Tom Loach will not be running for the Board of Supervisors, Brian Wheeler revealed on Coy Barefoot’s show yesterday. It was just five weeks ago that Loach announced his candidacy. Apparently he got enough signatures to get on the ballot, but was presumably concerned that he’d split the vote with Democratic candidate Ann Maleck, who announced back in January. The incumbent is Republican David Wyant, who is just finishing his first term.
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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Good for Tom Loach. Clearly a man who put policy and practical math above personal ambition.
It takes a wise man to sacrifice personal ambition for the greater good. You have my respect Tom.
I wonder if everyone would think Loach was as wise if he had been a conservative and was hurting Wyant’s vote. I don’t know if he’s being noble, had his arm twisted, or reached an accomodation with Maleck. He seems to be outspoken on everything else, why now is he silent?
This blog usally applauds people for getting into races not out of them. All the Albemarle district school board races are unopposed (Wood vs. Wheeler is at-large) and I think that is a shame.
I wonder if everyone would think Loach was as wise if he had been a conservative and was hurting Wyant’s vote.
Sure. I wouldn’t be as pleased if that were the case, but I would still concede that he was more concerned about policy than personal ambition and that he was wise enough to know that two candidates with similar positions on growth pretty much guarantees that the third candidate with the other view wins.
It has nothing to do with nobility. I have no idea as to what went on behind the scenes, but I would fully expect that Tom Loach would have had conversations with Ann Maleck to determine just how comfortable he was with her positions. Presumably, he felt okay with it. If he publicly endorses Ann Maleck’s candidacy, we’ll know.
Harry,
I do hate to see any candidate unopposed. If you review my comments, you’ll find me just as vocal that Lindsey Dorrier, a democrat, needs to be opposed (and fortunately it appears that he will be). Likewise, I’d agree that it’s a shame that school board members are running with no opposition.
I’d even like to see a viable Republican run for City Council. Why? Even though I lean Democrat, I’ll gladly acknowledge that no party functions well without someone there who’ll challenge them on important issues.