"It's a strange year for the City Council race. For the first time in decades, no Republican is even giving it a shot. Instead, two independent candidates—Peter Kleeman and Barbara Haskins—are vying with three Democrats—David Brown, Holly Edwards and Satyendra Huja—for three spots.

To try and pin down differences, we asked Council candidates to respond briefly to a few questions.

Is the Meadowcreek Parkway a terrible idea?

David Brown: Not terrible but not great. Necessary if we want a vibrant Downtown and to avoid cut-through hell in Greenbrier.

Holly Edwards: Yes, but there is a difference between having an opinion and having a vote and the current Council has moved forward on this.

Barbara Haskins: Partially, but I say build it to help get traffic Downtown to keep our commercial base vibrant.

Satyendra Huja: No. It will provide access to Downtown and northern neighborhoods. It will also reduce cut-through traffic through Greenbrier and Park Street neighborhoods.

Peter Kleeman: Yes. The MCP project does not address our regional transportation needs adequately and will lead to increased congestion and cut-through traffic in the Downtown area.

What median family income range should the city prioritize for funding affordable housing initiatives?

David Brown: Working poor and then the working class.

Holly Edwards: Working poor and then working class.

Barbara Haskins: The city has the region's stock of public housing. It is time for the county to do its share. My main focus is protecting current homeowners from ever-increasing property taxes.

Satyendra Huja: $20,000 to $50,000—people below 80 percent of the city's median income.

Peter Kleeman: I suggest priority be given to the lowest income groups, but all groups need affordable options.

What area of the budget would you cut back?

David Brown: I would cut back city-run EMS, until the Oversight Committee makes recommendations.

Holly Edwards: I would like to see us work on initiatives that would make our employees healthier and happier and save costs for the city.

Barbara Haskins: Kill the city's new ambulance program with $1 million allocated in the current budget.

Satyendra Huja: I am not in position to evaluate the current budget. I will favor an across the board 5 percent cut in the discretionary part of the budget.

Peter Kleeman: Reprogram Meadow Creek Parkway project funds to transit.

Should the city install surveillance cameras on the Downtown Mall?

David Brown: No. I have yet to be convinced that cameras prevent crime, and there is little crime on the Mall anyway.

Holly Edwards: No.

Barbara Haskins: Not as a response to the summer youth attacks; if there are broader reasons, let me hear them.

Satyendra Huja: No. They do not prevent crime and require significant operating expense.

Peter Kleeman: No. Many Downtown Mall businesses already have camera surveillance on the Mall.

Should the city make the transit system fare-free, even if it necessitates an increase in property taxes?

David Brown: Maybe. A very good idea that may be difficult to implement as we significantly expand service. Depends on other needs.

Holly Edwards: No. The people I talk to aren't concerned with the fare but the continuity of the service.

Barbara Haskins: Absolutely not.

Satyendra Huja: Transit can be made fare-free without an increase in taxes. We are spending less than 1 cent of the tax rate on transit subsidies.

Peter Kleeman: Yes. I believe that free transit will provide significant benefits—both directly and indirectly—to all city residents and visitors.

Does Charlottesville have a gang problem?

David Brown: A minor and emerging gang problem that can and must be addressed.

Holly Edwards: No, but it has the potential unless recreational programs for youth can be created that will include evening hours, with employment opportunities and an educational focus.

Barbara Haskins: Does the existence of gangs mean there is a problem? In that case, yes.

Satyendra Huja: It is an emerging problem and should be dealt with proactively.

Peter Kleeman: I can't determine that. I would defer to Chief Longo to answer this. I would also welcome his recommendations for actions to address youth crime whether it is defined as gang related or not.

Should the city withhold making its own transportation improvements until the county commits to building the Eastern Connector?

David Brown: No. The Eastern Connector may never be built—but should be. The county must build roads, like the Sunset-Fontaine connector.

Holly Edwards: No.

Barbara Haskins: No. That road is in too early a stage of planning—we just keep postponing. I hear certain levels of paranoia that the county has no intention of doing that road, but that is another story…

Satyendra Huja: No. The county should support the idea of an Eastern Connector.

Peter Kleeman: I believe that the city and the county must negotiate a joint agreement that considers the Eastern Connector and the Meadow Creek Parkway as elements in one regional transportation project. These projects (along with transit possibilities) are intimately connected and should not be considered independent projects on independent budgets or schedules.

Should rezonings with residential units request that 15 percent of the units be proffered as affordable?

David Brown: Yes.

Holly Edwards: Yes.

Barbara Haskins: One buyer—that is the "lottery" method. Better to take cash proffers and re-deploy the funds to nonprofits like CHIP, Habitat, PHA, etc.

Satyendra Huja: Yes. Property owners who get extra density by rezoning should contribute to the solution of the affordable housing problem.

Peter Kleeman: Yes. I believe 15 percent is a reasonable minimum when rezonings occur, but would encourage development at higher percentage where possible.

Should the city kick in $1.25 million for extra swimming pool lanes for the proposed YMCA at McIntire Park?

David Brown: Maybe. If we move forward with the Y, we need the lanes and diving. Question is, what is the city's fair share?

Holly Edwards: No. We are already putting up the land, but we do need the lanes.

Barbara Haskins: No. I do not want to lose parkland and I favor joining with the Boys and Girls Club for revamped lap lanes and warm water pools at Buford.

Satyendra Huja: No. Land should be enough contribution.

Peter Kleeman: No. I believe the city should maintain management of the city pools (and other recreation facilities) and invest in renovating the pools that have been allowed to deteriorate through insufficient maintenance.

Is the city's proposed stormwater fee system, which would create taxes on impervious surfaces, the appropriate way to fund upgrades to the stormwater system?

David Brown: Yes. A dedicated source of funds is necessary to address this essential but utterly unsexy issue.

Holly Edwards: Yes. A dedicated source of funds is the way to go.

Barbara Haskins: Yes.

Satyendra Huja: Yes. This way property owners who create problems should have to pay to solve the problems.

Peter Kleeman: Yes, but only if residents are allowed credits against the fees for on-site stormwater management like rain gardens, rain barrels, green roofs, etc.

Extra credit: Should the city move the Sacagawea statue?

David Brown: Yes, as part of improvements to that intersection, and with explanatory markers or signage.

Holly Edwards: No. That entire intersection needs to be reconfigured, so until then add a sign or plaque that explains her important role.

Barbara Haskins: No. It is better to add an educational plaque pointing out some of its putative sexism. Let it serve dual purposes.

Satyendra Huja: [No response]

Peter Kleeman: Yes. I would support the proposal to move the Sacagawea statue to the site of the Lewis and Clark Exploratory Center along the Rivanna River where appropriate interpretive material can be provided for the benefit of all residents and visitors.

(Will Goldsmith, C-Ville Weekly, October 30, 2007)