Off to the races
With the November election just around the corner, residents can now vote early in-person across the Charlottesville region. In addition to state Senate and House of Delegates races, which may determine party control of the state legislature, there are a number of other highly competitive local races in our area.
To vote early in person, city residents should visit the Office of Voter Registration and Elections in the City Hall Annex at 120 Seventh St. SE, Room 142, Monday through Friday between 8:30am and 4:30pm, or during extended Tuesday hours until 7pm. Unless a write-in candidate manages an upset, both the school board and City Council at-large races were effectively decided in the primaries, but are still on the ballot.
Albemarle residents can vote early at the Fifth Street County Office Building, Room A from 8:30am to 5pm Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, 7am to 5pm on Tuesdays, and 8:30am to 7pm on Thursdays. One contest to keep an eye on is the school board at-large race between Allison Spillman and Meg Bryce, in which both candidates have raised a substantial amount of money.
In Fluvanna, Greene, and Nelson counties, residents are voting for sheriff, clerk of court, and school board seats, among others. The addresses and hours of operation for each county are: Fluvanna: 265 Turkeysag Trl., Suite 115, Palmyra, Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 5pm; Greene: 32 Stanard St., Stanardsville, Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm; and Nelson: 571 Front St., Lovingston, Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm.
Saturday voting will be held in each county on October 28 and November 4. For more information on early voting hours, including holiday closures and extended hours, visit your county’s website or elections.virginia.gov.
Between the lines
In a September 25 press release, Albemarle County Public Schools announced the formation of a committee made up of teachers, administrators, academic coaches, parents, and community partners to consider a new K-5 reading curriculum. Under a 2022 Virginia law aimed at improving literacy outcomes, all divisions must adopt one of six programs approved by the state for the 2024-2025 school year.
By the end of October, the committee will consider each of the approved curricula and is expected to select two semifinalists. All programs will be evaluated on their quality, relevance, and fit. The materials for the semifinalist programs will then be sent to every ACPS elementary school for further review, and the committee will meet with representatives of each program.
“Our timetable includes having our assistant superintendent for instruction, Dr. Chandra Hayes, make a presentation on January 11 to our school board on the program we are recommending, with a school board decision the following month,” said Executive Director of Elementary Education Michele Castner.
Before moving to the school board for approval, program information and materials will be available for public review and comment for 30 days.
In brief
Good on shutdown
Ahead of the deadline to prevent a government shutdown, Rep. Bob Good continues to oppose appropriations and stopgap funding bills. Part of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus, Good argues that Republicans should renege on earlier spending agreements and must significantly cut federal spending. At a press conference earlier this month, he said, “If Schumer wants another Schumer shutdown, let him have it and let him defend it to the American people. So I stand here with my colleagues today in solidarity to fight for the American people.”
For the record
Charlottesville Police are expected to release body camera footage later this week from an incident that reportedly occurred between police and an unhoused individual Saturday, September 16, at Market Street Park. While the details of the incident are currently unknown, City Manager Sam Sanders has indicated he is working on a plan to help unhoused individuals who sleep in the park overnight, which he will present at the next City Council meeting. As a result of the incident, the park is now open 24/7 rather than closing at 11pm.
Rain delay
After rain threatened to dampen its original celebration, the Charlottesville Emergency Food Network has moved its 50th-anniversary event to September 30. Since its founding, the EFN has helped countless families across Charlottesville and Albemarle access balanced meals. Those in need can contact EFN at 979-9180 from 9am to noon on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, with same day pickup occurring from 1:30 to 3:30pm.