Clarfication from May 27 issue

In the May 27, 2008, News From This Just In, an editing error introduced some confusion to the last sentence of an item about Angela Ciolfi’s report on fees charged by public schools. The sentence should read as follows: “She acknowledges that budget woes are behind the districts’ creative fundraising tactics, and that many schools […]

The God squad

Believe it or not, we here at the Odd Dominion have never harbored any illusions about the fundamentally religious nature of our government.

Local farmers defend tax breaks

A week after the county Board of Supervisors decided to consider changing the land use tax program, local farmers are still distraught. Since 1975, Albemarle has granted landowners a tax deferral for a minimum of five acres that meets prescribed standards of agricultural use. Basically, the land must be used for the sale of crops […]

Energy answer blowing in the wind?

The Albemarle County Planning Commission has thrown out the idea of allowing commercial wind turbines in the county—but it’s mulling the idea of smaller wind turbines for individual homeowners. Because of its location, Albemarle doesn’t have the high winds that would be needed for commercial wind turbines, though it does have pockets that could be […]

Camelot wastewater plant nears capacity

Here’s how it seems to have happened in the swashbuckling old days: A developer came along, decided he needed wastewater treatment, and he built a plant hisself, by God! That was the case with the northernmost stretch of Route 29. In 1990, Wendell Wood, then acting on the part of two companies, Woodbriar Associates (responsible […]

Regulation headaches for local ice cream maker

Two years ago, Colin Steele and his wife thought they had conceived of the ideal product: ice cream made from all local products. Most important would be the use of milk straight from the cow. The business would be called A Perfect Flavor and would be customized ordering. That settled, Steele began to look into […]

County considers pesticide ban

The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors could end the use of pesticides around the county’s parks and schools, depending on the outcome of a June 4 public hearing. At the meeting, Board members will hear recommendations from the county’s Safer Chemical Committee. Jackie Lombardo, member of the National Sierra Club Toxins Committee and the local […]

Your tax dollars, at work

Worked for the county for: 16 years Resides in: Albemarle County Job title: Support staff for county executive’s office. Mullins assists with day-to-day operations for the county. Best of times: “Working with this staff, the executives up here. They’re such good, honest people. They’re very supportive of me in my professional growth and are wonderful […]

Council hears “final” comments on water supply

Dozens of supporters and detractors of the $143 million plan to meet city and county water needs until 2055 came out to join the public record May 19. City Council billed the public hearing as the last chance to make a statement, and 34 people addressed the topic, including environmentalists, business interests, citizens worried about […]