Chair of Caldwell County Republican Party Becomes Ashe County Manager

Hattip: AsheWatch.

That's generally not what you want nor generally not what you get in a County Manager ... a political partisan, but the Ashe County Commission -- Republicans all! -- have appointed Sam Yearick as their new county manager (after firing Dr. Pat Mitchell earlier this year for "wearing too many hats"). He's currently and prominently listed on the Caldwell County Republican Party website as chair of the party until 2015.

Some hats are more acceptable than others.

But Jonathan Jordan didn't get the job. Does that mean he'll be losing a race for reelection to the NC House, or will the movers transfer his recliner from the General Assembly back to Ashe County?

Ashe County Crack-Pot Politics

Not to be missed ... this account of the Ashe County Tea Party and the politics of discrimination against The Gayz. And, welcome back on-line, Ashe Watch.

News from North of Here

The Ashe County Republican Party takes an even harder turn right: People's Revolution complete.

Can we get an "Amen"?

New Ashe County Blog

Check out the new local blog "Ashe Watch" for some already pointed commentary on the political scene in our nearest neighbor to the north. Particularly appreciated this observation on the economic benefits of Mount Jefferson State Park and the likely impact of its closing:

According to the state park system, 268,000 people visited New River State Park and Mount Jefferson last year. Even if those people just spend 50 cents in the county, that's a hefty chunk of change for a county with 25,000 residents. (A study estimates each tourist visitor to a state park in North Carolina spends $23.56 per day.)

What about newly elected Republican General Assembly members Soucek and Jordan and their actions (or even palid public utterances) in support of the state park?

But no one's heard a peep from new Representative-elect Jonathan Jordan, Senator-elect Dan Soucek or the Ashe County Board of Commissioners. If this is how they're going to govern, it's going to be a long, dark two years for Ashe County.

Welcome to the neighborhood, AsheWatch! We think you'll find plenty to watch.