Further ABC requests See story on page 2 WEEKLY


COMMUNITY NEWSPAPER


May 6 - May 12, 2010 Vol. 8 • No. 18 Woodfin • Weaverville • Barnardsville Fifty Cents


Vehicle strikes town employee Morgan to continue


By Matt Tate One Weaverville town employ-


ee is recovering after a vehicle struck him from behind while he was blowing off the streets Friday morning (April 30). Public works employee Bran-


don Bechtol was taken to Mis- sion Hospitals with non-life threatening injuries. Weaver- ville Police Chief Greg Stephens said Bechtol planned to return to work this week. Attempts to reach Bechtol were unsuccess- ful. According to Weaverville po-


lice, Bechtol, 29, was using his blowing equipment to clean the Personnel survey the scene of Friday’s accident.


Voters approve mixed beverages


By Matt Tate Weaverville voters overwhelm-


ing approved the liquor by the drink referendum in Tuesday’s (May 4) election three years af- ter narrowly rejecting the pro- posal. The measure unofficially


passed 564-269. More than two- thirds of voters backed the sell-


ing of mixed beverages at town restaurants. Liquor by the drink failed in


April 2007 by two votes, 309- 307, during a special election. Tuesday’s vote was included with party primaries which re- sulted in a stronger turnout. Voter turnout around Bun-


combe County was a scant 12.26 percent, but more than 30 percent of the registered voters


at Weaverville Town Hall cast their ballots, the highest return rate in the county. The lure of major restau-


rants possibly eying space in Northridge Commons proved tempting for voters. Some local restaurant owners, such as Matt Danford at Blue Mountain Piz- za, have said they will continue to sell beer and wine only.


Continued on page 7 “Where Customers Send Their Friends”


From Tire Rotation to Major Repairs


Ask about our national warranty (828) 658-3030 Experience • Dependability • Reliability 277 Weaverville Hwy. • Asheville, NC 28804 A family-owned business since 1987


roads near Clinton Street off Weaver Boulevard when a car driven by Howard Clark struck


Continued on page 16 service in retirement


By Matt Tate Weaverville Town Manager


Mike Morgan’s career has been dedicated to various roles in public service. He expects to continue along


that path even after he retires from his current role. Morgan announced last week


he will step down from his Weaverville post before the end of this calendar year. Following stints with the


State of North Carolina and Buncombe County, as well as 18 years with the Town of Weav- erville, he said he plans to find other public service capacities. “Just because I am leaving the job, it doesn’t mean I’m leav-


Mike Morgan will retire from his post this year.


ing the community or public service,” the longtime resident remarked. In addition to his govern-


Continued on page 14


Navy men reunite See story on page 8-9 weaverville 50¢


Bechtol from behind. Stephens said Bechtol was


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