20 minute read
NEWS
—City schools acting superintendent Jim Henderson, as the district announced that masks will be required for all staff and students this year
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IN BRIEF
Good goes anti-vax
Virginia 5th District Representative Bob Good, who called the pandemic “phony,” has co-sponsored a bill proposed by QAnon conspiracy theorist Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene that would ban schools that require COVID vaccines from receiving federal funding. The law would also allow people to fi le lawsuits against businesses with vaccine mandates, and prohibit airlines from requiring vaccines.
What’s that smell?
Planning take a plunge into the James this weekend? You might want to cancel that trip. A pipeline break caused 300,000 gallons of raw sewage to pour into Tuckahoe Creek, a James River tributary, last week. (That’s enough sewage to fi ll half an Olympic swimming pool.) The health department says it’s inadvisable to swim in the area just downstream of the leak. No shit!
Spotted fl y spotted
See the bug below? Squash it, and fast. It’s a spotted lanternfl y, which is bad news for local grapes, peaches, hops and other crops, according to the Virginia Cooperative Extension.
Spotted lanternfl y
Times comes to town
National media has once again turned its eye to Charlottesville—last weekend, The New York Times ran a story about the city’s Comprehensive Plan update process, describing how the city’s long history of racist redlining has created an affordable housing shortage, and how proposals to increase density in historically exclusive residential neighborhoods have rubbed some homeowners the wrong way. But if you’ve been reading the local papers, you already knew that.
Youngkin declines debate, again
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Terry McAuliffe Glenn Youngkin
Glenn Youngkin, the Republican candidate for Virginia governor, declined an invitation to debate Democrat opponent Terry McAuliffe this week. Youngkin and former governor McAuliffe were invited to square off in Hot Springs in an event organized by the AARP. McAuliffe has said he’s up for as many as fi ve debates between the two.
It’s the second time Youngkin has left McAuliffe at the altar—er, debate podium—in recent weeks. Last month, the Republican announced he wouldn’t participate in the Virginia Bar Association’s debate, an event that every major-party candidate has participated in for the last 36 years. Youngkin’s reasoning? Proposed moderator Judy Woodruff once donated to the Clinton Foundation, where McAuliffe was a board member. That might sound reasonable, until you learn that the donation was a $250 contribution to the 2010 Haiti earthquake relief efforts.
McAuliffe and Youngkin will go head to head on the ballot in November.
Orange and blue medals
UVA students and alumni have pulled in fi ve Olympic medals so far in this summer’s games. Four women’s swimmers have combined to capture three silvers and a bronze for the U.S. swim team, and former rower Hannah Osborne helped her New Zealand rowing team win a silver. There could be more to come: Former Cavs Becky Sauerbrunn and Emily Sonnett are on the women’s soccer team, which is vying for a bronze medal, and one-time UVA hooper Mike Tobey has been a key player in Slovenia’s run to the men’s basketball semifi nals. Slovenia tips off against France on Thursday morning, a few hours after the soccer team takes on Australia.
If UVA were a country…
Total Medal count
Spending money
Creigh Deeds talks federal relief and new judges as legislature heads to special session
By Geremia di Maro
Virginia received $4.3 billion in federal relief funds as part of the $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan package Congress passed earlier this year. That sounds like lot of dough, but this spring, state agencies had a chance to submit requests for how the money might be spent. Those agencies’ requests totaled $18 billion.
The General Assembly convened in Richmond August 2 for a special session to fi gure out how to break down the state’s stack of federal cash. The assembly will also confi rm eight judicial appointments in a historic expansion of the Court of Appeals.
Governor Ralph Northam and the majority-Democrat legislature have already outlined several priorities for the sizable surplus, including devoting $700 million to the expansion of broadband internet access in rural Virginia, $353 million to support small businesses still struggling from the pandemic, nearly $1 billion to replenish the state’s unemployment trust fund, and $250 million for overhauling HVAC systems in schools across the commonwealth. Northam’s proposed budget also calls for at least $800 million of the funds to be set aside for some time in the next three years.
During this special session, the Democratic chairs of the House of Delegates Appropriations Committee and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee will not be considering any amendments to the proposed budget bill, a procedural decision that they say will allow the state to get money where it needs to be as quickly as possible.
Democratic state Senator Creigh Deeds, who represents Charlottesville and part of Albemarle County, says he supports the priorities the governor has outlined. Deeds has a few items of his own that he expects to make the fi nal cut as well, including funding for state parks and recreation facilities, mental health services, and the Virginia community college system.
More specifi cally, Deeds says he would like to see funding for capital improvement projects and employee pay increases and bonuses at state mental health facilities and hospitals across the commonwealth.
Deeds has been a dogged advocate for increasing mental health funding in recent years. In the last few weeks, that cause has taken on even more urgency. Earlier this month, the state halted admissions at fi ve of its eight mental health facilities, citing an “immediate crisis” as more than 100 employees resigned.
“We’ve got to make sure that we have the workforce that will provide for people who
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State Senator Creigh Deeds wants some of Virginia’s $4.3 billion in relief funds to go toward funding for state parks, mental health services, and community colleges.
are struggling with mental illness,” he says. “It’s going to take a lot of work during the special session, when we’re dealing with onetime money.”
The currently proposed budget includes $50 million for the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services to fund improvement projects for ventilation,
“We’ve got to make sure that we have the workforce that will provide for people who are struggling with mental illness.” STATE SENATOR CREIGH DEEDS
Tony Bennett sends three more UVA players to the next level
Last Thursday, three UVA men’s basketball alums took the fi rst step in their NBA careers. Trey Murphy III, the 6-foot-9, 206-pound guard, was drafted 17th overall to the New Orleans Pelicans, making him the 11th fi rst-round pick from UVA and the ninth UVA player to be drafted under Tony Bennett. Murphy played at Rice University for two years before transferring to Virginia for the 2020-2021 season, when he averaged 11.3 points and 3.4 rebounds per game. Murphy was also the fi rst NCAA Division I player to earn a spot in the esteemed 50-40-90 club (50 percent from the fi eld, 40 percent from three, and 90 percent from the line) since 2017-18.
As an undrafted free agent, Marquette transfer Sam Hauser agreed to a two-way contract with the Boston Celtics. The twoway contract means Hauser will likely spend his time playing for the Maine Celtics, Boston’s G-League affi liate, and hope that good performances earn him a spot on Boston’s main roster.
Jay Huff, who was a part of the 2019 national championship team, also didn’t hear his name called during the draft, so he agreed to an Exhibit 10 contract with the Washington Wizards. The Exhibit 10 deal will give Huff the chance to potentially earn a two-way contract with the Wizards after participating in the team’s training camp.—Amelia Delphos Jay Huff
MATT RILEY / UVA ATHLETICS water, and sewer systems at state behavioral health facilities, $45 million for bonuses for direct-care staff at state facilities, $10 million for the ongoing expansion of “communitybased crisis services,” and $1 million to be allocated to the Department of Criminal Justice Services to supply resources for crisis intervention team training to law-enforcement offi cers and dispatchers.
Deeds is also in favor of setting aside a signifi cant chunk of funding for the next few years, something that will be essential for addressing various issues presented by the ongoing pandemic.
“We’re not through with the pandemic yet,” he says. “There’s still so many people unvaccinated, there’s still fl are-ups around the state and around the country with respect to COVID-19. We’re doing the prudent thing and holding on to some of that money in case we need to do something between now and 2024.”
Courting new judges
During the session, the General Assembly will also offi cially increase the size of Virginia’s Court of Appeals from 11 judges to 17, following a bill passed earlier this year that expanded both the size and jurisdiction of Virginia’s second-highest court.
Deeds, a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, says he and other committee members hope the appointments make the court more representative of the commonwealth.
“We want to make sure that they accurately refl ect the diversity of the commonwealth,” says the veteran lawmaker. “Diversity of practices—people with different backgrounds who come from different areas of law practice. That they look like Virginia, [and] that they represent racial diversity. And then that they also represent geographic diversity in that they come from different parts of the commonwealth.”
More than 80 applicants are vying for the eight open seats on the court, most of whom are trial judges from across the state, according to Deeds. He adds that one applicant who is under consideration is currently a Charlottesville-area judge.
The addition of six new judges to the court represents a historic shift in the role and jurisdiction of the Court of Appeals, as it will now oversee appeals for all types of criminal, commercial, and civil cases, and anyone convicted of a crime in Virginia will have an automatic right to appeal to the expanded court.
“We have a chance to remake the face of justice in Virginia, It’s a very signifi cant move,” says Deeds. “We’re remaking the availability of justice for people all over the commonwealth.”
New school?
City Council searches for funding for school reconfi guration
By Brielle Entzminger
reporter@c-ville.com
For over a decade, Charlottesville City Schools has been discussing a massive school reconfi guration, which would move fi fth graders from Walker Upper Elementary—which houses fi fth and sixth grade—down to elementary school, and sixth graders up to Buford Middle School. Walker would then be turned into a centralized preschool with a range of wraparound services. The plan has a big price tag, though. In the Capital Improvement Plan draft, the city set aside $50 million for the project, but it is now expected to cost between $50 million and $80 million, according to several options recently presented by VMDO Architects, the fi rm that will design the project. (The most expensive design would cost a whopping $123 million.)
To cover this hefty price tag, the reconfi guration working group—composed of city and school offi cials—has now proposed putting $60 million solely toward renovating and expanding Buford. It also wants to begin construction in 2023, one year earlier than previously planned, to prevent additional costs from infl ation. The city would then make a limited capital investment into the Walker preschool until more funding is available.
The $60 million would pay for a threestory addition to Buford, with media and support spaces. It would also cover a new gym, and update of academic and art buildings, and a media center renovation.
During a budget work session last Tuesday, City Council struggled to fi gure out how to pay for both phases of reconfi guration. It already planned to partially fund the $50 million placeholder with a 10-cent real estate tax rate increase, but now needs to fi nd additional sources.
“Getting both the facilities as well as the capacity to what was needed to accommodate the three grade levels was determined to be the priority, and getting fi fth graders back in the elementary schools,” said Councilor Heather Hill, a member of the working group. “If we fi nd those other funding sources, Walker could in fact fi nish within the same time frame. But right now, with the limitations of our city dollars, the priority was on this Phase 1 for Buford.”
To allocate the additional $10 million for the Buford expansion, council could borrow from the $18 million currently set aside for the West Main Streetscape, another huge
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Charlottesville City Council is currently struggling to fully fund the reconfi guration of Buford Middle School and Walker Upper Elementary School.
CIP project. Councilor Michael Payne agreed that the streetscape needed to be paused in order to completely afford the school reconfi guration.
“I’ve seen people say they wish they could do both, but I just haven’t seen a realistic argument for how that’s possible,” said Payne. “The only way I can maybe see it being possible is if there’s some sort of infrastructure bill passed by Congress, and we’re able to take advantage of that.”
However, Payne shared his concerns about the city not taking on any new capital projects while it works on school reconfi guration.
“We need to have an honest conversation about the specifi cs of what those trade-offs are going to mean,” said Payne. “What if there’s an unexpected increase in the cost of public housing redevelopment?”
Before allocating more CIP funds toward reconfi guration, Payne suggested waiting to see if the General Assembly approves legislation allowing the city to increase its sales tax by 1 cent, which could generate $10 million a year for school capital projects. (If it is passed, the proposed legislation would then need to be voted on in a local referendum.)
“If the [tax increase] doesn’t happen, then we evaluate and go forward from there,” he added.
Councilor Sena Magill echoed Payne’s sentiments. “What if something’s coming up? How are we supposed to do this maxing out? That maxes out our bond capacity entirely.” she said.
“If we can get the sales tax that’s great, but we have to plan if we don’t get the sales tax,” she added.
Though he did not agree the streetscape project should be put on hold, Councilor Lloyd Snook also supported upping the sales tax. “We need to make plans that we are going to get the increase and we are going to be able to fund the schools the way the school board wants to—and move forward with other projects,” he said.
City Manager Chip Boyles agreed that the sales tax increase would be a “game changer” for the reconfi guration project, but noted that it can’t be included in the budget until it’s passed by the General Assembly.
Hill worried that if the streetscape project is cut now, the city will lose out on future potential funding sources. However, Mayor Nikuyah Walker emphasized that the city needs to put more money toward equity initiatives, like affordable housing.
“Those are the types of things that we need to be focusing on if we’re going to be maxing out [the CIP budget], not if we are going to continue projects like West Main Street,” said Walker.
It remains unclear when council will vote on funding the school reconfi guration, or the fate of the West Main Streetscape. It is expected to select a conceptual design for the reconfi guration in October.
August 4 – 10, 2021 Taste is everything. c-ville.com BAKERS! Three rising stars making delish fresh bread SUMMER 2021
Eat up! TAKERS! C-Ville Supper Club brings dinner to your door ICE CREAM MAKERS! A customizable hot-day treat
MEET
MYO QUINN THE PEAR CO-OWNER ON HER “SECOND LIFE” IN CHARLOTTESVILLE
Something’s fishy around here...could it be fresh salmon?
JM Stock’s ham biscuit is always a winner.
Collards, fried chicken, mac ‘n’ cheese, and, yes, biscuits—our summer menu is heating up A very Southern summer
Growing together
From a thousand miles apart, a prisoner and a community collaborate on a garden
By Matt Dhillon
In the staggering summer heat, Kendall King digs her fi ngers into the dark topsoil of a new garden bed. She’s kneeling on the back lawn of Visible Records, a gallery and studio space in Charlottesville’s Belmont neighborhood. In the garden, three tall tomato plants climb out of their cages between shoots of okra and some basil. King has been looking for space to plant peppers, too, but she isn’t sure there’s enough room.
A thousand miles away, in Boley, Oklahoma, Darrell Morris sits in the John Lilley Correctional Center, picturing the same garden—his garden.
The plot in Belmont is made to match the solitary confi nement cell where Morris has spent portions of the last 14 years. A low concrete wall surrounds the garden—a cramped nine-feet by six—and four concrete slabs fi ll some of the space within. One slab represents the outline of Morris’ bed, one represents the combined toilet and sink, and two more show where a chair and desk might sit.
The steel bars of a jail cell on one side of the garden stand at one end in contrast to the plants within, giving the structure a tension between feelings of constriction and growth.
That contrast is intentional to this interactive, living sculpture. This is a solitary garden, one of four newly installed at Visible Records. The concrete and bars are made to replicate the cell of an inmate locked in solitary confi nement, the tiny perimeter that is their world for at least 23 hours a day.
Each solitary garden is planted under the direction of an incarcerated individual, the solitary gardener, who has spent time in solitary confi nement. The small plot inside the concrete serves as a kind of link to that person, mirroring his cell. Visitors to the garden can, in that small way, share space with a person who is kept in extreme isolation. King, the studio manager at Visible Records, and Morgan Ashcom, co-founder and director, were inspired to bring the project to Charlottesville by the original designs of New Orleans-based artist jackie sumell (who does not capitalize her name).
Solitary confi nement is known to exacerbate mental and physical illness for those incarcerated. A recent study from researchers at the University of North Carolina found that, compared to general population prisoners, people who had spent any time in solitary confi nement were 24 percent more likely to die in the fi rst year after release, and 78 percent more likely to commit suicide in the fi rst year. The United Nations considers 15 consecutive days of solitary confi nement to be torture.
Morris was incarcerated in 2007 following an altercation with police in his home. Some who knew him before his arrest say he was a helpful member of his community, and that
EZE AMOS
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continuing his imprisonment benefi ts no one. “What is the purpose of punishing Darrell anymore?” says King’s mother, an old friend of Morris. “There is no purpose.”
King herself had never connected with Morris personally until she offered to collaborate with him on a solitary garden. In his letters to King, Morris writes about his history of raising a garden: “I love to grow my own food and have always had a garden when possible.”
“He’s telling me about things he likes and wants, like okra, and tomatoes, and things he grew himself when he wasn’t confi ned,” she says. “And the opportunity to know that you are manifesting that somewhere else, outside of this confi ned space, I think is really powerful.”
Because the prison’s mail system is slow and often unreliable, King gets most of her updates through her family, who check in on Morris when they can by phone. “I think when you’re
Local gardeners cultivate four small Belmont gardens, which match the size and layout of a solitary confi nement prison cell occupied by an Oklahoma prisoner.
isolated in prison, any connection to anything is amazing because you don’t have any connection to anybody,” King says.
And while the garden is a small link to the outside world for Morris, it’s also a way for the outside world to look into his cell. One of the most common reactions to a solitary garden is shock at the cell’s structure. “Our society does a very good job of invisibilizing prisons and the people who are in them, and just getting it out of our faces as much as possible,” King says. “And I think that the physical object of [the solitary garden] does the opposite of that.” Each garden a portrait of an incarcerated individual, says sumell. There are currently 19 different garden installations,
KENDALL KING, VISIBLE RECORDS
based on sumell’s original concept, around the country, including the four now growing in Charlottesville. She started the project in New Orleans in 2013, following 12 years of collaborations with prisoners in the Louisiana State Penitentiary, a massive facility known as Angola, named after the plantation that once occupied the land.
A professed prison abolitionist, sumell hopes the project will call attention to what she calls a failed system of mass incarceration.
The United States incarcerates its citizens at the highest rate of any country in the world, with seven out of every 1,000 people—2.3 million in total—currently incarcerated. Twenty percent of those incarcerated are serving time for drug-related offenses, reports the Prison Policy Initiative. Black people are incarcerated at disproportionate rates: they make up 12 percent of the nation’s population and 33 percent of the prison population, according to the Pew Research Center.
In sumell’s view, one of the foundational problems of this system is that it prioritizes punishment instead of healing. She describes the justice system more as a tool of coercion than of actual justice.
“Abolition does not mean that you don’t respond to harm, it just means you don’t respond to harm with punishment,” she says. “But that is moving through processes of accountability that are much slower than the immediate, knee-jerk response of punishment.”
The green growth inside the solitary gardens seems almost rebellious inside the strict cell. Here, participants are choosing to grow instead of destroy and choosing to heal instead of harm. The next evolution of solitary gardens will be even more explicitly connected to healing. In the Prisoner’s Apothecary project, solitary gardeners will learn about the medicinal properties of plants, and volunteers will use those plants to build an apothecary and offer the medicine to people directly impacted by mass incarceration. sumell hopes Solitary Gardens will encourage viewers to envision a world without prisons. “That is just the job of an evolving society,” she says. “To dream together.”
Charlottesville Clergy Collective presents:
Sunday, August 8, 2021 5:00 to 6:30 p.m.
https://www.facebook.com/CvilleClergyCollective
Keynote Speaker:
Followed by a panel discussion with:
Moderated by:
$10 off $25 or more!
Expires 8/15/2021
www.mineralsandmystics.com Facebook.com/MineralsMystics 345 Hillsdale Drive Charlottesville VA 22901 434-284-7709
