First Tuesday Conservatives - Asheville

09/06/2026

Jennifer Balkcom at Henderson County Republican Men’s Club Breakfast

Jennifer Balkcom, Republican candidate for North Carolina’s 11th Congressional District, will speak and take questions at the Henderson County Republican Men’s Club breakfast.

📅 Saturday, September 12
⏰ 9:00–10:00 AM
📍 American Legion Post 77
216 4th Ave W, Hendersonville
🍳 Breakfast: $13

Planning to attend? Please RSVP to Bill Fishburne by Monday, September 7, so the club can provide the kitchen with an accurate headcount.

📧 [email protected]

09/03/2026

How are elections administered in Buncombe County?

Join the Buncombe County Republican Men's Club on Tuesday, September 8, for dinner and a presentation by Dr. Glenda Weinert, Chair of the Buncombe County Board of Elections.

Dr. Weinert brings decades of experience in business leadership and public service and will share insights into election administration and civic engagement.

Guests are welcome.

08/30/2026

You can't solve a problem you refuse to acknowledge.

Asheville pastor Dr. Ronald Gates says he warned local leaders about youth gang violence nearly a decade ago and proposed a prevention program aimed at reaching children before they were pulled into gangs and retaliatory violence.

He's speaking out again.

His message deserves to be heard.

Read the story:

Dr. Ronald Gates says Asheville, North Carolina, leaders ignored his gang prevention program for a decade before retaliatory shootings rattled the city.

08/01/2026

Strong local Republican organizations don't happen by accident—they're built by engaged citizens.

If you're interested in learning how local volunteers organize, recruit, and prepare to win elections, consider joining the Buncombe County Republican Men's Club for its August meeting.

NC-11 District Chair Dr. Merry Guy will share lessons from years of leadership at the county, district, and state levels, along with practical insights on building effective grassroots organizations.

07/05/2026

**The budget was passed. Then the law changed.**

Most Buncombe County taxpayers probably have no idea that the County's FY2027 budget was adopted on **June 2**—only to have the legal rules governing this year's property taxes change just **17 days later**.

What happens next depends on legislation passed in Raleigh and decisions still to be made here in Buncombe County.

In our latest *First Tuesday* article, we explain:

✔️ Why SB 889 matters.
✔️ Why SB 474 could change the outcome again.
✔️ Why County Commissioners may have to revisit the budget they already adopted.
✔️ What all of this could mean for your property tax bill.

Our goal isn't to tell you what to think. It's to make sure you know what's happening before your next tax bill arrives.

**Read the full article here:**
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After you've read it, we'd love to hear your thoughts.

07/05/2026

Since our first issue on February 15, 2021, *First Tuesday* has worked to help Buncombe County citizens better understand what's happening in our local government.

Over the years, we've reported on public spending, elections, schools, public safety, taxes, and many other issues that affect our community.

As you've read those stories, we'd like to ask you one simple question:

**How have they made you feel?**

Did you learn something you didn't know?

Did you find yourself asking more questions?

Did some stories leave you concerned about how your tax dollars are being spent?

Information alone doesn't change a community. Informed citizens do.

If our reporting has helped you better understand what's happening in Buncombe County, we hope you'll take the next step—stay informed, attend a meeting, ask questions, volunteer, or simply encourage others to become engaged.

Small actions, taken by many people, can make a real difference.

06/19/2026

Strong communities don't happen by accident.

They are built when citizens stay engaged, ideas compete, and elected officials know they must earn the public's trust.

Competition brings new ideas.
Accountability improves performance.
Voter choice strengthens representative government.

No matter your political affiliation, our communities are strongest when voters have meaningful choices and leaders remain accountable to the people they serve.

That's not a Republican principle.
That's not a Democrat principle.

It's an American principle.