Call for Mass Meeting - March 19, 2016

OFFICIAL CALL AMENDED 03/07/2016

Mass Meeting of the Charlottesville Committee of the Republican Party of Virginia

As Chairman of the Charlottesville Committee of the Republican Party of Virginia, and pursuant to the Plan of Organization and as recommended and directed by the Committee, I, Barbara E. Null, do hereby issue the call for a Mass Meeting to be held at Charlottesville Circuit Court, 315 East High Street, Charlottesville, Virginia, 22902, staring at 9:00 AM for registration and meeting to begin at 10:00 AM, local time on March 19, 2016, for the following purposes:

1. Electing up to 135 Delegates and an equal number of Alternates to carry 27 Delegate votes to the Republican Party of Virginia State Quadrennial Convention, commencing at 2:30 EST on April 29, 2016 and ending on April 30, 2016 at the Convocation Center of James Madison University located at 895 University Blvd, Harrisonburg, Virginia, 22807, or its alternate site for the following purposes:

 a. Electing 13 At-Large Delegates (National Delegates) and 13 At-Large Alternate Delegates (National Alternates) to the Republican National Convention to be held on July 18-21, 2016 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio (or its alternate site) (the National convention).
b. Nominating two Electors At-Large to be voted for in the presidential election on November 8, 2016.
c. Electing a State Chairman d. Electing a National Committeeman and National committeewoman.
d. And for the transaction as such business as may properly come before the Convention. A voluntary filing fee of $35.00 (check or money order made payable to the Charlottesville Republican committee) is requested for each Delegate or Alternate. However, failure to pay the requested filing fee will not result in disqualification. Charlottesville is entitled to 27 Delegate votes that will be evenly distributed between actual Delegates that attend the convention. In the event that the total number of allowed Delegates is surpassed, then preference will be given to those who have paid the requested filing fee.

2. For the 5th congressional District Convention to be held on /Saturday, May 14, 2016, at Nelson county High School, Lovingston ,Virginia, or alternate cite if necessary for the following purposes:

a. Election of 3 National Delegates for the 2016 Republican National convention.
b. Election of 3 Alternate National Delegates for the 2016 Republican National Convention.
c. Election of 1 Elector for the 2016 Presidential Election.
d. Election of 3 State Central committee Members
e. Election of District Chairman
f. Election of Candidate for the 2016 congressional Election
g. Transaction of such other business as may properly come before the convention

REGISTRATION:
Convention registration shall begin at 9:00 AM, EDT and shall conclude at 11:00 AM. All Delegates in line at 11:00 AM shall be allowed to register. The Convention shall be called to order at 11:00 AM or upon the registration of all Delegates in line at 11:00. Upon commencement of the first ballot for any office and thereafter, no quorum call or point of order regarding the quorum of the Convention or of any Committee, thereof shall be in order

 3. Election of Chairman for the Charlottesville Republican Committee.

 4. Electing members of the Charlottesville Republican Committee.

 5. Approving proposed amendments to the Plan of Organization for the Charlottesville Republican Committee.

 6. And for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the mass meeting.

QUALIFICATIONS FOR PARTICIPATION:
All legal and qualified voters of the City of Charlottesville under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, regardless of race, religion, national origin or sex, who are in accord with the principles of the Republican Party and who, if requested, express in open meeting either orally or writing as may be required, their intent to support all of its nominees for public office in the ensuing election, may participate as members of the Republican Party of Virginia in its mass meetings, party canvasses, conventions or primaries encompassing their respective election districts.

FILING REQUIREMENTS:
Persons seeking election as the Chairman of the Charlottesville Republican Committee, those seeking resolutions, or those seeking amendments to the Plan of Organization to be adopted at said mass meeting shall file a written statement by mail, or in person, to Charles L .Weber, 415 4th St. NE, Charlottesville, Virginia 22902, which must be received no later than 5:00PM on March 11, 2016. Postmarks will not govern.

Candidates for the election of Delegates to the Republican Party of Virginia Convention and to the 5th Congressional District Convention may file a written statement with the Charlottesville Republican Committee, Charles L. Weber, 415 4th St., NE, Charlottesville, Virginia, 22902, or hand deliver to said recipient at his law office prior to March 18, @ 12:00 PM. Pre-filing may be also accomplished by e-mail to charlottesvillegop@gmail.com.

Candidates who have filed in advance need not be present at the mass meeting in order to have their candidacy considered. Mass meeting attendees may file for State and 5th District Delegate at the registration table beginning at 9:00AM and up to no later than 10:00 when said mass meeting will be called to order. Forms for pre-filing may be downloaded from the website, charlottesvillegop.org.

REGISTRATION FEE:
There is no fee to participate in the mass meeting. The Republican Party of Virginia is requesting a voluntary $35 filing fee from all individuals seeking election as a Delegate to the State Convention.

The 5th Congressional District is requesting a voluntary $25 filing fee from all individuals seeking election as a Delegate to the District Convention. Checks need to be made out to the “Charlottesville Republican Committee”.

Committee dues are due and payable at the mass meeting. Dues are $30 for two years membership. One check will be accepted for all fees.

 Paid for and authorized by the Charlottesville Republican Committee.

 

Official Call for GOP Mass Meeting - May 30, 2015

OFFICIAL CALL 

CHARLOTTESVILLE REPUBLICAN COMMITTEE MASS MEETING 

As Chairman of the Charlottesville Republican Committee, and pursuant to the Plan of Organization and as recommended and directed by the committee, I, Barbara E. Null, do hereby issue this call for a Mass Meeting to be held at the Charlottesville Circuit Court, 315 E. High St., Charlottesville, Va., on Saturday, May 30, 2015 at 10AM (doors will open at 0930 for check in and registration) for the purposes of:

a. Nominating our Republican candidate(s) up to three, for the office of City Council to be voted for in the general election on November 3, 2015.

b. And for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the mass meeting.

 Qualifications for Participation

All legal and qualified voters of Charlottesville under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, regardless of race, religion, national origin or sex, who are in accord with the principles of the Republican Party and who, if requested, express in open meeting either orally or in writing as may be required, their intent to support all of its nominees for public office in the ensuing election, may participate as members of the Republican Party of Virginia in its mass meetings, party canvasses, conventions or primaries encompassing their respective election districts.

Filing Requirements

Candidates seeking election as the Republican nominees and those proposing resolutions to be adopted at said mass meeting shall file a written statement by mail or in person along with the filing fee to Barbara E. Null at 1619 Brandywine Dr., Charlottesville, Va. 22901, which must be received no later than 6:00 PM on May 22, 2015. Postmarks will not govern.

Filing Fee

There will be a mandatory filing fee of $50.00 for candidates. There is no fee to attend the meeting.

 Paid For and authorized by the Charlottesville Republican Committee

Charlottesville Republicans Introduce Two City Council Candidates

At the mass meeting on Saturday, April 27, Charlottesville Republicans will have an opportunity to nominate candidates for City Council and other local offices.

Two candidates have stepped forward and announced their intention to seek the party's nomination for City Council. They are Michael A. Farruggio, a 25-year veteran of the Charlottesville Police Department, and criminal defense attorney Charles "Buddy" Weber, who also serves as unit chairman for the Charlottesville GOP.

Both candidates spoke in front of a crowd of family, friends, and supporters at Central Place on the downtown mall on April 25 (the eve of Farruggio's 50th birthday).

Reporters from WINA-AM, WCHV-AM & FM, WVIR-TV (NBC29), the Newsplex, and the print media (The Hook, Daily Progress, Charlottesville Tomorrow) were there to cover the event.

One reporter said that having Republican candidates for City Council for the first time since 2006 is a "banner story." Expect to see the news on the front pages in the coming days.

After the announcement, Farruggio and Weber appeared on The Schilling Show to talk about issues and their campaign plans.

For those who were unable to attend the launch of the Farruggio-Weber ticket, here is a video of the event:

City Democrats are choosing their two nominees in a primary election on Tuesday, June 11. That same day at 5:00 p.m. is the deadline for independent candidates to turn in their petitions and other paperwork to qualify to put their names on the ballot.

For more information about the campaign and candidates, check regularly with www.CharlottesvilleGOP.com.

Call for a Mass Meeting - April 27, 2013

OFFICIAL CALL

Mass Meeting of the Charlottesville Committee of the

Republican Party of Virginia

As Chairman of the Charlottesville Committee of the Republican Party of Virginia, and pursuant to the Plan of Organization and as recommended and directed by the Committee, I, Charles L. Weber, Jr., do hereby issue this call for a Mass Meeting to be held at Charlottesville Circuit Court, 315 East High St, Charlottesville, VA 22902, starting at 9:30 A.M. for registration and meeting at 10:00 A.M. local time on Saturday, April 27, 2013, for the following purposes:

A.   Electing up to 150 Delegates and an equal number of Alternates to the Republican Party of Virginia’s State Convention, to be held on Friday May 17^th and Saturday May 18^th, 2013 at the Richmond Coliseum located at 601 East Leigh Street, Richmond, Virginia beginning at 2:00 PM local time on Friday May 17^th [No voting for candidates for the office of Governor, Lt. Governor or Attorney General will be conducted prior to 12:00PM local time on Saturday May 18, 2013] for the purposes of nominating a Republican candidate for Governor, Lt. Governor, and Attorney General. Each unit is entitled to one (1) Delegate Vote per 250 Republican votes for Governor and President at their last election, so that Charlottesville is entitled to 30 Delegate Votes;

B.   Electing up to two Republican nominees for the office of City Council;

C.   Electing one Republican nominee for office of Treasurer of Charlottesville;

D.   Electing one Republican nominee for the office of Commissioner of the Revenue;

E.   Electing one Republican nominee for office of Commonwealth’s Attorney;

F.    Electing one Republican nominee for the office of Sheriff;

G.   And for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the mass meeting.

Qualifications for Participation

All legal and qualified voters of Charlottesville under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, regardless of race, religion, national origin or sex, who are in accord with the principles of the Republican Party and who, if requested, express in open meeting either orally or in writing as may be required, their intent to support all of its nominees for public office in the ensuing election, may participate as members of the Republican Party of Virginia in its mass meetings, party canvasses, conventions or primaries encompassing their respective election districts.

Filing Requirements

Persons seeking election as the Republican nominees for City Council, Treasurer, Commissioner of the Revenue, Commonwealth’s Attorney or Sheriff and those proposing resolutions to be adopted at said mass meeting shall file a written statement by mail or in person, to Steven C. Latimer, 118 Thomas Drive, Charlottesville, Virginia 22903 which must be received not later than 12:00 P.M., April 19, 2013.  Post marks will not govern.

           

Candidates for the election of Delegates to the Republican Party of Virginia Convention may file a written statement with Steven C. Latimer at any time prior to said mass meeting.  Such statements may be delivered to Mr. Latimer at the door.  Pre-filing may be also accomplished by e-mail to Steven Latimer at stevenclatimer@gmail.com.  Candidates who have filed in advance need not be present at the mass meeting in order to have their candidacy considered.

Forms for pre-filing may be received electronically from Steven Latimer at stevenvlatimer@gmail.com or Charles Weber at cweber977@aol.com. 

           

Registration Fee

There is no fee to participate in the mass meeting.  The Republican Party of Virginia is requesting a voluntary $35 filing fee from all individuals seeking election as a Delegate to the State Convention.  Checks need to be made out to the “Republican Party of Virginia”

Paid for and authorized by the Charlottesville Republican Committee.

2013 Ronald Reagan Dinner Info on Facebook

While formal invitations are being printed and mailed to potential guests of the Charlottesville Republican Party at the 2013 Ronald Reagan Dinner, a Facebook event has been created to give people an opportunity to RSVP now and reserve tickets in advance of receiving their invitations in the mail.

As previously announced, the Charlottesville Reagan Dinner will take place at the Omni Hotel on Sunday evening, April 7, 2013, beginning with a cocktail reception at 6:00 p.m. and dinner at 7:00 p.m.

Featured dinner speakers are Fox News contributor and former presidential advisor Karl Rove and former U.S. Secretary of Transportation James H. Burnley IV, who was a member of President Reagan's cabinet.

In addition, a silent auction will take place throughout the evening, with bids being accepted on such items as autographed books by Lynne Cheney, Oliver North, Jeb Bush, Rand Paul, Eric Cantor, and John Bolton; autographed photographs of Sean Hannity and Gary Sinise; and state memorabilia from the governors of Iowa and Nevada. Silent auction items are still arriving.

Ticket prices are $75 per individual, $130 for two tickets, and $550 for a table of eight.

Payment and requests for tickets can be sent to:

2013 Ronald Reagan Dinner

Charlottesville Republican Committee

P.O. Box 7079

Charlottesville, VA 22906

The Facebook event can be found at http://on.fb.me/15utFDk.

James Burnley, Karl Rove to speak at Charlottesville GOP's 2013 Ronald Reagan Dinner

*** Annual Ronald Reagan Dinner Returns to Charlottesville

*** Bush White House Advisor Karl Rove and Reagan Cabinet Secretary James Burnley Will Headline Event 

(CHARLOTTESVILLE, February 21, 2013) --- Fox News contributor Karl Rove and former U.S Secretary of Transportation James H. Burnley IV will be the featured speakers at the 2013 Ronald Reagan Dinner sponsored by the Charlottesville Republican Committee.

The Reagan Dinner will be held on Sunday, April 7, at the Omni Hotel in downtown Charlottesville.

 “A longtime Charlottesville tradition, the Reagan Dinner has been 'on hiatus' since 2003,” said Charlottesville Republican Committee chairman Charles “Buddy” Weber. “That year's dinner speaker was former U.S. Attorney General Dick Thornburgh, and it took place on the same night that the Iraq War began. With that kind of 'shock and awe,' we needed a break, but now we're back.”

Karl Rove, who served as Deputy White House Chief of Staff and as a Senior Advisor to President George W. Bush, is well-known as columnist for the Wall Street Journal and as a political strategist.

“I am looking forward to speaking in Charlottesville, a region that offers opportunities for growth and revitalization for the local Republican Party. It will be my pleasure to meet party activists and offer my thoughts on the future of the conservative movement," Mr. Rove said.

James H. Burnley IV

James Burnley was President Ronald Reagan's Secretary of Transportation, serving from 1987 through 1989. He is currently an attorney with the Washington law firm, Venable LLP, sits on the board of FreedomWorks, and is a past chairman of the Intercollegiate Studies Institute.

 “It will be a great pleasure to return to Charlottesville” said Burnley. “My family has deep roots in the community – Burnley-Moran School is named for my great-great aunt, and I spent summers in the area as a child when my great-uncle owned the Hardware Store on the downtown mall. I look forward to reminiscing about my years in President Reagan's cabinet and discussing the transportation issues we face in the 21st century.”

Weber added: “The Ronald Reagan Dinner is our local committee's primary fundraising event of the year. It not only provides an opportunity for Charlottesville Republicans to come together for an evening of fun and conviviality, it raises the seed money for our candidates for City Council, the General Assembly, and other local offices. We welcome the participation of Karl Rove and James Burnley in this year's festivities.”

 The 2013 Ronald Reagan Dinner will include a cocktail reception, a VIP reception for major sponsors, and a silent auction featuring items donated by Republican leaders and celebrities from across the United States. So far House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval, Fox News host Sean Hannity, Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, and former Ambassador to the United Nations John Bolton have contributed autographed items for the silent auction.

Tickets for the Charlottesville Republican Party's 2013 Ronald Reagan Dinner are $75 each, with discounts for packages of two and tables of eight. Seating is limited but requests for invitations may be sent by email to rsvp.2013ReaganDinner@gmail.com or by postal mail to P.O. Box 7079, Charlottesville, VA 22906.

 Contributions to the Charlottesville Republican Party are not tax-deductible.

Charlottesville GOP -- Now on Facebook

Steven Latimer, secretary of the Charlottesville Republican Committee, has created a Facebook page for party activists in the city.

The page will have announcements of upcoming meetings and other events, photos of recent activities, and videos of guest speakers at Charlottesville Republican party meetings.

Anyone can access the new Charlottesville GOP Facebook page and contribute their own comments and information.

For more information, visit http://www.facebook.com/CvilleGOP. Be sure to click "like."

'Yes, Virginia, There Is a Charlottesville GOP'

On Saturday, June 2, the Charlottesville Republican Committee hosted a picnic for area GOP activists and voters at Pen Park.

About 100 people attended, some from the City of Charlottesville and some from Albemarle County.  Guests from outside the city included County Supervisor Ken Boyd, Delegate Rob Bell, and Albemarle County Electoral Board member Clara Belle Wheeler.

There were also three prominent speakers:  U.S. Senate candidate E.W. Jackson from Chesapeake; Charlottesville native Susan Allen, there on behalf of her husband, former Governor George Allen; and Fifth District Congressman Robert Hurt.

The speeches were captured on video, in five parts.

Part I:  Charlottesville GOP Chairman Buddy Weber offers welcoming remarks




Part II: E.W. Jackson addresses the crowd 




Part III: Susan Allen speaks on behalf of Senate candidate George Allen

 

Part IV: Congressman Robert Hurt addresses the picnic guests

 

Part V: Buddy Weber makes closing remarks

 


Several news outlets covered the Charlottesville GOP picnic, including NBC29, the Newsplex, the Daily Progress, and Examiner.com.

Call for Mass Meeting: March 31, 2012

OFFICIAL CALL

Mass Meeting of Charlottesville Committee

Of the Republican Party of Virginia

As Chairman of the Charlottesville Committee of the Republican Party, and pursuant to the Plan of Organization and as recommended and directed by the Committee, I, Charles L. Weber, Jr., do hereby issue this call for a Mass Meeting to be held at Charlottesville Circuit Court, 315 East High Street, Charlottesville, VA 22902, starting at 10:00A.M. local time on March 31, 2012, for the following purposes:

a) Electing a Unit Chairman;
b) Electing members of the Unit Committee:
c) Electing up to 135 Delegates and an equal number of Alternates to the Republican Party of Virginia State Convention, to be held on June 16, 2012 at the Greater Richmond Convention Center, beginning at 10 a.m. for the purposes of electing a State Party Chairman, RNC National Committeeman, RNC National Committeewoman, 13 At-Large Delegates and 13 At-Large Alternate Delegates to the RNC Convention, and two At-Large Presidential Electors. Each unit is entitled to one (1) Delegate Vote per 250 Republican votes for Governor and President at their last election, so that Charlottesville is entitled to 27 Delegate Votes;
d) Electing up to 65 Delegates and an equal number of Alternates to the 5th Congressional District Convention, to be held on May 19, 2012 at Hampden-Sydney College, Farmville, Virginia, beginning at 11:00AM for the purposes of electing a District Chairman, three Delegates and three Alternate Delegates to the RNC Convention, a Presidential Elector, and three members of the RPV State Central Committee, and other such business that may come before the convention. Each unit is entitled to one (1) Delegate Vote per 500 Republican votes for Governor and President at their last election, so that Charlottesville is entitled to 13 Delegate Votes;
e) And for the transaction of such other business as may properly come before the mass meeting.

Qualifications for Participation
All legal and qualified voters of Charlottesville under the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia, regardless of race, religion, national origin or sex, who are in accord with the principles of the Republican Party and who, if requested, express in open meeting either orally or in writing as may be required, their intent to support all of its nominees for public office in the ensuing election, may participate as members of the Republican Party of Virginia in its mass meetings, party canvasses, conventions or primaries encompassing their respective election districts.

Filing Requirements
Candidates for the election or nomination for Unit Chairman, and those proposing resolutions to be adopted at said mass meeting, shall file a written statement by mail or in person to Joseph Thomas, 111A Hammond Street, Charlottesville, VA 22903, by email at kylorgan@comcast.net which must be received by 12:00 P.M. (noon), March 30, 2012.

Candidates for election of Delegates to the 5th District Convention or the the Republican Party of Virginia Convention may file a written statement with Joseph Thomas at any time prior to said mass meeting. Such statements may be delivered by the methods described above or at the door of the mass meeting. Delegates who have pre-filed as described above need not be present at the mass meeting in order to have their candidacy considered. If no more than one candidate files for election to the office of Unit Chairman, that candidate will be declared elected.

Registration Fee
There will no registration fee to participate in this mass meeting. There shall be no filing fee to run for Unit Chairman. Candidates for the Charlottesville Republican Committee shall be assessed annual dues of $ 15. Delegates to the 5th District Conventions are requested to remit a $ 10 voluntary fee. There shall be a voluntary registrations fee of $ 35 for each delegate elected to the RPV State Convention.

Revisions
In the event that the redistricting process requires technical or conforming changes to the Call, or the 5th District Committee makes a change in the date, time and/or location of the convention, the Unit Chairman is authorized to revise the Call to make any such technical or conforming changes before it is published. The Unit Chairman must promptly notify the City Committee of any such conforming changes.

*******

Paid for and authorized by the Charlottesville Republican Committee

Model Rules for a Mass Meeting

1. This mass meeting shall, to the extent applicable, be governed by and conducted in accordance with the following (giving precedence as listed): the State Party Plan, District or Unit Plan or By-Laws, these rules, and otherwise in accordance with Robert’s Rules of Order, Newly Revised 10th Edition).
2. Any person may attend the mass meeting, but only eligible voters duly registered by the Credentials Committee may have the floor unless specially recognized by the Chair. Only eligible voters duly registered by the Credentials Committee may vote. No proxies are allowed at any time.
3. All voters shall meet the requirements as specified in the Call of the Mass Meeting.
4. The Credentials Committee shall report on the proper credentials of each voter and decide any question that may arise concerning eligibility to participate.
5. No one will be allowed on the Mass Meeting floor without proper credentials displayed.
6. A roll call shall be taken at the request of one-fifth (1/5) of the total Mass Meeting votes as certified by the Credentials Committee.
7. Elections shall require a majority of the total Mass Meeting vote as certified by the Credentials Committee. There shall be no cumulative voting.
8. No voter may change his or her vote after it has been collected or recorded by the unit chairman or a teller appointed by the unit chairman.
9. [Optional] Upon adoption of these rules, the temporary officials of the Mass Meeting shall be made permanent.
10. No resolution may be presented from the floor unless first submitted in writing to the Resolutions Committee for consideration. Each resolution shall be considered separately in the order contained in the committee report.
11. The order of business shall be as set forth below, provided, however, that upon majority vote of the Mass Meeting, an item may be omitted or added. The Chairman of the Mass Meeting may interrupt the order as he or she may deem appropriate.
a. Reading of the Call by the Party Secretary.
b. Election of Temporary Chairman
c. Election of Temporary Secretary
d. Appointment of Temporary Parliamentarian, Timekeeper and Sergeant-at-Arms.
e. Appointment of Temporary Committees.
f. Meetings of Committees
g. Credentials Committee Report.
h. Rules Committee Report.
i. Final Report of the Credentials Committee. j. [if Rule 9 above is not adopted] Election of Permanent Chairman and Permanent Secretary k. [if Rule 9 above is not adopted] Appointment of Permanent Officials. l. [if applicable] Nominations of candidates for public office [specify]. m. [if applicable] Election of persons to party offices [specify].
n. Resolutions Committee Report.
o. Other Business.
p. Adjournment.

Text of the Charlottesville GOP Platform

Republican Party of Charlottesville

Platform
for the
City of Charlottesville

Empowering People . . . Constraining Government

Preamble:

We, the Republicans of Charlottesville, believe that it is time to transform the phrase “World Class City” from a slogan for the elite to a reality for the people.

Charlottesville is a great place to live for the majority of our citizens. The free enterprise system has yielded numerous thriving businesses of enormous and inestimable value to the city and its citizens. Cultural and educational opportunities abound. However, some commercial areas of the city remain underdeveloped and a substantial portion of our fellow citizens remain dependent on the government for their subsistence.

We can do better, we must do better and we will do better - by empowering people and constraining government.

Republicans believe that all of our residents are entitled to equal rights, equal justice, and equal opportunity and are capable of assuming their responsibilities as citizens in a free society. Breaking the cycle of dependency within the city limits is an urgent moral imperative requiring creative thinking and bold action.

The ideas expressed herein reflect a back-to-basics approach consistent with our core principles of freedom, independence, responsibility and accountability.

We firmly believe in the primacy of faith and family as the principal incubators of civic virtue and of property rights as the most effective bulwark against an overweening government.

Education:

Compared to the state as a whole, Charlottesville ranks near the top in core spending per student and near the bottom in reading and math performance.

Republicans believe that this performance is shameful and inconsistent with the values and the resources of a world class city.

We can do better, we must do better and we will do better.

In fact, we must do whatever it takes to educate our youth including, but not limited to, alternative educational models and structural changes to the existing system.

• School Choice: We would provide portable tuition vouchers for students who are eligible for the “free or reduced” lunch program. We would sponsor legislation necessary to redeem these vouchers at public, charter or private schools. Republicans believe that parents, not government bureaucrats, should decide where their children attend school.

• Adopt the K-8 Educational Model: We believe that the school board should abandon the middle school model in favor of the K-8 educational model. Children are best served by a school model that keeps siblings and friends together in a safe place with a coherent educational curriculum until they are 13-14 years old and ready for high school.

Several other major school districts have successfully implemented such a change and realized significant benefits.

• Charter Schools: We support recruiting any one of several successful charter school programs, such as the Knowledge Is Power Program (KIPP), to open one or more charter schools in Charlottesville. Competition will make the remaining public schools better.

Public Housing:

Republicans believe and studies have shown that property ownership is an effective path up from poverty.

The policy of corralling the region’s underprivileged citizens into concentrations of government-owned public housing is wrong and detrimental to those it purports to help.
It has impaired their ability to move out of poverty by concentrating crime, single-parent families and other obstacles to independent living.

Law abiding and responsible residents of public housing deserve the opportunity to improve their quality of life and escape from the cycle of poverty while maintaining a stake in the community.

We can do better, we must do better and we will do better.

• Homestead Program: We support a program for city-owned public housing stock that would be modeled loosely after the Homestead Act of 1862.

Eligible residents of public housing would be given the opportunity to occupy the city-owned units and demonstrate responsibility and self-reliance over a finite period of time. Upon fulfillment of certain predetermined criteria, they will be given clear title to their property.
Clear title to property would provide leverage for further economic advancement and would encourage, rather than discourage, the formation of nuclear families.

• Property Rights: Clear title to property is virtually meaningless when local governing bodies can use the power of eminent domain to take private property and pass it to another private person or entity solely to generate tax revenues.

Long-time minority residents of Charlottesville have experienced this extreme use of governmental power first-hand.

We support an amendment to the Constitution of Virginia that would restrict the power of government to take private property to those situations where the taking is truly for a public use.

Economic Opportunity:

Republicans believe that the free enterprise system is the most productive supplier of human needs and economic justice.

However, the tax and regulatory burdens imposed by the City of Charlottesville choke economic freedom, discourage the formation of new businesses and stifle entrepreneurial activity, particularly in the minority community. In general, Republicans believe that regulations should be streamlined and taxes reduced across the board. However, other strategies may be necessary to catalyze economic opportunity in the minority community.

• Enterprise Zones: We advocate establishing enterprise zones in the corridors along West Main Street, Preston Avenue and Cherry Avenue to encourage the formation of minority owned businesses.

Government Structure:

Republicans believe that officials at all levels of government must be personally accountable for exercising fiscal responsibility and budgetary restraints.

Our part-time City Councilors, following the advice of the full-time unelected city manager, have created one of the highest per capita tax burdens in the state.

When confronted with such facts, the city manager often states that he is merely following the guidance of City Council. When City Councilors are similarly confronted, they often claim deference to the “professional” judgment of the city manager.

In other words, no one is directly accountable to the people.

We can do better, we must do better and we will do better.

Republicans believe that the time has come to separate the executive and legislative powers of government and hold the executive branch directly and independently accountable to the people.

• Elected Mayor: We support the direct election of a full time mayor as the head of the executive branch of government.

• Electoral Districts: We advocate electing all or a majority of city council members from electoral districts rather than at-large. This system would improve citizen participation in government and promote a more intimate relationship between councilors and their constituents.

• Non-partisan elections: We believe that all elections at the local level should be non-partisan in nature. The current system of partisan elections has yielded a monopoly on power that sustains itself on patronage and machine politics rather than the strength of its ideas. The result has been declining voter turnout and interest in local elections. Republicans believe that democracy itself has been the loser.

• City-County Cooperation: We support the “Annexation and Revenue Sharing Agreement” which requires good-faith negotiations between the two governing bodies to improve government efficiency by consolidating certain government services.

Property Tax Policy:

Existing tax law in Virginia is intended to limit the ability of the local governing body to generate greater tax revenues solely as a result of inflation in the housing market. However, the statute is opaque and poorly understood. As a result, City Council has often voted for a tax increase while falsely claiming to be providing tax relief. In fact, City Council has specifically voted to raise property taxes each and every year for the past thirteen years.

Many working- and middle-class residents have moved out of the city to escape the ever increasing tax burden. This outmigration is detrimental to the long-term health and vitality of the city.

• Existing Law: We believe that the annual tax rate should be reduced in accordance with Virginia law to compensate for the increases in assessments. We further believe that all City Councilors and government officials should be completely candid with the voters and fully explain the fact of and the necessity for any new tax increases.

• New Legislation: We would advocate changes to clarify the existing law and minimize the opportunity for abuse by elected officials.

• Constitutional Amendment: We would support an amendment to the Constitution of Virginia that would permit real property to be taxed at acquisition value rather than fair market value. The government would benefit from a more predictable stream of real property tax revenues. Individual taxpayers would benefit from more predictable long term tax burdens.

Racial Issues:

We, the Republicans of Charlottesville, consider ourselves heirs to the Party of Lincoln. We pledge to meet with anyone, at any time and in any place to engage in substantive and ongoing conversations about the serious issues confronting minority communities in Charlottesville.

Approved by the Charlottesville Republican Committee
September 4, 2009