A Vision for Charlottesville

13 June 2023

I had the wonderful opportunity to speak to more neighbors thanks to the Black Empowerment Coalition forum tonight. Thanks to Sabrina for hosting, Dr. Wes Bellamy for moderating, and Kellen Squire for the pic (and for running!). This is the final forum scheduled before the final votes are cast next Tuesday, June 20. There were a lot of candidates to get through so our responses were understandably kept short, so I wanted to expand on some details here about the policies and practices I believe in.

Policies

Affordable housing, better transit options, and safer streets are projects that deserve funding and attention. When these exist in harmony, they are the foundation of a healthy, happy community. If they are underfunded or non-existent, then the community is stressed and fractured by displacement, housing/food/job insecurity, car dependence, mental and physical health issues, crime, and educational achievement gaps. 

My platform wants to address these, prioritizing funding and programs that help prevent displacement, insecurities, poor health, etc., instead of reacting to these issues. If we are reacting, then someone has already had a negative experience or consequence. Intervening at a surface level, with programs to provide subsidies, give kids access to mentorship and extracurricular activities, assist with housing repairs will buy our community time while we intervene at a systemic level. Systemic changes include building homes within city limits to bring down housing costs, thus reducing the number of commuters from the surrounding counties and allowing our teachers and nurses to live in the neighborhoods where they work. It includes building sidewalks, protecting bike lanes, and a funding a more robust bus system so that traveling without a car is possible and pleasant, simultaneously reducing traffic, pollution, and danger. Owning a car is a hidden tax on everyone that hits low-income folks the hardest, so providing safe and useful transportation options is an issue of equity. 

If folks become less cost-burdened by their rent, can find a place to enter into home ownership, and save money by reducing car dependence, then they can have more balanced budgets as well as a better work-life balance. We can spend our time with our families instead of commuting or at a second job, improving mental and physical health outcomes, educational achievement, and community safety. 

Practices

There was discussion tonight about representation and community engagement. I am the only woman in the race, and would be the only woman on city council. Women have had a seat on City Council since 1971, and I intend to keep that streak alive. Women's participation in politics helps advance gender equality and affects both the range of policy issues that get considered and the types of solutions that are proposed. It is vital we have a seat at the table.

Next, now that the threat level of COVID is reduced and we are able to meet with our community again, I have been enjoying getting out and participating again. From attending speaking engagements at the Jefferson School to neighborhood block parties and marches for gun violence prevention, I have truly treasured the new friends I have made and the ones I’ve gotten to see more. Our team has knocked on nearly 2,000 doors. Last Saturday, I spent the early morning canvassing, then attended the Fifeville community discussion about the redevelopment on Cherry Ave, then walked down the street to Tonsler Park for the community day and bike giveaway, then walked to Visible Records to the PHAR fundraiser. What a day filled with joy and participation! I intend to keep this kind of engagement up as a councilor, and as a Charlottesvillian no matter what. 

We need engagement at a more systemic level as well, a way to bring civics to the community beyond the benefit of meetings broadcasted via Zoom (which is great for accessibility). I’d like to add a position to city staff that is dedicated to keeping residents informed and guiding them to answers when needed. This would involve quarterly (at least) newsletters with updates about what has been discussed and achieved. They would provide more frequent updates about activities and new programs via social and traditional media. This role would serve as a resource for residents to find the person or information they are looking for, whether it’s a part of city code, the right form to fill out, or the right person to talk to for a more in-depth matter. Active community engagement is the responsibility of the city too, not just the residents.

Charlottesville is a wonderful place with a lot of potential for improvement in inclusion, housing, and transportation, and I’m excited at the chance to be a part of the City Council team that makes big steps toward those goals.