Citizen Committees

HHS Board Proposes Controversial Harm Reduction Program

By Jim Fulton April 10, 2024Citizen Committees

At the Buncombe County Health and Human Services Board meeting held virtually on February 23, 2024, significant discussions unfolded regarding various updates and proposals. Among the topics, the most contentious…

Human Relations Commission of Asheville: September 21 Meeting Overview

By Jim Fulton September 23, 2023Citizen Committees

Meetings for the Human Relations Commission of Asheville occur bi-monthly, specifically in January, March, May, July, September, and November. Unless stated otherwise, they are scheduled from 6:00 p.m. to 7:30…

Local Government Boards: A Training Ground for Future Leaders

By Jim Fulton August 5, 2023Citizen Committees

Local government boards have a significant impact on public policy. They are populated by elected officials who claim to seek the voice of the people, and their recommendations often become…

Coming Soon: Hairstyle Discrimination Ordinance

By Jim Fulton July 30, 2023Citizen Committees

The Human Relations Commission of Asheville (HRCA) is a group of individuals who have been appointed by the City Council to advise on matters of equity and inclusion. Ironically, the…

Is There a Bias Against Conservatives on Local Boards?

By Jim Fulton June 30, 2023Citizen Committees

Most, if not all, local government boards and commissions here are primarily comprised of liberals. It is difficult to say for sure why this is the case. There could be…

Drag Queen Book Will Stay on BunCo Library Shelves

By Jim Fulton June 30, 2023Citizen Committees

How many of you pay attention to the Buncombe County Library Advisory Board? At their October meeting, the board voted to keep the children's book If You're a Drag Queen…

HRCA Meeting Recap for May 16, 2023

By Jim Fulton May 21, 2023Citizen Committees

The meeting was called to order by Alayna Schmidt, a City of Asheville Equity & Inclusion Analyst. Staff Update Schmidt reported that the HRCA's recommendation to adopt an ordinance based…

Accepted Narratives and Unasked Questions

By Doug Brown October 23, 2022Citizen Committees, Homeless

Why do we accept the narratives of a nonprofit? Where is the proof?

The Summer of AHAC

By Doug Brown October 2, 2022Affordable Housing, Citizen Committees1 Comment

This report is for Asheville’s Affordable Housing Advisory Committee (AHAC) meetings in July and August. Some developments, projects, financing, and zoning issues are covered. The Committee tries to check the…

Aug 26 Homeless Initiative Advisory Committee

By Doug Brown September 13, 2022Citizen Committees, Homeless1 Comment

Kristi Schulenbury and Josua Johnson from the National Alliance to End Homelessness (Homeless Response Crisis System) attended as they did last month. Their presentation was mainly a defense of the…