In yesterday’s Daily Progress, Jessica Kitchin looked at a really ridiculous problem that the county has created for itself:
When Albemarle County resident Mary Steppe visits the county’s Department of Social Services, it is literally an uphill effort.
[…]
The 42-year-old mother of three estimates that she walks about a mile each time she has to visit social services at the Albemarle County Office Building on Fifth Street Extended. Currently, there is no public transportation to the building, which means many of the county’s neediest residents have to walk, bike or get a ride in order to get food stamps, housing vouchers or other social services resources.
Some will recall that this office was located on the Downtown Mall until a few years ago when, crazily, it was relocated way outside of town off the bus line. When they moved it I told anybody who would listen that it was one of the dumbest things I’d seen Albemarle do, planning-wise, in some years. It’s a big county, and no single location will easily serve a great many people. But a lot more people were served when it was downtown than when it was plopped down Fifth Street. Is there even a sidewalk going out there?
Today on Brian Wheeler’s blog he points to The Washington Post’s account of Anne Arundel school board member and high school student Pallas Snider. Brian advocates the addition of a non-voting student member to the school board. I agree entirely — it seems bizarre to have a governing body with no representation of the governed — but I’d like to see the position become a voting position as soon as is practicable.
Many years ago, developer Gabe Silverman told me that he was very worried that A&N might leave downtown. I didn’t understand his concern for a big national chain, so he explained that A&N provided clothing and similar staples for low-income families downtown — there was no other place downtown since Woolworth’s had gone under. If it left, it would be yet another small blow for downtown working-class Charlottesvillians.
So today was I disappointed, but not surprised, to see that A&N’s storefront was empty, with signs up indicating that December 31 was their last day at the location, directing people to their other two locations in town. I was further surprised to visit their website and read their history. A&N was founded in 1868, immediately after the Civil War, by a Richmond couple, Mark and Lena Rose Sternheimer. Today the business is run by Mark Sternheimer and his son, Ross. They have 53 locations (well…52), all of which are in Virginia.
And now A&N is gone from downtown, in some small part because I never supported it, because I figured they were some multinational conglomerate. I suck.
There are 61 applicants for the position of Charlottesville superintendent, Sarah Berry reports in today’s Daily Progress. About a third are from Virginia, about three quarters are male, and no data on race or ethnicity has been gathered. The search firm is going to recommend a half dozen applicants on Monday. Hopefully this time the search firm will at least google the applicants first. Maybe the school board can hire Bob Gibson to research ‘em. (I’m only half kidding.)
Mike N. asks: “I just noticed an antenna atop a lamp-post on the Belmont Bridge. Does anyone know what this is for? It appears to be about an 10 inch patch antenna aimed over the pavillion to another one mounted atop the building across from it. Sound level monitoring for the pavillion maybe?”
On NBC 29, Paul Merrill had an interesting story yesterday about a Las Vegas man who was arrested after confessing to raping a fellow UVa student 21 years ago. It seems the guy got in touch with the woman and confessed that it was he who raped her at Phi Kappa Psi, where he was a frat brother at the time. She reported him to police, where he’s being held without bond before being brought back here. Apparently, she reported the incident to UVa at the time; it’s not clear that they did anything about it.
1:22pm Update: DP alum Carlos Santos has a more detailed article in today’s Times Dispatch.
5:00pm Update: And Sarah Berry interviews the victim in today’s Progress.
I intend to drive down to Lynchburg tomorrow and, with my iPod having kicked the bucket some months ago, I take solace in knowing that I’ll be able to listen to WNRN for the 2.5-hour round trip. But now drives to Richmond are about to get a whole lot more tolerable, with NRN’s expansion into Richmond, as David Hendrick reports in today’s Daily Progress. They’re now available on 103.1FM in the area, and intend to soon be on 95.1FM in Harrisonburg and 95.9FM in Lexington.
Excuses for day trips are coming to mind already.
CHS Junior wears t-shirt promoting his band. School principal thinks band is a gang. Mother called in. Principal says t-shirt’s reference to boy’s neighborhood is gang promotion. Mother pissed. School board annoyed. Progress reports.
In a press conference yesterday, former mayor Blake Caravati announced that he does not intend to seek a third term on City Council when his term expires this May, John Yellig writes in today’s Progress. Councilor Rob Schilling’s first term also expires in a few months, though he hasn’t indicated what his plans are. C’ville’s former fire chief, Julian Taliaferro, intends to run for the seat, as does Dave Norris. Dave will be announcing his candidacy on Thursday.
(Disclaimer: Dave is totally awesome.)
I see on Charlottesville Tomorrow that the C’ville Planning Commission rejected (5-2) a second Mall crossing. They did recommend that a study be done on the safety of the existing crossing, whether the traffic flow there should be reversed, and that more signs to put up to help people navigate the streets around the Downtown Mall.
Anybody that’s been to the McIntire/Main intersection recently has surely seen the renovation of the area in front of the federal courthouse. The construction has involved tearing down the trees and installing security bollards (I had to look the word up; there’s the link), which isn’t real pretty. Former mayor and architect Maurice Cox is among those unpleased with the new look, Liesel Nowak reported in Tuesday’s Progress.
WINA reports that a good chunk of the sequel to Bruce Almighty will be filmed in Our Fair City. Evan Almighty. The movie stars Steve Carell in Jim Carrey’s role, who God tells to build an ark. Hilarity, presumably, ensues.
I call dibs on the ark when they’re done.
The guy who raped a woman in 1984, was subsequently IDd by her, and then confessed to the crime a few months ago has put forth a clever defense strategy: he didn’t do it. (By “clever” I mean, of course, “stupid.”) As Liesel Nowak writes in today’s Daily Progress, William Beebe e-mailed Liz Seccuro recently and wrote, in part: “I’m not intentionally minimizing the fact of having raped you. I did.” His attorney says that he “did not contact Ms. Seccuro to apologize for a rape because that’s not what happened.”
Perhaps he’ll be moving on to the Chewbacca Defense next?
Happy ten-year anniversary of the ‘96 blizzard!
It was a decade ago today that things got a little more awesome in Charlottesville, at least for me as a 17-year-old who weathered the storm downtown. Admittedly, it wasn’t so hot for the VDOT employees who died or all of the people without power. I went downtown with some friends in the middle of the night and we took turns climbing up on construction equipment in front of Mudhouse and stage-diving into the 3′ of powder. My friend Noah spent the night on the roof of the Old Michie Building to test out his new bivvy sack. We’d go hours without seeing a soul.
Do you have any memories of the storm?
(Via the unintentionally hilarious Outskirts)
Local anti-poverty activist Dave Norris has announced that he’s running for the Democratic nomination for City Council, John Yellig reported in yesterday’s Progress. Norris announced his candidacy at R2, before dozens of supporters, promising to continue his work on behalf of the homeless, creating affordable housing, and promoting sustainable urban planning. Interestingly, only one former or current City Councilor was present at the event, Kevin Lynch, which is unusual for a candidacy announcement, at least to my recollection.
The only other candidate known to be planning to announce for the two seats up for election in May is former fire chief Julian Taliaferro. Earlier this week, Councilor Blake Caravati said he’d be stepping down, while lone Republican Rob Schilling hasn’t yet announced his intentions.
For more on Norris, see Jessica Kitchin’s piece from last week, when Norris was named as one of the Daily Progress‘ “Distinguished Dozen.” Or, of course, his campaign website.
Disclaimer: I intend to volunteer for and contribute modestly to Dave’s campaign, so anything that I write about the race should be regarded as pure propaganda, or possibly outright lies.
The North Grounds Connector — UVa’s very own exit off the 29 Bypass — is scheduled to open today, Melanie Mayhew writes in today’s Progress. The little road cost $4.1M, and was primarily built to serve as the entrance for the new John Paul Jones Arena. I intend to take the exit just for fun next time I’m on that chunk of 250. Whee!
Tired of not getting TV reception on the north slope of the Southwest Mountains, my wife and I recently got DirecTV. We were surprised to discover that the channels that we really wanted — NBC, PBS, and Fox — weren’t provided. Neither were ABC or CBS. Due to crappy federal legislation, we need to pay $1.50/channel to get these stations, though only after being granted permission to get them. Apparently, DirecTV has to ask NBC 29 and Fox 27 if they’ll let me get NBC and Fox out of New York or L.A. The stations have the right to say “no,” and I’m told that there’s nothing that I can do about it. The process takes about 45 days.
Surely others in the area have dealt with this. There’s no way for me to get local stations? Is there any way that I can accelerate the process of getting these stations from NYC or L.A., or at least be assured that I’ll get my permission slip?
Nearly a year after the kerfuffle over pizza delivery no-fly zones first emerged, it carries on, writes Brian McKenzie in a recent Daily Progress. Papa John’s and Domino’s still restrict delivery to any neighborhood in which their drivers have been robbed, presumably because drivers won’t go there. That means Westhaven, Friendship Court, Wilton Farms, Blue Ridge Commons, and the odd fraternity can’t get a hot pie shipped to their door, and that’s got some people mad. Or, rather, couldn’t — after some safety improvements at Friendship Court, Domino’s will deliver there again. That’s not good enough for some, with Councilor Blake Caravati “on the edge of saying it’s racist,” and Eugene Williams advocating “that the city government should get involved.”
I like both Mr. Caravati and Mr. Williams, but somehow I can’t envision either of them choosing to don the uniform and deliver pizzas to these neighborhoods every night. It’s not a great job in the first place; why make danger mandatory?
Saga Communications subsidiary Charlotteville Radio Group, who recently bought WINA from Eure Communications, has launched a liberal radio station, David Hendrick reports in today’s Progress. WINA’s talk programming is politically conservative to the point of consternation to C’ville’s famously liberal citizens, so the establishment of an Air America affiliate in town will no doubt be welcomed by many. It’s on air now, at WVAX 1450.
Me, I have no patience for any of these shows. Whether Bill O’Reilly or Randi Rhodes, it’s just not much fun to listen to people so rabid.
The Jefferson Madison Regional Library recently unveiled their new bookmobile, and it’s pretty cool. The rundown old one was replaced with the $180,000 28′ vehicle in order to be totally accessible to the physically disabled, carry more books and — this is the totally awesome part — provide satellite-based internet access. It visits 49 stops around Albemarle, serving as the home library to 1,000 people.
Fifth Congressional District Democratic candidates Bern Ewert and Al Weed faced off in their first debate on Saturday, taking an hour and a half to answer questions on Southside job growth, the minimum wage, and the war in Iraq, among other things. The Charlottesville Podcasting Network recorded the event, and provides a podcast of the debate.
The Department of Environmental Quality has issued a report of recycling rates around Virginia (PDF) for 2004, finding that the state’s 29.8% trash recycling rate is above the mandated 25% minimum, but Central Virginia’s rate is way behind. Orange recycles just 3.5% of theirs, and Nelson 7%. Charlottesville is at 25.3%, just over the minimum but below the average, and Albemarle is at 28.9%. Shouldn’t this liberal oasis be at, like, 50%? Though the trend is for rural areas to do more badly than urban areas, Buckingham is up at 25.3%. Maybe they should share their secret.
Jessica Kitchin has the story in today’s Daily Progress.
Downtown businesses are about to pay more for their free-parking stamps, John Yellig wrote in the Progress a few days ago. The Charlottesville Parking Corporation is increasing the amount that they charge participating merchants to be able to stamp customers tickets for downtown garages, though the increase will vary since each merchant negotiates their own rate. Here’s hoping this doesn’t worsen the downtown parking situation.
In Wednesday’s Cavalier Daily, Leah Nylen had an excellent investigative piece into Planned Parenthood and The Pregnancy Center of Charlottesville, a result of her going to each organization, saying that she thought she might be pregnant, telling them about herself, and asking for advice. Planned Parenthood provided her with a dispassionate, fact-based counseling session in which all information provided was verifiably accurate.
The Pregnancy Center, on the other hand, turns out to be strongly anti-abortion, a fact that they don’t advertise when promoting themselves as an advisor to unwillingly-pregnant women. The literature that they provide is simply wrong, claiming that the birth control pill can cause cervical cancer, breast cancer, increased risk of AIDS, and infertility; that emergency contraception causes an abortion, rather than preventing conception; and that abortifacient RU-486 causes heart attacks, birth defects, and infertility.
Great work on the part of the Cavalier Daily. It’s always great to see investigative journalism being done in Charlottesville.
The good news: Lovingston has discovered that their sheriff’s office was designed by Thomas Jefferson.
The bad news: It’s pretty ugly.
Dave McNair’s got the story in this week’s Hook.
Today I got the latest Virginia Coalition for Open Government newsletter in the mail, and it piqued my interest on the matter of the school board. Sarah Berry reported in the Daily Progress last week that there are now just three candidates for Charlottesville superintendent, but they’re a secret. Search firm Hazard, Young, Attea and Associates recommended found 61 candidates earlier this month, and planned to recommend a half dozen to the board. The board has rounded it down to three, and will presumably select one from there. All members of the selection committee have to sign confidentiality agreements. No information about any of the candidates has been made public.
I have to wonder if this is a good idea. One lesson from the Scottie Griffin saga was that a lack of sunshine leads to uninformed hiring decisions; Bob Gibson was able to expose Griffin’s background even though the school board didn’t discover a single one of her rich history of scandals in the hiring process. I imagine that there are benefits to the secrecy, but with a school board seen to be unresponsive and clubby, is this going to help?
(For more background, see A Brief History of C’ville Superintendents.)
A correction in yesterday’s Cavalier Daily indicates that a student got caught plagiarizing from another publication. No details are provided — presumably a note from the editor will be appearing before long — other than that a December 2 column “‘Browser Wars: A New Hope’ used a significant amount of ideas and conclusions without attribution from a Dec. 15 PCWorld column.” (The date different results from PC World columns being available on the website prior to publication in the magazine.) The column is not on the Cavalier Daily’s website. This is, of course, a clear violation of the honor code.
This last happened in late 2003, when two separate writers were discovered to have plagiarized from several different high-profile publications. If those two girls were ever brought before the honor committee, I can’t find any record of it. It will be interesting to find out what happens in this instance.
Ask and ye shall receive.
Bob Gibson has obtained some names and background information on the superintendent candidates, to the apparent displeasure of the school board, who want the candidates to be secret. Those candidates are Orange County superintendent William Crawford, Caroline County assistant superintendent Rosa Atkins, and an unnamed New England area educator. The former two are black, the latter is a white male. Interviews with associates of the two named candidates seem to indicate that they’re qualifies and well-liked.
Gibson also reveals that school officials are visiting each applicant’s communities to investigate the candidates, which is a significant improvement over the flying-blind approach that led to the hire of Scottie Griffin.
3:05pm Update: I’m told that Crawford pulled his name from the running earlier this week, meaning that there’s just two candidates in the running now. Of course, the school board is still confirming nothing.
The Charlottesville school board is shooting to announce the new superintendent come next week, Bob Gibson reports in today’s Progress. Gibson has also managed to ID the second candidate as Donald Carlisle, the superintendent of Long Island’s Miller Place school district.
Some quick googling reveals that Carlisle dropped out of the running for the Burlington, VT superintendent two weeks ago, saying that it was only because “he and his family had decided this was not the right time to be moving to a new state and a new job.” Perhaps it’s a better time now? Also, 600 parents recently successfully petitioned the state comptroller to audit Miller Place’s business practices, which revealed that it’s “overall generally well managed.”
What can you find?
Retired Charlottesville Fire Chief Julian Taliaferro announced yesterday that he’s running for the Democratic nomination for City Council, John Yellig writes in today’s Daily Progress. A Vietnam Veteran, Taliaferro began working for the fire department in 1962 and served as chief for 34 years.
The only other candidate to announce is Dave Norris, who announced two weeks ago. Incumbent Blake Caravati announced earlier this month that he would not seek reelection, while Rob Schilling, who occupies the other expiring seat, has not announced his intentions.
The Democratic nomination is in a month’s time, and the general election is on May 2.
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