Money in Charlottesville and Albemarle Elections
Thanks to VPAP, we know that the Rio District race in which David Slutzky lost to Rodney Thomas cost $150k, the Samuel Miller District race cost nearly $100k, and in the City of Charlottesville with its traditionally non-competive elections cost a mere $20k. It's a…
Thoughts on Crozet Library’s Further Delay
The Crozet Library has been delayed. Again. This comment on cvillenews last week spurred me to ask a question about the Crozet Library's traffic and circulation numbers. I remembered some data about circulation being high in Crozet, but could not remember (nor find) the exact…
Time for Government to Get out of the Trash Business?
Is it time for the Rivanna Solid Waste Authority to accept its (possible) obsolescence? Charlottesville and Albemarle folks should read this story, and ask questions of our elected officials. Dave Mcnair at The HooK has a great story about the impact the Vanderlinde single-stream recycling…
Vineyards in Albemarle are Good – Right?
It seems that well enough may not be left alone; Cathy Harding reports in this week's C-Ville: Recent discussions between the Albemarle County Planning Department and county wineries raise questions about exactly what comprises normal activity at a winery—and even, to a degree, what constitutes…
DP and Charlottesville Tomorrow begin Four-Part Series on Traffic and Growth
One of the primary reasons my clients move to the Charlottesville region* is because, relatively, our traffic is insignificant compared to what they are used to. But for how long? Part One started yesterday in the Daily Progress. The difficulty in balancing growth pressures and…
“Everything’s on the Table” – Albemarle County Schools Budget
Everything's been on the table for non-government people for years. Next year is going to be an interesting budgetary year. Brandon Shulletta writes in today's Daily Progress: School division leaders drafting budget requests are also wondering whether next year's supervisors are more likely to maintain…
CharlAlbemarle Transit Authority – What’s Next?
Thanks to Charlottesville Tomorrow's Sean Tubbs: The fate of a proposed Regional Transit Authority (RTA) could depend on who is selected in January to represent the City Council and the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors on two regional transportation bodies. Since a joint meeting in…
Budgeting on Assumptions – Good enough for Government
From yesterday's Daily Progress regarding the worsening Albemarle County budget (bolding mine): The proposed 77.2-cent tax rate would mean the average homeowner would pay the same real-estate taxes as this year for the next two years, officials say. Assuming real-estate values begin to pick up,…
The Homebuyer Tax Credit Gets Closer to Extension – 4 November 2009
Update 7 November: And it's a Law. Update 6 November 2009: Charlottesville's Representative Tom Perriello voted for the bill, which passed 403-12 with 18 abstensions. Update 5 November 2009: That was fast. The Senate, then the House, and now apparently Obama will sign the bill…
Yesterday’s Charlottesville and Albemarle Elections
Three things: 1 - David Slutzky losing is huge. 2 - If you think your vote doesn't count, think again. 3 - Local elections matter. Lots of discussion in the Charlottesville news: - Daily Progress - cvillenews - The HooK - C-ville - VPAP (via…