In seeking a third term on Albemarle County School Board, Samuel Miller District representative Graham Paige is eager to continue working to address crowding issues in county schools, support student success and equity, and keep the division’s antiracist policies in place. While the nation is gripped in conversations about what critical race theory is or […]
Author Archives: Charlotte Rene Woods
I was Charlottesville Tomorrow’s government reporter from 2019 to 2022. Thanks for letting me be your resident nerd on how local and state governments serve us. Keep up with me @charlottewords on Twitter. If you haven’t yet, consider subscribing to Charlottesville Tomorrow’s FREE newsletter to get updates from the newsroom on the things you want to know.
Posted inGovernment and public institutions
Write-in school board candidate Randy Zackrisson to challenge incumbent Graham Paige and promote parental advocacy
Write-in candidate for the Samuel Miller district of the Albemarle County School Board, Randy Zackrisson, said that running for local office “was about the last thing [he] ever expected to do.” Nearing retirement, he did not expect to become energized for a campaign and to jump in the race after filing deadlines to appear on […]
Posted inGovernment and public institutions
Charlottesville City Manager Chip Boyles has resigned, effective Oct. 29
Following a closed session Tuesday afternoon, Charlottesville City Council accepted the resignation letter of City Manager Chip Boyles — 10 months after announcing his hire. Boyles’ final day is Oct. 29. Councilor Heather Hill said that council is considering options for an interim city manager when Boyles’ tenure ends later this month. Also, according to […]
Posted inHow we learn
Christa Bennett to bring experience and advocacy lens to Charlottesville School Board
Calling herself the “Get Stuff Done Candidate” on her campaign website, Christa Bennett is already used to getting things done. And if elected to Charlottesville City School Board, she wants to make sure others can advocate as well. In 2018, Bennett successfully lobbied for and fundraised for a playground at Walker Upper Elementary School. Bennett […]
Posted inGovernment and public institutions, Health and safety
Charlottesville’s Assistant Police Chief Jim Mooney to retire immediately
Charlottesville’s assistant police chief, Maj. Jim Mooney, tried to retire in late August. As of this week, he officially has. After Mooney submitted paperwork to retire on Aug. 31, City Manager Chip Boyles fired police Chief RaShall Brackney the following day on Sept. 1 and announced that Mooney would remain in his role for the next […]
Posted inGovernment and public institutions
Emily Dooley says her past experiences can be an asset to the Charlottesville school board
Education brought Emily Dooley to Charlottesville. It’s the field she worked in for many years, the field in which she met her husband — a fellow educator — and it’s a passion that drives her to seek one of three open school board seats this year. After moving to the area in 2003 to study […]
Posted inGovernment and public institutions
Mayor accuses city manager of being coerced into firing police chief during embattled council meeting
Charlottesville Mayor Nikuyah Walker accused the city manager, Chip Boyles, of being strong-armed by a police association into firing former Police Chief RaShall Brackney. Walker made the accusation at the end of Monday’s marathon City Council meeting, during which she grilled the city manager for details on why he fired Brackney. The Central Virginia chapter […]
Posted inGovernment and public institutions
Princess Blanding wants to break up the political duopoly and center constituents in policy conversations
First time political candidate Princess Blanding already has experience in creating new state law. She intends to build on that while addressing a variety of issues she says both Democrat and Republican legislators have either left off the table or not fully addressed. If elected, she would also become the first Black woman governor of […]
Posted inGovernment and public institutions, Health and safety
A committee of area stakeholders will search for an interim police chief while the city hires a firm to search for a permanent replacement
Charlottesville City Manager Chip Boyles has announced the upcoming processes to replace former Police Chief RaShall Brackney, who he fired on Sept. 1. A committee composed of area stakeholders will choose an interim police chief, he said. The committee is expected to include representatives from city council, Boyle’s office, the police department, the Police Civilian […]
Posted inHealth and safety
Boyles says that two CPD surveys influenced his decision to fire the police chief — here’s what those surveys say
The results of the two recent surveys of Charlottesville’s police officers were a factor in City Manager Chip Boyle’s decision to fire the city’s chief of police, Boyles said at a recent city council meeting. The termination occurred shortly after the Central Virginia Police Benevolent Association
