Podcasts about pittsylvania county

On this episode of Destination on the Left, I talk with Lisa Meriwether, Tourism Manager, City of Danville, and Pittsylvania County, VA all about the creation of a brand new DMO. She details the three key steps that helped set the new brand up for success, starting with hiring a seasoned industry consultant and marketing partner, then focusing on the community's citizens before the visitors, and finally, connecting the new brand to a tourism product that already existed. Lisa also shares more about how an $850,000,000 Caesars Resort development was the catalyst that got it all started. What You Will Learn in This Episode: Why Lisa prioritized community engagement with locals before promoting to visitors How an $850,000,000 Caesars Resort development acted as a catalyst for the tourism program's success How a seasoned industry consultant and marketing partner helped in establishing a strategic plan and brand for Visit SoSi Lisa discusses the importance of community collaboration and building partnerships with local stakeholders for sustainable tourism Why Lisa leverages an ambassador program to engage citizens and educate them about tourism's significance in their community Engaging the Community When Lisa Meriweather was appointed Danville's tourism manager, there was no brand, identity, plan, or budget. She collaborated with the Eddie Alexander team to create a tourism master plan and establish a clear, forward direction. One key part of Lisa's strategy was prioritizing the citizens of Danville before even targeting visitors. By treating local citizens as their first customers, the Visit SoSi team was able to build community pride and trust in the new brand. This initiative proved to be a turning point, with locals increasingly becoming community champions and showcasing the brand to outsiders. Catalyst for Transformation – The Caesars' $850M Resort Development The $850 million Caesars Resort development has been a huge catalyst for Danville's tourism revitalization. Lisa talks all about how the project sparked curiosity and excitement nationwide, positioning Danville as an exciting destination. The project was approved in a 2020 referendum and opened in December 2023, drastically altering the economic and tourism landscape in the area. Caesars' emergence in Danville has attracted leisure travelers and meeting planners, bridging the gap for an area with limited accommodation offerings. The project has set the stage for further economic development and diversified industry growth, moving away from the historic dependency on textiles. Collaboration and Connectivity A cornerstone of the Visit SoSi strategy has been creating a collaborative atmosphere among previously siloed tourism stakeholders. Lisa organized quarterly stakeholder meetings, facilitating a unified front where hotels, museums, raceways, and other attractions could communicate and collectively strategize. This breaking down of silos has led to more cohesive marketing efforts, strengthening Danville's overall tourism product. Resources: Website: https://www.visitsosi.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/visitsosi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lisa-meriwether-10273a2a/ We value your thoughts and feedback and would love to hear from you. Leave us a review on your favorite streaming platform to let us know what you want to hear more o​f. Here is a quick tutorial on how to leave us a rating and review on iTunes!

Pittsylvania County's new Board of Supervisors Chairman Robert Tucker has presented a list of priorities for the County as it embarks on a new year, to include funding for the schools, the Sheriff's Office and fire and rescue. Additional areas of priority include Community Development, a new comprehensive plan and the establishment of an environmental commission. 

Plus: news about the creation of the Virginia Veterans Network, a new manufacturing facility in Pittsylvania County — and other news from across Central Virginia. 

Resident requests that the Board of Supervisors explore bringing retail stores to rural areas of the County, such as the Banister District, raise additional questions about future development, density and infrastructure. Banister District Supervisor Robert Tucker and Economic Development Director Matt Rowe talk about the challenges of bringing retail stores to rural areas and how this need, in turn, sparks questions about the direction the County wants to go in the future. 

Pittsylvania County Extension Agent Becky Roberts and Cattle Producer and Chairman of the Board of Supervisors Darrell Dalton talk about a growing program in the County designed to help cattle producers maximize their herds and selling power - Comingling Cattle. The program is increasing the quality of the herds as well as the reputation of beef produced right here in Pittsylvania County. 

Pittsylvania County Parks and Recreation Director Justin Price and Program Coordinator Kelsie Myers talk with PittCo Happenings about a new pilot afterschool program being offered at Kentuck Elementary beginning in January and Youth Fishing Day in November as well as progress on the master plan update. 

Reimagine Chatham recently presented its draft Chatham Area Growth and Renewal Strategic Plan to the public. The plan provides suggestions, ideas and timelines on how to move Chatham toward further growth and prosperity. Dick Camp with Reimagine Chatham goes over the plan for Chatham, which as the County seat, is of vital interest to Pittsylvania County and its residents. 

The Pittsylvania County Beautification Committee talks with PittCo Happenings about its upcoming fall litter clean-up event on Saturday, October 5, as well as other ideas it plans to implement to keep Pittsylvania County clean. 

Pittsylvania County Registrar Shani Shorter talks with PittCo Happenings about who and what is on the ballot this fall, which also includes three town elections and a constitutional amendment. Shani provides information on when sample ballots will be available, how and when to register to vote, various voting option and the need for poll workers.

It's been almost two years since voters approved the 1% sales tax increase in Pittsylvania County – a measure designed to provide revenue for much needed school infrastructure projects. The County began receiving the revenues last year and to update listeners on the progress the schools have made on those projects is Dr. Mark Jones, superintendent of Pittsylvania County Schools. 

The Dan River Business Development Center is one of Pittsylvania County's best kept secrets. As one of the first joint ventures between Pittsylvania County and the City of Danville, the DRBDC offers a one-stop shop for new businesses in the region. Executive Director Ralph Hogg talks with PittCo Happenings about the Center and what it offers those looking to grow and thrive as business owners in Southside Virginia. 

Thinking about starting a farm in Pittsylvania County? Virginia Cooperative Extension Agent Stephen Barts discusses what is needed to get one started and begins by answering the most basic question – what is the definition of a farm? Barts discusses capital costs, financing, marketing, produce and livestock-related laws and other areas that need to be considered before getting started. Barts also highlights how the Extension Office can assist those with plans to begin farm – whether the goal is self-sufficiency or to create an income. 

Pittsylvania County Library Director Rhonda Griffin meets with PittCo Happenings to talk about the many fun and varied programs offered this fall at the County's four branch libraries - Gretna, Chatham, Brosville and Mount Hermon. She also reveals the latest state appropriation that will be used for further upgrades at the Gretna Library and plans for a new bookmobile. 

Danville Community College offers businesses and employees an opportunity to grow with its registered apprenticeship program. PittCo Happenings meets with coordinator Barry Richmond to talk about how this flexible program benefits both employees and employers. The apprenticeship program also aims to address the need for more skilled workers as Danville and Pittsylvania County continue to attract new business and industry to the region.   

Mike Neal retired as chief from Ringgold Fire and Rescue at the end of June after serving in that capacity for 34 years and in the department for more than half a century – making his name nearly synonymous with Ringgold. Neal reflects on his years of service in the community as well as his thoughts on the future of volunteer fire and rescue in Pittsylvania County.  

Pittsylvania County residents have an opportunity to roll out the red carpet to visitors and neighbors alike by becoming a Tourism Ambassador with Visit SoSi, offered through the Danville Office of Economic Development and Tourism that also served Pittsylvania County. PittCo Happenings meets with Lisa Meriwether, Tourism Manager with the Office, as she updates listeners on what has been accomplished since Visit SoSi was launched about a year ago, in May 2023, to include the Ambassador program, a comprehensive visitors guide and more. 

PittCo Happenings meets with Kathy Trout with the Southern Area Agency on Aging to discuss the Farm Market Fresh program. The program provides vouchers for seniors age 60 and up to purchase fresh produce from local farmers markets. Trout also provides an overview of the many services offered by the agency, which serves seniors in Pittsylvania County. 

Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Anne Moore-Sparks talks to PIttCo Happenings about three key programs being offered this fall by the Chamber: Leadership Southside, REV UP and Young Professionals. Supported by Pittsylvania County, the Chamber provides businesses and individuals an opportunity to network and learn new skills to succeed in the workplace and marketplace of today. 

Pittsylvania County has created a way for residents to gain a greater understanding about how local government works through its Citizens Academy. Offered again this year beginning in May, the Citizens Academy gives residents a chance to learn the how and why behind decisions made by the Board of Supervisors, as well as other boards and commissions in an informal and interactive format. During this episode, Banister District resident Kathy Ramsey and Director of Community Development Emily Ragsdale share their own experience with the Citizens Academy and why they feel this program is important.  

Pittsylvania County is celebrating Earth Day this year with a litter clean up event on April 27, as well as waiving the tipping fee for the landfill for a week to inspire residents to pitch in to clean up the roads and their properties in the County. The event will also highlight the revival of the County's Beautification Committee, spearheaded by Chatham Blairs Supervisor Ken Bowman. Bowman visits with PittCo Happenings to talk about this important initiative. 

Substance abuse is not a new problem, but with overdose calls up, it remains an ongoing concern in Pittsylvania County. PittCo Happenings spent some time talking about this issue with Dominick Grembi, the prevention program manager for Danville-Pittsylvania County Community Services. Grembi discusses how addiction begins and the science behind it, why today's opioids can be deadly and the various programs available with his agency to address this issue. 

Pittsylvania County Administrator Stuart Turille and Finance Director Kim VanDerHyde discuss how the Fiscal 2025 budget was formulated, the challenges the County faced, how the reassessment fits into this process and when property owners can voice their thoughts on the budget and the proposed real estate tax rate. 

Pittsylvania County is fortunate to have one of Virginia's only AARP Senior Planet trainers working at the Mt. Hermon Library. Branch Manager Tim Rogers is a certified Senior Planet trainer and is currently offering free courses on technology and computers to help seniors better navigate these devices as they continue to change and evolve.  PittCo Happenings met with Rogers, and Library Director Rhonda Griffin to further learn how this program works. 

Jude Swanson, executive director for the House of Hope homeless shelter talks with PittCo Happenings about a fundraising event on February 24, the Coldest Night of the Year Walk, which is designed to help those needing shelter in Pittsylvania County and Danville. Swanson also touches on the causes of homelessness and why those numbers are rising in this region. 

PittCo Happenings meets with Mike Meinel with RiverStreet Networks to talk about its partnership with Pittsylvania County to expand high speed internet in the County. Meinel provides information on the benefits of fiber internet, how to sign up for service with RiverStreet, how fiber will be connected to your home or business, how to contact the company to see if you are eligible for service and when the project is expected to be completed.  

Pittsylvania County Administrator Stuart Turille goes over the many accomplishments made by the County in 2023, to include dialing back the proliferation of solar farms, the completion of the Gretna Library renovations, advances in economic development and enhancing communication and collaboration with the volunteer fire and rescue community.  

The Freedom of Choice Committee, with the support of the Pittsylvania County Library, School Board and the Danville Regional Foundation, celebrates the completion of a two-year long project documenting the experiences of black students who attended white high schools during the Freedom of Choice era in mid-1960s Virginia. The project culminates with plaque dedications at the County's four high school in February – coinciding with Black History Month and the 70th anniversary of Brown v Board of Education. 

Pittsylvania County has started the process of updating its 2010 Master Plan and is seeking input from residents about what they want in terms of facilities and programs in the future. To let residents know what to expect as the plan is updated, PittCo Happenings talks with Parks and Recreation Director Justin Price and Senior Consultant James Mickle with BerryDunn about the update and how they can contribute. 

PittCo Happenings talks with Murray Whittle, who was elected in November to serve the Westover District, where he has lived for more than three decades. Whittle is new to politics and said he is eager to learn all he can about Pittsylvania County and its government. Mr. Whittle is particularly interested in assisting fire and rescue with volunteer efforts and looks forward to working with the Board next year. 

Pittsylvania County voters approved a 1% sales tax increase in 2022 to pay for school infrastructure improvements. Now that the money is coming in, the School Board is looking to start its first project next summer – safety vestibules for the schools. Other projects are also in the works. In this episode of PittCo Happenings, Pittsylvania County Schools Superintendent Dr. Mark Jones talks about these projects and how the sales tax revenue fits into those plans. 

Eddie Hite grew up discussing Pittsylvania County politics with his dad, which fostered a love for his community. In January, Hite will take his seat on the Board of Supervisors for the first time, representing the Dan River District where he has been a lifelong resident. During this episode of PittCo Happenings, Hite discusses his desire for the Board to work together as they begin the new year, as well as wanting more input from residents about the issues that impact their lives.

Blairs Fire and Rescue Deputy Chief of Administration Stephen Barts takes listeners back to the early morning hours of November 12 when a fire at the NorthPointe Apartments threatened the lives of its residents. Barts describes how prior experience, forethought and planning, along with the purchase of a key piece of apparatus, kept numerous lives from being lost, as well as the strategic decisions made by Pittsylvania County dispatch and all the County's first responders that contributed to that outcome.  

Outgoing Chatham-Blairs Supervisor Bob Warren discusses his two terms on the Board of Supervisors and what the Board was able to accomplish during that time in the areas of school funding and debt reduction, economic development, public safety, the evolution of the service authority and how strong working relationships helped save the County money and increase efficiency. 

PIttCo Happenings talks with Pittsylvania County Administrator Stuart Turille. On the job since April, Mr. Turille discusses his impressions of Pittsylvania County; his desire for balancing the County's agricultural and rural heritage with economic development and job creation; the areas he has been focusing on over the past several months; and how the recent reassessment and the real estate tax rate will factor into the budget process next year. 

Fred Pearson with Pearson's Appraisal Service talks with listeners about how his company conducted the 2024 Reassessment in Pittsylvania County, the market forces that have shaped property values since the last reassessment in 2018, and how property owners can appeal their assessment if they disagree with the value.

PittCo Happenings talks with Blairs Fire and Rescue Chief Dean Fowler and Mt. Hermon Chief Tommy Barber about the work of fire and EMS volunteers. Fowler and Barber describe why the work is deeply satisfying and how it creates a sense of family among its members. At the same time, being a volunteer is demanding, requiring a high level of dedication by the volunteer and his or her family – but the rewards are priceless. 

PittCo Happenings host Diana McFarland tells listeners about several fun and exciting events coming up – the re-opening of the Gretna Library, a celebration of the improvements at Wayside Park and the launch of a new program – the Pittsylvania County Citizens Academy. 

It's a record setting election this year in Pittsylvania County and General Registrar Shani Shorter talks about who is on the ballot and how it is set up, voting options for residents, how the voting machines and election are certified and why it's important to use a cheap black pen when filling in those ovals. 

In this episode of PittCo Happenings, Pittsylvania County Circuit Court Clerk Mark Scarce talks about the many different items that can be found in the court's Records Room, to include a land grant from King George and another that documents the state's former use of capital punishment. 

Director Rhonda Griffin talks about the Library's successful summer reading program and gives a preview of upcoming fall activities. She also reveals when the Gretna Library will re-open as its renovation nears completion. 

Tyson Foods plans to open its new processing plant in the Cane Creek Centre in mid-September, adding nearly 400 jobs to the region. Plant Manager Nancy Frank talks about company and what it will bring to Pittsylvania County and the surrounding area. 

This is the third year that Pittsylvania County, in conjunction with the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, has hosted the summer internship program. Drawn from County schools, the interns worked in a wide variety of areas, as well as the school division, private employers, and nonprofits. During this episode, we hear from Ciara Keen, Destiny Brown and Taniya Thacker, who talk about their experience working for Pittsylvania County.  

Tourism Manager Lisa Meriwether with the Danville Office of Economic Development & Tourism and Jennifer Eddy with Eddy Alexander talk about the new tourism branding campaign, Visit SoSi!, and what it means for the future of Pittsylvania County and Danville. 

Arlene Davis likes to tell people she went from the tobacco fields of southwest Virginia to the halls of the White House. The Pittsylvania County woman spent almost three decades working under seven presidents. Her mission was to keep the White House clean and it was a duty she performed admirably. Now her hometown is honoring her and the example she's setting for the younger generation.

Darrell Dalton, the newly-appointed Chairman of the Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors, joins the show to discuss his background working with the County, his response to his unanimous selection as chairman, and some challenges and opportunities facing the Board this year. Host Caleb Ayers also shares his parting thoughts as he has accepted another position and will no longer be working with Pittsylvania County. 

For those individuals or entities who are time-shifted, why not celebrate today as Thanksgiving? The actual date for that holiday is one week from today, but there are those north of a certain parallel who have already celebrated. All I know is that it is November 17, 2022, and this is currently the latest installment of Charlottesville Community Engagement, a newsletter and podcast wrestling with the news, or at least calling informational missives by that name. Now, pass the imaginary gravy. On today's program:* The University of Virginia will not hold a home football game this weekend as the football team and the rest of the community continue to grieve* A longtime Charlottesville City Manager has died  * A quick look at some land use projects in Albemarle County * And the Charlottesville Human Rights Commission wants to change their ordinance to be able to investigate fair housing claims and more Sign up to get all of the information as often as its published. Signing up is free, but paid subscriptions get a few benefits. First shout-out: Rivanna Conservation Alliance Round-Up wrap-upIn today's first Patreon-fueled shout-out: The Rivanna Conservation Alliance is inviting members of the public to a meeting Thursday, November 17 to get input on a proposed riverbank restoration project at Riverview Park in the City of Charlottesville.Riverview Park is the only public access to the Rivanna in Charlottesville and a heavily used and much-loved part of the community. Unfortunately, Riverview suffers from high rates of riverbank erosion and other environmental challenges that damage the Rivanna River and threaten the integrity of the Park and the community's use and enjoyment of it. RCA and Ecosystem Services will provide updates on the project and to get your feedback. Visit rivannariver.org to learn more about the project. Register on Eventbrite for the event which will be held at the Woolen Mills Chapel Thursday at 7 p.m. UVA requests external review of previous handling of shooting suspect; cancels final home football game of the seasonIt has now been nearly four days since someone fired a gun to on several University of Virginia students who had just returned from a field trip to Washington D.C., killing three of them and injuring two others. Yesterday, suspect Christopher Darnell Jones Jr. had his first appearance in Albemarle County court. One of the injured has been through two surgeries and another has been released from the hospital. Classes resumed yesterday at the University of Virginia, but there will be no home football game this Saturday as the match against Coastal Carolina has been canceled. There's no word yet on the final home game with Virginia Tech. “Instead there will be a memorial service at 3:30 p.m. in [John Paul Jones Arena] to honor the lives of Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr., and D'Sean Perry, as well as the two students injured in the shooting, Mike Hollins and Marlee Morgan,” said President Jim Ryan in a video message sent yesterday. Ryan thanked students for organizing a silent vigil Monday night. “You've been through an extraordinarily difficult experience including the loss of three students and the injuries to two others,” Ryan said. “But also a 12-hour ordeal of sheltering in place and the fear and uncertainty that attended each one of those hours, whether you are a student, faculty, staff, or a parent.”The suspect had been flagged as a potential threat and Ryan said that there are more questions to be asked.“The criminal investigation is underway and we have also inviting an external review with respect to the University's interaction with the suspect and whether we did all we could to prevent or avoid this tragedy,” Ryan said.President Ryan said that may take some time to complete. Several media accounts are reporting that the Virginia State Police will conduct that investigation.  For more details on all of these stories, I recommend reading some other articles written by colleagues in journalism: * Virginia Athletics community grieves fatal shooting of three football players, Joe von Storch, Jude Nanaw, Eva Surovell, and Ava MacBlane, Cavalier Daily, November 16, 2022* Suspect Christopher Darnell Jones Jr. faces charges at Albemarle General District Court, Ava MacBlane, Cavalier Daily, November 16, 2022* UVA President calls for external review, Alice Berry, Daily Progress, November 16, 2022* UVa shooting victim Mike Hollins' mother provides updates on son's condition, Alice Berry, Daily Progress, November 16, 2022* No bond for UVa murder suspect in first court appearance since shooting, Sydney Shuler, Daily Progress, Novemebr 16, 2022* Tragedy at UVA, Kristin O'Donoghue, C-Ville Weekly November 15, 2022Longtime Charlottesville City Manager dies A man who spent 25 years as the City Manager of Charlottesville has died. Cole Hendrix served from 1971 to 1996 and presided over the conversion of Main Street into the Downtown Mall“During his tenure he provided stable, professional management and leadership, and mentored many young public administrators,” reads a message sent out Wednesday by the City of Charlottesville. “He and his wife Janet continued to be part of our community after his retirement.”I spoke with Janet Hendrix in September at the studios of I Love Cville on Market Street. “He came from Kansas City, Missouri,” Janet Hendrix said. “He went to school at [Kansas University] and got his master's in public administration.” Janet Hendrix said that Cole Hendrix worked a series of jobs in cities and towns across the United States before becoming assistant city manager in Kansas City.  That's when he was offered the job in Charlottesville. “He was just 36 when he came,” Janet Hendrix said. “Just a pup.” The area was a lot different fifty years ago.“The old K-Mart was a dairy farm, or behind there was a dairy farm,” Hendrix said. Janet met Cole during his tenure as City Manager and said the workload for the position was a lot even back then.“Cole would come home every night and he would sit in his chair and he would work every night, but he was home for dinner,” Janet Hendrix said. “Council meetings, sometimes he wasn't home until 1 in the morning, and that's just how it was.”After retirement, Cole Hendrix went to work for the University of Virginia as an associate vice president.“The last thing he did while he was at the University was he was the acting director of finance while they were doing a search for a new finance director,” Janet Hendrix said.Cole Hendrix would also play a frequent role as fill-in manager for towns and counties across Virginia when they were looking for a permanent occupant. “He actually was hired to stay for a while in one in which they were getting a new sewer treatment place together and they really needed his expertise and background in doing that,” Janet Hendrix said. “He helped them with that. It's been a great life.” Watch Janet Hendrix appear on the Jerry Miller Show with Delegate David Toscano:Albemarle County land use: Riverside Village developer seeks reduction of required commerical spaceThere's a lot happening in Albemarle County, and not everything rises to the level of a full news story. So, here's a quick update on three things happening in land use in Albemarle:* The Trading Post gas station and convenience store at 3017 Monacan Trail has applied for a certificate of appropriateness for a new fuel canopy as well as new signage. Currently the store is now branded by a major company but the new sign will mark this as a BP station. (ARB202200097)                       * A property owner in the White Hall District is seeking a special use permit to bring an existing 73-unit manufactured home park on a nearly 15 acre parcel, and to add another 14 units. (SP202200029)* The developer of Riverside Village on Stony Point Road seeks to amend an application plan and code of development for a prior rezoning to reduce the minimum amount of commercial required from 8,000 square feet. That space is currently vacant and the developer wants to convert the space to residential. (ZMA202200010) More on those land use applications in the future. Follow the Week Ahead on Sundays as well as this newsletter for more if there's a story to be told. Second shout-out: JMRL to hold Food for Fines driveIn this second subscriber-supported shout-out: Be a hunger hero! Bring an item to the Front Desk of any JMRL location during business hours between now and November 19 and receive $1 off overdue fines and late renewal fines for each donated item. Some of the most needed items are:* Canned soups, stews and chili - low sodium* Canned veggies - low sodium* Cereal - low sugar, whole grain* Peanut or almond butter - low sugar* Spaghetti sauce - low sugarDonations from most branches will go to the Blue Ridge Food Bank, though those in Louisa County will go to the Louisa County Resource Council. City Council to vote on expansion of powers for Charlottesville Human Rights CommissionThe Charlottesville Human Rights Commission meets tonight ten days after City Council held the first reading of a proposed change to the ordinance that would expand their ability to investigate discrimination claims. “It will just give us a little more teeth to investigate and make judgments against Fair Housing law violations in the city,” said City Councilor Michael Payne said. Charlottesville City Council voted 3-1 on May 20, 2013 to create the Human Rights Commission, with Mayor Satyendra Huja abstaining at the time. The Commission was an outcome of a city initiative called the Dialogue on Race.  Since then, the Human Rights Office has been through two directors and is currently led by Todd Niemeier. Council was briefed on potential changes to the Human Rights ordinance that could expand the powers of the Human Rights Commission. City Councilors had already had the opportunity to ask Niemeier questions through what city staff refer to as “2-2-1” meetings where elected officials get briefings without forming a quorum required that would trigger Virginia's public meeting laws. “During our 2-2-1's, I heard some basic questions about what the ordinance was, what is the function of the Commission and the Office of Human Rights, especially maybe just reiterating that for the public as well,” Neimeier said. The Commission is seeking many changes to the ordinance to give them more power to investigate claims of discrimination. “The contents of the ordinance are based on state and federal human and civil rights law,” Neimeier said. “And what the ordinance does is that it provides processes for us to address unlawful discrimination within the city.”The Human Rights Office is within the City Manager's office and has three main tasks. One is to receive phone calls, emails, text messages, and walk-in visitors from community members who have claims. Another is to do outreach to make sure people know the office can do.“In addition we do education and awareness around issues of discrimination,” Neimeier said. The third role is to support the Human Rights Commission, which is set up to hear appeals if staff has determined a complaint is not valid. The Commission's powers are fairly limited.“They can either recommend that they go back to mediation or they can recommend to the city attorney that a civil action be filed on behalf of the aggrieved party,” Neimeier said. “But they can only recommend that. They can't grant any relief. They can't grant monetary relief, injunctive relief. None of that. That's not within the power of the Commission.” Now the Commission wants to change the ordinance in part to expand their investigative reach. “We added language to make the ordinance substantially equivalent to federal Fair Housing law,” Neimeier said.That would allow the Office of Human Rights to be able to enter into a Fair Housing Assistance Program workshare with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. That will bring complaints into the Charlottesville office that may have originated elsewhere. “So that's an additional responsibility but the federal Fair Housing Office will support us by providing training and guidance, funds for capacity building when we first start out in that work share agreement, and we also get reimbursement for handling complaints of discrimination and those reimbursement rates vary depending on how the complaint is resolved,” Neimeier said. That will also allow the Office of Human Rights to enter into conciliation discussions as a third party directly involved with cases. The bar to making a finding also will change. “The standard changes from probable cause and above to reasonable cause because that's how federal law refers to the determinations in a case,” Neimeier said.Under this proposed change, if staff believed there is no reasonable cause for an alleged violation, the Commission could hear the appeal and they could make a determination. Under the proposed change, the office can issue a charge against a violator. “Once a charge is issued, it's basically a description of the violation and it's a statement that a civil action will be filed by, in this case, the City Attorney's office on behalf of the aggrieved person,” Neimeier said. Neimeier repeated that he has had conversations with Councilors about these in private meetings. Once the ordinance is adopted, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will review the city's application. City Councilor Michael Payne said the last City Council had directed the Human Rights Commission to make these changes. He supports them.“It will just give us a little more teeth to investigate and make judgments against Fair Housing law violations in the city,” Payne said.Payne also wanted to know what the budgetary needs would be to add positions to deal with an expanded workload. The city has already committed one-time money from the American Rescue Plan Act for one new position.“That will allow us to hire an intake counselor as well as an investigator,” Neimeier said. “Right now we are a two-person office.” That will also increase the ongoing budget heading into the future when the federal funding runs out. Niemier said he is working now to get a job description for the intake position. He said the federal workshare program will increase the workload. Mayor Lloyd Snook said the ordinance needed to clearly outline the responsibilities for landlords or others who would be potentially under investigation. “The part that most needs to be written as a fourth or fifth grade level is the part that says what you can't do,” Snook said. Snook said he was able to ask around 20 questions during his 2-2-1 with Neimeier.  He also urged caution in proceeding too quickly without doing due diligence. “Most of the time when we have made hasty decisions, when we have done something that we didn't fully vet, fully think through, fully edit, we've been dissatisfied with the results,” Snook said. After more discussion, Snook suggested no vote be taken at the meeting. “Having said all of that, anybody else have anything else they want to say or should we basically table this until the 21st and take it back up then with whatever new drafts or anything else we may come up with,” Snook said. Yet, the item is listed on the agenda for Council's meeting for a second reading, and on the consent agenda. I have a question out to the city about that. In the meantime, the City Human Rights Commission meets tonight at 6:30 p.m. The packet includes recent minutes as well as a report for November. From this we learn that the Human Rights Office has received six complaint this year for housing discrimination in Charlottesville and two in Albemarle. (download the meeting packet)Reading material you may find of interest:* Pittsylvania County uranium deposit to be sold to Canadian firm, Dave Ress, Richmond Times-Dispatch (via Danville Register & Bee), November 15, 2022* Danville City Council tables vote on collective bargaining, Charles Wilborn, Danville Register & Bee, November 15, 2022* Virginia solar developers say stormwater rules could wash away their margins* Former Charlottesville city manager Hendrix, who championed Downtown Mall, dies, Henry Lin-David, Daily Progress, November 17, 2022* Missing context, political bias: Some of critics' objections to Virginia's new history standards, Nathaniel Cline, Virginia Mercury, November 17, 2022* Virginia joins brief supporting challenge of vehicle emissions rule, Charlie Paullin, Departing comments for episode #460We are a week away from Thanksgiving, and for the next week and a half I will be producing fewer newsletters. I don't know my exact schedule at the moment, but I am going to take advantage of the downtime. There's a lot to rest up for in the future. In the meantime, thank you to  all of the subscribers, paid and unpaid. I'm really glad to be able to write and produce this newsletter and podcast as often as I can, and I'm grateful to all who are following along. Extra thanks to the roughly one in four who have stepped up to support the work, either through a paid Substack subscription or by becoming a Patreon supporter. If you do support through Substack, Ting will match your initial payment. This is an extra level of support that really comes in handy as I contemplate what the future may look like. I believe this work is important to do, and one in four of you are supporting me directly. And even if you don't sign up for a paid subscription to this newsletter, Ting wants your business, and if you sign up through a link in the newsletter you will get free installation, a $75 gift card to the Downtown Mall, and a second month for free. Just enter the promo code COMMUNITY.Now, onto the next one! Please share with people you think they might be interested. Whether you're one of the one of the four, or one of three in four, you are all important to me. Thanks for reading! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe

Anne Moore-Sparks and Christy Harper from the Danville-Pittsylvania Chamber of Commerce join the show to highlight the Rev Up and Dream Launch Bootcamp programs, two programs for small and growing businesses in Danville and Pittsylvania County. The Pittsylvania County Board of Supervisors recently committed $25,000 to the Rev Up Program, funds that will be used to help small County businesses. Christy and Anne talk about their roles with the Chamber, the emphasis they are putting on connecting with County businesses, and how the Dream Launch and Rev Up programs that fuel the growth of businesses in our region. 

Telly Tucker, President of the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research, joins the show to talk about the recent grand opening of the Center for Manufacturing Advancement and the related partnerships with the United States Navy and the Department of Defense. Tucker talks about the role that the Institute plays in economic development and education in Pittsylvania County, the City of Danville, and all of Southside Virginia. 

The James Webb Space Telescope has given us some of the clearest, deepest images of our universe yet. Webb was many years, many hands and billions of dollars in the making. And at various points - it struggled. In 2018, after almost three decades with NASA, Gregory Robinson was tapped see the project through as Webb's program director. Born to a family of sharecroppers in segregated Pittsylvania County, Virginia,  Robinson's sights as a young man were set not on the far reaches of our universe. His journey to NASA and beyond has landed him on Time's List of Most influential people of 2022. As Webb's mission begins, Robinson's comes to a close.

The heat is on, on the street, and this installment of Charlottesville Community Engagement is ready to get inside your head, on every beat. With apologies to Glenn Frey, this is not an 80’s music nostalgia newsletter and podcast, but the idea is to look back at some of what’s happened recently while anticipating the changes that will come this summer. It’s May 19, 2022, and I’m your host, Sean Tubbs. Sign up today to not miss a beat! On today’s show:The annual median income in the Charlottesville area has increased 19 percent over last yearAlbemarle Supervisors further discusses ways to incentivize developers to build housing for those with lower than that median incomeThe new CEO of Jaunt explains that a new page is turning toward cooperation with Charlottesville Area TransitA Pittsylvania County group seeks a second referendum on sales tax increase for education Shout-out: RCA seeks input on the restoration of Riverview ParkThe first Patreon-fueled shout-out today is for the Rivanna Conservation Alliance and their work with the City of Charlottesville on the restoration of Riverview Park. The RCA aims to restore a 600-foot section of the Rivanna riverbank in an area that’s designated for public access to the waterway as well as a 200-foot section of a dangerously eroding stormwater channel nearby. Another community meeting will be held in the near future to get your feedback on the work should be prioritized. Visit rivannariver.org to learn more about the project, which seeks to help Riverview Park continue to be a welcoming place to exercise, cool off, paddle, fish, play, explore, observe nature, and escape from the day-to-day stresses of life. Spring COVID-19 surge continuesTo begin today, a quick look at the latest COVID numbers from the Virginia Department of Health. Today the VDH reports another 3,836 positive COVID tests done through the PCR method, and a number that does not count at-home tests. The seven-day positivity rate for tests has increased to 15.2 percent. The seven-day average for new cases is now at 3,078. This surge of cases has so far not resulted in fatalities anywhere near what was seen in previous ones before vaccines were easily available. The seven-day average for new daily deaths is at three per day. According to the Virginia Healthcare and Hospital Association, there are 60 COVID patients in intensive care in Virginia, with 23 of them on ventilators. Pittsylvania County group wants to try again on sales tax referendum Last November, voters in Pittsylvania County on the south side of Virginia’s Fifth Congressional District had on their ballot a referendum on whether or not to approve a one percent sales tax increase to fund school improvement projects. The measure failed on a 23-vote margin according to election night results from the State Board of Elections. This Tuesday, the seven-member Board of Supervisors got an update on a campaign to try hold the referendum again this year, based on enabling authority that passed the General Assembly in 2020. Martha Walker is the chair of Pittsylvanians for a Brighter Future, an advocacy group that seeks passage this time around.“One cent, one penny, will generate $3.8 million each year for the 19 years that we will be allowed to have that one cent sales tax added,” Walker said. Under the same enabling authority, Danville voters voted in favor of the referendum and the sales tax increase has gone into effect. Speaking directly to the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday, Walker said her organization will be seeking to educate the public on what improvements would be funded. “You know that ten elementary schools will be focused on safety and getting rid of those trailers by building those new classrooms,” Walker said. Charlottesville asked the General Assembly to be allowed to hold a referendum for its school system. Legislation passed the Democrat-controlled Senate, but failed to get out of a committee in the Republican-controlled House of Delegates. There is still no state budget, an issue of increasing concern to school systems throughout the Commonwealth. Jaunt CEO talks transit with Charlottesville City CouncilThe relatively new CEO of the transit agency Jaunt introduced himself to the Charlottesville City Council Monday and also had the chance to re-introduce a public service organization plagued by recent controversy. Ted Rieck started with fundamentals. “Our basic goal is to enable people to live their lives independently and with dignity and we’ve been doing this for about 42 years,” Rieck said. (view his presentation)Jaunt serves the six localities of the Thomas Jefferson Planning District Commission as well as Buckingham County. The Americans with Disabilities Act requires equivalent service to fixed route transit for disabled individuals, and Rieck said Jaunt performs this role for CAT for those who live within three-fourths of a mile of a bus stop. “We also provide in some of the outlying counties circulator or intra-county service,” Rieck said. “We also provide links from the counties to Charlottesville and then we also provide commuter services into Charlottesville and [the University of Virginia].”Rieck was hired last October by Jaunt. The agency’s Board of Directors asked the previous CEO to resign after irregular transactions were reported. That continues to have an impact on Jaunt’s budget. “We had our CEO make some judgment errors in terms of spending money,” Rieck said. “That triggered an audit and that discovered some issues that Jaunt wasn’t doing very well.” Rieck said Jaunt was making progress in correcting the errors pointed out in the audit, including misapplication of funds intended for rural use for urban purposes. There were also questions about administrative costs. “We overstated some of our statistics which allowed us to get more state funding and federal funding that we were entitled to,” Rieck said. “This was an error that the prior CEO basically hoarded the data and did not share that with anybody.”Rieck said Jaunt had to pay Virginia back a over a million dollars and that has happened. Record-keeping has now been improved. The previous CEO was Brad Sheffield, who also served one term on the Albemarle Board of Supervisors. During that time, he was hired on as Jaunt’s director. Rieck said other anomalies have been discovered and Jaunt is cooperating with the ongoing investigation. He said Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation officials will visit Jaunt’s headquarters next week for further discussions. Better cooperation?Rieck said as the legacy of the Sheffield era continues to play out, he wants to build a partnership with Charlottesville Area Transit, and he’s in close contact with CAT Director Garland Williams.“We are working together,” Rieck said. “I don’t believe Jaunt and CAT have played very well together in the past. We are turning a new page on that I believe.” That includes more frequent meetings to discuss common issues, such as driver shortages. Another issue is how to transition to a fleet that doesn’t run on fossil fuels to meet the community’s expectations on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Jaunt is also seeking members to join an Alternative Fuel Advisory Committee to oversee a study for which Kimley Horn has been hired to run. Applications are due May 27, and the process will build off of a study that Charlottesville Area Transit is also running for their fleet. (apply)They are also building off of conversations that have been taking place at the Jefferson Area Regional Transit Partnership. In April, that group heard from transit officials in Burlington, Vermont about how fixed-route transit can carry students to public schools. Those conversations are now occurring here, according to Rieck. “Today we discussed opportunities where we could see CAT bus routes overlapping areas where Albemarle County students live,” Rieck said. “Many of these people could conceivably take a bus to the high school, other schools as well. If that works out, we could save five or six bus operators for the school district. Doesn’t sound like much, but it’s really huge.”Other avenues of regional exploration include the creation of a Regional Transit Authority and development of an app to help people navigate public transportation. Rieck said Jaunt could also play a role in addressing the need for service to Crescent Halls, a Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority property whose residents have demanded door-to-door service be restored when the building reopens. He said the current service by Route 6 sees a large bus trying to navigate a small access road for which it was not designed. “And my understanding is that’s an awkward movement for a larger vehicle to do so the thought would be to have Jaunt provide that service instead of the main route,” Rieck said. Details to come in the future as Rieck said detailed conversations had not yet occurred. Council pressed Rieck on whether Jaunt’s troubles with the Virginia Department and Rail and Public Transportation were over. “First of all, are there any more shoes about to drop, and second, do you have a sense of when you will be past the shoe-dropping phase?” asked Charlottesville Mayor Lloyd Snook. Rieck said the long-standing issue is a pattern of mixing rural and urban funds that dates further back into Jaunt’s recent history. He said he’s being transparent with city, county, and state officials, as well as his board of directors. “So I don’t think that there’s any more shoes to drop and if there is, that’s the one,” Rieck said. Second shout-out: The Plant Northern Piedmont Natives Campaign It’s springtime, and one Patreon subscriber wants you to know the Plant Northern Piedmont Natives Campaign is a grassroots initiative of motivated citizens, volunteers, partner organizations, and local governments who want to promote the use of native plants. This spring the group is working with retailers across the region to encourage purchase of plants that belong here and are part of an ecosystem that depends on pollination. There are plenty of resources on the Plant Northern Piedmont Natives Facebook page, so sign up to be notified of lectures, plant sales, and more!Albemarle Supervisors discuss incentives for housing planThe Albemarle County Board of Supervisors continued a conversation earlier this month about how to incentivize developers to build units to be sold below market value. The six-member Board last discussed the matter in February and pushed back on the idea of creating an overlay district in the county’s zoning ordinance. (previous coverage)“The main question today that we would like some feedback on after listening to the information that’s provided is [whether] an affordable dwelling unit program something the Board would be interested in and staff reviewing?” asked Stacy Pethia, the county’s Housing Policy Manager. (view her presentation)The General Assembly has already granted Albemarle enabling authority to pursue such a program, which would allow the county to require a certain percentage of units be rented or sold at affordable prices to households at 80 percent or lower than the median income. This requirement would be triggered by a rezoning or a special use permit. Supervisors adopted the Housing Albemarle plan last July but delayed much of the implementation until these details could be worked out. Before they got too deep into the conversation, Pethia said the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has now released updated calculations for area median income for 2022. “That is now $111,200 annually and to put that into perspective, that is a 19 percent increase over last year’s area median income increase,” Pethia said. The median income for the Washington metropolitan area is $142,300 and the median income for the Lynchburg metro is $78,900.  We’ll come back to this in future stories about housing. (find the calculations for your favorite metro area)Pethia said after the work session in February, staff opted to come forward with the affordable dwelling unit program that is authorized under state code. “And the enabling legislation really doesn’t place many restrictions on what the county can do and what that program looks like,” Pethia said. “It does require we provide density bonuses but beyond that we are pretty open in the percentage of the affordable unit set-asides that we may require, the depth of that unit affordability, the length of the affordability for those units, and we also have the opportunity to include additional incentives within that ordinance above and beyond the density increases.”Pethia said there are about 500 such programs across the United States. Commonalities between them include: An identification of how many units the locality needs to be affordable standardized amount per unit for developers to pay into a fund rather than build units The right for the locality or its designee to purchase or rent affordable units that are actually constructed. Several localities in Virginia have such a program, such as Loudoun County. “They adopted their ordinance in 1999 and do require 6.25 to 12.5 percent of the units in projects to be affordable housing,” Pethis said. “Those units need to be affordable for 15 to 20 years depending on whether they are for sale or rent.” Pethia said around 2,500 units have been created under this policy in Loudoun. Fairfax County has a similar ordinance and has created nearly 3,000 units. For Albemarle, Pethia said county staff are recommending density bonuses, requiring 20 percent of total new units to be affordable as per Housing Albemarle, allowing non-profits to purchase “affordable” units for which the developer can’t find a qualified buyer, and a cash-in-lieu fee is a developer doesn’t want to build the units. Such a program is not yet ready and Pethia wanted feedback on whether they should proceed. Supervisor Ann Mallek had this question. “Is there a way that we can put a hold on new applications until we get this process adopted?” Mallek said. “I’m very concerned that another 5,000 units will come in in application that we will somehow be forced to accept the applications and then we will lose the opportunity to get a much better result.” Supervisor Bea LaPisto-Kirtley said she supported the idea of the creation of a waiting list of people and families who are eligible to rent or purchase affordable units due to their income level. “The waiting list would be extremely important to have a waiting list otherwise I can see this whole project failing if we don’t have a waiting list of qualified income buyers,” LaPisto-Kirtley said. Supervisor Ned Gallaway said that he did not want to see a list of stiffly-written incentives that might preclude flexibility. “I hope we don’t get caught in the trap of saying that even if we put an example of incentives our, or encouraged incentives, or whatever the wording is, that we’re saying that that’s it, and that we have a process in place that allows for consideration of other incentives,” Gallaway said. “Each project will be different. Each spreadsheet is different.” Gallaway also supported the cash-in-lieu program in order to be able to pay more funds into the county’s affordable housing trust rather than rely on surpluses. A more detailed plan will come before the Board of Supervisors for a work session in August followed by a public hearing in September. Help Ting help support Town Crier productions!For one year now, Town Crier Productions has had a promotional offering through Ting!Are you interested in fast internet? Visit this site and enter your address to see if you can get service through Ting. If you decide to proceed to make the switch, you’ll get:Free installationSecond month of Ting service for freeA $75 gift card to the Downtown MallAdditionally, Ting will match your Substack subscription to support Town Crier Productions, the company that produces this newsletter and other community offerings. So, your $5 a month subscription yields $5 for TCP. Your $50 a year subscription yields $50 for TCP! The same goes for a $200 a year subscription! All goes to cover the costs of getting this newsletter out as often as possible. Learn more here! This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe