George,

To answer the question concerning chair endorsements, it's been over a month since the Convention, and I've left behind the issues surrounding the nomination and am putting my full attention on city issues. It's the job of any nominee to win the support of anyone who had preferred another candidate. I'm doing my job. It's my preference to come from behind --it makes me work harder.

The Republicans are hoping that people will get lazy and not turn out for me. They've made a car wreck out of our state economy and now they're looking to blame the City of Charlottesville for making up for the state shortfall. We have got to motivate for May 7th. That means door-to-door and answering questions and earning people's votes. That means carrying around a copy of the school budget and saying, this is what we're doing for education.

Since the Convention, I have gotten to know a few of the candidates much better. I've seen David Simmons continue to work hard, participating in the AIDS walk, participating at Mt. Zion. Joan Fenton and I talk frequently, and I really admire her creativity and her energy. She hasn't stopped working since the Convention on Downtown business issues, on education issues, and on attracting tourism. What I realize more and more is that we all have a lot in common. We are all hard workers who value community, education, and planning for a successful future for Charlottesville. We sometimes (often?) differ in the details, but we're there, we're committed, and someone who was committed to one candidate won't find themselves too far from home with another.

Alexandria Searls (electronic mail, March 31, 2002)