Erin Garvey has asked me to post her letter to fellow Democrats and concerned citizens of Charlottesville. Her letter has bearing on issues surrounding voter registration and inclusion in the party process.

Posting Erin's letter does not constitute an endorsement of her letter on my part.

Wednesday, February 23, 2000

Fellow Democrats and concerned citizens of Charlottesville,

I recently became aware of an e-mail that Maurice Cox sent to all Architecture School students on the day of the Mass meeting. I find it very disturbing.

The e-mail, sent out just before 1 pm on February 21st, was a call to action telling students that "'Something incredible is happening Monday, February 21st @ 7:00 p.m.at the Charlottesville Performing Arts Center and I need your participation.'" He describes the meeting as "'perhaps the single most important political event in the City of Charlottesville (outside of the general elections)'". Maurice goes on to describe the "'exciting new group of Democrats [which] has formed to pursue constructive change.'"

He goes on to advise that getting involved is very simple. "'Quickly, get informed! Go to the Dems for Change website at dfc.cstone.net, to learn about the Dems for Change candidates, their positions, and the Dems for Change Platform.'" Will this brief, one-sided research on the afternoon of the Mass Meeting produce a thoughtful, well-informed voter who will act responsibly to help determine the future of our City? I find this advice by Maurice insulting to those of us who have invested vast amounts of time and energy in activism on behalf of our community and our Democratic Party, and have sincerely and deliberatively sought to inform ourselves on the issues facing Charlottesville.

Though he does go on to caution his students to make sure they are registered to vote in the City of Charlottesville and to know the precinct in which they live, he adds "'If you're not registered, you can do so right up to the meeting time.'"

Under the guise of encouraging civic involvement, Maurice reassures these students that the whole process will only take "'about 1 1/2 hrs. to 2 hrs and be extremely entertaining.'" And to add emphasis to the great entertainment value of our Party's Mass Meeting to nominate our candidates for the May City Council election he continues. "'i[sic] assure you, you'll find this backstage political drama more fascinating and entertaining than NBS's [sic] "West Wing" (and the candidates speeches shorter than the acceptance speeches at Mon. nite's Grammys.)'"

He concludes by telling the students that "'you should view your participation in the context of our collective responsibility as citizens and design professionals.'" After stoking their civic pride and reminding them of the contributions of other members of the A-school community he proclaims that "'Your collective attendance at this mass meeting is a small, but historic opportunity to leave a significant mark on the Charlottesville community (40 or 50 students could dramatically change the outcome!) and help keep the A-school's tradition of civic engagement alive.'" The operative word here, I think, is "'leave'".

While the votes of students living here temporarily may have the power to help re-elect Maurice Cox, they do not compare to the well-informed efforts of folks who consider this their community, and who have spent more than five minutes informing themselves. If Maurice Cox thinks little enough of our community and of our Democratice Nomination process to attempt to sway it in his favor with such tactics, then shame on him. He may have satisfied the letter of the law, but certainly not the spirit.

Erin Garvey (electronic mail, February 23, 2000).