George,

Seeing everyone on Saturday at the Charlottesville Democratic Party Political Pasta Sauce Cookoff reminded me why I am so proud to be a Charlottesville Democrat. After spending 5 difficult weeks at the General Assembly in Richmond, I was re-energized by the positive feelings in the room. It was great to see old friends and to meet new ones. The food was wonderful and I couldn’t decide which sauce I liked the best (what did you expect from a politician?)

I left the event with renewed faith in the Democratic Party. We may be down, but we are certainly not out. With the kind of energy and unity displayed on Saturday, we will move on to do great things.

Congratulations and thanks to Alex Searls, Bea Mook, Tina Rees, Shirley Cauley, Lloyd Snook, Russ Perry, and especially to Debbie Pomerantz for pulling off such a wonderful event. I anxiously look forward to the next one.

Mitch Van Yahres (electronic mail, February 22, 2001)