The new City Council unanimously selected Satyendra Huja as the new mayor, Graham Moomaw writes in today’s Daily Progress. Newly elected councilors Kathy Galvin and Dede Smith also joined in the unanimous vote to name Kristin Szakos the vice mayor. Huja replaces Dave Norris as major, who had served in the position for the past four years. Our strong city manager form of government means that the mayor has relatively little power—he can set the agenda for and preside over meetings, but the position is largely ceremonial.
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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I believe the vote for mayor has always been unanimous in Charlottesville in recent decades because of one party dominance.
If Huja signs the water cost share agreement he will have done more harm to the citizens of Charlottesville than any other Mayor in Charlottesville’s history.
Who would agree to give away millions of dollars of assets for less water than we have now ? Who would agree to abandon South Fork Reservoir for water supply and make water ratepayers fund minimal dredging for recreation and lakeside property owners ? Who would sign an agreement that forces citizens to pay Albemarle County Service Authority if city residents exceed their allotment of water ( for water rights they once owned but will be forfeited in the new agreement) ?
Who would agree to make this pre-penalty allotment for less water than the new study ( funded by city residents ) says we will need ?
Apparently that person who will agree to this injustice to those who elected him is Mr. Huja.
He voted to destroy McIntire Park, he voted to destroy Ragged Mt. Natural Area and now he is about to vote to destroy South Fork Rivanna Reservoir as water supply.
What a legacy
The new councilor, Dede Smith did her best to defend the citizens with her questions on Monday night and I appreciate her efforts, but as she says in this podcast the City, under Mr. Huja’s leadership is about to give away their house to the county and charge their citizens to do it.
http://www.wina.com/play_window.php?audioType=Episode&audioId=5623926
And so, the new Democrat Duma
Elected an interesting Poobah.
He’s wearing a turban,
And looks very urban;
The Mayor is Satyendra Huja.
OK, someone needs to post a nice haiku or sonnet. Not as funny as a limerick, of course, but I’m craving some diversity.
I, for one, support this new limerick trend.
A tragic verse would be appropriate for this choice
A tragic verse would be appropriate.