Tuesday, February 28
Happiest wives get love and money
New York Times’ columnist John Tierney writes today about the latest research from UVA sociologists Bradford Wilcox and Steven Nock. Surveying more than 5,000 married couples, the professors found that “having an affectionate and understanding husband was by far the most important predictor of a woman’s satisfaction with her marriage.” In addition, the happiest wives surveyed were those whose husbands earned most of the family income. Tierney shies away from the conclusion that would warm many a neo-con heart, namely that women simply want to scrub more toilets and men simply don’t have the cooking gene. Instead, paraphrasing the authors, he suggests that when it comes to helping around the house, women will be satisfied by an equitable, if not equal, arrangement, provided their men give them good loving.
Wednesday, March 1
“Idol” star, a former Fluco, too hot to handle
Onetime Fluvanna resident Chris Daughtry advanced to another round on Fox TV’s “American Idol.” Covering the Fuel hit “Hemorrhage,” Daughtry, a bona fide hottie if the “Idol” message board is any indication, got a lot of love from the judges. And the fans, too. A typical post-show posting? “After his song tonight, I couldn’t help but notice his TONGUE and that LIP LICKING, yummy! He did it about 6 times to my count!”
Thursday, March 2
Push to limit gangs still on
Though Sen. Creigh Deeds’ anti-gang bill has failed—a measure that would have let judges impose a life sentence for a third gang-related crime over a 10-year period—other gang legislation continues to progress through the General Assembly, The Washington Post reports today. Much of the proposed legislation, such as bills related to brandishing machetes, targets issues that have plagued Northern Virginia. Several assaults in the past couple of years up there resulted in alleged gang members slicing their rivals’ fingers. But other bills broaden law-enforcement powers generally. The Post reports that a poll it conducted last fall showed that 90 percent of Virginia’s registered voters ranked reducing gang violence, along with taxes and transportation, as top issues they would consider in a gubernatorial campaign.
Friday, March 3
Rita Dove’s trophy case begs for mercy
Rack up another accolade for Virginia’s poet laureate, perennial prize-winner Rita Dove. This time the Pulitzer Prize-winner and onetime U.S. Poet Laureate, who happens to be on UVA’s English faculty, celebrates her receipt of the Common Wealth Award, her people announced today. She’ll share a $250,000 prize with other Common Wealth winners including astronaut/Senator John Glenn and director Mike Nichols.
Saturday, March 4
Because writing about his hangover is just more interesting
Charlottesvillian Cale Jaffe knows that bad boy skier Bode Miller messed up at the Winter Olympics last month. But in today’s edition of The Washington Post, Jaffe takes exception to writer Sally Jenkins’ coverage of Miller’s performance in Turin. “Admittedly, the Olympics were a train wreck for Miller. But over the past few years, he made American skiing history,” Jaffe writes. Listing Miller’s achievements, including four World Cup titles, which Jaffe says “is more impressive than Olympic gold,” Jaffe asks, “If [Jenkins] is going to make a living writing about someone else’s misery, then why not also mention his triumphs?”
Sunday, March 5
Renominated for Council, Schilling gets his 6 cents in
One day after City Democrats nominated Dave Norris and Julian Taliaferro as candidates for May’s City Council election, Republicans today gathered in Char-lottesville General District Court to nominate Rob Schilling for a second four-year term. Praised for his “common sense leadership” by party regulars, Schilling was credited by Charles “Buddy” Weber with cutting the tax bill. “It is quite likely that without Rob Schilling on Council our tax rate would still be $1.11 instead of $1.05,” Weber said. In accepting his party’s nomination, Schilling said the reduction in the property tax rate “was no coincidence to my four years on Council.” “I understand the high cost of city living is directly related to the high cost of City government,” he said. The nominating convention was podcasted on Brian Wheeler’s development-oriented website, cvilletomorrow.org.
Monday, March 6
Isaac Mizrahi to join team of school advisers?
In today’s Daily Progress, City Councilor Kendra Hamilton is quoted as advancing school uniforms as one measure to improve social behavior and grades among Charlottesville’s middle schoolers. Acknowledging that the public wants to see progress in test scores and con- duct, Hamilton reportedly said, “What-ever happens it’s going to have to be something drastic,” though, gratefully, she stopped short of promoting argyle. Additionally, Hamilton suggested single-sex education for kids in grades five through eight.
Try me
2004 CITY MURDER GOES TO TRIAL
Billy Marshall accused of strangling teenage mother
After almost four days of testimony and arguments, and nearly 10 hours of deliberation, jurors in the murder trial of Billy Marshall were at an impasse by noon on Monday, March 6.
Marshall is accused of the first Charlottesville murder of 2004. Azlee Hickman, 18, was found dead from asphyxiation in the early morning of March 13, 2004, just feet from her sleeping infant daughter. According to testimony, Hickman was in the process of moving out of the Carlton Avenue trailer she shared with her 36-year-old boyfriend and father of her baby, Ronnie Powell. Marshall and Powell had been out that night cruising the streets and drinking alcohol, a violation of Marshall’s probation.
In court, Charlottesville Common-wealth’s Attorney Dave Chapman argued that Hickman, angry that Powell would not come home and take care of the baby, threatened to tell on Marshall. Chapman said Powell and Marshall then returned to the trailer where Marshall got into a fight with Hickman in which he grabbed her by the throat and held her up against the wall, ostensibly strangling her. According to the prosecution, Powell, Marshall, and Powell’s older daughter, Heather, who was also at the scene, then left to establish alibis, returning later that night to call police.
Defending Marshall, attorney Charles Weber attempted to pin blame on Powell, saying that Powell wanted out of the relationship and that the two had had a screaming, yelling, throwing-things-all-over- the-trailer argument earlier that night.
The prosecution showed photos of the trailer, where Chapman posited there was no evidence of such a fight. The prosecution asserted that DNA samples taken from Hickman’s fingernails conclusively excluded Ronnie and Heather Powell, but not Mar- shall, although the DNA could have been from the night of the murder or from weeks before.
If convicted of second-degree murder, Marshall faces up to 40 years in prison.—Nell Boeschenstein
A few good men
THINK YOU CAN BE A COUNTY COP?
Candidates must be able to read, write and climb a 6‘ fence
At the end of February the Albemarle County Police Department held a hiring bonanza at its Fifth Street Extended headquarters to recruit and hire new officers for six open positions to fill out its force of 115.
Eighty-six applicants started the day with a 75-minute written test—65 multiple-choice questions and 10 short answers—that, according to Lt. John Teixeira is “easier than the SAT.” Applicants who passed continued to physical testing which included jumping out of a police car, climbing a 6′ barrier, running a quarter-mile, jumping a 5′ ditch, dragging a 150-pound dummy 50 feet, and dry firing five rounds each with the left and right hands.
Twenty-six candidates who passed the written and physical exams are now undergoing background checks. If they pass, it’s on to polygraphs and medical and psychological eval-uations. The process should be done by the time Albemarle County’s police academy begins on May 9. The salary range for officers is $31,925-$51,081.—Nell Boeschenstein
Thin ice update
WHISPER RIDGE FACES POSSIBLE LICENSE REVOCATION
State regulatory authorities read local juvenile psychiatric facility the riot act
On February 27, the Department of Mental Health, Mental Retardation and Substance Abuse Services sent a letter to Whisper Ridge, a 58-bed residential facility for emotionally and behaviorally disturbed children located on Arlington Road, saying the department is taking steps to revoke Whisper Ridge’s license.
According to the letter, in the course of unannounced investigations at the start of the year, State licensing representatives found evidence of neglect, including resident-on-resident assault, two occasions of residents assaulting staff, incidents of residents overdosing on medications that had supposedly been “checked,” several suicide attempts, and allegations of staff sexually abusing residents. One resident-on-resident assault allegedly ended with the victim climbing up onto the roof of the facility to attempt an escape. The report blames the incidents largely on inadequate staffing and supervision of the residents.
In response, Whisper Ridge’s CEO, Taylor Davis, issued a statement saying, “We believe that we can address the current issues facing our facility in a manner that will satisfy the Department. We have no reason to believe that the facility will lose its license once the issues raised have been addressed by Whisper Ridge.”—Nell Boeschenstein
Thank heavens, it’s spring break
UVA “INCIDENTS” ON THE RISE
Recent frat brawl will probably prompt a forum
A fight last week at UVA’s Delta Upsilon fraternity has raised concern about the increasing number of “incidents” involving UVA students.
The fight happened during a party Thursday night, March 2, at the Delta Upsilon house at 180 Rugby Rd. According to reports, a group showed up to the party but was denied admission. Later, about 15 people broke through a window and entered the fraternity. A brawl ensued, during which one of the intruders produced a weapon that later turned out to be a BB gun. Only minor injuries were reported. Police had not made any arrests at press time, and UVA officials and members of Delta Upsilon could not be reached by press time.
“We have seen an increase in incidents involving UVA students, compared to what we have had in the past,” says City Spokesman Ric Barrick. He said a UVA forum on the subject is likely.—John Borgmeyer
And the saga continues
MR. BETTY SCRIPPS FILES COUNTER SUIT
Harvey seeks $350,000 in punitive damages from ex-employee
Former Albemarle County businessman Jeremy Harvey has filed a countersuit against former employee Stan Manoogian. As reported in C-VILLE, Harvey, who recently remarried his ex-wife, heiress Betty Scripps, owns an investment bank, Quadrant Capital Group, that has offices in Charlottesville and Florida; for nine months in 2005, Manoogian was Quadrant’s managing director.
After discovering that Quadrant’s relationship with its payroll company had soured, Manoogian left Quadrant; he filed a lawsuit for $2.2 million alleging fraud, slander and breach of contract against Harvey in Albemarle County Circuit Court. Harvey’s countersuit, also filed in Albemarle Circuit Court, seeks $350,000 in punitive damages, and alleges breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, interference with business contracts and expectancy, violation of the Virginia Trade Uniform Secrets Act, conspiracy and fraud. In addition to punitive damages, the suit says compensatory damages will be sought as well, with the amount to be determined at trial.
Harvey’s suit claims that Manoogian neglected to repay a loan from Harvey and that he did not fulfill requirements of his employment contract, such as setting financial goals for the company and filing weekly progress reports. It also alleges that Manoogian spearheaded an effort by Quadrant employees to buy Harvey out or leave the company en masse, crippling Quadrant’s ability to do business. Manoo-gian says the allegations are without merit and that he has the documentation to prove it.
Harvey’s attorney, Dan Meador, speaking for himself and Harvey, had “no comment” on the suit.—Nell Boeschenstein Traffic tie-ups
ALBEMARLE PLACE SET TO START BUILDING
Developer offers up to $7 million in road improvements
As an upscale town center project, Albemarle Place would bring 600,000 square feet of retail, 800 residential units, a movie theater and a hotel to one of the busiest intersections in the area, Route 29N and Hydraulic Road. After five years of planning and a rezoning approval in 2004, the last hurdles to be crossed are the County’s Architectural Review Board process and road improvements.
With a total of 35 buildings on the site, the ARB has agreed that 22 buildings will be vetted. “We’re the guinea pigs. We’re building a little city,” says developer Frank Cox. “It’s a lot of work for us and for the ARB. It puts a major pinch on our ability to complete leases for major retailers.” But Cox also sees the market improving each month as residents with more buying power move to the area.
The biggest issue is how such a huge development will affect traffic at what is already a notoriously congested intersection.
In the short term, drivers can expect additional lanes on each side of Route 29N. Offered as off-site proffers for the public right-of-way, these $5 million to $7 million upgrades are considered interim transportation improvements to keep traffic moving for the next five years. Cox is also counting on the new Hillsdale connector road, the Meadowcreek Park- way and a 29N bypass to solve the corridor’s problems (although a bypass is politically unlikely).
Cox says the project should start this spring or summer with $40 million of site improvements for roads, sewage and drainage.—Jay Neelley
Condo craze
MORE APARTMENTS GOING CONDO
Will 600 new units meet the demand for affordable housing?
Some real estate experts estimate that in the past 18 months, as many as 600 new condominiums have hit the local housing market. Many of these new units were converted from apartments to condos, including big apartment complexes like Hessian Hills near Barracks Road and Walker Square near W. Main Street.
“Conversions are what is really hot in our market right now,” says Ty Smith, vice president of SunTrust Bank. Smith loans money to condominium buyers, whom he says range from first-time homebuyers to retirees and, of course, investors and speculators.
When a property owner converts apartments into condos, Smith says that federal regulators usually stipulate that no more than half can be sold to investors—at least half must be sold for owner occupation. “The resale value of the property and the security depends on the people living around you,” says Smith. “If a majority of the units are owned by people living in them, the upkeep is more likely to help the property retain its value.”
Typically, people renting an apartment have the first option to buy when the unit converts to a condominium. Converted apartments are usually the cheapest style of condo, says Smith, who reports sale prices starting at about $145,000. New condos, in contrast, usually target the upscale buyer.
“I’ve done mortgages for condos in excess of $700,000—and that’s not the penthouse,” says Smith.
This is all good news for City officials and business leaders eager for new real estate development in Charlottesville. They are hoping to brand condo life in Charlottesville as the choice for hip young families, as well as for retirees and empty nesters who are tired of mowing their suburban lawns.
The conversion trend “probably hasn’t been much fun” for renters who are getting kicked out of apartments set for conversion, says real estate agent David Sloan. He expects the trend to continue, however. “You’re going to see more condo projects along W. Main Street,” he says. “The demand for housing there is going to get stronger. The attitude now is, ‘if you build it, they will come.’”—John Borgmeyer
Cool at school
JEFFERSON SCHOOL EARNS HISTORIC DESIGNATION
Listing on National Register could mean tax credits for renovation
Late last month, the National Park Service added Jefferson School and Carver Recreation Center to the National Register of Historic Places. The reason for the honor: the school’s pivotal role in Virginia’s desegregation effort of the 1950s and ’60s.
The designation onto the National Register is not merely an honor; it also carries certain tangible benefits. The most essential is its eligibility for State and federal rehabilitation tax credits, which can be used for various restoration projects.
In 2002, a group of citizens and Jefferson graduates rallied to save the Fourth Street school from a City plan to sell the land to developers. Since then, various groups have kicked around ways to redevelop the building in a way that both preserves the site as a cultural landmark and doesn’t require perpetual funding from the City.
The tax credits could account for as much as 45 percent of renovation costs, which makes the historic designation extremely valuable, considering that cost estimates for Jefferson School range from $8 million to $30 million.
The symbolism of the National Register is important, too, says City Councilor Kevin Lynch. The designation, he says, “clearly stakes out that this is a building that the City values as an ongoing asset, and that it’s dedicated to its preservation.”—David Goodman
Neighborhood update
THERE’S ALWAYS A PARTY IN VENABLE
City neighborhood is where town meets gown
As the City reviews its Comprehensive Plan, planners invited residents to discuss their concerns. There’s no shortage of conflict in the Venable neighborhood, where Animal House college crash pads sit next to fraternities, sororities, businesses, churches, Venable Elementary as well as owner-occupied homes for both affluent and low-income residents.
While Venable runs the gamut in terms of property types and values, many of its residents share similar concerns. According to the 2006 Draft Venable Neighborhood Plan, residents cited the need for a Rugby Road bike lane, connecting sidewalks, a crackdown on illegal parking, new water lines and more affordable housing.
Residents question whether the City can pony up the dough. Speaking on the City’s Capital Improvement Program (CIP), Venable Neighborhood Association President Bobbie Bruner says, “Most of us feel like it’s full of red tape and that the dollar amount is trivial.” For example, she says that each neighborhood gets up to $30,000 a year, whereas sidewalks cost $100 per foot, meaning a year’s allotment would cover a sidewalk spanning just two houses.
When asked about the newly established historic district and the continuing tug-of-war between preservationists and developers in Venable, Bruner says residents feel it is a mixed bag. “When a developer builds a multimillion dollar property, he does take care of it and he can provide a parking place for every bedroom,” she says. “I think all of us mourn the loss of Arts & Crafts properties, but so many of them have become run down.”—Esther Brown Moneybags!
UVA FUNDRAISES WITH THE BEST OF ’EM
Study ranks UVA 24th in 2005 collegiate fundraising efforts
A study released in mid-February by the Council for Aid to Education named UVA as the 24th most fundraising-happy college or university in the nation, having raised more than $174 million in 2005. That’s about $5 million less than No. 23, rival UNC-Chapel Hill, and $9 million more than No. 26, Princeton. In the 2004 version of the same study, UVA also ranked 24th, but raised $8 million less, about $166 million.
According to University spokesperson Carol Wood, UVA’s 2005 numbers include the eye-popping total of $67,355,260 raised in December alone, the second-highest monthly total in the school’s history. (The record holder is the $99 million December of 2001.) UVA is currently in the throes of a massive capital campaign that aims to raise $3 billion by 2011.
Below is a partial list of the Top 25 earners and their 2005 platinum piggy banks. —Nell Boeschenstein
1. Stanford University: $603,585,914
2. University of Wisconsin-Madison:
$595,215,891
3. Harvard University: $589,861,000
4. University of Pennsylvania: $394,249,685
5. Cornell University: $353,931,403
6. Columbia University: $341,140,986
7. University of Southern California: $331,754,481
8. Johns Hopkins University: $323,100,408
9. Indiana University: $301,060,946
10. University of California, San Francisco: $292,932,382
24. University of Virginia: $174,370,854
Hometown heroes return
DMB TO PLAY FIRST LOCAL GIG IN FIVE YEARS
Trippin’ billies to fill John Paul Jones arena
Last week Dave Matthews Band announced they would make Charlottesville the last stop on their 2006 summer tour with two performances at UVA’s new $130 million John Paul Jones Arena, set to open in July. DMB will cap their summer run of 51 U.S. shows in 38 cities with the JPJ gig on September 22 and 23.
General tickets for the tour go on sale April 8.
This will be the first time Dave and the boys have played their hometown since their 2001 gig at UVA’s Scott Stadium. When reached for comment, spokesman Patrick Jordan denied that the JPJ double-gig was a ploy to secure lifetime courtside seats for the five band members, instead saying, “The band is really excited about the new arena being one of the biggest and nicest facilities in the state.” DMB, the reigning kings of the jam-band scene, were a top draw last year; the band sold more U.S. concert tickets than any other touring act except Messiah stand-ins U2.
It’s been a regular DMB lovefest lately: Bama Works, the band’s charity arm, recently donated $550,000 to the City Center for Contemporary Arts, the modern-looking arts complex on Water Street.
In other news, Jordan confirms that the band is at work writing its next record with Stand Up producer Mark Batson.—John Borgmeyer, with additional reporting by Cathy Harding
Almost like Washington
DOES UVA CARE WHAT THE FACULTY THINKS?
Faculty Senate wrestles with questions of relevance
Conflicting opinions over UVA’s “floating campus” Semester at Sea program have raised questions about the Faculty Senate’s ability to represent faculty concerns about the program’s validity and other issues. Under fire from disgruntled arts and sciences faculty, the administration responded that it had informed the Faculty Senate that the program was under consideration.
The Faculty Senate, with about 80 members, is supposed to be the faculty voice “with respect to all academic functions” and “matters affecting the welfare of the university,” according to official documents. The question, though, is whether anyone in UVA’s administration is listening.
Some faculty think the Senate isn’t doing enough to stand up for their concerns. Anthropology professor and Faculty Senator Fred Damon said via e-mail that decision-making at UVA is in “crisis” marked by “a pattern of lack of communication about decisions that are experienced as major aspects of the schedules and practices we lead.”
The Faculty Senate, it seems, wields little actual power beyond the announcement of collective opinion. In addition to normal faculty concerns such as salaries, the Faculty Senate has issued public reports against intolerance, and have opined on the academic calendar and the “charter” decision. They also regularly have the ear of the Board of Visitors on things like UVA’s honor system.
Departments can hold elections or use a nominating committee to choose senators, who serve four-year terms. Meetings of the full Senate are open to the public.
Faculty Senate Chair Hous-ton Wood says there’s room for improvement. He says new focus groups established at the Senate’s retreat will help senators “take better control and report back to their constituents. We don’t want this to happen again where the faculty are left out and unhappy.”
UVA Vice President and Provost Gene Block met with the Faculty Senate March 2 and acknowledged that the decision to contract for Semester at Sea should have involved more communication with the faculty.—Meg McEvoy
No pressure—just win
LAST FALL IN U-HALL
While fans ponder Cavs’ fate in new facility, former superstar slips
UVA poured on the pomp and circumstance for the last men’s basketball game in University Hall on Sunday, March 5, although the “Last Ball in U-Hall” was mostly about hyping up the July opening of the $130 million, 15,000-seat John Paul Jones arena.
“There are a lot of memories, but really no sadness,” said former coach Terry Holland in a pregame press conference alongside former UVA stars Wally Walker and Ralph Sampson, who were also right on message. “It’s time for a new facility,” Sampson said.
Sure, but can UVA graduate from the 8,400-seat U-Hall (the smallest gym in the ACC) and fill the much bigger JPJ?
Holland said “the building itself” would bring in the fans and restore the glory of Sampson’s era in the early ’80s, when UVA was a national hoops powerhouse.
Under pressure to build a winning team and fill the new seats, new head coach Dave Leitao is off to a decent start. Though UVA lost its momentous game to Maryland 71-70 on Sunday, the Cavs finished the season with 14-13 overall. Junior guard J.R. Reynolds led the team on Sunday with 30 points, but the night belonged to senior Billy Campbell, a walk-on who hit two clutch three-pointers in a rare start.
After the game, Sampson took the last shot at Univer-sity Hall—a precarious dunk that sent the 7’4" star falling on his butt. Former players and coaches passed the ball around the court to Leitao, who will use it in a ceremony christening JPJ.—John Borgmeyer Assembly Watch
TEENS O.K. TO GAB WHILE DRIVING
House kills bill designed to prevent cell phone accidents
According to the Insurance Information Institute, 56 percent of teenagers use their cell phone while driving, and “driver distraction” accounts for 15 percent of all teen driver crashes in Virginia. Twelve states have laws banning teens from talking on their cell phones while driving. Sen. Jay O’Brien’s attempt to add the Common-wealth to that list failed last week, when a House subcommittee killed his S.B. 137 that would have banned cell phone chatter for any driver under 18. According to a report by the Associated Press, the committee’s chair told O’Brien there were too many bills on the docket to consider S.B. 137.
Kids must actually learn about sex in sex ed
Del. Scott Lingamfelter’s H.B. 164 would have required any sexual education course in Virginia to emphasize the “unlawfulness of sex between unmarried persons” and that abstinence is the “accepted norm.” The bill may explain why Lingamfelter didn’t get laid in college, but senators voted it down, deciding that students might actually need some facts about human sexuality in addition to lectures on morality. City Delegate David Toscano voted against the bill, while County Delegate Rob Bell voted for it.
New law puts dangerous dogs on trial
Last month, some citizens asked City Council to pass a new ordinance regarding dangerous dogs, but Council decided to wait until the General Assembly weighed in on the question.
New legislation that is likely to become law provides that any dog that attacks a person will face a court hearing to determine if the animal is “dangerous.” A dangerous dog must be kept in an enclosure or on a leash, and its owner will be held responsible—even punished with jail time—if the dog attacks again. There are exceptions, however, for a dog that fights in response to an attack, or if the dog attacks while defending itself or its owner. “If your dog is declared dangerous, you have a loaded weapon,” says Del. Rob Bell, who worked closely on the legislation.
School’s in, sucka
CITY SCHOOLS TO CUT MORE THAN 20 JOBS
Many to go are classroom teachers
The City School Board finally passed a budget for the 2006-07 fiscal year.
In order to help finance larger-than-usual teacher raises averaging 7.5 percent, and in response to decreased enrollment during this school year, more than 20 existing positions—a majority of which are classroom teachers—are on the chopping block.
The school system will begin notifying faculty and staff who won’t make the cut by March 15, but Board Chair Julie Gronlund doesn’t think anyone will be fired. “We’ll be able to do it through attrition,” she says. Human Resources Director Michael Heard noted that in his three years, “we typically hire 60 or more people a year, and if you take total personnel, it’s over 100. The issue becomes, what do you do when you don’t have all the resignations that you know you’re going to get eventually?”
Meanwhile, candidates are beginning to emerge for the City’s first School Board elections, with both Vance High and Ned Michie declaring their candidacies last week. We can only hope the quotable Kenneth Jackson throws his hat in the ring—he offered the best dis of the current Board at Thursday’s meeting, saying, “You have all these facts and figures and can’t figure out a budget.”—Will Goldsmith
Keep the old plan, Stan
CROZET PETITIONS FOR AMENDED GROWTH PLANS
Supe chair says petitioners misunderstand the Master Plan
Some Crozet residents feel betrayed by a recent Albe-marle County planning re-port that puts the long range build-out total for new residents at 24,000. They prefer the original figure of 12,000 set by the Crozet Master Plan, and they rounded up 1,300 signatures on a petition as a mandate to hold the supervisors accountable.
Hugh Meager, a member of the Crozet Community Association, presented the petition when the Board of Supervisors met on Wednesday, March 1. “A deal is a deal,” said Meager. “It is time for the Board to take action and stand up for the citizens they represent.” As a designated growth area, Crozet is the site for Old Trail Village, a mixed-use development with 2,000 homes and 250,000 square feet of commercial space. But several residents spoke out for preserving the rural quality of life in the area.
Karen Arch asked the Board, “Are you working for the people who elected you, or the people in New Jersey who want to move here?” David Wayland wanted to know who was more important, the developers or the people and said, “An 18 percent growth rate is insane. When will you draw the line?”
The issue is more complicated than it seems, says Supe Chair Dennis Rooker. The Master Plan does not set population limits, and it does not establish the density of residential developments in Crozet—instead, it recommends ranges of density for land targeted for residential development. “Rarely does anybody build out to maximum density,” says Rooker, noting that Forest Lakes in Northern Albemarle, for example, was only built to 60 percent of allowable density there.
That seems unlikely to mollify agitated Crozetians, however. “It’s good that people are interested and engaged,” says Rooker.—Jay Neelley, with additional reporting by John Borgmeyer
Money talks
CITY BUDGET UP 8 PERCENT
Don’t miss your chance to spout off on spending
On Thursday, March 2, City Manager Gary O’Connell announced his proposed City budget of $121,195,206—an increase of 8.5 percent over last year’s budget.
If you’re curious about specifics, you can check out the complete budget at www.charlottesville.com. On Saturday, March 18, the City will hold a budget forum at Buford Middle School from 10am to noon. Residents will be able to meet with individual City Councilors, who will present their own version of the budget on April 3.—John Borgmeyer
Press releases we love
HOORAY FOR PEANUTS!
Deconstructing the poetry of public relations
Big, fat tobacco has hogged the Dixie spotlight for too long: This week the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services sent out a press release announcing that Governor Tim Kaine has named March “Virginia Peanut Month.”
“Whether you prefer your peanuts in the shell or out,” states the press release, “salted or unsalted, honey-kissed, butter-toasted, chocolate-covered, Cajun style, barbecue-flavored, in brittle or squares, raw, boiled or roasted, you can’t choose a better peanut than Virginia-grown.”
Circus Peanuts—those otherworldly marshmallow candies that look like peanuts and taste like ass—are conspicuously absent.—Nell Boeschenstein
