Asking for Recycling in Crozet – again

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.  But I feel strongly that more convenience would lead to more recycling by other people who need it to be more convenient, and so I see a benefit for the planet, too.

If you want a recycling center in Crozet, now is the time to be loud.  Make yourself heard.

At the CCA meeting on Thursday, March 8, I was hoping the room would be packed with folks wanting to hear about recycling from Michael Freitas, the Chief of Public Works for the County.  Only one person that I emailed showed up.  She had emailed her entire neighborhood–225 families–and no one showed up.  Maybe we don’t really want it in Crozet?

If you want a recycling center in Crozet and missed that meeting, know this:  there is $250,000 in the Capital Improvement Fund set aside for recycling in Albemarle County.  The money is already there.  It’s for recycling.  The County has a plan for 3 recycling centers in the County. Now the County just needs to decide where to spend that money. I don’t know what it will take to convince them that Crozet is the place, but we can start by letting them know the demand is here.

I admit: I thought I had already done this.  I’ve emailed Mr. Freitas and asked all my Crozet friends to email him, as well.  But the demand still is not clear, I guess, or the County would know what to do with the money.

I am getting the feeling that the County needs something they cannot ignore.  Please call.  Please email. Direct your voice to Michael Freitas, Chief of Public Works for the County  (401 McIntire Rd Rm 224, Charlottesville, VA  22902-4579 ; 434- 296-5816.  Please flood the County with the word that Crozet wants the money to be spent on a recycling center right here.  Ask what we can do to convince them. I’ve asked, and I haven’t gotten any answer.  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).  The CIP also identifies additional funding for follow on years.  However, those funds would still need to be appropriated by the Board of Supervisors for each budget year before they can be obligated.  As I mentioned during my talk on 8 March, during the current budget process the Board will be deciding if any initiative will have to be dropped from the proposed budget based on revenue projections for the upcoming year.  In essence, based on other priorities, funding for the recycling centers, or other budget initiatives, could possibly be postponed if there are not revenues to support it.  As a resident of the White Hall District, you should contact your District’s representative to the Board of Supervisors (Mr. David Wyant) to express your interest in this, or other budget items.  With regard to location, specific sites for the centers have not been determined at this time.

Editor’s note: Thanks to Katrien Vance for the above article. As a Realtor, I can attest to the fact that more and more of my clients in the Crozet (and in the region) are asking for recycling services. Having recycling services that are readily accessible may increase property values. 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. Ultimately, County staff abide by the policies set by the Supervisors. Until the Supervisors set the policy, Staff’s hands are somewhat tied.

From Albemarle County’s proposed budget (PDF):

B. Recycling Centers:  This project requests funds to construct recycling centers throughout the County.  These centers will serve County residents and private haulers who choose to deliver recyclable materials including plastic, aluminum/steel, and paper.  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? Where would it go? Where would the funding for annual servicing come from?

In short, if you don’t speak up, you won’t be heard. If you don’t speak up, you don’t have any business complaining.

More on recycling can be found at the HooK.

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Recycling, sidewalks, library, redistricting and more!

There is an awful lot on the agenda for tomorrow’s Crozet Community Association meeting, which start at 7:30 on Thursday:

-  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. the future use of both of these buildings.)

-  Other business from members

For 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.

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From DC to Crozet

Ed note: The following is the story, courtesy of Sara Gould, one who has moved to the Charlottesville area and works in Crozet – what is likely to be an emerging trend as jobs grow in Crozet. Bolding is mine.

I used to live in DC.  Crystal City in Arlington, VA to be exact, but an apartment with a view of the Pentagon and the Washington Monument sure felt close enough to call it DC.  My commute that summer consisted of walking 5 minutes to the metro, a 20 minute ride with 1 train change, and then a 10 minute walk to my office at the Navy Yard. I loved that commute, and the walking was great for my health.

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Continue reading “From DC to Crozet”

Fabulous Foods in the news

Local natural (and local) food store Fabulous Foods is featured in today’s Daily Progress (they are on the Crozet Community Map):

Because local produce does not have to travel far, it can be picked at the height of its flavor and kept free of preservatives.

“It tastes better, it’s fresher,” said Jennifer Burgos, buyer at Fabulous Foods in Crozet, a 1,500-square-foot grocery store that offers local apples, lettuce, blueberries, blackberries, chestnuts, peaches, bok-choy, herbs and more. “Our motto is sustaining small farms, nourishing our families.”

Now, if only somebody will open up a wine store with tastings, breads, cheeses and a lounge … give me credit. 🙂 Seriously. A coffee/wine store/bakery …

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How to raise awareness of realcrozetva

I thought I would share this recent email exchange with a reader:

No story here, just wanted to say that the site you have put together is great, and Crozet really needs this intimate type of discussion – my suggestion would be how can we get more people to know about this site – seems as though a lot of my neighbors haven’t heard of it and I’d like to see more people comment on these stories – there are too many “no comments” on really pertinent issues.

Regarding awareness of the site – this is something that I am struggling with. Ideally, I would like to do a bit of advertising or even a mailing to the 22932 zip code, but frankly I don’t have the funds to do that. On the other side, I guess I could accept ads on the site, but I feel that that would detract from the perceived impartiality of the site.

Thats a tough call re: ads – providing funds vs. detracting from the feel of the site.  I suppose local ads probably wouldn’t be too distractive, but even things like a posterboard sign at the 4-way stop with the website name could be pretty effective for people to get in their heads…either way, I’m sure word of the site will spread.

So … here’s my challenge to those of you who do read this site – email it to a friend who might be interested … mention it at your HOA meetings … tell your friends about it. This site was started to provide a forum for Crozetians new and old. If you are a business owner, post your business (after emailing me for the login) to the Crozet Community Map.

And as always, if you have a story idea, please let me know. If you have a story or opinion to share, write it. If you go to a local meeting, share your thoughts. I’ll post most anything so long as it’s reasonably well-written and pertinent to Crozet.

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Redistricting nears in Crozet

From today’s DP.

One of the most telling lines of this story, detailing the impending moves of 90+ kids was the last line of this quote depicting Crozet’s nearing self-sufficiency:

“Our biggest concern is that we’re being separated from the community that we live in and are a part of,” said Kathy Rainey, whose two children at Crozet would be moved to Meriwether. “Where we live, we are part of the Crozet community. To send us to Meriwether Lewis is taking us out of where our teams, churches and volunteer work are. We don’t normally go into Charlottesville to recreate.” (bolding mine)

We’re getting close. Once the Old Trail Town Center (please don’t call it the Shoppes of Old Trail, or something equally contrived!) comes online, the sidewalks are built to facilitate walking and Downtown’s resurgence continues, why would anyone go to Charlottesville?

More information at Albemarle County’s site and Brian Wheeler’s SchoolMatters site.

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Sidewalks coming to Crozet

In spite of my reluctance to post press releases, this is a pretty important one:

Sidewalks and streetscapes are an integral part of creating a walkable and pedestrian-oriented downtown Crozet.

The current sidewalk project, Phase I, will get underway in the next several weeks and will focus on the area from the railroad crossing on Crozet Ave to the current Crozet Library. Stormwater improvements will be focused along Crozet Avenue from the Rescue Squad to the Dairy Queen intersection. The project will include construction of new and replacement of existing storm- water utilities, addition of curb and gutter, new sidewalks, handicap curb ramps, concrete pavers, stamped concrete crosswalks, painted crosswalks, pedestrian lighting, pedestrian warning lights retaining walls and landscaping.

Project Open House

Date: Wednesday, February 28
Time: 4:30 pm – 7:00 pm
Place: Crozet Methodist Church Fellowship Hall
Drop by at your convenience to view project maps and graphics and to talk to county staff and consultants about the sidewalk/streetscape project.
Details, including a graphical representation of the project, are available on the Crozet Master Plan website.

Whatever misgivings one might have with how the County is moving forward with growth, they certainly are trying to communicate with us now. You can learn more about where this and other transportation issues are in the process here.

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New theme for realcrozetva?

After all the problems I have had for the past several days on this site (all of which were self-inflicted) I may change themes.

As this is a site designed by and for Crozetians, I’ll leave it up to you. Which theme would you prefer? (assuming I can get everything working on the new one)

{democracy}


Realcrozet Cordoba Realcrozet Digg-like

Lessons learned:

– A very kind person offered his assistance, for which I am extremely grateful.
– Changing one little thing can have dire consequences (I knew this but clearly needed a reminder)
– Time is short and valuable.

Quick note: if anybody is bored, here is the main place from where I am searching for three-column themes.

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Looking for a Harris Teeter update

From a reader:

Jim, I tried adding the following comment to the discussion of Harris Teeter coming to town, but it said that the discussion was locked.  I wasn’t sure of another appropriate discussion to place my comments/question.  In any case, have you heard anymore about Harris Teeter or any other grocery store coming to Crozet?  More specifically, have you heard when they are going to start development of the Blue Ridge Shopping Center?  The sign posted for the shopping center says Rivanna Realty is the realtor.  I found this website, that says the center would be completed in 2005 :)  It now appears that Rivanna Realty has been acquired by this company, yet I see no mention of the shopping center.  Also, according to this article, which was written a year ago, they were looking at a mid-2007 completion.  Have you heard any updates?

I’m working on it.

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No Fireworks in Crozet

From the minutes of the Crozet Community Association January 11, 2007 Meeting:

July 4th Fireworks- The Fire Dept announced that they will not be sponsoring the July 4th Fireworks in 2007, due to the high cost of fireworks. There will still be a parade and other activities (to be presented later). Other sponsors are encouraged- estimated costs are $5,000 for 15-20 minutes and $10,000 for 25-30 minutes of Fireworks.

If you’ve enjoyed the wonderful annual fireworks at Crozet Park, it’s time to lend your support. Anyone interested in creating/joining a “Save the Crozet Fireworks” committee? Respond here and let’s get started to keep the fireworks going in Crozet!

Who wants to join in and help fund the fireworks? Might somebody have already taken up the case? Email me if you are interested.

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