Commission Votes to Rename Bridge After Fallen Fire Fighter

In their first meeting of 2012, the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners on January 3rd voted unanimously to request that the North Carolina Board of Transportation dedicate Asheville’s Smoky Park Bridge in Capt. Jeff Bowen’s honor. The move was supported by the Asheville Fire Department and the Buncombe County Fire Fighters Association. A 13-year veteran of the Asheville Fire Department, Bowen died on July 28, 2011 while working to put down a fire on the top floor of the Mission Hospitals building on Biltmore Ave.

The board also approved a rezoning request by Norris Max Clubb to allow for commercial development of a 1.27-acre tract located at 1910 US 70 Highway, just west of its intersection with Warren Wilson Road. County planning staff and the Planning Board recommended approving the request, noting in a report that surrounding land is already being used for commercial development.

Taken into consideration during the meeting was a report on the role of substance abuse and mental health problems among the inmate population at the Buncombe County Detention Center and
an “Economic Development Report” from Ben Teague, executive director of the Economic Development Coalition. He said the organization was more organized and working harder than ever before to create jobs in the area.
 
In addition, the Commission honored Buncombe County Library Director Ed Sheary for being named “Director of the Year” by the North Carolina Public Library Directors Association.

Continue to the next page to hear David’s thoughts on the January 3rd meeting.