Author Archive for Waldo Jaquith

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Parking Rates Going Up

Downtown businesses are about to pay more for their free-parking stamps, John Yellig wrote in the Progress a few days ago. The Charlottesville Parking Corporation is increasing the amount that they charge participating merchants to be able to stamp customers tickets for downtown garages, though the increase will vary since each merchant negotiates their own rate. Here’s hoping this doesn’t worsen the downtown parking situation.

Central VA Not Recycling

The Department of Environmental Quality has issued a report of recycling rates around Virginia (PDF) for 2004, finding that the state’s 29.8% trash recycling rate is above the mandated 25% minimum, but Central Virginia’s rate is way behind. Orange recycles just 3.5% of theirs, and Nelson 7%. Charlottesville is at 25.3%, just over the minimum but below the average, and Albemarle is at 28.9%. Shouldn’t this liberal oasis be at, like, 50%? Though the trend is for rural areas to do more badly than urban areas, Buckingham is up at 25.3%. Maybe they should share their secret.

Jessica Kitchin has the story in today’s Daily Progress.

Ewert, Weed Debate

Fifth Congressional District Democratic candidates Bern Ewert and Al Weed faced off in their first debate on Saturday, taking an hour and a half to answer questions on Southside job growth, the minimum wage, and the war in Iraq, among other things. The Charlottesville Podcasting Network recorded the event, and provides a podcast of the debate.

JMRL Has a New Bookmobile

BookmobileThe Jefferson Madison Regional Library recently unveiled their new bookmobile, and it’s pretty cool. The rundown old one was replaced with the $180,000 28′ vehicle in order to be totally accessible to the physically disabled, carry more books and — this is the totally awesome part — provide satellite-based internet access. It visits 49 stops around Albemarle, serving as the home library to 1,000 people.

Air America in C’ville

Saga Communications subsidiary Charlotteville Radio Group, who recently bought WINA from Eure Communications, has launched a liberal radio station, David Hendrick reports in today’s Progress. WINA’s talk programming is politically conservative to the point of consternation to C’ville’s famously liberal citizens, so the establishment of an Air America affiliate in town will no doubt be welcomed by many. It’s on air now, at WVAX 1450.

Me, I have no patience for any of these shows. Whether Bill O’Reilly or Randi Rhodes, it’s just not much fun to listen to people so rabid.

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