At tonight’s City Council meeting, council will take up the matter of whether to issue a resolution asking the General Assembly to repeal HB 751, Del. Bob Marshall‘s (R-Manassas) bill that was signed into law earlier this year that prohibits any “arrangement between persons of the same sex purporting to bestow the privileges or obligations of marriage.” The law has resulted in much protest, notably because the law seems to ban any contract between two people of the same sex that provides a benefit of marriage (tenancy by the entirety, living wills, joint adoption, etc.) Del. Marshall, when asked by Del. Brian Moran (D-Alexandria) to explain precisely what contracts that he intended to outlaw, said only “I am not accountable for the gentleman’s lack of enlightenment or understanding.” It’s a safe assumption that this resolution will pass. Neither Rob Schilling nor Charlottesville Republican Committee Bob Hodous would talk to the Progress about the resolution. John Yellig has the story in today’s Progress. 11/16 Update: They did it.
cvillenews.com
This afternoon, the Albemarle Board of Zoning Appeals held the long-discussed public hearing about revoking Planned Parenthood‘s occupancy permit for their new office on Hydraulic Road and, in a 3-1-1 ruling (one abstaining), they ruled against the appellant, Renae Townsend. The debate was over whether the R-10 zoning permitted Planned Parenthood to perform medical services there — the majority held that they qualified as a professional office (in the manner of a physician or dentist), and not as a medical center (such as a hospital), while the minority disagreed. The 1pm meeting ran for over 4 hours, with testimony coming from dozens in the overflowing auditorium. Hundreds of people filled the room, the lobby, and even the steps of the building, with pro-choice members (identified by Planned Parenthood stickers) far, far outnumbering those opposed to the organization. There is still the matter of the lawsuit brought against the county by six residents of the nearby Garden Court, who allege that permitting Planned Parenthood to locate there amounts to an unlawful taking of their property rights, through devaluation of their property. The case isn’t likely to go very far.
Former UVa student Andrew Alston, charged in the murder of Walter Sisk, of Free Union, is claiming in his defense that Sisk died because he stabbed himself, 18 times. John Correa, with whom Alston studied aikido in 2002, testified that each of the wounds on Sisk’s body are consistent with the use of standard aikido defense measures against an individual armed with a knife. The Nelson Muntz (“Why are you hitting yourself?”) Defense, if successful, could keep Alston from up to 40 years in prison. Liesel Nowak the story. in today’s Progress. 11/10 Update: The Cav. Daily reports that a jury found Alston guilty of voluntary manslaughter late last night.
ragnar writes: A Daily Progress article summarizes a study that recommends further light rail support in Charlottesville over the coming decade. The study in particular calls for rail along route 29 to Washington and along route 250 to Richmond. What are the prospects for encouraging such public transportation in Virginia? Is there an opportunity to mobilize support for the study?
BoTalks writes: Did anyone see the Daily Progress article on the exceptionally ugly building that apparently will be built on 10th St NW? (See “Center’s Look New for City“). The web article doesn’t have a picture of the building, but it is butt ugly! It looks like some kind of bank building built on U.S. 1 in Fort Lauderdale back in the ’80s. The developer is calling it a “little taste of Florida”. Apparently it was allowed by right, meaning the city didn’t have any leverage on the design. I’m all for increasing density in the city, but isn’t there any standard to which we can hold bad architecture accountable?
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
four six 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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