"No Longer Homeless"

In case you missed it, Seth Rosen has an excellent piece in today's Progress about the merits and costs of providing supportive housing for the chronically homeless. Charlottesville has about 2-3 dozen residents who have been living on our streets for years and who are struggling with some sort of severe mental disorder. Over the past four winters, we at PACEM have gotten to know them all. In the bad old days, many if not most of them would be warehoused in state institutions by now, typically against their will. Starting in the 1960s, however, this country launched a broad "deinstitutionalization" campaign and pledged to invest in community-based care for the mentally ill. Well, no surprise: we never fulfilled that pledge. As a result, many people fell through the cracks and ended up right out on the streets. Many others continue to do so today. A critical component -- nay, THE critical component -- of a successful strategy of community-based care is supportive housing. It's heartening to see that Charlottesville is finally coming to understand that supportive housing for the chronically homeless not only improves their quality of life (and ours), it also saves us money. Ironically enough, you see, in many cases it costs more to keep people out on the streets than it does to provide them with stable housing and support services. For more info., read Seth's article here.

Mitch Van Yahres, RIP

Mitch Van Yahres, former Charlottesville Mayor and longtime state delegate, passed away unexpectedly yesterday -- a sad loss for his family and for our whole community. As Bob Gibson writes in today's Progress, Mitch was a well-loved figure whose decency, cheerfulness, and tireless commitment to progressive causes made him just the kind of leader we in Charlottesville were proud to call ours. One of the many things I admired about Mitch is that he was never afraid to 'tell it like it is' and stand up for what was right, even when it wasn't always popular to do so. Mitch was a gentle soul, a wise statesman, and a wonderful mentor and example to many (including myself). He will be missed.

Affordable Housing Ordinance Doesn't Move Forward

Vote was 3-2 against creating a dedicated affordable housing fund via ordinance, despite overwhelming public support for the idea at tonight's public hearing -- largest turnout of citizens for a public hearing in recent memory, which was gratifying and affirming (even if I can't shake the feeling that I let them all down). Was interesting/eye-opening to see how hard certain people (including a number of former Democratic City Councilors) lobbied, mostly behind the scenes, to help derail the proposal. All is not lost, however; thanks to a resolution drafted by David Brown and adopted unanimously at tonight's meeting, there's a chance we may yet be able to secure some additional funds for housing in the months and years ahead, even if we're unlikely to see the level of investment (or the sustained commitment of funds) that many of us had hoped. Such is the nature of politics -- compromise is the name of the game. And to Council's credit, what we have now in the funding pipeline for housing is at least a lot more than what we had 2 years ago....

My thanks to Holly Edwards for supporting the ordinance, and to my fellow Councilors for giving it a fair hearing. And special thanks to all who came and spoke at tonight's public hearing, especially those who shared their personal stories about struggling to get by in this "World-Class City" of ours. Your testimonies will not be forgotten.

Oh, and I've just got to pass on a word of appreciation for former Vice Mayor Meredith Richards, who stood up to say, this ordinance is a good start, but the problem is, it actually doesn't go far enough. That is a woman of vision!

Affordable Housing, Front & Center

We've been trying to take something of a thematic approach to City Council meetings so far this year. Our first meeting (Jan. 7) focused on a range of environmental topics. Our second meeting (Jan. 21) was heavy on alternative transportation (pedestrian safety, transit improvements, etc.). Tomorrow's session (Feb. 4) features a subject that citizen survey after citizen survey and community needs assessment after community needs assessment consistently points out as one the biggest frustrations that people have with the City of Charlottesville: the lack of affordable housing for our residents.

You know the litany of challenges: People paying 50% or 60% of their income on their housing costs. People working 2 or 3 jobs to keep up with their mortgage or their rent. People doubling up with family members or friends. People going homeless. People moving 30 or 40 miles away to find housing they can afford. Employers struggling to attract or retain workers because of the high cost of living (i.e., the high cost of housing) here. There is hardly a household in Charlottesville that hasn't been affected by this situation. The people at the top may have it good and may not recognize there's a problem, but most of us see it, experience it and hear about it every day. Yes, housing costs aren't skyrocketing like they were in the years following 2003, but wages still have a long, long way to go to catch up. We remain the region in Virginia with the largest gap between housing costs and wages. Not an enviable position to be in.

Tomorrow night, we will be considering an ordinance that would create a dedicated stream of revenue for affordable housing in the City budget. (Seth Rosen had the story in yesterday's Progress.) Unfortunately, for this coming year at least, it would actually represent a decrease in affordable housing funding from FY08 (when we used one-time surplus funds to significantly increase funding from the year before). But the idea is that as revenues increase in future years, a small percentage of them (the equivalent of 2 cents on the property tax dollar and 25% of lodging taxes) would be automatically set aside each year in a fund for the promotion and preservation of affordable housing.

In total, the ordinance would result in a little over 1% of the City's overall budget being dedicated to the affordable housing fund each year, which is a pittance really when you consider the true scope of the problem and the high priority that our citizens have assigned to it. (It's important to note, though, that these limited City funds will be able to leverage substantial sums of additional monies from state, federal, and private sector sources; of the 300+ localities across the country that have established dedicated housing funds, many of them routinely see their local dollars multiplied six or seven times over [or more] by other sources of funding. It's also important to note, as we're entering a period of economic slowdown, that housing development is one of the best economic generators we know of, in terms of promoting local job creation & business activity and recycling dollars in our community.) The ordinance also encourages the creation of stronger incentives for developers to be part of the solution through inclusion of affordable units in new developments and/or the contribution of monies to the City's affordable housing fund. I am pleased to say that our local developers have been very cooperative in working with the City on the creation of such incentives. Some real win-win potential there.

In addition to considering the dedicated housing fund ordinance, we'll also be making a final round of housing-related allocations from our FY08 budget and hearing a status report from Noah Schwartz, Executive Director of the Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority (CRHA), about CRHA's plans for redevelopment of public housing in Charlottesville. The Council meeting starts at 7:00pm tomorrow and the public hearing on the ordinance will begin around 7:40pm. Please feel free to come and share your thoughts on any or all of these subjects.

UPDATE: Christina Mora of NBC 29 does a great job of breaking down the issue with this report.

"Postcards from Charlottesville," Show #4

On this show, Harold Folley, Jr., of the Virginia Organizing Project joins me to discuss life in Westhaven, VOP's work on payday lending and the living wage, and other matters relating to the promotion of social justice in Charlottesville and beyond. I also take a few moments to talk about some of the initiatives I'll be championing in my term as Mayor. Click here to see the show:

http://charlottesville.granicus.com/ASX.php?publish_id=83&sn=charlottesville.granicus.com

Thanks again to David Dillehunt for an excellent production job.

Creigh Deeds Leads the Way on Redistricting Reform

I've said it before, and I'll say it again -- bipartisan/nonpartisan redistricting is one of the most important reforms we need in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Election districts should not be drawn to create "safe seats" for either party -- otherwise you end up with a substantial number of elections that are routinely non-contested or realistically non-contestable, and you tend to see increased polarization in the body politic. Competition is good for the health of our democracy.

Thankfully our State Senator, Creigh Deeds, is leading a charge to change the way that the democratic process works in Virginia, so that the democratic process might actually WORK in Virginia. Below is a message that Sen. Deeds sent out today with some positive news on this subject. My commendations to the good Senator.

January 29, 2008

Dear Friends,

For the last six years I have introduced a proposal to create a bi-partisan redistricting process that will make our state legislative and congressional elections more competitive and help to end the partisan rancor and
bitterness that hold our government back. Last week, as chairman of the Senate Privileges and Elections Subcommittee on Constitutional Amendments, Reapportionment and Referenda I consolidated the work of both my Republican and Democratic colleagues and today that legislation, Senate Bill 38, was reported to the Senate floor.

This is a reform that enjoys wide bi-partisan support: Earlier today, I stood with Governor Tim Kaine and Lt. Governor Bill Bolling at a press conference to announce the endorsement of this proposal by former Governors Mark Warner and George Allen, as well as the Virginia Chamber of Commerce.

Both political parties have used redistricting as a partisan tool in the past to protect incumbents and expand their majorities, but the time for reform is now. With control of the legislature split between both parties and the next round of redistricting on the horizon, we must pass this legislation so that voters are the ones choosing their elected officials--not the other way around.

Over the years I have made some changes to my proposal to create a bi-partisan redistricting process to build support and respond to the concerns of my fellow legislators. But this year's bill retains the key components and is even stronger due to the contributions of my colleagues Republican and Democratic alike, Senators Stolle, Cuccinelli, and Howell. The differences this year include:

* Instead of a constitutional amendment which must be voted on in two different sessions of the General Assembly and then passed by the voters, this year's proposal is a change to the Code of Virginia and only requires passage in both houses and the signature of the Governor

* Senate Bill 38 requires a six-member commission evenly split between the two political parties with a seventh independent member; in the past I've proposed the commission have 13 members

* Because this is no longer an amendment to the state constitution, the proposal now has an important section on legislative process to ensure that the bill complies with the Virginia Constitution and the rules of both the House of Delegates and the State Senate

Just as in years past, though, the proposal calls for a strict set of criteria to be used in the process of drawing legislative districts. The Commission may not use the addresses of incumbent legislators; nor may they use political party or voter history data except to ensure that the new redistricting proposal complies with the Civil Rights Act and that the districts are as compact and competitive as practicable.

I believe that this is an important reform that will go a long way towards restoring civility and a spirit of cooperation at the General Assembly. It will also ensure that voters have choices at the ballot box and that their voice will be heard.

I hope you will join me in supporting bi-partisan redistricting by contacting my office by email at senatordeeds@embarqmail.com or by telephone at 804-698-7525. Of course, if you have any questions or concerns about other legislation before the General Assembly, my legislative assistant, Davis Walsh, and I are here to help. As always, it is my sincere pleasure to serve you in the Senate of Virginia.

Very Truly Yours,
Senator Deeds

Bob Gibson has the story here.

55%-27%. Wow.

This is a man at the top of his game. It's a little long (17 minutes), but worth it.

All in Favor of Putting Jack Landers in Charge of the Economic Stimulus Initiative, Indicate By Saying "Aye"

Aye. Click here to see why.

Minivan For Sale

FOR SALE: 2003 Chrysler Town & Country LX 7-passenger Minivan. Good condition, runs great, 84,000 miles. This is a very reliable vehicle. Beige exterior with grey cloth seats. Automatic transmission. A/C, AM/FM/CD, power steering, power windows, power door locks, cruise control, dual front air bags, anti-lock brakes, fold-down seats for transporting bulky items. Retails for $10,000+, yours for $9,000. Call 220-1095 or e-mail cvilledave@hotmail.com.

Smart Government

At our regular City Council meeting this coming Tuesday, Jan. 22 (meeting was put off from Monday due to the MLK, Jr. holiday), we will be holding an unprecedented public hearing and discussion about ways in which Charlottesville City Government can operate in a more innovative, efficient and cost-effective manner. This was a proposal that Julian Taliaferro and I made last November and we were very pleased to see our fellow Councilors embrace the idea. If you have thoughts about how we can save money while maintaining (if not improving) core services, please come to the meeting on Tuesday (7:00pm in City Council chambers) and share them with us -- and/or take this on-line survey, results of which will be presented at the meeting.

Change We Can Believe In

Last Wednesday at the "Cville for Obama" Rally I officially endorsed Barack Obama for President of the United States. (The Daily Progress ran a photo of me at the rally that made me look even goofier than usual.) After watching Barack work his way through the recent primaries and try to stay on the high road in keeping with his new brand of politics (combining a positive & progressive vision for change with a focus on bringing people together instead of 'wedging' them apart), I am more convinced than ever that he is the right choice to lead this nation. Plus he's funny as heck, and you gotta like a presidential candidate who even takes a moment on the campaign trail to make some unscripted remarks against animal cruelty. Most importantly, I happen to think he's right on the major issues confronting our nation -- and unlike some other candidates, he would not have looked the other way (or cheered from the sidelines) as we marched right into the biggest foreign policy debacle of my lifetime.

At Wednesday's rally I read aloud one of my favorite Obama quotes, from Nov. 2007, and thought I'd share it here as well:

“I'm in this race for the same reason that I fought for jobs for the jobless and hope for the hopeless on the streets of Chicago; for the same reason I fought for justice and equality as a civil rights lawyer; for the same reason that I fought for Illinois families for over a decade… That's why I'm running...to keep the American Dream alive for those who still hunger for opportunity, who still thirst for equality.”

We need this man in the White House.

The Medina

Came upon this card recently and just had to buy it. I'd never heard of this establishment, but it sounds like it was an interesting place to shop. (Postcard appears to be circa...oh, I don't know, 1980??) From the blurb on back:

THE MEDINA -- Shopper's World -- Route 29 North -- "Charlottesville's Exclusive Import Shop" -- Exquisite Middle Eastern handcrafted brass, leather, wood, and ceramic items...ideal for home & office decorating and gift giving. For the Ladies: gold and silver jewelry, brocades and silks.

Anyone remember THE MEDINA?

Week 1; or, the Week of Acting Locally

Today wraps up my first week as Charlottesville Mayor -- you can hear the audio account of Monday's Mayoral election here or read the text version here.

It's been a busy week.

Particularly exciting have been all the steps we've taken this week on the environmental front. On Monday, Council gave the green light (pun intended) to the boldest green-building tax incentive program in the state; we adopted a 50% recycling rate goal for the City (up from approx. 38% today); we agreed to launch an ambitious public education/outreach campaign on energy conservation & energy efficiency, including the distribution of thousands of donated CFL bulbs and the raffling off of 20 home energy audits; we decided to explore the idea of leasing City rooftops for third-party renewable energy generation via solar photovoltaic panels; we gave our thumbs up to the latest set of recommendations from the Metropolitan Planning Organization regarding far-reaching expansions in our public transportation system; and we announced that Charlottesville had won a corporate award (and Kristel Riddervold, our Environmental Administrator, had won her own individual award) for our efforts to reduce pollutant run-off into the Chesapeake Bay. On Tuesday I went to Richmond to personally submit our Clean Energy Resolution into the record as the State Corporation Commission accepted public comment on a proposed new coal-fired power plant in Wise County. At a work session on Thursday, Council agreed to move forward on the development of a sustainable stormwater management program for the City that will help us get a much better handle on stormwater runoff, stream protection and water quality issues, and provide substantial incentives for property owners to adopt innovative stormwater management practices like green roofs, permeable paving, swales, rain gardens, rain barrels, etc. We also celebrated the launch of two new green-oriented websites this week (Better World Betty and Charlottesville's "Green City" Page), and I got a personal tour from Roger Voisinet of several new green-built City homes (including 104 Chisholm Place and the ecoMOD3).

Now, I'm not trying to take credit for any of these things (all of them were in the works well before my becoming Mayor), and it's largely happenstance that so many positive and interesting eco-friendly initiatives got started or moved forward during my first week in the Mayor's seat. But it is heartening to know that this Council -- and, more importantly, this community we call home -- is willing (if not eager) to move beyond the green rhetoric and actually do what it takes to make this a truly Green City. (Maiaoming makes a similar point here.) I look forward to seeing us take many more such steps in the months and years to come!

Another Green-Living (Green-Dating?) Website

As promised, introducing...
Cville Veggie Singles
(www.CvilleVeggieSingles.blogspot.com)
This new Web site is a forum for promoting social activities for Charlottesville-area singles of the vegetarian, vegan or veg-friendly persuasion. Come help get things started with a Veggie Singles Happy Hour at Mono Loco (200 W. Water St.) on Thursday, Jan. 24 from 6-8pm. Sounds fun. For more info.: cvilleveggiesingles@hotmail.com

No Turning Back Now

As we were discussing the transition from his Mayorship to mine recently, David Brown told me that there was one thing he'd always wanted to do as Mayor of Charlottesville that he regretted not being able to accomplish. I wondered what he was referring to -- getting all at-risk kids enrolled in a quality sports program? Increasing our City's tree canopy? Saving more historic structures from the wrecking ball? Moving the City and the County enduringly beyond the tensions and hard feelings of the recent past? I'm sure all of those things were on his mind as well. But no, for the purposes of that conversation, he was referring to something else entirely: during his term, he had wanted to be the first Mayor to complete the Charlottesville Ten Miler. Unfortunately, though, knee problems had gotten in the way.

Then he threw down the gauntlet: I had to complete his legacy.

Since running my very first road race back in July 2007, I've run in 4 or 5 more races, but none of them was longer than 10K -- which remains the farthest I've ever run in one stretch. This morning, however, I submitted my registration for the Ten Miler. The race is on March 29. So now it's official. And now that I've told the world, there's no way I can't go through with it.

This one's for you, Dr. Brown.

Cville for Obama Rally

Join other Barack Obama supporters for a Public Organizational Rally on Wednesday, Jan. 16, at 7:00pm in the McIntire Room (3rd Floor) of the Downtown Library.

Come hear what YOU can do to help elect Barack Obama President of the United States! (Virginia's primary is on Feb. 12.)

For more info., contact:

Kristin Szakos - 984-4022 - k.szakos@embarqmail.com
Nancy Chappell - 979-8675 - n7154@yahoo.com

New Green Websites

Tomorrow (Thursday, Jan. 10) from 7-9pm at South Street Brewery is the launch party for two new websites of interest to local greenies (and would-be greenies):

1) Better World Betty -- www.betterworldbetty.com -- a wonderful new on-line guide to green living in the Charlottesville/Albemarle area, created by my good buddy Teri Kent

2) City of Charlottesville's "Green City" Page -- www.charlottesville.org/greencity -- an information-rich new site about the City's extensive efforts to promote environmental sustainability, created by the dynamic duo of Sarah Edwards and Kristel Riddervold

Come by the party and join in the fun. We'd love to have you!

p.s. here's a related teaser -- two other local Web sites currently under development, also to be unveiled soon: a greening your congregation/greening your spirituality guide for people of faith, by the visionary Tricia G. (aka the Zebra lady), and a site to organize social activities for Cville-area singles of the vegetarian/green-living variety (sign me up!)

Living United

My friends at the United Way-Thomas Jefferson Area have started their own blog, "Living United," and it's off to a great start. United Way-TJA is one of those agencies that just gets it.

Check it out!
http://www.livingunited.typepad.com

PACEM Fundraising Update

Two weeks ago, PACEM launched a month-long fundraising drive to generate $75,000 in contributions to help us keep our doors open through the end of our shelter season in March. I'm extremely pleased to report that as of today, we are over 50% of the way toward our goal! Now comes the big push -- we need an additional $35,000 or so in donations or pledges in the coming couple of weeks. Every penny helps.

As a reminder, donations to PACEM can be sent to:

PACEM

P.O. Box 14

Charlottesville, VA 22902

Or one can make a secure on-line donation via Donor Town Square at:

http://www.donortownsquare.com/donate_redir.aspx?ai=415&qs=TMC3C

PACEM is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and all donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.

Thanks!

In From the Cold

Henry Graff led tonight's Channel 29 newscast with an excellent piece about how PACEM makes sure that no one has to sleep outside on frigid nights like this one. Go to this link and click on the camera icon to see the video:

http://www.nbc29.com/global/story.asp?s=7569826

I'm proud to say that PACEM has also recently helped to get a similar program started in Harrisonburg:

http://www.dnronline.com/news_details.php?AID=13605&CHID=1

The ripples are spreading!