Author Archive for Waldo Jaquith

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Police Want Cameras Downtown

Published by Waldo Jaquith on June 21, 2007 in Crime and Law and Justice. 36 Comments

The Charlottesville Police want to install 30 cameras to monitor your every movement while downtown, Seth Rosen writes in today’s Progress. The two city councilors contacted for the story both expressed unease at the proposal, with Kendra Hamilton citing George Orwell’s “1984.” The cost of the cameras alone is estimated at $300,000. It’s my understanding that the crime downtown is quite low, in proportion to the population, a result of there being so many eyes on would-be criminals most of the time. Wouldn’t it make more sense to propose an CCTV installation in the areas with the most crime?

Kleeman Announces Council Campaign

Published by Waldo Jaquith on June 20, 2007 in Politics. 3 Comments

Democrat Peter Kleeman launched his independent bid for election to Charlottesville’s City Council on Monday, Sean Tubbs reports for Charlottesville Tomorrow. In a ten-minute presentation in front of City Hall, Kleeman explained why he’s running and what he’d like to accomplish. He listed his top issues as public involvement, transportation challenges, growth & environment, and issues related to neighborhoods. With degrees from MIT and Harvard, Kleeman’s background as a transportation planner and his years as a fixture at City Council meetings will make him a formidable candidate.

Charlottesville Tomorrow provides video of his announcement:

Peter Kleeman is well-known and well-liked among progressive Democrats in Charlottesville. His candidacy will present a real conundrum for many Democrats, split between supporting the Democratic ticket and supporting an old friend running as an independent. At times like this, I’m glad I live in the county — there’s just no way that I could fail to support Peter, but now I get to rely on the “I can’t vote” excuse.

County Website Survey

Published by Waldo Jaquith on June 19, 2007 in In Brief. 1 Comment

Albemarle is running a survey about their website, and they’d like you to participate. It just takes two minutes.  #

After Park Mill, It Turns Out

Published by Waldo Jaquith on June 19, 2007 in In Brief. 1 Comment

Lynn Rainville explains the origins of Park Street’s name.  #

UVa Provides Same-Sex Benefits

Published by Waldo Jaquith on June 18, 2007 in UVa. 20 Comments

In a press release, UVa has announced they’re providing at least one benefit to same-sex couples:

Effective immediately, current full-time students, as well as faculty and staff members who are eligible for University benefits, will be able to sponsor one adult (18 years or older) who resides in the same household for a University Recreation membership. All other existing policies related to membership, including family membership, remain unchanged.

The Plus One program is being implemented as a result of a recent opinion — issued June 7, 2007 — by Virginia Attorney General Robert F. McDonnell. The opinion, which was requested by the University, states “the University of Virginia is authorized to provide a recreational gym membership to an adult who is not a spouse and who lives in the household of an employee or student.”

It looks like both the university and McDonnell are treating this gingerly.