Downtown philosopher savant Phil Gair — reverently known as “Buddha Phil” to his many admirers — died of a heart attack a week ago Friday, the Daily Progress reports. Phil spent many years sitting on the Downtown Mall, dispensing equal parts inanity and wisdom; the line between the two was often unclear. What few knew about Phil was that he was a world-class blues guitarist and singer — modesty kept him from performing, though I got to witness his playing several times. Though mental illness is a great burden in life, Phil turned it into something more like an art. A memorial service is being planned.
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News and meta-news about Charlottesville, VA, since 2001.
City Council is looking at implementing some of the ideas for electoral change presented in January’s election task force report, and the discussion is getting a little heated. The four Democrats oppose a ward system — which many believe would benefit Republicans — while lone Republican Rob Schilling favors it. The discussion has gotten a bit heated, and it doesn’t look like it will get any better. Here’s some free advice for Charlottesville Republicans: push for an instant runoff voting system, as recommended in the task force report. It’ll get you 1-2 seats on Council, if you run candidates that aren’t in the habit of stabbing people. John Yellig has the story in today’s Progress.
Remember November’s news that a Fox affiliate would be coming to town? It’s happening. Gray Television — who opened the ABC and CBS affiliates here last year — has bought local PAX affiliate WADA (ending a five-year marathon of Touched By an Angel and Diagnosis: Murder), and will turn it into Fox affiliate WAHU. Gray is shooting to be on air in April or May, but it could be later. Lisa Provence has the story in this week’s Hook.
Anybody that’s driven at night on Stony Point Road, just outside of town, knows that Pen Park has been lit up like a 60,000 watt Christmas tree since a few months ago. That’s because city officials installed forty 1,500 watt floodlights atop fifty-foot poles to light up the tennis courts at night back in August. The lights have no shielding, nor are they directed only at the tennis courts, making it possible to read a newspaper on a moonless night a half mile away, out in Albemarle County. The director of Parks and Recreation, in response to complaints, intends to install shielding on the lights, but it’s in no way clear that it’s going to make much of a difference. Courteney Stuart has the story in this week’s Hook.
Via a story in today’s Progress, former Charlottesville mayor David Toscano has announced his candidacy for the Democratic nomination for House of Delegates, now that Del. Mitch Van Yahres has announced his plan to retire. Toscano served on City Council for 12 years, up until 2002, and his basing his run on a desire to “create economic opportunity for the broadest cross-section of the public.” Bob Gibson has the story.
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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