Good day and welcome to DKos Asheville. This is the weekly DKos Asheville Open Thread for Saturday, August 19th, 2022.
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WLOS, Andrew James, 8/18/2022
A Buncombe County Commissioner is calling for a walkout of North Carolina teachers, as they continue to push for higher pay.
“I think this is a very bold step to start with,” Commissioner Amanda Edwards said.
Edwards said she has received positive and supportive responses to her suggestion of a walkout.
“The reason for that suggestion is from teachers, from others employed by our school districts across North Carolina. Their pleas for increased pay and better working conditions are not being heard in Raleigh,” she said.
Edwards said many teachers are leaving North Carolina because they can make more money in other states. She thinks a walkout would get the attention of lawmakers. She said change is needed to address teachers' concerns.
“I am a parent of a public school student, I’m the spouse of a public educator, and this request is not lost on me. I do not take it lightly, considering both of those roles that I have. Ultimately, we are hurting our students by not paying our teachers better,” Edwards said.
'TOTALLY UNPRECEDENTED:' HIGH NUMBER OF EMPLOYEE RESIGNATIONS IN ASHEVILLE CITY SCHOOLS
FORMER ASHEVILLE TEACHER OPENS UP ABOUT HER REASONS FOR LEAVING THE PROFESSION
Raw Story, Matthew Chapman, 8/18/2022
On Thursday, The Daily Beast reported that outgoing Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-NC) is more than half a million dollars in the hole from his personal finances for his failed re-election campaign.
"A pair of unusual campaign finance reports this week reveal that since 2019, Cawthorn has personally invested a total of $817,000 into his campaign, while recovering only $261,000 of that amount," reported Roger Sollenberger. "That leaves him personally in the hole $556,000, more than three times the annual congressional salary of $174,000. The new campaign reports also punctuate a remarkable financial collapse that had been playing out in parallel to Cawthorn’s not-so-slow motion political implosion over the first half of the year."
The report notes that the collapse in funding came at a crucial time in the Republican primary for Cawthorn, and could have contributed to his defeat.
Saurav Ghosh, director of federal reform at watchdog group Campaign Legal Center, told the Daily Beast that the situation "could accurately be described as a ‘Dumpster fire.’"
Raw Story, David Edwards, 8/16/2022
Rep. Madison Cawthorn (R-NC) reportedly spent more money than he had in his campaign coffers and is now facing $17,000 in fines from the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
The Asheville Citizen-Times reported that the FEC could levy a fine of $17,141 on Cawthorn because he filed his campaign finance report a month late. The paper based its conclusion on a fine calculator on the FEC website. A vote from FEC commissioners would determine the actual fine.
"Cawthorn's paperwork showed a campaign that through June 30 spent more than it brought in, despite a $207,858 donation from the personal funds of the 27-year-old first-term Henderson County congressman," the paper noted. "Among places donors' money was used was $1,812 spent at a tobacco shop."
In an Instagram video posted in July, Cawthorn displayed what he said was his favorite cigar, selling for about $150 a box.
WLOS, Sarah Zatkulac, 8/15/2022
We now know exactly where Representative Madison Cawthorn (R-NC 11) spent campaign funds over the last few months.
His latest quarterly financial report was due in July, but was just submitted on Aug. 14, after a warning from the Federal Election Commission. The report on Cawthorn's fundraising and spending is more than 600 pages. It shows that the congressman is continuing to spend more than his campaign is bringing in, with some receipts for hundreds of dollars at places like local restaurant Papa's & Beer.
The report shows that from April 28 through June 30, Cawthorn's campaign brought in $439,636, but spent much more -- $575,730. That brings his total contributions since he's been in office to $4,236,430.21 and his total spent to $4,704,334.73.
Western Carolina University political science professor, Dr. Chris Cooper, says these are unprecedented amounts, but typical for Cawthorn.
At The Outpost!
New changes are on the horizon, as we usher in a new era of LEAF awesomeness. This summer, we’re relocating LEAF Downtown to an inspiring NEW outdoor venue, The Grey Eagle’s newest venue “The Outpost” at 521 Amboy Road. This new riverside venue will come alive with entertainment on Saturday, August 20th, with an entire day dedicated to our youth, family and community in an event dubbed: LEAF Down By The River!
A new venue by Grey Eagle Events &AVL Adventure Co. It's a Family Fun Day!
Ins & Outs IMPORTANT Details:
•Free! Suggested Donation $10+ for People over 9yrs
•Bike, Run, walk, boat or rideshare to Asheville Adventure Center’s Outpost (521 Amboy Rd).
•Park & Shuttle at 223 Amboy Rd, Sun Heating Supply($10 all day). It’s close & easy.
•There is NO Public Parking at the Outpost.
•Good Pets Ok if with Good Owners
A great family finale summer celebration!
All the LEAFy dance, music, arts, culture, eats, kids fun, crafts, auction, talent competition, Axe Throwing with Axeville, Gem Mining, Mountain Circus Arts, bounce houses & River tubing & boats. Famous Hip Hop dancer Honey Rockwell & crew kick off the day at 11am and The Secret Agency with Secret Agent 23 Skidoo + Tik Tok Dance Party brings it home at 7pm.
It’s gonna be FUN!
Thanks for reading and contributing, I hope your weekend is safe.