On October 17, 2013, Charlottesville Tomorrow and The Daily Progress co-sponsored a candidate forum for the four candidates seeking election to the Charlottesville City Council.
The Democrat incumbent candidate is Kristin Szakos. The other three candidates are Republican Michael Farruggio, Democrat Bob Fenwick, and Republican Buddy Weber. Two of the five seats on the council will be determined in the November 5 election.
About 40 local residents came to the Jefferson School African American Heritage Center to hear the candidates respond to questions posed by the sponsors and the audience. Read this article for complete coverage by The Daily Progress. The audio podcast is available in the box at right.
OPENING STATEMENTS
00:05:10 -- Michael Farruggio (R)
00:07:08 -- Buddy Weber (R)
00:09:20 -- Bob Fenwick (D)
00:10:50 -- Kristin Szakos (D)
SEVEN MODERATOR QUESTION TOPICS
1. Please describe your past experience that qualifies you to be on Charlottesville City Council?
00:13:22-- Szakos
00:15:27-- Fenwick
00:17:37-- Weber
00:19:51-- Farruggio
2. Name one specific area of the city budget that you are concerned about and why. Do you think it deserves more funding or less?
00:22:17 -- Fenwick
00:23:48 -- Weber
00:26:03 -- Farruggio
00:28:18 -- Szakos
3. If real estate tax revenues increase, should Charlottesville lower its property tax rate? Why or why not?
00:30:25 -- Weber
00:32:33 -- Farruggio
00:33:39 -- Szakos
00:35:52 -- Fenwick
4. Charlottesville City Council has provided the school division with one-time funds to balance recent budgets. Besides listening to feedback from a recently appointed Blue Ribbon Commission, what steps should Council take to help the school board build a more sustainable school budget?
00:37:49 -- Farruggio
00:40:12 -- Szakos
00:42:25 -- Fenwick
00:44:33 -- Weber
5. Private developers and the University of Virginia are currently implementing a City Council vision of a more densely developed West Main Street that dates back to the early 2000’s. Do you support this vision? Why or why not?
00:47:01 -- Szakos
00:49:17 -- Fenwick
00:51:33 -- Weber
00:53:51 -- Farruggio
6. What specifically should city council do to promote employment and what type of jobs will be your priority?
00:56:24 -- Fenwick
00:58:18 -- Weber
01:00:33 -- Farruggio
01:02:43 -- Szakos
7. Earlier this year, Council enacted a stormwater utility fee that will go into effect in 2014 to replace and rehabilitate the city’s stormwater pipes. Do you support this program? Why or why not?
01:05:22 -- Weber
01:07:39 -- Farruggio
01:09:50 -- Szakos
01:12:11 -- Fenwick
AUDIENCE QUESTIONS -- 01:14:50
What changes do you think should be made to the Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority?
If elected, what would you do to better serve those who lack access to prenatal care and other important medical services?
In an article in The Daily Progress, I learned that our city's per-capita spending was $4,753, while that of Albemarle County was $2,859. This article said our city's inflation adjusted per capita spending has increased 60 percent since 1990. Do you see this as a problem? If so, how do you plan to address it? If not, why not?
Have city council decisions related to issues such as downtown parking, panhandling, and services for the homeless improved the business climate or made it more difficult for merchants on the Downtown Mall? Please explain.
What would you do to regain control of spending in our education budget?
If the stormwater tax is not implemented, how do you propose to raise the necessary funds for repairs or upgrades?
Why hasn't the city paid more attention to the Rivanna River as a recreational, cultural and natural resource for the people of Charlottesville?
Arts and culture leaders recently approved a new cultural plan for Charlottesville-Albemarle. One goal is increased investment in the arts by local government. What do you think is the County’s obligation towards funding the arts and supporting this cultural plan?
CLOSING STATEMENTS -- 01:49:30