Monthly Archive for October, 2002

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Reservoir Level Up

The Albemarle County Service Authority’s Water Emergency webpage reports that the water level is currently at 69.3%, a tremendous increase over the low-50s of mid-September. If that almost-70% figure sounds interesting, that’s because it’s somewhat of a magic number. The most draconian restrictions, notably on car washes, could be lifted at 70%. It’s not until a week at 85%+ that other local restrictions (the price of water, among others) could be lifted. The governor’s restrictions, however, would remain in effect. Daily water usage remains at an admirable 7-8 million gallons per day, a tremendous decrease from our summertime average of 14 mgpd. Josh Goodman has the story in today’s Cavalier Daily.

Technicolor Moving to Mexico

Technicolor‘s Albemarle and Greene CD/DVD manufacturing facilities are being moved to Tennessee and Mexico. Technicolor (nee Nimbus Records) is one of the region’s largest employers, and it is speculated that their move will deal a serious economic blow to the Charlottesville area. Explains the company CAO, labor is simply cheaper in Guadalajara. Layoffs of the 750 employees will begin in January. In the Daily Progress, Olympia Meola has an overview, and David Dadurka has a story on the economic impact of the closing.

Louisa a Mess

After two firings of police chiefs in the past few weeks, Louisa town manager George E. Morrison III has resigned. Former police chief John Cetrulo, who was demoted to lieutenant several weeks ago and fired on Tuesday, had threatened to open a probe into Morrison prior to Cetrulo’s dismissal, and believes that is part of why he was fired. Morrison claims that his resignation from his two-year job has nothing to do with the police disputes, and says it’s just “bad timing.” The Progress’ Austin Graham has the recent story on the firing of the former chief, plus today’s story about Morrison’s resignation.

No Cars for First Years

Leonard Sandridge has made it official: first-years at UVa will no longer be permitted to park their cars on grounds beginning next fall. Under the current system, first-years are permitted to have vehicles during the spring semester, but not in the fall. On average, 550 of the 3,000 first-years get parking permits in the spring. The change was prompted in no small part by the loss of 475 parking spaces this coming spring, a result of the construction of the new basketball arena. Alexis Unkovic has the story in today’s Cavalier Daily.

29 Lights to Get Synched

The Commonwealth Transportation Board has voted to install a synchronized traffic light system along Route 29 in Charlottesville between Barracks Road and the post office, at the county line. The new system should speed traffic flow along the entire corridor. Bob Gibson has the story in today’s Progress.

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