May 7, 2024: UVA officials explain why force was used to remove encampment on "terribly sad and upsetting day"
Plus: Louisa Supervisors restore funding for Piedmont Virginia Community College
Every single edition of Charlottesville Community Engagement has a section called Reading Material and my hope is that people will click through to see all of the stories included within. In a healthy democracy, readers sift through many accounts of the events happening around them.
I’m Sean Tubbs of Town Crier Productions and I’m just one voice, made up after I go through a lot of source material. There’s a lot in this May 7, 2024 edition
In today’s installment:
UVA President Jim Ryan and UVA Police Chief Tim Longo offer their perspectives on the removal of an encampment on Saturday
Louisa County Supervisors restore funding to Piedmont Virginia Community College after hearing from officials
Albemarle County Supervisors adopt a budget for fiscal year 2025 based on the increase of two tax rates
There are no surprises as the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development releases allocations for CDBG and HOME funds
A thrift store in Crozet celebrates its 45th anniversary
First shout out: ReLeaf Cville
In today’s first subscriber supported public service announcement: ReLeaf Cville exists to reverse a worrying trend. Since 2004, Charlottesville’s Tree Canopy has declined from 50 percent to 38 percent. Two-thirds of the city’s neighborhoods are below 40 percent. ReLeaf Cville aims to change that through a series of tree plantings, preservation efforts, and education campaigns.
ReLeaf is a public / private partnership between the city tree Commission, the Nature Conservancy, City of Promise, Charlottesville Area Tree Stewards, and the Van Yahres Tree Company. Their efforts are funded through donations so consider making yours today!
UVA holds virtual meeting to discuss Saturday’s use of force to remove protestors from campus
Three days after a phalanx of Virginia State Police spent several hours removing an encampment of protestors at the University of Virginia, President Jim Ryan and other administration took to Zoom to express their side of the story.
“I will start with the obvious,” Ryan said. “Saturday was a terribly and terribly sad and upsetting day. It was traumatic I know for everyone involved, and it was far from the resolution I or any of my colleagues had hoped for.”
Ryan said he understands many are upset at the heavy police presence and especially the arrival of Virginia State Police in riot gear. He said Saturday’s removal of protestors was the culmination of a campaign that began on Tuesday when a group set up tents near the UVA Chapel.
“They were told that tents are not allowed which is true and it’s something I sure we can get to in the question and answer period because I know there’s some misunderstanding out there,” Ryan said.
The protestors took the tents down and they stayed down until Friday. Ryan said none of the people protesting would engage directly with the UVA administration and instead went through faculty go-betweens.
“To give you a sense of this, they sent a set of demands on Friday, and we responded with a note inviting further conversation and within thirty minutes in red ink they had written ‘bullshit’ on our response,” Ryan said. “That gives you a sense of the unwillingness and lack of interest in engagement.”
Ryan said there were a total of 22 tents erected on Friday night to stay out of the rain that evening. He said officials told the participants they could go home and the site would remain and be there in the morning.
“But they refused and remained in the tents,” Ryan said. “In addition, four men dressed in black carrying large backpacks and wearing helmets entered and remained in the encampment. At least two of these were known to law enforcement personnel as participating in violent acts elsewhere in the Commonwealth.”
Ryan said many in the camp were asking others via social media to occupy the site and by Saturday morning a decision was made to remove the tents after a visit from UVA Police Chief Tim Longo.
“Tim Longo told the demonstrators on Saturday morning to take the tents down, and he told them if they took the tents down, they could remain and continue the demonstration,” Ryan said. “They refused and blocked Tim and his colleagues from the tents. Tim felt the situation was unsafe and he returned to the command center where I was all day with senior leadership and law enforcement leaders.”
At first, UVA tried to remove the protest themselves, but officers did not have protective gear so the Virginia State Police were called in.
“I know many have questioned and will continue to question our decisions and I will always second guess them myself,” Ryan said. “It’s impossible not to. These were very hard calls. Excruciatingly hard. But we tried to make the best decisions we could under very difficult and volatile conditions.”
Longo gave a more detailed account of the five days that led up to the removal. He said there had been no notification to the administration from any group that wanted to set up camp, but UVA Police were preparing for a planned demonstration that took place Wednesday afternoon without incident. However, he said police noticed covered items being brought into the encampment.
“We came to learn through observation that those items were wooden items often used for construction and are prohibited under University policy during occurrences such as this,” Longo said. “We knew from similar events in Richmond and other areas across the Commonwealth that such materials were used to construct barriers that were used to establish a fixed perimeter and prevent law enforcement intervention. In essence, to fortify and defend an area where the camp had been established.”
UVA officials worked through faculty liaisons to notify participants of violations of policy such as using loudspeakers. Longo said while protestors did not want to directly engage with him or other administration officials, there was no aggression. On Friday, tents began to emerge and Longo told the faculty they had to go. Instead, their number grew.
Police intelligence identified some of the participants as people who had previously been associated with violent events in the community. Longo said the University Police Department initially made an inquiry to the Virginia State Police on Friday, but he said the presence of families and children at the event that evening caused him to order law enforcement to stand down until the morning.
“Considering the approaching inclement weather, we welcomed the participants in the camp to use the porticos around the Rotunda for shelter,” Longo said.
The next morning at 7 a.m., Longo returned to the site to ask those present to remove the tents but after a series of warnings he and others approached to begin the process.
“The group clustered tightly around the space that I was approaching any my immediate fear was that they would encircle myself, the assistant chief, and my Student Affairs colleagues and so I stepped back,” Longo said. “It was made clear to me through their voice, or at least the voice of one who appears to be acting on behalf of the group, and these are those words. They had a duty to fight for their cause. They had a duty to win, and they had nothing to lose.”
Longo said at this point he realized voluntary compliance wasn’t going to work, and he began implementing a plan to use local officers and a small contingent of locally-based State Police to create a perimeter around the camp. University Police made additional warnings asking protestors to clear the area and arrest those for trespassing.
“When the arrest team went in, numerous people locked their arms and refused to separate and disperse,” Longo said.
One person was arrested at this point after being asked to leave the property. At this point, officers were in standard uniforms with no personal protection.
“The officers initiated a second reentry and there were four of them,” Longo said. “Officers were met with the use of umbrellas in an aggressive manner and at least one person swung their hands in the direction of officers and one officer was actually struck.”
One of Longo’s officers determined more force was required to protect officers. A decision was made by the command center to bring in reinforcements.
“We requested that the Virginia State Police activate a tactical field force to do a controlled operation for the purpose of clearing the compound,” Longo said.
This took some time and in the intervening hours, hundreds more people came to the area to observe. When the tactical force was in place, the unlawful assembly was declared and orders to disperse were given seven times before the soldiers moved into place.
“Once the field force engaged using their shields to disperse the crowd, the encampment was cleared in about 15 minutes,” Longo said. “Twenty-seven persons were taken into custody and charged with trespass. One police officer was injured after being struck by a frozen water bottle.
Longo said those who were struck by pepper spray were treated at the scene. The town hall continued with several questions asked by some of the 3,000 participants on the Zoom call. One person asked why Ryan didn’t appear at the site on Saturday.
“By the time the police activity was occuring, given the stance of the group, my view was that my presence would inflame the situation rather than de-escalate it,” Ryan said.
During the town hall, Ryan said UVA’s graduation ceremonies will continue as planned.
The full video of the Town Hall is here:
Louisa Supervisors restore funding to Piedmont Virginia Community College
The Louisa County Board of Supervisors has restored $5,859 in funding to the Piedmont Virginia Community College that had been pulled shortly before the elected officials adopted their budget for fiscal 2025.
“We had requested a meeting with the community college and that meeting was unfortunately scheduled for after the scheduled budget vote,” said Supervisor Chair Duane Adams on Monday. “Since that time I’ve had several conversations and meetings with the President of the community college who forwarded me the community college’s protocols.”
Adams said those protocols cover affirmative action, discrimination, anti-Semitism, and how PVCC ensures all students feel safe.
“Those answers satisfied my concerns,” Adams said. “I passed that information on to the Board earlier today.”
At issue is the April 19 screening of a film called Israelism by the PVCC chapter of Students for Palestine. The day before, Adams posted to his Facebook account that he was disappointed PVCC was allowing the group to show the documentary.
As chair, Adams cannot make a motion but he invited others to do so. Supervisor Toni Williams of the Jackson District made the motion as he did on April 29 to withhold the funding. He said he received angry phone calls but that is not why he changed his mind.
“I didn’t change my mind,” Williams said. “We just wanted to hear from them. And so I know a bunch of us got a really interesting phone call from someone in the community, I don’t know who it was. Maybe it wasn’t even from the community. It came from a Texas number. I just want to be clear that the best way to deal with these things is to discuss them and educate yourself. That’s what we’ve done. I feel comfortable about what they’ve given us and I’m prepared to vote for it.”
The resolution to restore the funding was unanimous.
A specific policy was not mentioned at the meeting. For a list of those protocols, visit the PVCC website. A request is out to PVCC for a copy of what was sent to Louisa Supervisors.
Albemarle Supervisors adopt FY25 budget
Albemarle County has completed a two month process to come up with a plan for revenue and expenditure in the year that begins on July 1, 2024. Supervisors adopted the $642.2 million operating and capital budget at their meeting on May 1.
Supervisors and staff worked through the budget in over 15 hours of budget work sessions held in March and April. There were also several
When the budget was first introduced in late February, the total amount was $629 million but grew to $642.2 million in part because of a decision by supervisors to increase two tax rates.
The real property tax rate remains the same at $0.854 per $100 of assessed value, but the lodging tax and the personal property tax rate were both increased at the direction of
“The FY25 budget is based on a 54 cent per $100 valuation increase in the rate to $3.96 per $100,” said Ryan Davidson, Albemarle’s deputy chief of budget. “This increase would generate approximately $4.5 million in shared revenue that would then go through our revenue split formula with the schools, capital debt, and local government.”
The rate restores the previous rate in place in FY22. Supervisors followed staff recommendations to drop the rate when the price of used vehicles dramatically increased nationwide.
The transient lodging has been increased from eight percent to nine percent. That matches the same hike levied by Charlottesville City Council.
The increase in the budget since late February was due to other factors such as moving up funding to support the Earlysville and Seminole Trail volunteer fire stations from fiscal year 27 to fiscal year 25.
Supervisor Diantha McKeel said the county still has many services and expansions that won’t be increased due to this budget. One item requested by Supervisors during the budget process was a list of department requests that went unfunded. (read that report)
“I think six pages, eight pages of unfunded actions that were not really a wish list but really there are some very important needs on those pages,” McKeel said.
These include additional public safety and emergency personnel. During the budget process, Supervisors did direct staff to fund additional people to work in the new Human Services Alternatives Response Team (HART).
Second shout-out: Plant Virginia Natives
We are six weeks into spring, and my backyard remains ready for me to plant something new to serve as a screen between myself and a large construction project where there had been a field. One resource I have to help me select appropriate vegetation is Plant Virginia Natives!
Plant Virginia Natives is part of a partnership with ten regional campaigns for ten different ecosystems across Virginia, from the Northern Piedmont to the Eastern Shore. Take a look at the full map below for the campaign for native species where you are in the Commonwealth. For the Charlottesville area, download a free copy of the handbook: Piedmont Native Plants: A Guide for Landscapes and Gardens. As I plan for spring, I’m going to take a look because after almost four years of one Patreon supporter selecting this as his shout-out, I’m excited to get to work myself!
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development releases funding amounts for FY2024
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has many streams of revenue that go to various programs all across the country. Today the Biden administration officially announced $5.5 billion in FY2024 allocations for the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships.
“For 50 years HUD has provided flexible grant funding so that communities nationwide can make their own choices about addressing their most urgent challenges,” said Marion McFadden, HUD’s principal deputy assistant secretary for community planning and development in a press release.
“These funds will be used to create permanent housing, offer temporary shelter, provide down payment assistance for ready homebuyers, support community infrastructure - like water and sewer projects - and invest in small businesses,” McFadden continued.
There’s a total of $$58,272,106 in CDBG headed to the Commonwealth of Virginia to be split between 31 localities with the state government itself receiving $19,107,637. Virginia received a total of $24,637,492 in HOME funding.
Charlottesville’s CDBG Task Force has made recommendations on how to spend the funding this year without knowing the exact allocations until today. The figures are $438,617 in CDBG funds and $651,111 in HOME funding.
According to a public notice published in today’s Charlottesville Daily Progress, the city anticipated about $410,000 in CDBG funds, and about $98,000 in HOME funding. The rest of the funds will go to the other localities in the Thomas Jefferson Planning District.
The Planning Commission will have a public hearing on May 14, 2024 followed by a public hearing before Charlottesville City Council
In recent months, Council has approved repurposing of previously allocated CDBG funds:
Council reallocates $215,000 in federal funds to Blue Ridge Area Food Bank to allow storage of more produce, March 7, 2024
Council reallocates another $90K in federal funds to BEACON kitchen, April 2, 2024
Earlier this year, a University of Virginia student group urged the City Council to not use CDBG funding for public infrastructure. They were speaking on behalf of the Public Housing Association of Residents, a group that has previously received funding that would prefer the federal money be used to pay for direct services. (read that story)
Crozet thrift store recognized for 45-year history
A store that collects donated goods and resells them from a storefront on Route 240 in Crozet is celebrating its 45th year this month. The Green Olive Tree began in 1979 at the Brownsville Market Fruit Stand, but moved to its current location in 2011 according to the store’s website.
“The shop has provided new life and use for household goods and clothing for use by local families with growing children or those looking to start again after a fire or other calamity,” said Supervisor Ann Mallek at the May 1, 2024 board meeting.
Mallek said the group is seeking a larger location due to its success and a growing need. She said Green Olive Tree has shared proceeds with over a hundred organizations.
“Not only has tons of clothing been exchanged but the Green Olive Tree has become a community center where people can share love and support, ideas and worries, and come away refreshed and uplifted,” Mallek said. “It is a true gathering place for our community.”
To keep up with the store, check out their Facebook page.
Reading material:
VDOT putting in RCUT intersection on Seminole Trail, Fredericksburg Road, CBS19 News, April 25, 2024
New Data Science Building Embodies School’s Core Values, Cooper Allen, UVA Today, April 25, 2024
Supervisors approve $107.5 million budget; no change in tax rates, Heather Michon, Fluvanna Review, April 25, 2024
Chesapeake Bay watershed not likely to meet some pollution reduction goals by 2025, Eliza Noe, Daily Press, May 6, 2024
Court Appearance Draws Attention Amid Legal Debates Over Police Response, Cville Right Now, May 6, 2024
No one will take credit for calling state police on UVa campus protesters, Jason Armesto, Charlottesville Daily Progress (paywall), May 7, 2024
Notes as #674 revolves into the next one
Every day there is a lot to report and every day I’m at work to do just that. I’m a one-person information operation who hopes one day to be a little more than this, but it’s been four years now since I launched a Patreon account to determine if there was support to get me back into journalism.
Since then, I’ve written hundreds of stories about the community and building up an engine to keep doing so into the future. I’m not a business person, but I’ve managed to cobble together a steady income by hustling to get information to people. The format has changed quite a bit in that time, and the work of Town Crier Productions will continue to evolve.
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