“After the challenges Asheville (and America) have faced in recent months, I hope more families will consider hosting an international exchange student and experience the connections that come from opening their homes.”
Letter: Protect UNCA’s urban forest
“We urge UNCA to pause all work immediately. Let’s collaborate on a plan that balances financial needs with preserving this invaluable green space for future generations.”
Chalk it up
Letter: Let’s be ‘Asheville Smart’
“Maybe if we were ‘Asheville Smart,’ we could create a more equitable and a more sustainable culture to replace the inequitable and unsustainable parts of our culture that got washed away.”
Letter: Stressed out by Social Security cuts
“The stress caused by the uncertainty of not being able to rely on a program I’ve contributed to my entire working life is unconscionable.”
Letter: Save our neighborhood’s woods
“Please protect the woods for the animals that live there and for the humans that enjoy them. Please preserve our ecosystem.”
Letter: Use habitat restoration to reverse destruction
“For example, 90% of the parking lot at the outlet mall is not being used.”
Letter: Closing federal offices cuts access to resources
“Closing Social Security offices and U.S. Department of Agriculture offices in WNC makes it impossible for our communities to access programs that are meant to be available to them, in some cases critical financial programs that are meant to be there to sustain them.”
Reaping season
Letter: BCS needs to radically change weather policy
“The merest appearance of the possibility of theoretical danger or liability does not justify Buncombe County’s kids missing hours of real instruction.”
Letter: Worried about DOGE tinkering with Social Security
“I actually downloaded my work history from the Social Security site and saved a copy because I don’t trust these DOGEs.”
Developing plans
Letter: Reconsider I-26 Connector project
“The whole Interstate 26 Connector project should be both reconsidered and possibly redesigned with probable future flooding put into the mix.”
Letter: Layoffs put WNC’s forests at risk
“While political polarization may have soared to extreme levels over recent years, I hope most of us here in WNC can agree that we want to protect — not develop — our forests.”
Letter: We need smarter school snow-day policies
“While safety is paramount, the current system of blanket school closures is failing our kids and families.”
The case for open minds and innovation in education
“Let’s prioritize the educational needs of our students over political divisions and embrace the opportunities that charter schools and other forms of public education offer.”
Therapy session
Letter: Better things to do than babysit trash company
“I know we have been through a lot recently, and I have been very patient, but I’m sick of the half-assery that has become prevalent in our society.”
Letter: Federal budget cuts would impact my family
“I have a large immediate family living within Rep. Chuck Edwards’ District 11. Two of us are on Social Security and Medicare. Cuts to those programs will certainly impact us.”
Letter: Community’s strength shows after Helene
“I saw a real strength in the community of Asheville, and I’m happy that I got to watch people lift each other up in times of crisis rather than tear each other down.”
