Resilient Together
To combat the local impacts of climate change and better prepare for natural disasters, the City of Charlottesville, Albemarle County, and the University of Virginia are collaborating on a new program, Resilient Together.
In a September 15 press release announcing the project, the group highlighted how each jurisdiction’s independent climate efforts will be boosted through the collaboration. “Locally, we are experiencing longer, hotter heat waves, more destructive storms, wildfire smoke, and invasive pests,” shared the group. “Collaborating will help us to produce better, stronger results.”
Anticipated to last approximately 18 months, Resilient Together will occur in five phases—Discover, Define, Design, Decide, and Do—with the goal of creating and adopting complementary action plans for both the city and county.
Beyond researching specific climate challenges faced in Charlottesville and Albemarle, the initial Discover phase will also be an opportunity for project members and the community to form connections.
Throughout the process, the group plans to listen to and incorporate input from the community, nonprofits, businesses, and other local players. According to the press release, “Creating effective climate adaptation and resilience plans for the city and county that serve our community requires meaningful collaboration among local government, partner organizations, and you.”
To jumpstart involvement in the project, Resilient Together will host a community kick-off and open house on September 26 from 4 to 7pm at Carver Recreation Center.
Recall runs ashore
After a summer-long recall campaign, the effort to remove Don Polonis from the Lake Monticello Owners Association Board of Directors has failed.
The recall election—which was prompted by a number of anti-LGBTQ comments and against-policy social media posts by Polonis—brought out a record turnout at the lake, with 2,480 total ballots cast in the election.
While a majority of voters opted to remove the director, the recall fell 143 “yes” votes short of the 2,256 required to oust Polonis from the board. Only 291 members voted to retain Polonis.
“This tally of votes, with 46 percent of households voting for removal, shows a clear rebuff to the conduct of Director Polonis,” said Board President Larry Henderson in a statement to LMOA News. “While it may seem undemocratic that a vote of 85-15 percent in favor of removal failed to succeed, the board reminds the residents that this is due to the rules laid down by the Virginia Nonstock Corporation Act.”
With no remaining avenues to remove the controversial director, Polonis will be allowed to serve the remaining two years of his term.
In brief
Funding futures
At A Black and White Affair on September 15, eight local minority-owned businesses received $40,000 in grants from United Way of Greater Charlottesville and the Minority Business Alliance of the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Congress. This year’s list of recipients includes everything from fitness classes to food trucks, with bakernobakery, Beyond Fitness with Sabrina, Cavalier Barbershop, Eudamonia, justified by Netta, Khadija’s Kitchen, Loyal Beyond Beauty, and Rita’s Bright Beginnings all receiving funds.
Closing time
After 36 years of business, Rebecca’s Natural Food will close its doors on September 30. Founded in 1987, the health food and supplement store has been a staple in the Charlottesville area for years. Until closing, the business will offer 25 percent off everything in store. In a public statement, owner Norman Dill thanked the community and employees for their support. “Although we feel a sense of loss during this time of change, we are equally proud of our achievements in promoting well-being in our community,” he said. “Thank you for all your support over the years, and we hope to serve you to the end.”
Fashion Square shooting
An Albemarle teenager was arrested for the September 13 Fashion Square Mall shooting, which resulted in two people and a dog seeking medical attention. The suspect, 19-year-old Jalontae Percer, has been charged with malicious wounding and use or display of a firearm in the commission of a felony. Percer is currently out on bond, and is scheduled to appear in Albemarle General District Court for a preliminary hearing on November 2.