Jason Sandford
Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.
Some of what’s going around to start this week:
–Construction at Enka Center, a long-awaited development in western Buncombe County, should get rolling later this year or early next year, with first-phase plans calling for the construction of 1588,000square feet of retail space, reports loyal reader Daniel. He cites this website announcement of the project. A Walmart and a movie theater are possibilities, he reports.
A group called Fletcher Partners purchased about 200 acres of property, formerly the BASF/Enka manufacturing complex, in 2008 and gained city approval for developing the property in 2010. There’s been little action since. The main entrance to the proposed new development will be from Highway 19/23 and will feature a new five-lane bridge over Hominy Creek, as well as railroad tracks into the property, according to the Enka Center website.
Plans also include a future county recreation area, retail outlets, restaurants, medical/office buildings, and a credit union, which is already open, according to the website. The county recreational area plans have faced scrutiny this spring as construction on that part of the project nears, the Asheville Citizen-Times reported earlier this year.
–Dunkin’ Donuts is coming to 328 New Leicester Highway, according to the same loyal reader, Daniel.
–Sovereign Remedies is now serving brunch on Saturdays and Sundays starting at 9 a.m.
–MG Road is closing for renovations from July 31 through Aug. 5.
-There’s a meet-up of Rolls Royce owners in Asheville this week.
–Imladris Farm, known for its delicious jams and preserves, has started making a Smoked Ketchup. The product is made from tomatoes sourced from Wilson Family Farms and smoked at Hickory Nut Gap Farms, before being processed in the Imladris Farm kitchen, reports Food Life magazine.
-The Hendersonville Times-News reports that the new public access point on the French Broad River at the intersection of Highway 64 and Cummings Road has only been open for just over a week, but it’s already making an impact. More:
The Horse Shoe Public Boating Access Park, with a floating dock and 80-foot concrete boat slip, is already being used by Henderson County’s first river tubing company, Lazy Otter Outfitters, to launch tubes for a float of the river’s iconic Horse Shoe Bend.
Matt Evans, owner of Lazy Otter Outfitters, said that in just the time the access has been open, the site has become a popular put-in for the public and for his float company, whose headquarters and take-out point are just four miles downstream.
This comment thread could be submitted as evidence at a committal hearing.
And here I am contributing to it . . .
The site plan for Enka Center has an anchor of what looks like a Walmart with a pharmacy drive thru and without a Tire & Lube Express.
The Enka Center has little to do with the Asheville bond referendum and the two need not be mentioned in the same news summary, despite what Mr. Timothy Peck might think.
Did I mention the Enka Center? I don’t think I’ve ever mentioned those two words in the whole course of my life. But do carry on Mr. Peter Robbins.
You seem to be rather obsessed with me. Good.
Why did you bring up the bond referendum at the bottom of the comments if you didn’t think it belonged in the news summary that constitutes the sole content of Jason’s post?
I’m not taking questions this week. Try again later. Mmmm?
Tim Peck thinks you aren’t doing your job right, Jason.
Tim is the King of YerDoinItWrong.
Glad to help let people know what’s going on with additional news. Just like you used to do, Barry, before you turned into a mindless progressive turd.
Tim Peck, King of the Low Road.
Don’t y’all ever get tired of this? I know those of us reading it do.
Direct that question at the one who routinely is the first to start slinging hate & insults. Yes, I for one get tired of it, but I’m not going to sit quietly while some jackass calls me a “turd” in public.
It looks like you want to have a conversation with me about me. How delightful. But it really sounds like you’re talking out your ass.
Nope.
Barry: “Waaaah, waaaah, waaaah.”
Wrong again, Mr. Peck. Waaahs on second. I Don’t Know is on turd.
This is now the second time in two days that I’ve read one of your comments and laughed out loud, Peter.
Thanks!
Yuk yuk, das a good one. I had to laugh at Mr. Robbins too.
Laughs a-million, Mr. Robbins. Not a shred of topical substance, but certainly a laughs a-million.
We miss your particular intellectual brand over at the Mountain Xpress. The IQ factor has gone markedly down there in the wake of your shyness.
I’m sure the readers here will be mesmerized.
Thank you, Chris. What a nice thing to say!
Yes indeed, “chris,” your generous outpouring of forced praise directed at Mr. Robbins’ witty ditty is not to be snuffled at. It’s not often we get to see a coherent sentence emanating from your progressive wisdom.
Forced? How so?
Wow.
“It’s horrid, I tell you. Just horrid! Come on, pookie, we’re leaving.”
If you’re going to throw around the furniture (and whatever else), Mr. Peck, you might think about getting your own place. One that people might visit someday.
And, by the way, you still haven’t answered my question. Why did you say Chris’ praise for my witty ditty was “forced?” It sounded sincere to me, but now I’m getting insecure. I know my publicist can be a dragon-lady when she wants a blurb.
It looks like you want to have a conversation with me about me. How delightful. But it really sounds like you’re talking out your a-s-s.
No, I’m asking Why. He’s in left. You could have said Because, too, since he’s in center. But there’s still room to play. Nobody’s in right.
You could look it up.
It’s quite alright, old chap. No need to get all butt hurt. I love it when you talk about me. It’s as though you can speak of nothing else. Which, I believe, is the case.
Wow. I just wanted to know why you thought Chris’ praise for my witty ditty was “forced.” It appears I caught you at a bad time. Never mind.
Sorry to see you go. But I understand the truncation. Your progressive input on this topic was nearing instructive.
Next NC Supreme Court Filing: September 23, 2016
Sorry to disappoint. You, on the other hand, did not. You confirmed everything I suspected. Consider yourself dismissed.
Oh, good. You’ve decided to continue the conversation. I’m sure our readers will benefit immensely from your estimable contribution to the topic at hand. Something about Enka.
I fear I have discomposed our dear progressive intellectual friend. Should he deign to return to the conversation in future, he should first know that he is welcome and, indeed, embraced.
With warm regards,
Yours,
[new kid on the block]
Oh, Mr. Peck. We’re never going to get to the big finish at this rate. Here, I’ll do it all myself:
Mr. Peck: But what do you think about the Enka project?
Me: I don’t know.
In unison: Third base!
(Laughter and applause as camera pans to Nate scowling in the audience with his arms crossed.)
A bit droll for you finale, don’t you think? Perhaps fitting on a website whose namesake is Vegas.
Ruling: This stinker calls for the Sandman.
I see your point. I know. Instead of saying “third base,” we both just say “turd!” There, that works. Say, Mr. Peck, you’re a better stooge than I thought.
Wow. You have steered this comment thread into most unexpected territory: talking about me. And for 16 days. I love it. I commend you, Mr. Robbins, on your choice.
I’ve been talking about when it’s appropriate to use the word “turd.” I don’t think that steered the topic in any particular direction. But you’re certainly entitled to your own opinion.
Please stop, both of you.
Okay. But I don’t like being insulted by this fellow anymore than you do.
Wow. What a thin-skinned prickly little ass. Have you ever been outside?
I see you’re still talking about the main topic.
“I don’t like being insulted by this fellow”
You’ll have to look elsewhere for a solution to your problem. I have none.
I really hope they don’t let Walmart come. That stinks!
At its 5 p.m. Aug. 9 meeting, Asheville City Council will hold a public hearing on a potential $74 million bonds package as part of a series of steps required by the NC Local Government Commission, a financial oversight division of the NC Department of the Treasury. If the commission gives the City the go-ahead the bonds package could appear on the Nov. 8 general election ballot. Asheville Mayor Esther Manheimer’s bond presentation:
PDF: bit.ly/2ay7sNo
Powerpoint: bit.ly/2arODjx
The bond referendum was approved by the City Council and now goes to the voters. I’m surprised Peck News Service missed the story.
How did I miss the story, Mr. Peter Robbins? You seem disturbed at the prospect. Let me calm your distress.
My post announcing the final bond proposal and linking to the mayor’s presentation was made on August 2. That’s not particularly hard to discover. The final vote was taken by city council on August 9, which is when the final presentation was made:
“The three bond referendums will be submitted to the Buncombe County Board of Elections to be placed on the Nov. 8 general election ballot.”
http://bit.ly/2aLGaI9
Perhaps you’re not feeling well and your fingers got ahead of your progressive brain. Although, it seems to happen frequently.
How did I miss the story, Mr. Peter Robbins? You seem disturbed at the prospect. Let me calm your distress.
My post announcing the final bond proposal and linking to the mayor’s presentation was made on August 2. That’s not particularly hard to discover. The final vote was taken by city council on August 9, which is when the final presentation was made:
“The three bond referendums will be submitted to the Buncombe County Board of Elections to be placed on the Nov. 8 general election ballot.”
bit.ly/2aLGaI9
Perhaps you’re not feeling well and your fingers got ahead of your progressive brain. Although, it seems to happen frequently.
Finally, you did the follow-up. A little behind deadline, though. I hope you do a better job covering the next City Council election. I heard there’s going to be a red-hot race in District Six.
Oh my. You’re terrible at chronicling history, Mr. Robbins. But I understand the dodge.
I posted the mayor’s presentation here as soon as it was published on the city’s website on August 2. For you to take such a simple matter and make it your flaming ’cause célèbre’ is, well, embarrassing.
But do try to recover. For all our sakes.
You did the advance story (announcing the City Council meeting), but you didn’t do the follow-up story (reporting what happened at the meeting). At least not until I shamed you into it. You pooped out. So to speak.