From Staff Reports

Buncombe County voters, including those within the City of Asheville, will vote on a referendum Nov. 8 that seeks to approve a 25 cents per $100 local sales tax boost to finance infrastructure improvements, including three new buildings at A-B Tech.

Educators and their supporters have staged a strong campaign, mainly contending that the services of the community college are especially needed for training and retraining workers during hard times.

To the contrary, Robert Malt, executive director of STOP — Sales Tax Opposition Partnership, has said the funds would not be earmarked for the school and that the plan would result in a permanent tax boost.