4BETTER OR WORSE- The week in review
Biggest throwing down the gauntlet: New Albemarle Supe Duane Snow plays chicken with the Jefferson-Madison Regional Libary, which threatens to close the Scottsville library because of a five percent cut in funding from the county. Snow says that's unacceptable, and if the regional library can't cut five percent across the board, "I would be in favor of not giving them any money– until they got those things figured out," according to Brandon Shulleeta in the Daily Progress.
Latest case of zero tolerance gone berserk: Fluvanna High senior and homecoming king Justin Sexton is suspended for 364 days– i.e. expelled– when authorities find an airsoft gun, a popular sport toy for teens and pre-teens, in his truck in a search for tobacco products, ending his high school career. The Central Virginian breaks the story February 24.
Latest volley in Albemarle v. Charlottesville revenue sharing: Delegate David Toscano sets up a city/county meeting for April 24 and a blog to explore better collaboration between the two entities. Meanwhile, Delegate Rob Bell's budget amendment to account for revenue sharing in the amount of state funding Albemarle gets moves forward in the House budget.
Most appealing: Meadowcreek Parkway opponent Peter Kleeman represents himself and the Coalition to Preserve McIntire Park in a telephone call February 26 to a three-judge panel of the Virginia Supreme Court to persuade the court to hear the group's appeal of its claim that City Council improperly conveyed property to VDOT for the parkway. Charlottesville Tomorrow has the story.
Most satisfied: Charlottesvillians, according to a city citizen budget survey, which shows that 62 percent are so delighted with services and taxes that they want them to stay the same.
Worst dis to PVCC: Community colleges provide little economic stimulus to a region and don't really attract employers, according to a Weldon Cooper Center survey.
Biggest expansion: UVA's Board of Visitors okays a $16 to 18 million renovation and addition to Newcomb Hall to start in June. The project will add 16,000-square feet and spiffs up 34K square feet to make Newcomb more welcoming to visitors and to add dining space, the Cav Daily reports.
Biggest move: UVA's 138,000 George Washington papers will relocate to a new library at Mount Vernon in about 15 years, when the editing of the papers is complete.
Best blitz: Governor Bob McDonnell orders the Virginia Department of Transportation to attack potholes caused by the harsh winter during March, which will make highways safer for the upcoming 70mph speed limit on rural interstates. Motorists are encouraged to report hole hazards to VDOT on 800-367-7623.
Best reporting from Haiti: NBC29's Henry Graff travels with Building Goodness Foundation volunteers to the earthquake-ravaged country.
Latest Grisham incarnation: The judge of the Hook short story contest (oh, and the author of 23 books) has inked a deal with Penguin Young Readers Group to produce a series about "Theodore Boone: Kid Lawyer."
Harshest crack down: Augusta County goes after the Valley Aerospace Club and its rocket launching on a 500-acre field near Swoope. The county demands the hobbyists obtain a special use permit, and then rejects the group's application, according to NBC29.
Best phishing story: The Newsplex reports February 24 about a scam using a fake Twitter login to obtain userIDs and passwords. Writes local blogger/election official Rick Sincere, "Ironically, minutes after seeing this story at 11 o'clock, I received a phishing email message purportedly from the Newsplex's own Jim Hanchett. I ignored it, of course."
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