‘Swingin’ Little Christmas’ fires up holiday spirits — See REVIEW, Pg. B1
Fryar win? Razor-thin
Possible hate crimes at WWC investigated
— See Story, Pg. A2
See Story, Pg. A5
LLE I V HE AS ASHEVILLEʼS GREATEST NEWSPAPER
January 2017 Vol. 13, No. 02
An Independent Newspaper Serving Greater Asheville www.ashevilledailyplanet.com FREE
28th annual Christmas Jam sparkles
Asheville wins court reversal in water fight From Staff Reports
Special photos by Michael Weintrob / WeintrobPhotography.com
The 28th annual Warren Haynes Christmas Jam ushered in the holiday spirit and featured a constellation of musical stars on Dec. 10 at the U.S. Cellular Center in downtown Asheville. The sold-out event was a benefit for Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity for the 18th year in a row. The proceeds go toward constructing energy-efficient new houses as well as purchasing and developing land for entire Habitat subdivisions. Top left are Warren Haynes and Don Was. Top right are Allison Krauss and Bob Weir. Bottom right are Haynes, Steve Kimock and Bob Weir. Bottom left are George Porter Jr., Terrence Higgins and Branford Marsalis.
The state Supreme Court issued a 5-2 ruling on Dec. 21 that allows Asheville to maintain control of Western North Carolina’s biggest water system. The court overturned a Court of Appeals ruling favoring the state General Assembly and its 2013 law to strip Asheville of the water system. After learning of the decision, Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer was delighted, saying it allows the city to maintain “robust” water services. “This ruling ensures that Asheville can continue to own this great water system and continue to provide safe drinking water for years into the future,” Manheimer said. The local top-notch water quality has been praised by industries, particularly breweries, in deciding to locate in the Asheville area. Meanwhile, state Rep. Chuck McGrady, R-Hendersonville, said the court decision may not be the final word and that there may be other ways to restrict — at least somewhat — the city’s control. “As I’ve said in the past, there are more than one way to skin a cat,” McGrady said. The city originally had sued to block a bill passed by state lawmakers that would have forced the transfer of the water system from the city to a regional water authority. Former GOP state Rep. Tim Moffitt, R-Arden, backed HB 488 in 2012, which proposed the transfer of the water system, which had been operated and maintained by Asheville for more than a century. Moffitt had argued that the regional authority would better serve the system’s 125,000 customers. However, the bill offered Asheville no compensation and no money — and many voters reportedly were not supportive of it. In overturning the legislature’s action, judicial arguments revolved around technical details of whether the 2013 legislation was a local law relating to “health and sanitation,” something prohibited by the state constitution. The court decision cut across political lines, favoring Asheville, governed by Democrats, over the GOP-dominated legislature. The current court (while officially nonpartisan) has four Republican members and three Democrats. The water system litigation showcased the general friction between the liberal City of Asheville and the mostly conservative General Assembly, caused by a series of state laws aimed at reducing the power of Asheville and other cities.
Lonely Planet names Asheville top U.S. destination for ‘17
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From Staff Reports
he travel guidebook publisher Lonely Planet has selected Asheville as No. 1 on its top 10 U.S. travel destinations for 2017. “The vibrant small city is known for its welcoming, creative spirit and eclectic architecture,” Lonely Planet’s travel experts said of Asheville in its news release. “Its thriving artistic community and booming food and drink scene – all surrounded by spectacular natural beauty – is putting it firmly on the map.” Following in second place is Western Washington, where
iconic landscapes made their way into popular consciousness in “Twin Peaks,” the television drama making a comeback in 2017. In third place is heartland hub Lincoln, Nebraska, hosting festivals throughout the year to celebrate its 150th anniversary. Other notable or surprising places that made the list include the southern desert area of California (No. 4), Texas’ relatively unknown wine country (No. 8) and a picture-perfect strip of Florida coast (No. 10). Asheville won the top designation — despite HB2, a state law limiting LGBT rights that has led companies, entertainers and others to boycott the state — because the city “has always been an open, welcoming place, and con-
tinues to be after the legislation,” Lonely Planet magazine managing editor Rebecca Warren said. She added that “while Lonely Planet doesn’t condone the political exclusion of others,” Asheville “thrives on diversity and tolerance. The city has many LGBT-owned businesses and there has been an outpouring of support this year for its LGBT communities, including signs cropping up around the city saying ‘Y’all means all.’” Lonely Planet said, “With its homegrown microbreweries, decadent chocolate shops and stylish New Southern eateries, Asheville is one of the trendiest small cities in the East.”