Today, outside of City Hall, current Vice-mayor Julian Taliaferro announced his intention to run for re-election to City Council. His announcement makes him the third Democratic candidate for the two open seats on Council.
“It has been my honor and privilege to have served the people of this community for the past 45 years, as both a city councilor and a firefighter, and I would like to continue that mission,” he said.
Taliaferro retired as Charlottesville Fire Chief in 2005, and successfully run for City Council in 2006.
Taliaferro’s original platform in 2006 centered on strengthening the local public school system and affordable housing, among other things. Today, he said, great strides were made in those endeavors—during the last three years, he said, Council has devoted $1 million annually to affordable housing and the city continues to be a leader in environmental protection. He will continue to support those initiatives and promised to promote "the best interestes of the people of our city."
Julian Taliaferro announced his intention to run for re-election.
Taliaferro, however, didn’t hold back on one issue: city-county revenue sharing.
“I understand that the county is seeking alternative revenue options right now, but claims that the county is getting a bad deal from this arrangement are simply ludicrous,” he said. “The county got a good deal, and still has a good deal, and this silly talk needs to end.”
On matters of water and the Meadowcreek Parkway, Taliaferro told C-VILLE on Saturday, that he may be open to a change of heart. As demostrators rallied against the contruction of the Parkway, Taliaferro, who voted for it, stood in the back and listened. “There is certainly a case to be made for losing park land,” he said.
Along with Taliaferro, Mayor Dave Norris is up for re-election and has recently announced his intention to seek another term. There is also a new player in the game: community organizer Kristin Szakos.