Crozet Community Association (CCA) Minutes of the
January 11, 2018 at 7:30 PM Meeting
The Field School Auditorium
Click here for PDF version of these minutes.
Welcome: Tim Tolson, President, welcomed 13 members at 7:30 PM.
Approval of the CCA’s minutes of November 9, 2017: The minutes were unanimously approved as presented.
Treasurer’s Report: (2018 Dues: $10 annual contribution). Emery Taylor, Treasurer, reported that there was a total of $19,369.11 in the CCA bank account, of which $1,993.10 was CCA funds and $17,376.01 were committed to the Crozet Independence Day Celebration (CIDC) fund. Tim Tolson apologized for not yet having made the planned donations to local charities which would bring the funds down close to $10,000 for the 2018 CIDC.
Albemarle County Police Department (ACPD) visit and update. (Evening Patrol Division) Captain Darrel Byers introduced himself as the new captain for the Blue Ridge District, which spans the western and southern portions of the County including Crozet. Captain Byers discussed community policing, the relatively low crime rate, how to protect yourself from car break-ins and thefts.
Proposal: Atieno Bird, brought a signed proposal from the Crozet ACT, to encourage the CCA to state that Crozet explicitly welcomes diversity and inclusion. She asked the CCA to make a statement that Crozet is an inclusive community, as many municipalities have done in these alarming times when anti-immigrant sentiment is surging and when asserting that black lives also have value has provoked controversy. She read the proposed statement:
A Vision
Crozet is an inclusive community that welcomes, accepts and celebrates all people.
A Statement of Commitment – Crozet commits to:
– Champion equality of worth among people, recognizing that equity and diversity exemplify our ideals and values as a community.
– Learn, acknowledge and honor the unique histories and lived experiences of all peoples in our community.
– Stand against any ideology of racial exclusion, superiority, segregation, or domination that perpetuates patterns of discrimination or exploitation.
She explained that an African American friend from Waynesboro, told her that African Americans do not heavily attend her bridge-building workshops, and they have said the reason is that they don’t think dialogue will make a difference to the lack of awareness of and perpetuation of the discrimination they face. When the KKK posted flyers in downtown Waynesboro, the Waynesboro City Council refused to issue a condemnation, these neighbors told her: “See?” When Atieno heard this story, she wanted to speak up and stand with the many people of color who are feeling targeted in this national climate. She asked if the CCA would be willing to speak collectively.
Discussion ensued as to whether or not such a statement was necessary, and the importance of all people in Crozet feeling welcome. Tim mentioned that the founding of the local Albemarle chapter of the NAACP occurred because in the early 1950’s Lewis Carter, a black World War II veteran was hit and killed by a white man in a speeding car on a road here in Western Albemarle County. The citizens of Crozet felt that the local courts and law enforcement officials did not treat the matter seriously enough. A group of black people met to take action, as well as members of several churches in the Yancey Mills, Crozet, and Greenwood communities. It is in character for Crozet residents to take a stand on such occasions. Now is one of those times.
Per Article VII of the CCA bylaws, a motion was made to consider the statement for inclusion in the CCA bylaws as a vision statement, in addition to our existing mission statement. The motion was seconded. After discussion, Jim Crosby agreed to work with Tim Tolson on drafting the final language for the vision statement, for final consideration at the March CCA meeting. The motion was unanimously approved, and will be placed on the agenda of the March 8th CCA meeting for a second/final vote.
Updates and News from Ann Mallek, our county supervisor:
Ann gave a variety of updates on county taxes, especially the proposed “rooftop” tax and other issues and concerns. She answered questions from those in attendance.
Old Business:
- Updates from Claudius Crozet Park.
- Update from the Crozet Master Plan (CMP) survey committee. Tim Tolson reported some preliminary result from the survey. There was a very good response rate. The two groups assessed, one a scientific survey and the other available to anyone, provided very similar responses. Highlights included the finding that respondents overwhelmingly supported concentration of commercial growth in the downtown area, and not along 250. More detail results were published in the Crozet Gazette (http://www.crozetgazette.com/2018/01/05/crozet-survey-finds-residents-enchanted-with-area-yet-worried-about-growing-pains/)
- Update from the Downtown Crozet Initiative (DCI) –Next meeting Thursday, February 1 from Noon to 1:30 at Crozet Pizza.
New Business:
- Election of CCA officers: Nominations were open for President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Current officers are: President: Tim Tolson, Vice-President: Lisa Goehler, Secretary: Jo Ann Perkins, and Treasurer: Emery Taylor. Nominations were opened. Ann Mallek moved that the slate be accepted as is and Tom Loach seconded. There were no other nominations. The motion passed unanimously.
- Rename DCI committee to Crozet Economic Development or similar since the DCI is now incorporated and seeking 501(c)3 status. Those in attendance unanimously agreed to rename the DCI standing committee, the Crozet Economic Development standing committee. (Per Article III of the bylaws.)
Announcements –
- Crozet Community Advisory Committee (CCAC) meeting Wednesday, January 17 at 7:00 PM at the Crozet Library.
- Peachtree Baseball Registration in person Tuesday, January 16, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM at the Field School. Further information at: http://www.peachtreebaseball.com/
The next CCA meeting is March 8, 2018 at 7:30 PM at the Field School
CCA meetings are at 7:30 PM on the second Thursday of the odd numbered months
(except July).
These minutes were unanimously approved by those attending the March 8, 2018 CCA meeting.