Bill changes definition of blight

The Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution protects the rights of American citizens by placing a number of restraints on the government. “Individual rights are not meant to make the government’s job easier,” says Albemarle Delegate Rob Bell. “They’re meant to make it harder.” One restriction the Bill of Rights sought to impose was […]

City wants more from Biscuit Run

The City has finalized its list of transportation proffer priorities in the Biscuit Run development south of Charlottesville in Albemarle County: City Council (www.charlottesville.org) decided at their February 5 meeting to request improvements for Old Lynchburg Road, synchronized lights in the city and money toward a Fontaine connector. Those recommendations have been forwarded to the […]

Everybody iPod

It’s a common sight at UVA—a large lecture class dismisses, a flood of students pours out a set of double doors and they all plug in, dialing cell phones or popping those telltale white

Bobby Seale: “They tell me I made history”

“I’m an improviser,” announced Bobby Seale (www.bobbyseale.com), once Black Panther Party (BPP) (www.bp.org) chairman, during his February 22 address to a packed Harris-Small Auditorium. And for an hour and a half, he stuck to form, delivering a rambling but illuminating recital of the group’s beginnings. Invited to speak as part of Black History Month, Seale—sartorially […]

Lighting the proper way

As an update to a story last week (“County tackles research park’s ‘awful’ lighting”), the County Planning Commission approved a lighting waiver for additions to UVA Foundation’s (www.uvafoundation.com) North Fork Research Park off Route 29N. The commission denied a similar request in November because the lights didn’t meet the definition of full-cut off, meaning some […]

They love him just the way he is

With a key-pounding “Root Beer Rag” dedicated to Virginian pianist Bruce Hornsby, a rendition of AC/DC’s “Highway to Hell” fronted by a roadie named Chainsaw, and even a dirty joke or two, on February 23 the aging Piano Man showed the John Paul Jones crowd that he can still kick in on a Friday night. […]

Is Deeds violating ethics rule?

The Virginia State Bar is considering getting rid of a rule that has long prevented legislators from practicing in law firms that employ lobbyists. The Washington Post reported on February 16 that one local legislator especially has an interest in seeing the ethics rule eliminated: R. Creigh Deeds (www.creighdeeds.com), a Democratic State senator from Bath […]

Farmers head to Washington

In 2005, a law was passed that said Albemarle farmer John Coles couldn’t sell his unpasteurized goat cheese anymore. Coles now makes his living selling vegetables, grown at his farm off Route 29 about eight miles north of Fashion Square Mall, and gives away pounds of cheese on a donation-only basis. Like many small farmers, […]

Hamilton won’t seek re-election

Kendra Hamilton, City councilor since 2004, has decided not to seek re-election in November. “It was about creating some balance in my life,” says Hamilton. “It’s a big job, and it takes some time. It just wasn’t a good time for me professionally.”