In May, Waynesboro High School named Moreko Griggs the graduating class valedictorian. This was noteworthy because it was the first time in the history of the school that black student had been named valedictorian. A few hours before graduation, after objections were raised by parents, there was another first: two more students were named valedictorian, both of them white, and the motives for doing so are fuzzy, at best. Since then, the local press has bubbled over, with the AP having run a story that has appeared nationally today. At the rate that this is snowballing, it’s likely to get worse before it gets better.
cvillenews.com
News and meta-news about Charlottesville, VA, since 2001.
Last night, the Greene County Board of Supervisors approved a 75-acre residential and commercial development in Ruckersville, which stands to change the town considerably. “Ruckersville Village” is slated to include 121 houses and 24 acres of commercial space, all fronted on Route 33, just off Route 29. The developer, oddly, promised that there would be no car washes or car dealerships on the land. Ruckersville Village is just one of three developments up for approval at the meeting, along with “MountainVu” (I swear I’m not making that up), with 650 homes, “WoodPark,” with 400 homes, and “Preddy Gables, a 350-apartment complex; the vote hadn’t happened by press time, but all were presumably approved. Olympia Meola has the story in today’s Progress.
Council has gone back and forth on the issue of moving elections from May to November, but after the election of three strongly pro-November candidates, a move seemed certain. At last night’s Council meeting, the first of two votes (the second will be held in two weeks) was taken, and the measure passed by a bare majority. One of the two dissenters was, of course, Republican Rob Schilling, but the surprise was newly-appointed and newly-elected Democrat Mayor David Brown, who campaigned on the promise of moving elections. Brown voted last, expressing sympathy for Schilling, who is opposed to having his term (like everybody else’s) cut short by six months by the move. If the majority remains, and if the vote happens in two weeks as scheduled, the next Council election will take place in November of 2005. Elizabeth Nelson has the story in today’s Progress.
Albemarle County’s website has been ranked as one of the best in the nation, WINA reports. The Center for Digital Government and The National Association of Counties named the top ten most technologically-advanced counties for four different population categories, and Albemarle (whose most prominent use of technology is their website) placed #8 for counties with populations of less than 150,000. It was a year ago this week that the county launched their current website, which proved a vast improvement on their old setup, for both the public and county employees. From their A-mail service to their on-line job applications, their forms library to their rational URL schema and site structure (ahem), Albemarle has improved their use of technology considerably in the past couple of years.
Yesterday, David Brown and Kendra Hamilton took the oath of office, and became Charlottesville newest two City Councilors. The two, along with Kevin Lynch, swept the May elections, badly defeating the Republicans. Lone Republican councillor Rob Schilling didn’t show up at the swearing in, though incumbent Blake Caravati and outgoing Mayor Maurice Cox were present. At the occasion, Lynch pointed to Brown as being his favorite for mayor, which was followed up by today’s special meeting of Council in which Brown was chosen, 4-0 (Schilling abstaining). Lynch was named Vice Mayor, 4-1 (Schilling opposing.) This marks the first time that a newcomer has been named mayor since Bitsy Waters, 16 years ago. Elizabeth Nelson has the story on the swearing in, while WINA reports on the mayoral vote.
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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