An interesting discussion at cvillenews.com yielded, in addition to a thoughtful and cogent debate, this link that gives direction as to where the Charlalbemarle traffic is coming from.Who knew that an estimated 99 people commute from DC to Cville? Continuing to focus on transportation/infrastructure/growth issues on a county-by-county basis is myopic, short-sighted and frankly, silly…. Transportation and infrastructure are matters that are driven by and have a direct impact on the real estate industry and profession. More vehicular traffic on the same infrastructure will affect our quality of life.
Browsing Category Politics
Free Enterprise Forum enters the Rich Collins fray
I wrote about this case here and here.The Amicus Curie brief fully supports the right to free speech but contends such a right does not supercede the right of a property owner to control his property. “The issue in this case is not whether the candidate has the plaintiff has a right to speak out about his candidacy, or the candidacy of others…The issue in this case is not the right to speak, but the location at which he can engage in that speech†according to the brief.The full press release is here or below and the brief can be found at the FEF’s website (PDF).Side note from today’s C-Ville -All’s well that’s OrwellWhether you agree with their politics, you’ve got to hand it to the right-wingers for one thing—branding…. The Amicus Curie brief fully supports the right to free speech but contends such a right does not supercede the right of a property owner to control his property. “The issue in this case is not whether the candidate has the plaintiff has a right to speak out about his candidacy, or the candidacy of others…The issue in this case is not the right to speak, but the location at which he can engage in that speech†according to the brief.“The Free Enterprise Forum is committed to the Freedom of Speech but the plaintiff goes too far in this case claiming the shopping center, which is open to the public, is therefore a public space,†said Neil Williamson, Executive Director of the Free Enterprise Forum, “A property owner does not surrender all of their property rights to the public merely because the property is open to the public.
Albemarle County BOS elections
There are several local elections this fall, none more contested and interesting than the open seat in the Rio District of the Board of Supervisors, which pits Gary Grant, Thomas Jakubowski and David Slutsky against each other…. Another potentially very interesting campaign is the Jack Jouett District election which sees the incumbent, Dennis Rooker against newcomer Christian Schoenwald. I expect that Mr. Schoenwald will soon rectify his bio information, as it is in his best interest to have the best, most accurate information in the public’s purview…. It is in every Albemarle citizen’s best interest to 1) inform and educate themselves and 2) preferably when sufficiently educated on the candidates and pertinent issues, vote.Read more about the candidates at Charlottesville Tomorrow’s Election Watch page.
Regional Transportation Poll
I am trying out a new feature – a poll to the right. Our transportation/infrastructure issues are not isolated to the City of C’Ville, County of Albemarle, Greene, Fluvanna, et…. If you have the time and inclination, please take a moment to vote …… If you have any ideas or additions to the poll, please post your comments below.
Meadowcreek Parkway study
Things that could trip it up -1) Lawsuit requiring the localities to tie the interchange and and the parkway as one large project rather than two separate, independent entities (which it is). I wrote about this (thanks to C-Ville) last week.2) TheThe Free Enterprise Forum has just released an exceptional study they commissioned by Draper Aden Associates.Neil Williamson, the director of the FEF, said “What our report shows is that an at grade intersection that’s actually a roundabout would handle the traffic for at least the near term while the federal project moves forward through it’s approval processâ€.If funding gets yanked due to Katrina and now Rita expenses, this study proves that there is a very viable alternativeHarrison Rue of TJPED states in yesterday’s DP:“While I agree with the premise of the report, it will be far better, now that we’ve found the money, to do a timely location and design study and ensure both components of the intersection are built at the same time,†…… By the time any new studies are completed, they may be on their way to obsolescence as the numbers and environment (as well as the political environment) may have changed. In short, the addition of federal funds to the mix may present us the opportunity to build the interchange.
Quote of the Day
Referencing Old Trail in Crozet -“No plan is perfect, but it’s probably the best plan I’ve seen,†Supervisor Dennis S. Rooker said. When a citizen addressed the familiar concern that the Crozet area and the 250 Bypass will sprawl and become the next Route 29N or Pantops, Rooker responded, “Houses don’t create people. They’ll come whether or not the houses are here.â€â€” courtesy of this week’s C-Ville.If they don’t build the houses, where would they live?
Transportation discussion
Don’t tax you don’t tax me, tax the guy behind the tree.Succinct summary of the discussion regarding transportation woes around the state. We all want something done, but very few are willing to pay for any improvements. We need leaders who are willing to do the right thing, whatever that may be. I like the Road to Ruin, and this discussion is one of the reasons.This is an informative APF link from the above discussion that may have some significance to our region in the near future.Everybody agrees that traffic is no fun, but so long as it’s “not as bad as in Northern VA, Richmond …