RealCrozetVA

Recognizing that we have so many of our local teacher and administrators on this distribution list, I wanted to say that even though I think this spending is out of control and needs to be reigned in, I don’t think the problem is at the school level….  How much does the county spend on bringing in some specialist contractors to tell or teachers the new metho d they will be using to teach our kids?I believe (and I admittedly don’t have the information because it’s not available) if we eliminated 50-70% of the people downtown, and allowed our teachers to teach, we would have smarter kids, a better environmental, and fiscally responsible education.  To have the increases that we are having, something is wrong, and it’s not happening at the school level.The other thing that bothered me is the intentionally misleading data that we have seen in these emails Then there’s the, I’m not sure what you would call it…..shakedown?…  I think we should call them on it.By the way, none of this gets me angry and as far as the growth goes, I have participated in that process too, speaking at the Old Trail Planning Commission meeting, working on the Crozet Park Board etc..My apologies to the superb teachers, administrators (local) and employees if I offended you.

Filed under: Community, Crozet, Schools | 5 Comments »

VDOT ANNOUNCES APRIL 4 ROAD CLOSURE IN CROZET The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is planning a road closure on Route 810, Crozet Avenue, on Wednesday, April 4 as part of the sidewalk and streetscape project underway in downtown Crozet.  The road will be closed on April 4 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. to allow Faulconer Construction to install a cross pipe near the Rescue Squad approximately .10 miles from the intersection of Route 240….  The sidewalk project began on March 1 and is focusing on the area from the railroad crossing on Crozet Ave to the current Crozet Library on Three Notched Road….  Sidewalks and streetscapes are an integral part of creating a walkable and pedestrian-oriented downtown Crozet as envisioned by the Crozet Master Plan.

Filed under: Crozet, Growth | No Comments »

From the CCA:It is critical that we attend the Board of Supervisors meeting on April 4th at 6 PM to voice an opinion on the Recycle Center money staying in the CIP budget and that Crozet be the first selection for a center to maintain Crozet as a sustainable community.  Our arguments should be pointed towards:1) Crozet has the largest population outside the urban ring around Charlottesville (in Albemarle County)2) Albemarle County is committed to making Crozet growth area a sustainable community.3) Environmentally speaking, Albemarle County is committed to protect the environment to guarantee a high quality of life for its citizens….  Please listen to us.” Short speeches are in order, but we need lots or one person making a speech and saying how many folks are there to support the Recycle Center and everyone who supports the concept stand and show an impact on the BOS by numbers of people willing to support.  April 4 - 6:00 PM BOS meeting on the second floor (most likely in the Lane auditorium) Public Hearing April 11 - BOS set rate and approve budget with cuts etc April—–May BOS discuss more of the budget allotments June—-BOS finalize the allotments July 1 Money is available for the different departments as has been approved by the BOS What has been done so far:Crozet Community Advisory Council (14 Crozet community members appointed by BOS have sent a resolution to the BOS to have Crozet selected)Mike Freitas (County public works director has spoken at the CCA and will be at the CCAC April 19th meeting to speak on recycling)Tabor Church has held two recycle meetings and has compiled a list of interested people on getting the center in Crozet (60 names)CCAC has a committee of 4 members working on how the community can help the county to make the recycle center fit the community needs.

Filed under: Crozet | 1 Comment »

In the Daily Progress.  Read the whole thing.Crozet was the same as it had always been, that is until recent years when developers came in and changed the entire area - just as they have done in other places that were labeled “the best place to live.”If they continue to remake Crozet, will the town have to give way to favored stores and businesses?Are we to face even more taxes and regulations, crowded living, heavy traffic, and poorer schools as a result of this overgrowth?Will this still be “the best place to live?”The people I see in Crozet do not have time to sit on benches.  They like their independence and rural way of life.  The real answer to our problem is reduction of the size, cost and scope of county government and the limitation of taxation.

Filed under: Crozet, Growth | 2 Comments »

Thanks to Brian for this very informative comment, I thought it deserved its own post.”Crozet Park was donated to the community some 40 or so years ago. I can get the exact date….  We don’t have the resources to take care of things like baseball and soccer fields, and the county needed these recreational resources for it’s citizens in the Crozet area….  They supply and take care of all of the fields for the recreational programs, and we have the decision rights over what we want to have at the Park….  This includes groups like Peach Tree, The Fire Department, The Lions Club, and we also have at large members, those that aren’t attached to an organization, but have an interest in how Crozet Park is run.We meet the first Wednesday of every month to discuss the Park’s issues, and we’re always looking for new members.

Filed under: Crozet, Crozet Park | 1 Comment »

Quick hit from a blog focused on Winehiker Witiculture, saying that King Family Vineyards is one of the “Top Ten Wineries where you can taste for free.”

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With all the talk of recycling in Crozet and the discussion on the Crozet Community Association listserv, I figured I would post a poll here, hopefully for a centralized location for responses.So, without further ado …Please vote, tell and/or email your friends about this poll.  For more information on what you can do to advocate for recycling in Crozet, read more here.

Filed under: Community, Crozet, Green | 8 Comments »

I know I’m not the only one in Crozet who recycles.I know I’m not the only one who schleps a vanload of stuff to the McIntire Recycling Center each week (trying desperately to avoid Saturdays!).And I know I’m not the only one in Crozet who wants a recycling center right here in Crozet.The number one reason I want it, frankly, is to make my own life easier….  Join me–make it impossible to be ignored.From an email from Mr. Freitas:There is currently $250K designated in the CIP for FY2008 (1 Jul 07 - 30 June 08) for the construction of recycling centers that would be located at various locations in the County (Crozet being one of the areas being considered)….  If the money is there, why not Crozet?You may find your voice more efficiently expressed by emailing David Wyant, our Supervisor and Ann Mallek, who is running for the seat currently held by Mr. Wyant….  Areas that are being considered for recycling centers include Crozet, Scottsville, the Pantops area, and the Northern areas of the County.There is a budget work session tomorrow, 14 March at 1pm at the Lane Auditorium and two more after that:Budget Work Session #1 - March 12, 2007 - Lane Auditorium - 1:00 p.m.Budget Work Session #2 - March 14, 2007 - Lane Auditorium - 1:00 p.m.Budget Work Session #3 - March 19, 2007 - Room 235 - 1:00 p.m.Budget Work Session #4 - March 21, 2007 - Lane Auditorium - 1:00 p.m.What would the recycling center look like?

Filed under: Crozet | 1 Comment »

There is an awful lot on the agenda for tomorrow’s Crozet Community Association meeting: - Sidewalks/Streetscape plans-Lee Catlin - Library plans-Lee Catlin & Barbara Westbrook - Area schools redistricting discussion Barbara Massie Mouly, Brian Wheeler can’t attend tonight Crozet Elem.  School public meeting on March 15 at 6:30; School Board decision on March 22.  - Recycling-Michael Freitas & Jo Ann Perkins - CoHousing plan- Nancy Chappell - Old school and Depot suggestions from members (At the last CCA meeting David Wayland asked members to come up with recommendations re….  - Other business from membersFor lots more on redistricting, sidewalks and more, pick up a copy of March’s Crozet Gazette (pdf) - especially the “artist’s rendering” of the potential streetscaping on the last page.

Filed under: Community, Crozet, Growth | No Comments »

I loved that commute, and the walking was great for myhealth.After six months there my work assignment ended, but I decided to stay in the area instead of going back to New Jersey….  I don’t know who those people were who worked a couple of hours and then then left off for the weekend, but it seemed like the wholecity was trying to leave by the same road, and by the time I joined them we all were getting nowhere fast.Last June my boyfriend and I started house shopping….  From visiting for two years I knew I liked the area, and Iwas happy to escape Washington, or at least to escape the traffic.I moved the first weekend in October and ended up with a job here in Crozet….  From then on, I’malmost by myself on the highway.While it might be nice to be closer to Charlottesville so I could eat lunch on the downtown mall sometimes, I love the fact that in Crozet I have the grocery store right next door and can walk toseveral places for lunch.

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