There are words written down, and then there are words spoken out loud and arranged into an order that allows someone listening to learn a few things about what’s happening in geographical area in which they are interested.
For those reading these words now, this is a complicated way of saying this is Charlottesville Community Engagement that has been produced for June 22, 2024. I’m Sean Tubbs, and I can report that there’s madness to this method.
In this installment:
Charlottesville City Council reaffirms water protection ordinance / stormwater utility fee after two public hearings that were not labeled as such in the agenda (learn more)
Charlottesville Deputy City Manager Marshall briefs Council on her approach to social equity goals (learn more)
The Charlottesville and Albemarle economic development authorities meet to learn more about the regional strategies put together by another level of government (learn more)
The University of Virginia Buildings and Grounds Committee learns how planning and budgeting works for capital projects (learn more)
The Harrison Center of Translational Research at the University of Virginia is preparing to learn more about neurodegenerative diseases (learn more)
First shout-out: Friends of JMRL
In the first subscriber supported shout-out since the summer solstice: Let’s learn a little about a nonprofit group that plays a major role to keep the Jefferson Madison Regional Library going strong.
Friends of JMRL plays an important role in the slightly Byzantine structure of library budgets. Proceeds from the popular book sale go to pay for children’s, teen and adult programs. The five jurisdictions that make up JMRL pay for facilities, salaries, and operational costs. State aid funds the collection acquisitions for all materials, physical, and digital. The federal e-rate program pays for equipment purchases. And Friends of JMRL raise funds for all sorts of activities.
That includes the Library endowment in conjunction with the Charlottesville Albemarle Community Foundation awards money to special efforts such as the NAACP scholarship as well grants to out-of-area patrons to cover the $30 fee for residents of non-member localities. Friends of JMRL also manages the Books Behind Bars program. Volunteers find and ship books to Virginia inmates at no cost to the inmates. Expenses are paid through private benefactors and Red Light Management.
Visit jmrlfriends.org to learn more and find out how you can get involved.
Second-shout out: Cvillepedia
Cvillepedia is a wiki dedicated to sharing and building community knowledge and history about the people, places, and events in Charlottesville and Albemarle County. This site is built with the same software as Wikipedia and is a free, public, collaborative encyclopedia that anyone can edit and improve. Cvillepedia is a volunteer run project. Click HERE to become a volunteer and add to the stories we tell about the past!
Thoughts at the end of #693A
And with publication of this newsletter, one week ends and another begins. I have two more stories to post to Information Charlottesville, but one may end up being more appropriate in tomorrow’s edition of the newsletter. For now, I need to turn my attention to putting together the Week Ahead.
By my count, there were 17 stories in the newsletter this week, and about half of them became audio versions. I’ve sort of figured out how to balance all of this in a way that the print newsletter gets out quicker and those who listen get to hear the stories the way they’re meant to be experienced.
People learn things in different ways, and I’m always looking to learn new methods of getting information to people. In four years, there have been hundreds of stories, and I hope to be able to continue this for some time to come.
Many of you subscribe and as its a Sunday and my time is partially covered by the sponsor of the Week Ahead, I’m going to spare you the sales pitch. I will ask you consider sharing this newsletter with someone else who may not know about it.
Podcast for June 23, 2024: Social equity, stormwater, fighting Alzheimer's at UVA, and regional economic development