Cville Dems

The Charlottesville Democratic Committee

Candidate Forum + (maybe) a Zoning Forum

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Horizontally-oriented graphic reading "Community Forums" in a yellow handwriting-looking script and "Long-Range Planning" in a standard print font surrounded by a white background and an abstract geometric designThe Cville Dems will definitely be sponsoring one or more candidate forums, probably in coordination with the Albemarle Dems; we’ll announce details as soon as they’re worked out.
We’re also wondering if people (you!?) would find it helpful for us to sponsor an informational forum about the upcoming Draft Zoning Plan (Module 1 of 3 available here) that City Council will be voting on in June. The party hasn’t taken a position, but it’s an important issue and we’re wondering if a panel representing a wide variety of stakeholders would be valuable in sharing the many perspectives held within the community.
So:
  1. Would you like to see some kind of panel/forum on Zoning?
  2. If so, what groups/people would you be most interested in hearing from?
  3. Any other thoughts about this that you’d like to share with us?
Please send your thoughts to cvilledemschair@gmail.com

Getting Ready for UVA/Bert Ellis Shenanigans

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photo of Bert Ellis Jr. wearing a pale yellow shirt and dark sport jacketBert Ellis, long-time reactionary and new UVA Board of Visitors member, has already telegraphed his intention to shake things up at UVA even if he’s restrained from cutting down First Amendment-protected student political speech he doesn’t like on Grounds.
The Washington Post profiled him as “controversial board newcomer who has voiced skepticism of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, been protective of the legacy of Jefferson and advocated for a new course for the flagship university. They also underscore mounting political tensions throughout public higher education as Republican governors and their appointees challenge university culture, norms and operations.”
We’re thinking it might be good to identify some Dems in advance as a quick reaction group that would be ready if/when Ellis and others in his Gov. Youngkin-appointed cohort try to push through changes that threaten academic and/or personal freedom at UVA. We’d coordinate with the UVA Dems on this. Note that there may be pressure from the UVA Administration on faculty and students not to speak publicly about Ellis or other Board of Visitor actions.
If anyone’s interested in being part of such a group, please contact cvilledemschair@gmail.com

Highlights of the Executive Committee 2/27 Meeting

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cartoon people sitting around a meeting table

  • Our party must collect the paperwork from all primary candidates between March 20 and April 6, and immediately afterwards verify the petition signatures to get each candidate on the ballot. It’s fun, and much quicker, as a group project; please email cvilledemschair@gmail.com for information if you might be able to pitch in a few hours.
  • We’d like to organize some candidate forums in April, possibly in collaboration with the Albemarle Democrats. Details will be announced when they’re worked out.
  • Nancy Damon updated us on the upcoming annual dinner fundraiser, tentatively scheduled for Friday June 2 (see below). Thanks to Nancy and the committee for doing all the planning!
  • We want to increase our efforts at community engagement to get more people (and more diversity!) in our membership. If you or someone you know might be interested in joining this effort, please contact cvilledemschair@gmail.com.
  • We’ve formalized some policies and procedures for covering the primary candidates, so we can pass on information to our members without showing favoritism to any candidate.
  • Kate Vasiloff, a local activist working with Compassion and Choices to expand end-of-life options, briefed us on a proposed bill that would allow for assisted suicide in very narrowly prescribed cases of incurable terminal illnesses. In past years, the General Assembly hasn’t passed similar bills, despite large majority support from both Democratic and Republican voters. The Charlottesville Democrats have not taken any position on this issue. If you’d like to learn more, or to participate in this effort, you can contact Kate: kate@untoldresearch.com 
  • Erin Monaghan gave 5th District and DPVA reports (see below).

2023 General Assembly Spring Session Ends

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Interior photo of Virginia state legislature

The spring Virginia legislative session is over, with plenty of sturm und drang but no budget thanks to Gov. Youngkin’s political posturing around tax cuts. One sample headline: “Va. General Assembly ends session with no budget deal, leaving money unspent“). Nathan Alderman and the Albemarle Dems do a great job covering the nuts and bolts of what’s going on in Richmond, we’re waiting to see his latest recap here.