“It’s the birthplace of our democracy,” said Emily Gorcenski. “And if you want to assault the ideals of democracy, you go to where it started. It’s as simple as that.”
Category: Government and public institutions
Our coverage prioritizes how our community can engage with government, nonprofits and public institutions that we entrust (and often pay) to lead us. We don’t just report what they say, we investigate what they do.
Posted inOur neighborhoods
Confederate groups may once again stall Charlottesville’s plans for the statue of Gen. Robert E. Lee
Five years after white supremacists rallied around Charlottesville’s Lee statue, Confederate legacy groups have sued the city in an effort to stop the Swords Into Plowshares project.
Posted inHealth and safety
It took five years, but the board of civilians that oversees the Charlottesville Police Department has its first case
The board was formed after the violent white supremacist rallies of 2017 — and took years to gain power to investigate cases of alleged police misconduct.
Posted inRace and equity
Black Charlottesville residents open up about what changed — and what didn’t — after Unite the Right
“It’s never really been a Charlottesville that I feel safe in, or even one that I feel is not really embedded in racism,” said Myra Anderson. “On that day, it just so happened to rear its ugly head.”
Posted inGovernment and public institutions
Get ready: The single use plastic bag tax is coming to Charlottesville and Albemarle Jan. 1
“Given the effectiveness of it, and given plastics pollution, I am in support of it,” Councilor Michael Payne said. He added that the city will distribute reusable bags to low income community members.
Posted inGovernment and public institutions, Health and safety
Charlottesville may soon impose a 5 cent tax on plastic bags
As the city considers joining Albemarle County in imposing a tax to reduce plastic bag usage, food justice advocates worry it could create more barriers to food access.
Posted inGovernment and public institutions, Health and safety, Our neighborhoods
A proposed solar farm in Albemarle could power more than half the county’s homes
“There aren’t many projects of this size of this type that are able to move forward right now,” said Susan Kruse, executive director of Community Climate Collaborative.
Posted inRace and equity
Community members clash in tense meeting over whether to remove slaveholding presidents’ names from Jefferson Madison Regional Library
“This is not about preserving or erasing history it is about acknowledging it.” said Charlottesville parent Laura Sirgany. “I can tell you that the Black and Brown youth of this community suffer the trauma of the legacy of the people whose names are borne out on this library system.”
Posted inGovernment and public institutions
Interim City Manager to choose police chief search firm by June 30, ‘insist’ on community engagement in search for new chief
“Rather than busting people’s heads, we’re looking for ways to have more community based policing,” said Charlottesville Mayor Lloyd Snook.
Posted inGovernment and public institutions
What you need to know about local organizations and laws around abortion
A ruling on Roe v. Wade is expected from the Supreme Court by the end of June or early July. If it’s overturned, states will be able to restrict or allow abortion.
