Mission signs pact to be sold
‘British Invasion’ salute enchants
See STORY, Pg. A2
— See REVIEW, Pg. B1
Author tells of Swayze’s everlasting impact — See AUTHOR’S SPEECH, Pg. B1
LLE I V HE AS ASHEVILLEʼS GREATEST NEWSPAPER
October 2018 Vol. 14, No. 11
An Independent Newspaper Serving Greater Asheville www.ashevilledailyplanet.com FREE
World Equestrian Games persevere
2 sheriff’s candidates square off for 1st time By JOHN NORTH
john@AshevilleDailyPlanet.com
Photo from TRYON INTERNATIONAL CENTER website
The Tryon World Equestrian Games, which were held Sept. 11-23 at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in Mill Spring, had many bright spots, including the action shown above, but attendance was less than expected. Organizers blaming the turnout on fears spurred by the approach of Hurricane Florence. The WEG is billed as one of the biggest events on the global sporting calendar, combining eight equestrian World Championship caliber events in a pre-determined location every four years in the middle of the Olympic cycle.
See story on Page A6
Flirtatious woman has swarm feelings
Q: I’ve been flirting with two guys all year. I feel a connection and chemistry with both, but neither’s asked me out yet. This weekend, I’m attending a going-away party of a grad student we all know, and I’m nervous that they’ll both show up and ask me out. (There’s also a third guy who seems interested.) What should I do? I wouldn’t want to be one of somebody’s many options. — Feeling Unfair Want to know the answer? See ADVICE GODDESS, Page A14
The Advice Goddess Amy Alkon
Two of the three candidates for sheriff of Buncombe County held their first debate over the issues and fielded questions during an early-morning meeting of the Council of Independent Business Owners on Sept. 7 at UNC Asheville’s Sherrill Center. An unusually large turnout of about 75 CIBO members, guests and the general public attended the almost one-hour session that featured candidates Shad Higgins, a Republican who is a tire salesman; and Quentin Miller, a Democrat who just retired after working 24 years with the Asheville Police Department. A third sheriff’s candidate Tracey DeBruhl, who is running as a Libertarian, did not appear. Instead, he was arrested the previous day by Madison County Sheriff’s deputies on charges of misdemeanor stalking (of) and second-degree trespass” in connection with a Mars Hill woman. CIBO promotions of the debate never mentioned DeBruhl, a retired U.S. Marine, who is a business-owner and contractor — and a CIBO spokesman told the Daily Planet on Sept. 20 that DeBruhl was not invited to the debate because CIBO leaders did not consider him a bonafide candidate. The choice for sheriff will be made in a Nov. 6 general election. The current sheriff, Van Duncan, a Democrat, previously announced that he is retiring when his term ends, and, therefore, not seeking re-election. Duncan has served as sheriff for 12 years. The Higgins-Miller clash, the first of CIBO’s 2018 candidate debate series, was — for the most part — relatively tame, except when Higgins inferred that Miller was not qualified to serve as sheriff. When each man was requested to ask to offer up a question of his opponent, Higgins first thanked “Mr. Miller for serving in the military — and as a police officer.” Then, Higgins said that “Buncombe County cannot afford someone who” has the problems that he said Mr. Miller has.” See SHERIFF’S CANDIDATES, Page A12
4 candidates for House seats take jabs in debate
By JOHN NORTH
john@AshevilleDailyPlanet.com
SWANNANOA — The four candidates for two seats in the General Assembly thrashed it out verbally during a debate Sept. 20 during a luncheon meeting of the Council of Independent Business Owners at the Land of Sky Shrine Club. About 50 people attended the hour-long debate that was part of CIBO’s series in which each candidate gave a 2-minute opening statement, six or seven preselected questions from CIBO members were asked by CIBO moderator Buzzy Can-
naday and, finally, questions were asked by meeting attendees. The District 115 candidates included Rep. John Ager, Democrat, and Republican challenger Amy Evans. For District 116, the featured candidates were Rep. Brian Turner, Democrat, and Republican challenger Marilyn Brown. In her opening statement, Brown noted that she has been married 29 years and has three children. “My husband flies for Delta Airlines.” Brown described herself as “a retired music teacher,” who is “very active in her community... I’m thrilled to be running.” Her opponent, Turner began by noting, “When I first came
to CIBO, some people told me it’s not friendly toward Democrats.” As he discovered from his attendance of and participation in CIBO sessions in the past several years, “nothing could be further from the truth… CIBO’s about business — it’s not about Republicans; it’s not about Democrats.” Turner added, “I also know the people in this room think beyond their businesses, but also about their communities,” otherwise they would not be participating in CIBO. “We’ve got to look at regulations to make sure we’ve got good ones in place. Everything needs to be seen in balance.... See HOUSE SEATS, Page A7