Charlottesville voters will pick two new City Councilors on Tuesday, May 2. Republican incumbent Rob Schilling wants a second term, while two Democrats—Dave Norris and Julian Taliaferro—seek elected office for the first time. Last week C-VILLE asked the three candidates how they would improve Charlottesville, how City Council could work better and, perhaps most importantly, how to stop Blake Caravati, the quotable Francophile Councilor who is stepping down after two terms. Here at C-VILLE, we judge politicians by their sense of humor, and on this point the Dems win, hands down.—John Borgmeyer
Julian Taliaferro
Age: 65
Occupation: Treasurer, International Association of Fire Chiefs (Retired as Charlottesville Fire Chief in 2005).
Previous elected experience: None at local level.
Campaign spending to date: I think, as of earlier this week, around $9,000.
Slogan: “Yes To Charlottesville.”
How long have you lived in Charlottesville: Almost 44 years.
Political hero: John Kennedy, among others.
Charlottesville would be better if: we made it a truly “World Class City” for all of our residents.
City Council would work better if:
everyone was civil to one another.
If I could get rid of one City Councilor,
it would be: none, as that is the voters’ decision.
People don’t get upset about: change
as long as you: listen to them, take their suggestions and concerns seriously, and include them in the final decision-making process.
The only way I would ever change my party affiliation is if: the party failed to live up to its principles of inclusion, opportunity, fairness and justice for all.
The only way to stop Blake Caravati is: to buy him a bottle of good French wine.
Dave Norris
Age: 35
Occupation: Executive director, PACEM Homeless Shelter.
Previous elected experience: I’m a first-time candidate.
Campaign spending to date: I’ve raised and spent over $4,000 from my own campaign coffers, and our joint campaign is raising and spending significantly more than that (don’t have exact numbers just yet).
Slogan: “Yes to Charlottesville!”
How long have you lived in Charlottesville: 11 years.
Political hero: Robert Kennedy, Paul Wellstone.
Charlottesville would be better if: we had more affordable housing for the folks that do the hard work of making this city function (teachers, police officers, firefighters, retail/service workers, etc.).
City Council would work better if: the Councilors would put an end to all the silly shenanigans and stay focused on getting positive things done for the city.
If I could get rid of one City Councilor, it would be: that mysterious Craig Brown dude. He sits up there on the dais, hardly ever speaks and never bothers to vote! And you thought Rob Schilling was a serial abstainer…
People don’t get upset about: elected leaders who don’t have all the answers
as long as you: demonstrate that you’ll work hard to find an answer.
The only way I would ever change my party affiliation is if: Messrs. Bush and Cheney would end the war in Iraq, make peace between the Israelis and Palestinians, initiate single-payer national health care, make us energy-independent in 20 years through major investments in alternative energy, rebuild America’s manufacturing sector, raise the federal minimum wage to a “living wage,” stop scapegoating gays and feminists for everything that’s wrong with our culture…oh, and resign, and take Rumsfeld with them…then I’d proudly declare myself a Republican.
The only way to stop Blake Caravati is: don’t even try. Why not focus on a more realistic goal, like getting Stratton Salidis to endorse the Meadowcreek Parkway?
Rob Schilling
Age: 44
Occupation: Public Servant, Realtor, and Music Minister.
Previous elected experience: (Almost) four years experience on Charlottesville City Council.
Campaign spending to date: Far too busy right now to keep track!
Slogan: “One voice can make a difference.”
How long have you lived in Charlottesville: Moved to this area in 1998.
Political hero: Abraham Lincoln.
Charlottesville would be better if: control of local government was relinquished to the people.
City Council would work better if:
there were nonpartisan local elections,
as suggested by former Councilor
Meredith Richards.
If I could get rid of one City Councilor, it would be: I welcome everyone’s view and everyone’s presence on Council. Competing and diverse ideas lead to a stronger, more effective government.
People don’t get upset about: change
as long as you: include them in the
process.
The only way I would ever change
my party affiliation is if: In the context of local government, party affiliation is unimportant.
The only way to stop Blake Caravati is: Who wants to stop Blake? And why?