Friends:

Below is some information about Democratic Party politics in the City of Charlottesville, in case any of you are interested in getting more involved. If you have no interest, please delete.

As you've probably read in the Daily Progress, there is real competition for the Democratic Party nominations for the City Council this year. Three seats are up for election, and the democrats will nominate candidates for these slots, but it looks like EIGHT candidates are running. The two candidates running for reelection (Meredith Richards and Maurice Cox) have taken opposing positions on many issues, and the six newcomers also represent divergent views. Cox and several newcomers were active, for example, in the movement to oppose the Meadowcreek Parkway, while Richards and at least one of the newcomers were supporters of the road.

I've become involved myself in working with the Democrats for Change faction which is supporting Maurice Cox, Kevin Lynch, Peter Kleeman, and Lorna Brown (and opposing Meredith Richards). What I like about the group is its commitment to push the city to work closely with the county to plan and zone for smarter growth, including exploration of alternative transportation options.

I'm writing today because there's an opportunity to attend a forum this evening that will allow you to hear the views of all of the candidates. Although it is organized by Democrats for Change, all candidates have been invited and there will be plenty of opportunity for the audience to ask questions. The Candidate Forum will be held this evening (Wednesday, Jan. 26) at 6:30 pm in the McIntire Room of the Jefferson-Madison Library. For more information, call 977-4881.

All of this is building up to the City Democrats' Caucus that will be held on Tuesday, February 22, at 7 pm. If you're interested in learning more about all of this, please let me know.

Len

Len Schoppa
Associate Professor
Department of Government and Foreign Affairs
University of Virginia

(Len Schoppa, e-mail, January 26, 2000).