BoS Candidates’ Campaign Finance Reports

Published by Waldo Jaquith on September 27, 2007 in Politics. 7 Comments

The Virginia Public Access Project has BoS candidates’ latest campaign finance data up on their site now. In Rivanna, Democrat Marcia Joseph is out-raising incumbent Republican Ken Boyd, $24k to $18k. In White Hall, incumbent Republican David Wyant is out-raising Democratic challenger Ann Huckle Mallek $29k to $20k (thanks to a $10k contribution from one of his appointees). And in Scottsville, incumbent Democrat Lindsay Dorrier is significantly out-raising his two independent challengers with $14k — Kevin Fletcher has raised $575 and Denny King has raised $5k. Lists of individuals contributions greater than $100 are available for all of the candidates, and there are some interesting numbers in there.

There are reports for the City Council races, too, but the lack of Republican candidates and the minor role that money will play in that contest makes the money a lot less interesting.

Patrick Michaels Resigns

Published by Waldo Jaquith on September 26, 2007 in Politics and UVa. 22 Comments

It was one year ago that City Councilor Kevin Lynch exposed UVa’s Patrick J. Michaels as fraudulently claiming to be Virginia State Climatologist. Now comes word that Michaels quietly resigned his position at the university this summer, Bob Gibson reports in today’s Daily Progress. Lynch’s reporting led to national coverage of Michaels’ conflict of interest (he received extensive funding from the energy industry while denying global climate change) and resulted in Governor Kaine’s request that he stop calling himself the state’s climatologist, since he held no such position. The 57-year-old Michaels has negotiated a retirement package with UVa, and will continue to hold a position as a part-time research professor…on leave.

Woman Wrongly Jailed for a Month

Published by Waldo Jaquith on September 26, 2007 in Law and Justice. 19 Comments

Dave Norris' Swearing InFrom the “What The?!” files comes the story of Jennifer Dowell White, who was held in the jail for a month for no apparent reason, Lisa Provence reports for The Hook. She appeared before a city grand jury on August 20, who was considering indicting her for obtaining money under false pretenses, but they decided not to. Nonetheless, she was held in jail until just yesterday, the apparent fault of Charlottesville Clerk Paul Garrett. Her attorney had repeatedly requested a copy of the indictment that would presumably be required to keep White in jail, but Garrett wouldn’t send it — the paperwork had apparently been lost in his office. Garrett declined comment.

Garrett was last in the news back in April, when he was caught obtaining $52,000 from the state by lying about getting his office’s records online. Garrett, a Democrat, was most recently reelected in 2003.

9:30pm Update: I see that Henry Graff reported on this for NBC 29 and did get a comment out of Paul Garrett. He said that he wasn’t necessarily the obstacle, that “there are various ways that could have been addressed,” though not knowing anything about the legal system, it’s all greek to me.

Albemarle’s Budget Shortfall

Published by Waldo Jaquith on September 26, 2007 in Taxes. Closed

The county has a $3.3M budget shortfall, Jeremy Borden reported for the Progress yesterday, leaving the county trying to figure out what to cut. What with the soaring property tax rates, I’m not sure many people will be able to muster much sympathy. Staff had counted on a cooling housing market, but it happened faster and cooled more than they’d planned on. The county figures they can make up their $1.4M by not filling positions as they become open, but the school has to figure out how they’ll make up their $1.9M.

Corey Harris Wins Genius Grant

Published by Waldo Jaquith on September 25, 2007 in Music. 13 Comments

Corey Harris has won a MacArthur Foundation fellowship — a “genius grant”! The 38-year-old blues musician is a genuine success story in the realm of Charlottesville music, and he’s been making waves in the world of blues for well over a decade now. He’ll receive $100,000 annually for the next five years, with which he can do absolutely anything he wants. I’m thrilled for him.

8:30am Update: Jane Dunlap Norris has the story for the Progress.

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