Voice 1: What's wrong?

Voice 2: Oh ... I'm just very confused about Republican Rob Schilling.

V1: What's the problem?

V2: He says he's for education, but he always votes "No" on funding the schools. He says we shouldn't be spending so much money.

[Despite his assertions that his top priorities include working for "higher teachers' salaries" (Daily Progress, May 8, 2002) and that "I will continue to support measures designed to increase the achievement of all children," and that "I'll continue to look for ways to work with the School Board to ensure that more resources find their way into our classrooms," (announcement speech, 2/21/06) Rob Schilling has not produced a single budget proposal that accomplishes any of those stated goals. In fact, Rob Schilling has voted against the School Budget (line item appropriation within the city budget) every year he has been on City Council (City Council Minutes). He consistently notes that his "NO" vote is based on a belief that the City is spending too much money.]

V1: What's his alternative?

V2: He won't say ... he says that's not his job.

[Rob Schilling has repeatedly noted that he is not a "budget expert" and that he feels that is the realm of the city manager. (Daily Progress) He has never offered any alternative budget proposals. (City Council Minutes)]

V1: Not his job? Isn't he a city councilor?

V2: He said he's for public safety, but he voted "No" on hiring more police officers ...

[City Council Minutes, 4/15/03]

and he always votes "No" on the budgets that include fire protection, drug enforcement, and even the 911 emergency system.

[Rob Schilling has voted "NO" on the city budget every year he has been on City Council. (City Council Minutes) Despite arguing that "City Council needs to recognize that a safe community is a top priority and prioritize its budget accordingly" (Daily Progress, 2/22/06) he has never offered any proposals that prioritize the budget in a manner that would enhance public safety.]

He said he's proud of his "No" votes.

[10th and Page candidates' forum, 3/28/06]

VI: Wow...

V2: He also voted "No" on tax relief for the elderly ...

[Despite his assertion that he supported the Tax and Rent Relief Programs for the Elderly and Disabled (10th and Page candidate's forum, 3/28/06), Rob Schilling has in fact voted "No" on those programs every year he has been on City Council. (City Council Minutes)] and "No" on a proposal that allowed tax relief for city home owners. [Rob Schilling voted "No" on the Charter Amendment on Affordable Housing that allows the city to reduce the property tax burden on moderate income home owners (City Council Minutes, 11/21/05). Mr. Schilling, who owns city rental property valued at $1.3 million dollars, has opposed tax relief proposals that do not include rental property.]

He even voted "No" on paying a living wage to city workers.

[Rob Schilling voted "No" on the proposal to pay a $9/hr. "living wage" to city workers. (City Council Minutes, 3/24/04)]

V1: What're you going to do?

V2: That's easy ... I'm voting "No" on Republican Rob Schilling on May 2nd

VO: Say YES to Charlottesville! Elect Dave Norris and Julian Taliaferro.

DIS: Paid for by the Democratic Council Campaign, authorized by the candidates.