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The Asheville Blade @avlblade.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Two years after Helene, we are still two cities The second anniversary of the storm sees a deeply divided city, between struggling communities still surviving the crises and an elite that's made the aftermath far, far worse. @davidforbes.bsky.social, with our latest: ashevilleblade.com?p=5399

A Blade graphic with the words "Two years after Helene, we are still two cities" over a photo of a flooded river.

In smaller text: Behind the marketing, Asheville remains deeply divided two years after Helene, marked by worsening inequality and a government that has made the aftermath far, far worse

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David Forbes @davidforbes.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

My latest is a hard reality check about the absolute abyss between the gentry-marketed "recovered" Asheville and the actual, struggling city most of us live in. Evictions restarted before the water was even back on and city hall's far more obsessed with spying on locals than aiding them.

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The Asheville Blade @avlblade.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Thanks for following tonight's @avlblade.bsky.social coverage of the Asheville city council meeting. Our entirely trans and working class local media collective depends on your support. Subscribe below Or send us a one-time donation at paypal.me/AshevilleBlade #avlgov

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Manheimer moves to adjourn. Hess reading out reason for #avlgov to move to a closed session. Evidently has to do with property acquisition. That's it yall. Lots of reasons in tonight's meeting to shift the narrative & stop believing city hall's propaganda - around its response to Helene and more.

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Next commenter: "Asheville depends on workers who cannot live here." Asheville workers living elsewhere works "when the gas is cheap." Workers will simply find work closer to where they live. "You funded police vacancies," says commenter. "For the rest of the city's workforce, do the same" #avlgov

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Bobby Skelton notes that #avlgov has refused to answer questions about Flock cameras that are still up and recording information. Also wants to know about Axon cameras that are up and recording. "This technology is dangerous." Maybe you can't "do any better." If so, "You need to be replaced."

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Sharon Summerall of Coalition of Asheville Neighborhoods criticizes #avlgov's process for permitting development at the property where a Costco is slated for construction.

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Next comment concerns Weaver Park, a park which locals have criticized #avlgov for its lack of care for making the space unsafe and inaccessible.

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Next commenter noting that #avlgov's social media disproportionately allowing comments on some of its videos. Notably videos featuring someone such as the police chief making an address do not allow commenting but videos that feature dog parks do. [Hmm, sounds like Manheimer's "no clapping" rule.]

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Next commenter discussing human vs bear safety. "All of this is about safety." Part of campaign to save Dolly the bear from being euthanizing following her injuring a local woman. "I hope that we can make some real change for our community." #avlgov

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Eric Inskip speaking up against prevalence of mold in Asheville's rental housing supply. CDC, EPA, NIH all note a zero tolerance for indoor mold. "Sampling for mold" often flawed. City inspectors downplay and don't appropriately handle the issue. #avlgov

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Next commenter noting bear Dolly being separated from her cubs. "We are the problem." "We know what brings many bears into conflict with people." Commenter asking for bear resistant trashcans and dumpsters. #avlgov

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Liz Thompson of the Beaverdam area noting reality of bear populations in Asheville. "How Asheville handles our urban bear population" a hot topic locally. "Will we be known as a city that immediately euthanizes wildlife?" Asks that #avlgov take aggressive action on behalf of local bears.

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David Forbes @davidforbes.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Reality of Asheville after Helene.

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Commenter: "East Asheville needs help." Helene "a struggle that we are still enduring today." #avlgov

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Comment underscores the fact that #avlgov's video about its Helene response was just some cleverly stated propaganda attempting to hide its uneven response to the catastrophe. "How can you ignore an area where trees and rocks are falling daily?" "The city rarely cleans up the debris."

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Notably, #avlgov has refused to take action to support community while jumping at the sound of go when wealthy business owners in Biltmore Village complained at remained needs there. "What is the city going to do to help you?" was asked of community members. "We are at our wits end."

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

When Councilmember Sage Turner is to your left on funding housing for homeless people, you know you're missing the mark. Hess: "That's my input." Turner: "Received." #avlgov

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David Forbes @davidforbes.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Hess is angry that money's going to something besides more cops and police drones. Notably he was also really enthuasiastic about cracking down on homeless Helene survivors asking for food.

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

These changes to plan for using federal housing dollars for supporting unhoused people come at the same time that Avl police are upping their sweeps of unhoused communities. #Avlgov likes to say one thing & then do another, especially when it concerns a population that is predominantly BIPOC & LGBTQ

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Onto the single public hearing of the night. A substantial amendment to plan for receiving federal housing funds for unhoused folks. #avlgov

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Princess Rebecca Frizzle (she/her) 🏳️‍⚧️💕🦕👸🐱 @rebeccabluestone.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

I had close friends who were evicted and were homeless for a year due to helene. the city doesn't give a fuck.

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The Asheville Blade @avlblade.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

As we saw clearly barely a month after Helene hit, there was a sharp contrast between an incompetent, predatory elite and heroic local communities on the ground. A telling fact: the year after Helene, Asheville's firefighters got a much lower raise than city staff.

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We are two cities | The Asheville Blade

Past the "OneBuncombe" marketing blaring across Asheville, Helene and its aftermath showed, starkly, a hard truth. We are two cities. One ci

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

#Avlgov bsky.app/profile/davi...

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Video notes #avlgov turning "tragedy into opportunity." That's disaster capitalism for ya. And city hall is still plunging ahead with the bare minimum flood plain building standards and prioritizing recovery for tourism hubs such as Biltmore Village over other badly hit areas.

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Consent agenda approved. City manager DK Wesley introduces a propaganda video about Helene. Yeah the storm that #avlgov was unprepared for and responded to pretty badly to it as well.

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Howdy yall. We're started. Here's the video link www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GGr... Councilmembers pledge allegiance to the fascist flag. Mayor Esther Manheimer notes that Councilmember Maggie Ullman is away for a climate justice conference. I sincerely doubt it will make a difference #avlgov

youtube.com

City Council Meeting – September 22, 2026

YouTube video by City of Asheville

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The Asheville Blade @avlblade.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Not the first time the Asheville Police Department's used its drone fleet to surveill a beloved local bookstore simply because they don't like that it's an anarchist co-op. This is what city hall wants more surveillance networks for: to spy on the public. #avlnews

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Firestorm Books @firestorm.coop · 19/09/2026

Government surveillance of our bookstore and its customers isn't new, but local cops have been doing it with drones since at least 2023. The conspicuousness suggests it's primarily intended to harass and intimidate.

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The Asheville Blade @avlblade.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

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The Asheville Blade @avlblade.bsky.social · 11/08/2026

The NC-11 congressional race is turning into a contest over who can be more transphobic. Both Democrat Jamie Ager and Republican Jennifer Balkcom — who replaces the scandal-ridden Rep. Chuck Edwards — are open bigots, calling trans women "men" and supporting anti-trans laws. More, in our latest:

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In NC-11 congressional race, both candidates go for anti-trans hatred | The Asheville Blade

It's bleak that the NC-11 congressional race is turning into a contest over which candidate can be more transphobic. At left are blatantly a

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Like w/ most things, that's ultimately up to us. We keep us safe Tonight's coverage by the @avlblade.bsky.social of the city council meeting comes to you via our 100 percent queer, trans & working class collective. Subscribe below Or send us a one-time donation @ paypal.me/AshevilleBlade #avlgov

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

And that's a wrap yall! Thanks for tuning into tonight's coverage of the Asheville city council meeting. The "no rent for slumlords" ordinance passes (though it was heavily weakened by staff). We'll see if it makes a difference in a city where safe housing is increasingly difficult to find #avlgov

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Manheimer ridiculously says that bears are invading human areas (rather than the other way around). Turner wants to see bear proofing Asheville as priority in next budget (aside from giving more money to cops and high level staff of course - her annual priorities) #avlgov

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Manheimer brings up bears ripping off gas lines at houses. Bears are the orcas of Appalachia! 🥲 #avlgov

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

After Hess brings up homeless people in West Asheville, Vice Mayor Antanette Mosley brings up recent encounter w homeless person downtown, trying to claim that houseless people are just randomly refusing services - a common bigoted trope. And both councilmembers have furthered gentrification #avlgov

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Public comment concludes. Hess brings up treatment of bears, vaguely requesting more bear resistant design and accountability for those who recklessly feed bears human food. #avlgov

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Turner bringing up (alleged) reality that invasive species claim more land every year than new developments. If only new unaffordable developments were as easy to get rid of as invasive plants #avlgov

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David Forbes @davidforbes.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Sigh. Asheville city hall, y'all.

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Next commenter discusses tree health in Haw Creek Park. Invasive plants are choking native trees, and commenter says the problem needs to be remedied immediately #avlgov Proposes a plan for addressing invasive plant growth.

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Commenter at least does express not wanting a business improvement district in West Asheville and wants more nonviolent deescalation strategies deployed in West Asheville. At least she isn't just pushing incarceration and displacement #avlgov

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Next commenter rants about homeless people in West Asheville #avlgov Expresses some bigotry here and there, but does bring up some of the ways that the downtown business improvement district and interstate construction have pushed houseless people into more public areas in West Asheville.

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Holt: "over 300 hundred applicants are on the waitlist" for bear resistant trashcans. #avlgov

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Lauren Holt speaking in support of local bears. "I find it maddening" that #avlgov will not include bear resistant design on its trash cans. They bring up the old saying, "A fed bear is a dead bear." Saying bears are being poisoned by human food as well.

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Paul Howell speaking out in support of bus riders trying to navigate an underfunded transit system. Bus riders are denied rides if barely missing bus, but drivers spend loads of time parked while on route #avlgov

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Next commenter also speaking up for bears. Saying that environments around bears have changed without bears in mind. Brings up bear cubs crying for their mom - sought for euthanizing after injuring a woman - while caught in a trap #avlgov

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Onto general public comment. First commenter is encouraging more ways to curtail free meals for bears around town after a bear recently entered a local home and injured a woman. Proposes bear-resistant design on garbage cans #avlgov

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Matilda Bliss @matildabliss.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Heavily weakened version of the "no rent for slumlords" ordinance passes unanimously. Ordinance may improved living conditions for some, but with how notoriously pro-landlord inspectors are and incredible pressure on tenants to endure cruel landlords, much more is required to support tenants #avlgov

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