 Lindsay Dorrier (Scottsville) |
On May 14, 2007, close to four hundred Albemarle County Democrats attended a caucus to nominate candidates for six races, including three seats on the
Albemarle County Board of Supervisors
.
Marcia Joseph
(Rivanna District) and
Ann Mallek
(White Hall District) were unopposed for their party’s nomination. Supervisor
Lindsay Dorrier
won his party’s nomination for a third consecutive term defeating challenger Kevin Fletcher. Democrats also selected
Larry Claytor
for Sheriff,
Debbie Shipp
for
Clerk of the Circuit Court, and
Denise Lunsford
for Commonwealth’s
Attorney.
Charlottesville Tomorrow
has produced both audio and video content from this event focusing on remarks by candidates for the Board of Supervisors. The audio recording is twenty-three minutes and features the acceptance speeches made by Marcia Joseph and Ann Mallek, plus the remarks made to the Scottsville caucus by Lindsay Dorrier and his challenger Kevin Fletcher.
The video includes the speeches by Joseph and Mallek only
.
Podcast produced by Charlottesville Tomorrow * Player by Odeo
Listen using player above or download the podcast:
Download 20070514-BOS-Caucus.mp3
Watch the video program:
RIVANNA DISTRICT
In the Rivanna District, Marcia Joseph, current Chair of the
Albemarle County Planning Commission
, accepted her party’s nomination to challenge incumbent Supervisor Ken Boyd. A twenty-three year resident of the area, Joseph described her experience as a small business owner and landscape architect. She has also served over the past twelve years on various committees appointed by the Board of Supervisors, including service as a member of the Agricultural Forestal District Committee, the Acquisition of Conservation Easements committee, the Architectural Review Board, and currently as a member of the Planning Commission.
Joseph described the input she has received from County residents who are frustrated about community infrastructure. “One of the things I hear often is that we keep planning and planning and planning for the future, but we haven’t planned for what’s happening right now. We’ve got all kinds of infrastructure problems and we really haven’t planned on what we’re doing for those things right now.”
Joseph suggested that increasing traffic congestion required the Supervisors to more carefully examine approvals for new developments. When developments are approved, Ms. Joseph said attractive new communities should “include safe and convenient sidewalks, bike lanes and public transit.” Our goal should be to become one of the most fit and environmentally
sensitive communities in the nation,” said Joseph.
With regard to jobs and economic development, Ms. Joseph said we should nurture and support the successful home-grown companies already in our community. “We can do that instead of sending out some search parties to capture businesses for re-location. We’ve got NGIC coming. We are going to have to deal with 800 people coming down from that. That is enough for us right now. Right now we have to think about how we are dealing with the problems we have right here, not what we may be creating.”
WHITE HALL DISTRICT
In the White Hall District, Ann Mallek accepted her party’s nomination to challenge incumbent Supervisor David Wyant and independent candidate Tom Loach.
“The voters in White Hall are alarmed,” said Mallek. “They are alarmed by the speed of growth and concerned about their future. They are alarmed about the loss of special places. They are alarmed by the growth in Crozet, over filled with new projects which threaten their quality of life. They are alarmed by the destruction of pristine spaces in the rural areas.”
Citing the new legislative authority granted by the General Assembly, Mallek questioned whether the current Board would support new impact fees for transportation and meaningful proffers charged to the development community, “to protect taxpayers from the costs of development.”
Mallek charged that David Wyant has “repeatedly reneged on his campaign promises.” She said, “We face problems that have been years in the making and will take time to get straight. But with your help, I am determined to find workable solutions that represent the people of White Hall. I am here to challenge how things have been done over the past three and one half years.”
 Kevin Fletcher (Scottsville) challenged Lindsay Dorrier for the nomination |
SCOTTSVILLE DISTRICT
Incumbent Supervisor Lindsay Dorrier won the nomination for the Scottsville District seat, edging out organic farmer Kevin Fletcher. If elected in November, it will be Mr. Dorrier’s fourth term representing the County’s Scottsville District. After the caucus, Kevin Fletcher told Charlottesville Tomorrow that he was considering running as an independent candidate. Denny King is also running as an independent for the Scottsville District seat.
“Some people think I am pro-growth, but I’m not for growth that’s unmanaged,” Dorrier told about a hundred Scottsville residents gathered in the balcony of Lane Auditorium. He spoke about the role he’s played in implementing strategic planning in the county. “I’m proud to say that in 2001 when I came on the board, we didn’t have a strategic plan. Now everything the county does is governed by a strategic plan.”
He says the county government must accept new residents while continuing to protect the area’s natural resources and rural areas. He said one of the biggest issues facing the county is growth.
“Growth is coming whether we like it or not, and we need to control it. We need to manage it. We need to have smart growth. Smart growth is the way to go. People think because we rezone, it’s not smart growth. Sometimes rezoning carries with it proffers of green space and proffers of roads, proffers of parks, proffers of schools….We need to use smart growth, get the most from the developers, get the infrastructure needs taken care of. We’re going to require $17,000 for every developer for building a home in Albemarle County. This is a start, this is a step in the right direction. Development has to pay for itself, and that’s what I’m working towards.”
Fletcher followed Mr. Dorrier in making his case to the Scottsville voters at the caucus. Fletcher said he would seek thoughtful and innovative solutions to the need for affordable living choices, to best manage the County’s growth areas, and to avoid sprawl development into the County’s rural areas.
Brian Wheeler
