County Supervisor Charlotte Humphris (who recently announced her retirement) has described the spring Foxfield “a disaster,” logistically-speaking. The twice-annual horse races are a popular gathering spot for University students, inevitably resulting in a lot of drinking and disorderly conduct. This may be a first step towards making some changes to the event. WINA has the story.
News and meta-news about Charlottesville, VA, since 2001.
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Police announced this afternoon that their investigation into what was initially believed to be a fatal fire on Rugby Avenue is now a homicide investigation. #
The Virginia Supreme Court has denied George Huguely’s appeal. His second-degree murder conviction will stand, WRIC reports. #
In a carefully worded story, and not citing specific sources, WTVR reports that forensic evidence belonging to Jesse Matthew Jr., the main suspect in the disappearance of Hannah Graham, matches forensic evidence collected during the investigation of Morgan Harrington’s 2009 murder. #
In the wake of Hannah Graham’s disappearance, and the evidence that came from private security footage, city officials are revisiting the question of installing security cameras on the downtown mall. #
Both Charlottesville Registrar Sheri Iachetta and former Electoral Board member Stephanie Commander have turned themselves in to the police on
foursix and four felony counts of embezzlement, respectively. #Ten years ago, the National Institutes of Health budget doubled and schools like the University of Virginia built massive new research facilities. A decade later, those buildings remain largely underutilized. NPR visits UVA in this story on the effect of federal binge and spurge spending in the sciences. #
In 2012, Council approved a new student housing complex on West Main—now some council members are questioning whether what they were shown matches what was built. #
The Architectural Review Board has approved a bike-themed mural on West Market, below the McGuffey Art Center, although at least one member expressed concerns that it might look like the bicyclists were riding away from Charlottesville’s downtown. #
City Police Chief Tim Longo is meeting with city leaders to work on protocols regarding the use of military surplus police weapons in Charlottesville. #
A 100-year-old Colonnades resident received military honors for her service in the WWII Women’s Army Corps #
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Hopefully this will add up to some changes. Foxfield is ridiculous. There’s always a huge line of cars stretching all the way to town, many of them full to the brim with drunken fratboys. Some are pissing out of the car windows, others vomit in people’s yards, still more weave their way into the other lane. I’ve never seen police stop any of these cars, which bugs me to no end. I don’t know if this behavior is allowed because of the income that’s generated by the event, or because UVa kiddies get a pile of “get out of jail free” cards when they enroll (see Richard Smith and those 120-odd cheaters before flaming.) But it’s nice to see somebody in power pointing out the elephant in our living room.
-Waldo
Logistically, any large gathering takes a lot of work. I’m sure improvements could be made all around, but me – I like Foxfield.
My only problem with the event is transportation. I’d like to see a better shuttle service, particularly for the youger crowd who tend to get smashed without considering the drive home.
Semi-private disorder’s fine with me as long as it’s safe to those around.
From all that I’ve seen, UPo doesn’t do much, save freely handing out parking tickets to townies, even in PUBLIC lots. CPD apparently takes their revenge by harassing the poor drunken firstyear girls on the stretch of McCormick between Rugby and the dorms EVERY weekend while school is in session. My personal opinion on the matter is that there’s a lot of tension about jurisdiction between the coinciding police departments.
PS – if anyone reading this might be interested in helping start a “safety patrol” to drive hot drunk chicks home from the parties, hit me up! :)