4 BETTER OR WORSE- The week in review
Most like the '60s: Seventeen UVA students stage a sit-in in Madison Hall April 12 in support of a $10.72-an-hour "living wage." Civil rights icon Julian Bond speaks in favor of increasing the wage from the recently boosted $9.37, anthropology professor Wende Marshall is arrested for trespassing, Dem City Council candidates Dave Norris and Julian Taliaferro pledge support April 14– and the Charlottesville 17 are arrested April 15.
Most unlike the '60s: Necktie-wearing protesters bemoan the loss of their wi fi.
Wee-est hours: UVA's top administrators– President John Casteen, CEO Leonard Sandridge, VP for Student Affairs Pat Lampkin and Dean of Students Penny Rue– meet with Madison Hall protesters from 1:15 to nearly 3am April 15, the Cav Daily reports.
Weakest negotiating strategy: One hour into the early-morning meeting, students tell Casteen they're "too sleepy" to proceed, according to CD story based on a tape of the encounter.
Best tax-day protest: Jefferson Area Libertarians assemble at the main post office April 17, and former chair Arin Sime announces his run for Emmett Hanger's 24th District Virginia Senate seat.
Lowest tax rate: Charlottesville City Council approves a rate of 99 cents per $100 of assessed value, a 6-cent drop from the current rate and 1 cent lower than originally proposed by Council.
Biggest tax bump: Fluvanna Supervisors look at raising the tax rate 9 cents, to 59 cents per $100, Megan Rowe reports in the Progress.
Biggest jump: The median house in Albemarle County costs $339,000– up 42 percent from a year ago, according to the Charlottesville Area Association of Realtors. Greene County closely follows with a 41 percent increase to $271,250.
Biggest brawl: Five more UVA students, including four athletes, are charged in the March 3 break-in at Delta Upsilon fraternity on Rugby Road.
Most long-awaited solution: Rivanna Water and Sewer Authority proposes to expand Ragged Mountain Reservoir and construct a pipeline connecting it with the South Fork Rivanna Reservoir at an expected cost of $130.5 million, Jessica Kitchen reports in the Daily Progress.
Least surprising re-election bid: Senator George Allen launches a campaign to keep his Senate seat, while eying the presidency in 2008.
Most progressive: The Charlottesville Radio Group's left-leaning WVAX finally makes it on the air April 7– to 1450 on the AM dial.
Best Steve Carell sighting: In Washington running down the steps of the Treasury Building, reports the Washington Post, not in Charlottesville, where the rest of the cast of Evan Almighty, including Morgan Freeman and John Goodman, is filming.
Best Evan animal sightings: Horses, buffalo, and bears are reported at Old Trail en route to the ark.
Worst loss for the Wildlife Center: Skyler the Bald Eagle, who was the Waynesboro-based Center's face for endangered species for 21 years, traveling all over the country and appearing on major television shows, dies in early April.
Best mock trial team: Of over 600 teams that compete nationwide, UVA law students win the Collegiate Mock Trial National Tournament held April 7-9 in Des Moines, out mock-litigating the Harvard team for first place.
Last refuge of an inept robber: The Wood Grill Buffet is hit April 11 by a "Hunting" t-shirted white male, who, after dining, passes a note demanding money, leaves without taking any, and later hits the Barracks Road Lloyd's Hallmark. Bernard Rodenhizer IV, 43, is charged in the theft and attempted theft.
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