We are a local media collective made up entirely of working class trans people.
We need your support. Subscribe below
Or make a one-time donation at paypal.me/AshevilleBlade #avlgov
We need your support. Subscribe below
Or make a one-time donation at paypal.me/AshevilleBlade #avlgov
Reposted by The Asheville Blade
We saw that w/ locals berating #avlgov for its refusal to bar ICE from staging on city property.
City hall, with the many horrible things its done over the years, is not popular.
May the day come soon when its clear that standing up to fascism and gentrification is their only option.
City hall, with the many horrible things its done over the years, is not popular.
May the day come soon when its clear that standing up to fascism and gentrification is their only option.
November 19, 2025 at 1:37 AM
We saw that w/ locals berating #avlgov for its refusal to bar ICE from staging on city property.
City hall, with the many horrible things its done over the years, is not popular.
May the day come soon when its clear that standing up to fascism and gentrification is their only option.
City hall, with the many horrible things its done over the years, is not popular.
May the day come soon when its clear that standing up to fascism and gentrification is their only option.
Reposted by The Asheville Blade
Manheimer adjourns tonight's meeting and quite mercifully the last meeting of city manager Debra Campbell's tenure.
#Avlgov is horrible, but locals are fighting back, and we definitely saw that with their caving to opposition to the Haw Creek development they supported two summers ago.
#Avlgov is horrible, but locals are fighting back, and we definitely saw that with their caving to opposition to the Haw Creek development they supported two summers ago.
November 19, 2025 at 1:34 AM
Manheimer adjourns tonight's meeting and quite mercifully the last meeting of city manager Debra Campbell's tenure.
#Avlgov is horrible, but locals are fighting back, and we definitely saw that with their caving to opposition to the Haw Creek development they supported two summers ago.
#Avlgov is horrible, but locals are fighting back, and we definitely saw that with their caving to opposition to the Haw Creek development they supported two summers ago.
Reposted by The Asheville Blade
Next commenter also supports resolution banning ICE from staging on city property.
"People are getting lost or disappeared into the system."
"The time is now." #avlgov
"People are getting lost or disappeared into the system."
"The time is now." #avlgov
November 19, 2025 at 1:29 AM
Next commenter also supports resolution banning ICE from staging on city property.
"People are getting lost or disappeared into the system."
"The time is now." #avlgov
"People are getting lost or disappeared into the system."
"The time is now." #avlgov
Reposted by The Asheville Blade
Marcia Castillo speaking up for community as a Mexican American.
Among other fears, "Neighbors are afraid to speak in their native language."
"I urge you to not submit."
"Families are being torn apart."
Supports resolution banning ICE from staging on city property #avlgov
Among other fears, "Neighbors are afraid to speak in their native language."
"I urge you to not submit."
"Families are being torn apart."
Supports resolution banning ICE from staging on city property #avlgov
November 19, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Marcia Castillo speaking up for community as a Mexican American.
Among other fears, "Neighbors are afraid to speak in their native language."
"I urge you to not submit."
"Families are being torn apart."
Supports resolution banning ICE from staging on city property #avlgov
Among other fears, "Neighbors are afraid to speak in their native language."
"I urge you to not submit."
"Families are being torn apart."
Supports resolution banning ICE from staging on city property #avlgov
Reposted by The Asheville Blade
Next commenter also speaking to danger posed by ICE and Customs and Border Patrol.
Immigrants not being able to go to work or keep their businesses open hurts all of us.
Expects #avlgov to immediately support resolution banning ICE from staging on city property.
Immigrants not being able to go to work or keep their businesses open hurts all of us.
Expects #avlgov to immediately support resolution banning ICE from staging on city property.
November 19, 2025 at 1:20 AM
Next commenter also speaking to danger posed by ICE and Customs and Border Patrol.
Immigrants not being able to go to work or keep their businesses open hurts all of us.
Expects #avlgov to immediately support resolution banning ICE from staging on city property.
Immigrants not being able to go to work or keep their businesses open hurts all of us.
Expects #avlgov to immediately support resolution banning ICE from staging on city property.
Reposted by The Asheville Blade
Clare Hanrahan names ways that immigrants make Asheville. "Will these immigrants be safe?" Supports resolution #avlgov refused to take up tonight.
November 19, 2025 at 1:18 AM
Clare Hanrahan names ways that immigrants make Asheville. "Will these immigrants be safe?" Supports resolution #avlgov refused to take up tonight.
Reposted by The Asheville Blade
Onto general public comment.
Nina Tovish talking about growing up learning about Holocaust committed by Nazis.
Asking questions. "What will I do."
"What will we do?" Supports the resolution that #avlgov refused to take up tonight that would have banned ICE from staging on city property.
Nina Tovish talking about growing up learning about Holocaust committed by Nazis.
Asking questions. "What will I do."
"What will we do?" Supports the resolution that #avlgov refused to take up tonight that would have banned ICE from staging on city property.
November 19, 2025 at 1:14 AM
Onto general public comment.
Nina Tovish talking about growing up learning about Holocaust committed by Nazis.
Asking questions. "What will I do."
"What will we do?" Supports the resolution that #avlgov refused to take up tonight that would have banned ICE from staging on city property.
Nina Tovish talking about growing up learning about Holocaust committed by Nazis.
Asking questions. "What will I do."
"What will we do?" Supports the resolution that #avlgov refused to take up tonight that would have banned ICE from staging on city property.
Reposted by The Asheville Blade
Thanks @davidforbes.bsky.social . We're onto filling the two spots now available on the planning and zoning commission.
#Avlgov chooses to only fill one spot tonight. Lindsay Broughl selected 4-3 after discussion and narrowing of candidates.
#Avlgov chooses to only fill one spot tonight. Lindsay Broughl selected 4-3 after discussion and narrowing of candidates.
Helene plan passes unanimoulsly.
Handing things over to @matildabliss.bsky.social to cover the next part of the council meeting. #avlgov #avlnews
Support @avlblade.bsky.social and subscribe: patreon.com/AvlBlade
Handing things over to @matildabliss.bsky.social to cover the next part of the council meeting. #avlgov #avlnews
Support @avlblade.bsky.social and subscribe: patreon.com/AvlBlade
Get more from The Asheville Blade on Patreon
creating hard-hitting journalism
patreon.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Thanks @davidforbes.bsky.social . We're onto filling the two spots now available on the planning and zoning commission.
#Avlgov chooses to only fill one spot tonight. Lindsay Broughl selected 4-3 after discussion and narrowing of candidates.
#Avlgov chooses to only fill one spot tonight. Lindsay Broughl selected 4-3 after discussion and narrowing of candidates.
Reposted by The Asheville Blade
These Asheville for All folks are particularly set on magical thinking around housing. They're telling Haw Creek residents to just deal w/ flooding, tree reduction, & the destruction of a wetland to promote an ideology where airbnbs & 2nd, 3rd, & 4th vacation homes just magically don't exist #avlgov
Asheville for All member supporting development, claiming it will help bring down housing costs. Assumption here that new housing units will automatically go to residents, when they've historically been devoured by airbnbs or gentry's second (third, fourth, fifth...) vacation homes #avlgov
November 19, 2025 at 12:16 AM
These Asheville for All folks are particularly set on magical thinking around housing. They're telling Haw Creek residents to just deal w/ flooding, tree reduction, & the destruction of a wetland to promote an ideology where airbnbs & 2nd, 3rd, & 4th vacation homes just magically don't exist #avlgov
Reposted by The Asheville Blade
Of the ways out of the crises we face, here and elsewhere, "unleash the magic powers of the unregulated market" or "elaborate property rules made up by landed gentry" ain't any of them.
November 19, 2025 at 12:20 AM
Of the ways out of the crises we face, here and elsewhere, "unleash the magic powers of the unregulated market" or "elaborate property rules made up by landed gentry" ain't any of them.
Reposted by The Asheville Blade
People being shut out of housing is a major problem, but the expensive units YIMBY groups generally get most enthused about aren't going to go to locals outside the gentty, and it's telling their reps are well-off property owners, not working class locals.
Once more. #avlgov
Once more. #avlgov
Both YIMBY and NIMBY gentry try to co-opt real problems.
Zoning codes *are* drawn by property owners to preserve their power at the expense of renters and marginalized groups. New (almost always luxury) development *does* play a key role in driving out locals and gentrifying neighborhoods. #avlgov
Zoning codes *are* drawn by property owners to preserve their power at the expense of renters and marginalized groups. New (almost always luxury) development *does* play a key role in driving out locals and gentrifying neighborhoods. #avlgov
November 19, 2025 at 12:17 AM
People being shut out of housing is a major problem, but the expensive units YIMBY groups generally get most enthused about aren't going to go to locals outside the gentty, and it's telling their reps are well-off property owners, not working class locals.
Once more. #avlgov
Once more. #avlgov
Reposted by The Asheville Blade
It gives the game away that YIMBY gentry (especially here) generally oppose affordable housing requirements, airbnb bans and any measure that ensures working class has access to newer units
It's because their concern isn't housing, it's developer profits. #avlgov
It's because their concern isn't housing, it's developer profits. #avlgov
November 19, 2025 at 12:11 AM
It gives the game away that YIMBY gentry (especially here) generally oppose affordable housing requirements, airbnb bans and any measure that ensures working class has access to newer units
It's because their concern isn't housing, it's developer profits. #avlgov
It's because their concern isn't housing, it's developer profits. #avlgov
Reposted by The Asheville Blade
Asheville for All member supporting development, claiming it will help bring down housing costs. Assumption here that new housing units will automatically go to residents, when they've historically been devoured by airbnbs or gentry's second (third, fourth, fifth...) vacation homes #avlgov
November 19, 2025 at 12:09 AM
Asheville for All member supporting development, claiming it will help bring down housing costs. Assumption here that new housing units will automatically go to residents, when they've historically been devoured by airbnbs or gentry's second (third, fourth, fifth...) vacation homes #avlgov
Reposted by The Asheville Blade
Barber Melton: "I've watched that creek flood my whole life." Warns about city hall not taking flooding dangers seriously, even after Helene #avlgov
Handing things off to @davidforbes.bsky.social to cover the next part of tonight's meeting.
Thanks for supporting the @avlblade.bsky.social . Covering city hall is one of the main things we do. Support us by subscribing below.
Or make a one time donation paypal.me/AshevilleBlade #avlgov
Thanks for supporting the @avlblade.bsky.social . Covering city hall is one of the main things we do. Support us by subscribing below.
Or make a one time donation paypal.me/AshevilleBlade #avlgov
Get more from The Asheville Blade on Patreon
creating hard-hitting journalism
patreon.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:06 AM
Barber Melton: "I've watched that creek flood my whole life." Warns about city hall not taking flooding dangers seriously, even after Helene #avlgov
Reposted by The Asheville Blade
Tom Hodge, an ecologist, now speaking to address project's danger to wetlands on the project's land.
"I am concerned about reducing the size and thereby the capacity of the flood plain."
Downstream Haw Creek areas would be in greater danger. #avlgov
"I am concerned about reducing the size and thereby the capacity of the flood plain."
Downstream Haw Creek areas would be in greater danger. #avlgov
November 18, 2025 at 11:43 PM
Tom Hodge, an ecologist, now speaking to address project's danger to wetlands on the project's land.
"I am concerned about reducing the size and thereby the capacity of the flood plain."
Downstream Haw Creek areas would be in greater danger. #avlgov
"I am concerned about reducing the size and thereby the capacity of the flood plain."
Downstream Haw Creek areas would be in greater danger. #avlgov
Reposted by The Asheville Blade
Helene, at least a 500 year flood, was the worst to hit Asheville on record. We also had a 100 year flood in 2004. More floods of this sort are sure to hit as climate chaos accelerates. #avlgov
November 18, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Helene, at least a 500 year flood, was the worst to hit Asheville on record. We also had a 100 year flood in 2004. More floods of this sort are sure to hit as climate chaos accelerates. #avlgov
Reposted by The Asheville Blade
"We've got a no clapping rule, except for when it's for our outgoing city manager."
Mayor Esther Manheimer, who repeatedly cites a fictional "no clapping" rule to stop people from supporting criticisms of her and city hall but allows applause when she likes, outright admitted it tonight. #avlgov
Mayor Esther Manheimer, who repeatedly cites a fictional "no clapping" rule to stop people from supporting criticisms of her and city hall but allows applause when she likes, outright admitted it tonight. #avlgov
Manheimer takes a moment to once again trash the first amendment, saying that the audience can clap for the departure of the horrifically classist city manager but can't clap for locals trying to keep their neighborhood from getting wiped out by a flood. More on Manheimer's "clapping rule." #avlgov
The mayor vs. the First Amendment |
ashevilleblade.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:00 AM
"We've got a no clapping rule, except for when it's for our outgoing city manager."
Mayor Esther Manheimer, who repeatedly cites a fictional "no clapping" rule to stop people from supporting criticisms of her and city hall but allows applause when she likes, outright admitted it tonight. #avlgov
Mayor Esther Manheimer, who repeatedly cites a fictional "no clapping" rule to stop people from supporting criticisms of her and city hall but allows applause when she likes, outright admitted it tonight. #avlgov
Reposted by The Asheville Blade
Proposed changes to project mostly center around building an access road. Developer's lawyer characterizes community's desire to keep trees when this first came up in July, 2024 as preposterous. Helene hit just over two months later. Project is at least in part in an 100 yr flood plain #avlgov
November 18, 2025 at 11:15 PM
Proposed changes to project mostly center around building an access road. Developer's lawyer characterizes community's desire to keep trees when this first came up in July, 2024 as preposterous. Helene hit just over two months later. Project is at least in part in an 100 yr flood plain #avlgov