At some point I said I would be getting podcasts out on Mondays, but last week’s came out on a Tuesday. I could have easily followed suit and posted this one tomorrow, but that would take away from the time it will take to write the stories for the January 21, 2025 regular edition of the Charlottesville Community Engagement. This particular podcast includes several stories that aired last Saturday on WTJU as well as two stories that will air next Saturday. Is this madness? Is there a method? I’m Sean Tubbs, and I’m not even sure if I know anymore.

In this edition:

* Albemarle Supervisors recognize MLK Day and award proclamation to Riverview Farm (learn more)

* Property assessments in Albemarle are up an average of 5.1 percent in 2025 (learn more)

* Only one Albemarle project recommended for funding in Smart Scale’s sixth round (learn more)

* Fluvanna and Louisa both retain leadership slate for 2025 (learn more)

* Nelson Supervisors select Reed for chair, Ligon as vice chair (learn more)

* Catalano selected as Greene Supervisor chair for 2025 in divided vote (learn more)

* Missel to remain chair of Albemarle Planning Commission (learn more)

* Fluvanna Supervisors signal interest in pursuit of meals tax (learn more)

* Albemarle residents ask for more scrutiny on the spread of sewage sludge in the county (learn more)

All of the stories above have already been in the print version of the newsletter, but these are the audio versions! Sign up to get both. Pay, if you like!

First-shout: Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration on January 26 at Mount Zion First African Baptist Church

Mark your calendar for January 26 at 5 p.m. when the Mount Zion First African Baptist Church will host the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration. Since 1985, the Celebration has been held to honor people who have served the community starting with Drewary Brown who received the first award that year.

Since then, the event has honored 35 other members of the Charlottesville area for their commitment to Dr. King's ideals. During its anniversary year, the program will honor 40 years of past award winners. With leaders from Piedmont Virginia Community College, UVA, local government, and the community, the group will look forward to the future!

The program will feature musical selections from the MLK, Jr. Community Choir, a Children's Choir, and Youth and Young Adults Choir. Leaders from a variety of faith traditions will participate in the event, which will feature former Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney.

Prior to the program beginning at 5, a special musical and reading prelude will occur at 4 in the church. Parking for the event is at Mt Zion, 105 Lankford Ave.

The current snapshot of the story spreadsheet:

Second shout-out: Supporting the Keswick Heritage Fund’s Love Better Project

The Keswick Heritage Fund is a partnership of several churches in Albemarle County that provides education support and opportunities for professional development. One of their outreach programs is the Love Better Project, which provides scholarships to Black students in the Keswick area. The fund was created soon after the inaugural scholarship was awarded in 2020.

Grace Episcopal Church, Union Grove Baptist, Union Run Baptist, Zion Hill Baptist and St. John Church are united for growth through community partnership and education. To learn more about the fund, the scholarships, and the churches themselves, visit their website at keswickheritagefund.com.

This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe

Podcast for January 20, 2025: MLK proclamation for Riverview Farm, Albemarle property assessments, local leadership stories, and a request on biosolids

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