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Reposted by Matilda Bliss

David Forbes @davidforbes.bsky.social · 15h

Manheimer recently openly thanked Kristi Noem in an official city statement. It is indeed a disgrace. #avlgov

Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 15h

Commenter asks #avlgov if they "have one thing to say about" what city hall will do to prevent people posing as ICE agents from kidnapping locals. Manheimer scolds him for asking questions.

"Every single one of yall is a disgrace," says commenter.

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 15h

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Thanks yall and have a good night!

#avlgov

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 15h

Thanks for following tonight's coverage of the #avlgov city council meeting. However terrible this govt is, it's good to recognize the fissures between elected officials & the clear oversteps by the local gentry when they occur.

May we make our city ever less hospitable to fascists big and small.

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 15h

Mayoral candidate Roney speaks to wave of fascism from federal officials.

"Asking us to do what we can is exactly" what is needed.

Thanks locals who are speaking up.

Manheimer, who recently explicitly thanked the fascist Kristi Noem, adjourns the meeting without comment #avlgov

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 15h

Next commenter also addressing local ICE activity. Speaks of friend's Brown child being asked to carry identification on him at all times in order to prevent kidnappings by ICE agents.

"It's profiling. It's racism."

"It makes me sad to call Asheville home." #avlgov

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 15h

Commenter asks #avlgov if they "have one thing to say about" what city hall will do to prevent people posing as ICE agents from kidnapping locals. Manheimer scolds him for asking questions.

"Every single one of yall is a disgrace," says commenter.

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 15h

Next commenter: "I hope you're getting the real news."

Asks what #avlgov is doing to protect locals from fascist feds violating due process right specifically.

"ICE is in your town. I know yall know that."

"You're police officers are supposed to ask [masked ICE agents] for identification."

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 15h

Next commenter is 12 years old, speaks out against the tide of fascism ordered by federal government officials.

"Take action to protect our citizens." #avlgov

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 15h

Last commenter's child also criticizing lack of speed limit signage in the river arts district #avlgov

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 15h

Riverfront redevelopment commission member is talking about traffic safety in the river arts district #avlgov

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 15h

Thanks @davidforbes.bsky.social

Still on open public comment, Nina Tovish asks #avlgov to clarify how its determining who will be brought onto the Helene Recovery Board.

"I think it would be great for the public to see how you all work."

David Forbes @davidforbes.bsky.social · 15h

Turning things over to @matildabliss.bsky.social to cover this last stretch of the Asheville city council meeting. #avlgov

To support this live coverage, and everything else @avlblade.bsky.social does, subscribe: patreon.com/AvlBlade

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 16h

Handing things over to @davidforbes.bsky.social to cover the comment on this item.

Thanks for supporting our local leftist news co-op. We are a collective made up entirely of working class trans and nonbinary people.

Support us by subscribing below.

Or donate at paypal.me/ashevilleblade #avlgov

creating hard-hitting journalism

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 16h

Councilmember Sage Turner makes a joke about the Weenie Walk. "Maybe we could start a rumor" about what it's really about - as if downtown being ever less tolerable is some sort of joke #avlgov

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 16h

Smith asks what is done when Asheville police don't have the coverage to have cops at raucous events that supposedly "activate" downtown Asheville.

Apparently, if Asheville police can't have sufficient officers on site, sheriff deputies evidently will be on hand. #avlgov

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 16h

Examples of who gets to be loud and drunk in downtown Asheville #avlgov

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 16h

Proposal to change the noise ordinance during certain events, allowing them to be louder.

Yet additional evidence that wealthy (white) tourists enjoying loud events = okay, fine, even wonderful!

Local BIPOC, queer, and trans people enjoying a night with friends = send the riot squad #avlgov

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 17h

Roney: "I'm a big fan of 'open streets.'"

And yet she's voted for two police budget expansions #avlgov

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 17h

#Avlgov bsky.app/profile/davi...

David Forbes @davidforbes.bsky.social · 17h

I've lived downtown for nearly two decades. It's truly a mystery why locals are hesitant to come to a place with drunk, bigoted tourists, no places to sit, constant police surveillance and, sometimes, pepper balls if the cops don't like the look of your group. Just a total enigma. #avlgov

Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 17h

Onto "Downtown Activation Strategy," opening up "social district" pilot program, as if downtown Asheville needs more drunken tourists #avlgov

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 17h

A little more info on #Avlgov priorities via these changes:

bsky.app/profile/avlb...

The Asheville Blade @avlblade.bsky.social · 18h

Regular Asheville city council meeting begins at 5. @matildabliss.bsky.social and @davidforbes.bsky.social will cover live.

Main items are "downtown activatiom strategies." Apparently cops not pelting local bargoers with chemical weapons wasn't on the list. #avlgov #avlnews

A. Downtown Activation Strategies Presentation

Open Streets Mini-Grants (no Council action required)
Central Business District Food Trucks Pilot (no Council action required)
Ordinance amending Section 10-88 (Noise Regulations) regarding increasing the event days of a Level 3 sound exceedance permit from 30 to 50 event days for a pilot program period with a sunset date of December 31, 2026.

Ordinance amending Chapter 11 of the Code of Ordinances to establish a downtown event-based Social District Pilot Program for specified special events taking place in the South Slope during calendar year 2026.

Screenshot of a WLOS 13 report: "APD said LRADs and pepperballs have been used five times in the past year on Lexington Avenue...

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 17h

Onto "Downtown Activation Strategy," opening up "social district" pilot program, as if downtown Asheville needs more drunken tourists #avlgov

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 17h

Changes to height requirement for property near McCormick field passes unanimously #avlgov

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 17h

Public Hearing amending Haw Creek Rd development continued to Oct 28.

Onto Public Hearing A considering changes to McCormick Field project, which will require amendments to changes things like height limit (so #avlgov can conform to Major League Baseball requests).

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 17h

Councilmember Kim Roney says many in community consider current trajectory to be flawed. Will support it anyway.

Passes 5-2 with Vice Mayor Antanette Mosley and Councilmember Sheneika Smith the nays #avlgov

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 17h

Consent agenda passes.

Discussion of Item M concerning Malvern Hills Pool redesign.

Manheimer acknowledging the extent to which #avlgov has deviated from original plan to replace Malvern Hills Pool with an "in kind pool." Supports proposal to design current plans.

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 17h

Next commenter also criticizing survey to determine redesign of Malvern Hills Pool.

"What our community really wants is for the pool to reopen."

Original design had reopening happening as much as a year after community wishes it to #avlgov

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