Commentary The fight goes on When the WNC Regional


Air Quality Agency announced its decision to grant Blue Ridge Concrete the final permit it needed to begin production, the throng of North Buncombe residents in attendance silently


Matt Tate


shuff led out of the hearing as another blow was dealt to their tireless campaign. In the hallway, residents hud-


dled and try to process the latest turn of events. Several people passionately imparted their dis- satisfaction with the decision to the WLOS television crew cov- ering the announcement. In another corner, one of the


concrete plant’s most ardent critics, Judith Pohl-Zartesky, pulled a fellow North Bun- combe resident close to her and the two shared an emotional hug in the hallway outside the Buncombe County Commis- sioners meeting space. Emotional public displays


have become commonplace for area residents in this struggle, which is now close to beginning its fourth year. In 2008 when the Buncombe


jubilant hugs and handshakes. That decision handed down


in the wee hours of the morning was a watershed moment for the group and not in the way mem- bers may have hoped for at the time In the two years since, a series


of lawsuits and def lating deci- sions have done their best to take the wind out of the NBACC’s emotionally riddled sails. Yet, the NBACC refuses to


back down. Forced into a place where others may have sought to pack up camp, the NBACC has dug in its collective heels to appeal the latest decision and fight what could be the defin- ing round of this bout. However it ends, the group’s


resolute determination sets an example this entire community should be proud of and sup- port.


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County Board of Adjustment turned down Blue Ridge Con- crete’s appeal for building per- mits, members of the North Buncombe Association of Con- cerned Citizens and others cele- brated the apparent victory with


Our Mission


Our mission at The Weaverville Tribune is to deliver fair and accu- rate articles on the people, places, and events in North Buncombe. We hope to help further a sense of commu- nity and understanding for the residents of the area..


PO Box 2293 • Weaverville, NC 28787 Volume 8, Issue 26


The Weaverville Tribune is a publication of Tribune Papers in association with Mountain Sentinel, Inc. Publisher & Sr.Editor Editor


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Clint Parker Matt Tate Bob Leary


Patrick Braswell Pat Starnes


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editor@weavervilletribune.com www.weavervilletribune.com Mail: P.O. Box 2293


Weaverville, NC 28787


The Weaverville Tribune is published weekly by The Asheville Tribune and Mountain Sentinel, Inc. at 40 N. Merrimon Avenue, Suite 308, Asheville, NC 28804. It can be picked up at 40 N. Merrimon Avenue and many other locations throughout Buncombe County. Periodical postage USPS permit No.023736 at the Weaverville, NC Post Office. POSTMASTER send address changes to The Weaverville Tribune, PO Box 2293, Weaverville, NC 28787. Subscription price $24.99 a year in Buncombe County, $25.99 a year outside Buncombe County, $26.99 a year outside North Carolina.


Guest Commentary


Remember roots on Independence Day


By Marilyn Payne Patriotism abounds on the Fourth


of July and while we are remember- ing the stories of how the country was founded, it is also important to remem- ber the stories of our own communities as well. In recognition, I decided share some


of the early stories about the area the Tribune’s readership calls home. Hope- fully you’ll feel a similar pride for your hometown as the pride you feel for your country this weekend. Weaverville and the Reems Creek


Valley were first settled in the 1700s when the area was still Cherokee terri- tory. John and Elizabeth Biffle Weaver were the first family to settle the valley and their youngest child, Montraville, donated much of the land Weaverville was built upon. Perhaps the most well-known piece


of history concerning the area is that it is home to North Carolina’s Civil War governor Zebulon B. Vance, who was born on May 13, 1830 in Reems Creek. Vance’s political career as Civil War of- ficer, North Carolina governor and U.S. senator is traced at the homestead still located there. As a young man, Vance clerked under attorney Nicholas Woodfin, whom the Town of Woodfin is named after. Woodfin’s history as a manufacturing and mill settlement traces back to the mid-19th century but the town was not incorporated until


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4 THE TRIBUNE - July 1 - July 7, 2010


1971. Te Town of Weaverville was incor-


porated nearly a century earlier in 1875, two years after Weaverville College was chartered. Te college, later known as Weaver College, was a leading co-edu- cational institution in Western North Carolina until it was folded into Bre- vard College and closed in 1934. Barnardsville dis-incorporated from


Asheville in 1970 and then the Big Ivy Community Development Club, a non-profit organization, was estab- lished in 1973. For more information on the area’s


rich history, visit Dry Ridge Histori- cal Museum which was established in 1983 and is located on Main Street in Weaverville below the library. Community celebrations for the


weekend can be found Saturday (July 3) in Weaverville, Beech and Barnards- ville, and on Sunday (July 4) at North Buncombe High School. Weaverville’s Small Town Independence Day Cel- ebration with local groups selling crafts and baked goods will start at 1 pm as will the Big Ivy celebration, which starts at Barnardsville Elementary School with a parade. Te Big Ivy pool and newly-renovated ball fields will also be open all day long. Beech will


Area Fourth of July events


Saturday (July 3) What: Firecracker 5K Where: NBHS When: 8:30 am until 9:30 am


What: 126th Beech Fourth of July Where: Beech Community Center


When: 10 am until @ 2 pm


What: Small Town Indepen- dence Day Celebration


Where: Downtown Weaverville When: 1 pm until 5 pm


What: Barnardsville Fourth of July


Where: Barnardsville/Big Ivy Community Center


When: 1 pm until after fire- works display


Sunday (July 4) What: MPAC Fourth of July Block Party


Where: North Buncombe High School


When: 12 pm until 10 pm


be celebrating its 126th consecutive Fourth of July with a parade beginning at 10 am. Above all, be thankful for the day


and the history it encompasses for the United States and remember that the area you call home is also something to celebrate. Be safe!


Road closures


Tere will be several road closures in the area Saturday (July 3). Here are the closures for the Firecracker 5K: Clarks Chapel Road from


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Old Mars Hill Highway to Clarks Chapel Extension from 8:30 am to 8:45 am, Clarks Chapel Extension from Clarks Chapel Road to Flat Creek Church Road from 8:35 am to 9 am, Flat Creek Church Road from Clarks Chapel Extension to Salem Hill Road from 8:40 am to 9:30 am, and Salem Hill Road from Flat Creek Church Road to the entrance to North Bun- combe High School from 8:45 to 9:30 am. All times are approximate. Main Street in Weaverville will be closed from noon to 6 pm from Mer-


rimon Avenue to Church Street. Te Beech parade will close a portion of Reems Creek and Sugar Cove


roads in the Beech community from approximately 10 am to 10:45 am. Te Barnardsville parade will close sections of Barnardsville Highway and Dillingham Road from approximately 1 pm to 2 pm.


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