Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
Election 2006
WLOSers reported on Tuesday’s primary election, but had few results to share, at least in their home county of Buncombe.
Poll workers were working late into the night to sort and county paper ballots. Voters used paper because the county couldn’t get its act together in time to buy new voting machines. So Cherub Charu did the story, but didn’t say much else. She said voter turnout was low, but she didn’t have any stats. And she quotes some old people, who actually said they like the paper because the machines can be confusing.
Peeper
WLOSers actually led the late edition of the news with Jon “Punnyman” Le’s sensational story about a guy caught peeping into the women’s restroom from the ceiling of the Ingles grocery in Bryson City. Diva Darcel introduced the report by saying that one shopper “got more than she bargained for” during her trip to the store. Give me a break.
Le said that Sunday night (wait, today is Tuesday – this is still news?) a guy appeared to be shopping, then disappeared. The cops think he went into the men’s bathroom, then climbed up into the ceiling and positioned himself over the women’s bathroom. A woman in the restroom heard heavy breathing, called an employee and they caught a 20-year-old man with ceiling tile dust on him.
The cops said a 5-year-old girl was in the bathroom about the time they think the guy was peeping, so charges might be upgraded.
Liquor by the drink in Woodfin?
Larry “Gloryhole” Blunt said voter turnout in the town of Woodfin was 10 percent higher than the rest of Buncombe County because there was a liquor-by-the-drink referendum on the ballot. Voters were also asked if they wanted an ABC store in the town.
Larry didn’t have results, of course, because of the paper ballot issue, he said.
Liquor by the drink in Sylva
Meantime over in Sylva, voters approved liquor by the drink, 257 to 182. Some local businesses were worried that big chains would move in and put the local folks out of business, according to WLOSers. Too late now.
Buncombe County sheriff’s election
WLOSers reminded us that there were still no results in the race for Buncombe County sheriff because paper ballots were still being counted. Six Democrats were vying for the chance to face Sheriff Bobby Medford in November.
Henderson County sheriff’s race
In Henderson County’s Republican primary for sheriff, Rick Davis was leading over Ken Griffin by a few hundred votes, WLOSers said.
Jackson County sheriff’s race
On sheriff’s race that was decided was the Jackson County race, where *Russ “Beefcake” Bowen told us that Sheriff Jimmy Ashe retained his seat over challenger Jim Cruzan. This was a Democratic primary, but with not Republican challenger signed up to run, Ashe’s election is final. Ashe won 3,520 votes to Cruzan’s 1,388.
Russ filed a weak report, though. Russ said the race it was a “vicious and hard-nosed race by any standard,” but never explained what that meant. What were the issues? Was there negative campaigning? We can’t tell from Russ’ weak reporting. He said turnout was light.
The Taylor, Shuler race
WLOSers buried news about the highest profile race in the mountains, the Republican and Democratic primary races for U.S. Rep. Charles Taylor and his challenger, former pro footballer Heath Shuler. Both crushed their primary opponents. All WLOS did was show the two going to cast votes for themselves. They quoted Taylor saying something about getting Iraqi police trained to keep the peace in Iraq, while Shuler said the big issue in his race was political corruption.
Flight 93 memorial funding
WLOSers reported that Universal Pictures decided to donate more than a million dollars toward a Flight 93 memorial in Pennsylvania. Families of the victims of that doomed flight say they hope the money will ease concerns of Taylor, who has blocked federal funding of a memorial over concerns that taxpayers will get stuck forking over millions for construction and upkeep.
391st soldiers come home
That was the gist of the report – soldiers with the 391st Engineering Battalion were welcomed at Trinity Baptist Church. Lots of tears and hugs for the soldiers of the unit, which lost four soldiers to a roadside bomb.
Grove Park Inn expansion
WLOSers had an update about construction plans on property next to the Grove Park Inn. The city had previously approved plans, but the construction got a little bigger, WLOSers said. The Grove Park wants to demolish the Battle House and build 30 condos on the side of the mountain. The Battle House is the former location of News 13’s studios.
Deputy dog retiring
Buncombe County commissioners formally retired a working police dog. Lobo, 11, has arthritis in his hip. Commissioners approved selling the dog to its handler for one dollar. The dog had been with the sheriff’s department for six years.
Ash, a friend of mine told me Carolyn Ryan is an intern WLOS is letting be on the air? Is that true? If it is you can tell by her girlishness.
She needs to go back to school. Girl’s not up to par with the rest of the gang. Which isn’t saying much.