Yesterday afternoon, Charlottesville Republican Committee Chairman Buddy Weber unveiled the party’s new platform for the city.
The six-page document [PDF 3.6M here] omits reference to infrastructure issues, such as the Meadowcreek Parkway controversy, as well as social and national security questions. Instead, Weber says, the platform focuses on issues that are "specific to the citizens of Charlottesville," including education, property rights, tax policy and government structure.
According to Weber, these issues reveal "distinct philosophical differences between Democrats and Republicans over the proper roles and functions of government, and thus provide the most fertile ground for serious political debate over the future of Charlottesville."
Weber challenged leaders of the Democratic Party to come forward and explain "why your ideas are superior to ours, and why your status quo is better than our change."
At present, the Charlottesville Republican Party has no candidates for city council in this year’s general election.
Asked whether it would endorse any, Weber said it "depends on whether they endorse our platform."