Via a story in today’s Progress, former Charlottesville mayor David Toscano has announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for House of Delegates, now that Del. Mitch Van Yahres has announced his plan to retire. Toscano served on City Council for 12 years, up until 2002, and his basing his run on a desire to “create economic opportunity for the broadest cross-section of the public.” Bob Gibson has the story.
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
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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Waldo I read in the Progress that you were a possible candidate. Democrats really can put anyone up it doesnt really matter. Republicans, well they could say "at least we tried" as they read returns that 70%+ of voters chose the other guy. I’ve read that the 57th district is one of the most Democratic districts in the entire state of Virginia.
It is. Hence the fact that the real race is going to be the Democratic primary.
Unless they nominate Toscano. If they city Dems were foolish enough to nominate an uber liberal they could lose to a moderate.
With Toscano it’s a done deal. Business knows this is the most pro business canidate they are likely to get. Pragmatic Rep know this is the best they are likely to see as well. Much less liberal the Van Vahres.
Toscano been waiting a longtime to run this race. I be shock to anyone beat him for the nomination.
Waldo get off the tracks there is a train a comin.
I would have to say I beg to differ. The city of Charlottesville and the urban ring of Albemarle is one of the most heavily Democratic district in the state. It’s composed of young people, professors, doctors, universities officials, and a sizable minority population. Just as Republicans can nominate a right wing nut case and expect to win the Dems can nominate an "uber" liberal and not have to break a sweat simply because that represents a great deal of people in this district.
If this was a few years ago I would say yeah a moderate republican can beat a liberal democrat. The fact is, however, that this area has become more Democratic. For the first time in years, i’m tempted to say decades, Albemarle County was a Democratic county. In 2000 the Dems lost by 6% points while winning by 3% in 2004. Thats a 9% point gain. Charlottesville went to Gore with 59% of the vote. In 2004 Kerry won the city with 72% vote. That’s a 13% point gain. And with Bush winning you can only imagine that the backlash among dems will allow them to keep or expand those margins.
I enjoy seeing the area going more towards the left for personal reasons. But the simple fact is that shameful districting and grouping of people leave us with a lack of competitive races. I say that the competition yeilds better candidates. If I could have it my way all districts would be drawn fairly with both parties garunteed an equal starting point. The fact is that is a dream world and we live in reality. Therefore I say it isnt a slam dunk. Its a slam dunk with a spin and the ball between the legs.
Waldo I read in the Progress that you were a possible candidate.
There’s a reason that I didn’t mention that in the story. :) This isn’t something that I floated in the paper to see what kind of reaction I would get — Bob Gibson e-mailed me, and I didn’t want to lie to him and say “no, I hadn’t thought about it.” I prefer to tell the truth, which is that I’d like to find a strong, progressive candidate, and I’m looking for one.
No matter who wins I think it is very refreshing to see our local politicians in the race, especially when they are motivated only to do good things for their fellow man.
Never thinking of themselves, or any sort of action, which will enhance their importance or power, except of course to do good things for their companions on this planet.
What is most wondrous of all is these kinds of folk have been granted, by a miracle or something similar, the power and wisdom to know what is best for anything and everyone.
I think they have perhaps one fault, for which they can be forgiven, I suppose , that is ,they do not hesitate to tell one and all how great they are.
The enigma of the situation is when these same politicians are elected to offices at a higher and higher level, they seem to sprout faults not previously discernable, but immediately recognizable by all and sundry, and surprisingly ,these faults seem to multiply as the level of office rises.
Wondrous.
Funny.
Yes, power corrupts many people. But if I thought that were universally true, I’d have to rethink my career plans ;)
I think it perhaps not the power but the temptations and the temptations do not surface until the power is there to attract the sower of temptations in the first place.
I hope I said that so it is understandable.
I enjoy seeing the area going more towards the left for personal reasons. But the simple fact is that shameful districting and grouping of people leave us with a lack of competitive races. I say that the competition yeilds better candidates. If I could have it my way all districts would be drawn fairly with both parties garunteed an equal starting point.
I couldn’t agree more. I really, really hope that Democrats will remember this, and when we inevitably take power in Richmond at some point, and census time comes around, we don’t think “revenge time,” we think “it’s time to be fair.” I’m not going to hold my breath, but I can hope.
We think "it’s time to adopt the Florida Democrats’ idea and turn redistricting over to nonpartisan independent organizations." Then, districts actually are fair, and we can paint the Repubs who vote against it as gerrymanderers or worse.
"Then, districts actually are fair, and we can paint the Repubs who vote against it as gerrymanderers or worse."
Im assuming you are being sarcastic so I will respond. It’s not about that. These districts make it so either extreme liberals or crazy right wingers get in office. Many, if not most, of the districts in this country make no sense what so ever. Look at our district (5th Virginia). We are grouped with places like Bedford, Danville, and the land of Jerry Faldwell Lynchburg. What do we have in common with these areas? What on god’s green earth would convince the delegates to group Charlottesville with an area of the state that we have nothing to do with. We get grouped with Lynchburg while places like orange, augusta, madison, Louisa get put into another district. Those are counties that we actually DO associate with and can relate to. It isnt just the 5th district. Take a good look at the districts in the United States. You may think that it has no effect but look at the past election. Part of Bush’s claim for a mandate (excuse me while I laugh) is that he saw gains in the house and senate. Senate yes legit. gains. House, absolutely not.
The republicans gained 5 seats I think it was. Four of which came from Texas. This sate, under the direction of the crook aka Tom DeLay, redistricted an unprecedent amount of times in a single decade (before official census) Due to DeLays clever, and questionably criminal, activites Former Democratic areas were turned into hard core red republican districts. How does a man win his district by a sizable margin two years earlier and then lose later by 30+ points. Ask DeLay.
That’s what they said about Rob Schilling. No Way is that guy going to win. They were wrong.
Just so you know, Lynchburg is in the 6th, not the 5th.
And while we may have more to do with counties like Madison, Orange, Augusta, etc., I’d wager that we have less in common with them that we do with Bedford, Brunswick, Danville, Martinsville, etc. And frankly, there really is no other place like CVille in the area.
If you want a good example of gerrymandering, just ask yourself why Creigh Deeds is currently representing Charlottesville.
IIRC, had it not been for DeLay’s illegal redistricting, Dems would have gained one seat in the House.
The city itself yes is in the 6th district but its surrounding counties the remaining areas from its metro area , Cambell (the county its in) and Bedford are in our district. Regardless, when I say places that have things in common with Charlottesville, Im refering to the area (Albemarle, surrounding counties) I fail to see how we would more in common with Danvill which is over 2 hours away than Orange which boarders Albemarle. An example of just how much we differ is our unemployment. How does Virgil Goode serve his northern part of the district (Charlottesville area) which has one of the lowest uneployment rates in the entire country the same way he serves the Danville area which suffers from chronic unemployment? When you look at the mere physical boundaries of our district you have to scratch your head and ask "huh?" Im just for a fair district. I concede that chances are that no district lines will give you Charlottesville interests, but a fair one would give the Charlottesville area the weight it deserves.