Judge Robert Downer has been endorsed for Circuit Court Paul Peatross’ seat by the Madison-Greene Bar Association, The Hook reports. Downer was endorsed by the Charlottesville-Albemarle Bar Association earlier this month. There is widespread speculation that Reps. Rob Bell and Bill Janis intend to nominate Albemarle County Commonwealth’s Attorney Jim Camblos for partisan reasons, despite that four municipalities’ bar associations have now given him a vote of no confidence.
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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Does no one find it slightly suspect that a bar association outside the area has endorsed a candidate without any public forum? How were candidates reviewed? The CABA solicited applications (using the ABA standard application). How did the Madison-Greene BA get information about the candidates? Who was invited to apply? Given what I saw regarding the support for Downer at Bell’s public forum (lawyers from one law firm, including the past president of CABA were his only supporters) I frankly find this stealth endorsement of Downer somewhat lacking in transparency. (And I was confused for a moment when you referred to the “bar associations of 4 municipalities.” I assume you mean Charlottesville/Albemarle and Madison/Greene, and thus 2 organizations, not 4 separate endorsements.)
Honestly, I don’t care. Just like most people, all I want is Not Jim Camblos ™. Republican, Democrat, Bull Moose. Whatever. Downer excels at not being Jim Camblos so he’s ok in my book.
That’s basically my philosophy.
I completely understand the ‘not Camblos’ philosophy, but I’m a bit frustrated by the ‘any process that doesn’t result in Camblos’ approach to this. Circuit court judges have a lot of power and sit for at least 8, usually 16 or even 24 years. Five years from now, will we say “at least it’s not Camblos?” Why is everyone willing to endorse a bar process that has consistently resulted in mediocre candidates, as long as they don’t endorse one particular candidate? It just seems awfully short sighted to me.
And while I’m on this rant, I’m a bit disgusted by our local press who hasn’t bothered to obtain the smallest bit of information about the candidates so that the public could at least follow the process in an informed manner.
I am afraid that the Madison-Greene Bar’s endorsement will carry about as much weight as, oh say, the endorsement of cvillenews.com. Make no mistake, this will be decided by Janis and Bell and no one else. I do not know about anyone else but that scares the hell out of me.
“Why is everyone willing to endorse a bar process that has consistently resulted in mediocre candidates”
I think there are many who would disagree and say the process has resulted in the endorsement of two excellent candidates. And since Downer sits in Green /Madison also, (same district) they are well acquainted with his abilities.
Years ago, I once heard a high-ranking fellow from the Church of England tell the story of the priest who was asked, “why are the clergy so mediocre?” And the young priest considered the question then replied, “because they’ve only the laity to pick from.”