The Asheville Blade

Since our publication uses "gentry" quite a bit, and has intentionally tried to popularize it over the years, here's a useful quick thread about why.

Since our publication uses "gentry" quite a bit, and has intentionally tried to popularize it over the years, here's a useful quick thread about why.

Photograph showing a funeral attended by members of the Asheville Police Department and of the Ku Klux Klan. Photo shows 24 hooded and robed Klansmen, around casket. In Western NC in the 1920s, the Klan functioned not only as a white supremacist group, but also as a social and civic organization. Based on the location and identification of unmasked photograph subjects, this was the funeral of police officer Henry P. Jones, January 16, 1926, at the Green Hills Cemetery in West Asheville. Jones served on the Asheville police force for 25 years.

Green Man Brewing missed an opportunity to use this photo from 1926, which gives a pretty clear idea about the founding of the esteemed Asheville Police Department.

The Asheville area is still a disaster zone. #avlnews

Establishment media here has largely taken city hall's propaganda on this at face value. But as with the threatened destruction of the Five Points forest, reality on the ground tells a different story.

This is corruption. This is Asheville. Do not forgive and do not forget. #avlnews

They obediently did so after Mayor Esther Manheimer demanded they show the city a "leadership that is in lock-step in terms of making hard decisions for our community."

Hard for the rest of us, not for them... #avlnews

Notably, all three of those are funded by a major tax hike on locals struggling after Helene, passed on June 10.

Every single city council member (including, after some token hand-wringing, Kim Roney) supported this blatant extraction to appease the wealthy. #avlnews

A single official, city manager Debra Campbell, is set to get more this year than the land trust.

Increases to the police department, and to bolster city hall's massive reserves that are just sitting there unused in the post-Helene crisis, vastly eclipse what goes to the land trust. #avlnews

Asheville Blade graphic with the word "FACTS" in large letters and a faded image of Asheville city hall in the background and the following text: $250,000 To help community land trust save two properties from gentrification $284,000 City manager's salary, with major raise funded by major tax hike on locals $2.1 million This year's increase in APD budget, funded by major tax hike on locals $27.2 million City hall reserves, just sitting there after Helene, funded by major tax hike on locals Does something seem off here?

Asheville Blade graphic with the word "FACTS" in large letters at the top and the following text: Numbers are revealing things. On June 10 every Asheville city council member obediently followed Mayor Esther Manheimer's orders and voted for a budget with an 8% tax hike to appease wealthy investors, shovel even more cash to the cops and give City manager Debra Campbell yet another massive raise. Meanwhile the land trust, one of the only good things local government funds, gets less than Campbell's salary. This is corrupt. This is Asheville.

Numbers are revealing things. This week Asheville city council backed $250,000 to save two properties from gentrification.

The funds go to the land trust, one of the few good things local governments support. But everywhere else they're putting their money offers some sharp contrasts. 🧵 #avlnews

Establishment media here has largely taken city hall's propaganda on this at face value. But as with the threatened destruction of the Five Points forest, reality on the ground tells a different story.

This is corruption. This is Asheville. Do not forgive and do not forget. #avlnews

They obediently did so after Mayor Esther Manheimer demanded they show the city a "leadership that is in lock-step in terms of making hard decisions for our community."

Hard for the rest of us, not for them... #avlnews

Notably, all three of those are funded by a major tax hike on locals struggling after Helene, passed on June 10.

Every single city council member (including, after some token hand-wringing, Kim Roney) supported this blatant extraction to appease the wealthy. #avlnews

A single official, city manager Debra Campbell, is set to get more this year than the land trust.

Increases to the police department, and to bolster city hall's massive reserves that are just sitting there unused in the post-Helene crisis, vastly eclipse what goes to the land trust. #avlnews

Asheville Blade graphic with the word "FACTS" in large letters and a faded image of Asheville city hall in the background and the following text: $250,000 To help community land trust save two properties from gentrification $284,000 City manager's salary, with major raise funded by major tax hike on locals $2.1 million This year's increase in APD budget, funded by major tax hike on locals $27.2 million City hall reserves, just sitting there after Helene, funded by major tax hike on locals Does something seem off here?

Asheville Blade graphic with the word "FACTS" in large letters at the top and the following text: Numbers are revealing things. On June 10 every Asheville city council member obediently followed Mayor Esther Manheimer's orders and voted for a budget with an 8% tax hike to appease wealthy investors, shovel even more cash to the cops and give City manager Debra Campbell yet another massive raise. Meanwhile the land trust, one of the only good things local government funds, gets less than Campbell's salary. This is corrupt. This is Asheville.

Numbers are revealing things. This week Asheville city council backed $250,000 to save two properties from gentrification.

The funds go to the land trust, one of the few good things local governments support. But everywhere else they're putting their money offers some sharp contrasts. 🧵 #avlnews

Since this, sadly, needs repeating in plenty of other cities too.

That concludes informal public commenter.

Roney asks staff what amount of the urban forestry commission fee in lieu has accumulated via the destruction of the tree canopy or refusal to add to the tree canopy on a given development. Staff mumbles that they'll work on it.

Meeting adjourned #avlgov

UNC alumnus Benjamin Gilliam brings up that urban forest is "an ideal location for a public park," touching on the fact that the 5 Points neighborhood lacks a city park.

"Thousands of Asheville residents and voters are rallying to protect this forest."

#avlgov

Next commenter rails against UNCA plans to bulldoze and pave over an urban forest. Pushes back on #avlgov replies to forest supporters correspondence claiming that UNCA has unquestioned jurisdiction over the land.

"We are the public," they say bringing up that UNCA is a public funded entity

Next commenter: "Never in my life have I seen such a united front" against UNCA's proposed bulldozing of the urban forest.

Many are criticizing UNCA's phony "community listening sessions" that artificially limited participation.

"I urge you to do what you can to negotiate with UNCA" #avlgov

David Walton also criticizes UNCA who "already has a soccer field."

"This is a shady deal. This is a bad deal. This is a bad deal for Asheville, and it's a bad deal for UNCA." #avlgov

Thanks @davidforbes.bsky.social , Madeline Serber, a UNCA student, continues string of comments railing at UNCA for its proposed bulldozing of the experimental forest in 5 Points to build a soccer stadium monstrosity.

"UNC Asheville has prioritized short term economic gain" over students #avlgov

Next speaker: Since public opposition has grown, some Asheville city council members have reached out and claimed they have little power.

"I do not believe this is the case...we demand more than words of support."

(This is correct. "We're powerless" is common council excuse for inaction) #avlgov

Omar Ponce: destruction of forest "an attack on our community."

"Act with such impunity because they know they can go to their condos and escape accountability." Similar projects have collapsed.

"All they know is money." #avlgov

Andrew Knowles: Even "from a tourism perspective" destroying the forest is damaging, as people come here for natural spaces.

The unaffordable housing built on it won't help housing crisis. #avlgov

Notably UNCA is teaming up with Asheville Soccer Club to push the stadium, rapidly becoming one of the most hated groups in the city.

Next speaker: "Prioritizing a 5,000 seat stadium isn't just out of touch, it's insulting" in the aftermath of Helene when people desperately need relief #avlgov

Rayburn talking about how UNCA students and locals have rallied to oppose destruction of the forest, which is "a slap in the face to Asheville." #avlgov

Any project as massive as the stadium would need city zoning approval/infrastructure support. So if Asheville city hall opposed publicly, would be a serious obstacle #avlgov

Heather Rayburn, speaking for group of forest supporters, noting multiple species in forest, including an endangered one. "This is a crime against democracy...UNCA lied to us."

To city council: "You've got a lot of power over this." #avlgov

The center of the city was comparatively less damaged by Helene. The push to annihilate the UNCA forest makes the area a lot more vulnerable to flooding, landslides and runoff #avlgov

Open public comment. Multiple speakers here to demand Asheville city hall take action against UNCA destroying massive forest for a soccer stadium and development.

Speaker noting even "faculty and staff were not consulted." Chancellor's been repeatedly dishonest. #avlgov