There’s one issue that all six candidates for the three open Albemarle County Board of Supervisors seats have in common: growth. They all agree that the county’s rural nature is being threatened by suburbanization, and they all agree that some sort of growth limitation is necessary. From there, though, opinions diverge, as Wyant and Strucko (White Hall); Hallock and Boyd (Rivanna); and Dorrier and Fletcher (Scottsville) seek to distance themselves from their respective opponents. In today’s Progress, David Dadurka has a rundown of all the candidates’ positions on the topic.
News and meta-news about Charlottesville, VA, since 2001.
Sideblog
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
four six 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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So the BOS candidates are talking growth…but is anybody listening?
It sounds to me from reading the article, everyone is saying what they think the ‘majority’ wants to hear.
From the Regress article:
“In the Rivanna District, candidates Kenneth C. Boyd and Peter G. Hallock differ sharply on how the county should increase its business sector.
“The fact is we are bleeding jobs,” Boyd, a financial planner and School Board member, said of the area’s increasing unemployment rate.
Hallock, who said he has been accused of being a “no-growth” advocate, said he is “all for keeping businesses” in the county.”
Here’s my favorite part:
“But, he added, “I don’t want to go out and recruit large corporations.” Rather, he said, he would support start-up businesses. Hallock owns and operates the Garden Shop, a local nursery, with his wife.”
OK, so he wants primarily low paying jobs? Hey, dude – most startups don’t pay CRAP and work the hell out of their employees. We need HIGH PAYING jobs so we can afford the ridiculously overpriced housing here, that the County has encouraged, either on purpose or not.
I wonder what the highest paid employee makes at “The Garden Shop”? Enough to buy the average $200,000+ house in Albemarle? I doubt it. So, unless Boyd is prepared to lead by example and give all of his employees raises, he should shut the hell up about what kinds of businesses the County needs.
Sure – big companies can pay crap, too. But very few small businesses (doctors and lawyers aside) can afford to pay the 60,70,80k a year you need to own a home around here. Even 1400 sq. foot duplexes are $185,000 in most neighborhoods.
Sorry – typo. Hallock owns the nursey and made the quoted comments. Sorry for the mistype.