Good evening everyone. I'm Joan Fenton.

Contrary to a small group of vocal constituents, I have resided in an apartment in the city for several years. It has a bed that I sleep in, a fridge that I eat from, a toilet that I frequent and no parking. While I am pleased that this is the only controversy over my candidacy, I hope we can move past it and focus on important issues like education, safety and affordable housing.

Over the last ten years I have been a very active member of our community. I have sat on numerous boards and committees. I helped found the Downtown Business Owners Council, the Downtown Property Owners of Charlottesville, Downtown for the Holidays and The Dogwood Blues Festival. I sat on the Court Square Enhancement Steering Committee and I have chaired the Board of Architectural Review for several years.

I have enjoyed my public service and I hope to continue to give back to Charlottesville what it has so generously given to me: Quality of Life.

As I see it, there are many challenges ahead for our city government and I believe that our schools need to take top priority. Everyone here understands the need for a strong early educational foundation for our children, but somehow, education has sat on the back burner. The circumstances surrounding The Jefferson School are a perfect example.The community, the city and the school board must work more cohesively and cooperatively if we want to prevent such problems in the future.

The question remains " how"? How do we find the funding to restore the Jefferson? How do we find the funding to replace the roofs, the heating systems and address the immediate safety concerns of our other schools? And even more importantly, how do we begin to close the achievement gap?

First, and foremost, we need a top notch Superintendent. A Superintendent with experience in narrowing educational disparities and one who is dedicated to our community and teachers.

We must also prioritize our spending, both within the city budget and our school budget. How did the Park street traffic calming take priority over a working fire alarm system at CHS? That road is a hazard to pedestrians, bicyclists and motor vehicle passengers! Not to mention how difficult it is for fire trucks to navigate in the event of an emergency.

As a city we must adequately assess our current programs and we must increase revenue to provide for teachers pay raises and to make the capitol improvements our schools need, a reality.

Apart from the University, retail, entertainment and dining are the economic backbone of our community. In order to maintain quality of life we must support and nuture a greater diversity among our locally owned businesses.

I am adament about not wanting any economic development that even remotely resembles 29N. I prefer the development gems like Live-Arts, The Lewis and Clark Museum, and our variety of locally owned restaraunts.

It is imperative for the well being of our residents that we encourage a greater diversity. We must put pressure on local banks to help low income residents with small business loans. Doing so, will increase our cities economic base, provide meaningful work for residents, enhance our
neighborhoods, and increase safety. But, most of all, it will bring a sense of belonging and hope to the communities that need it most.

Joan Fenton (electronic mail, February 5, 2002)