You are invited to attend the unveiling of a look into Crozet's past
at 11:00 am on Saturday February 21st, 2015
at the Crozet Library.

Come early to meet the photographer Mr. Hubert Gentry and our own historian Mr. Phil James.

After the unveiling both Mr. Gentry and Mr. James will discuss the work and answer questions.

Free and open to the public and coffee will be available.

* Sponsored by your donations to the Build Crozet Library fund.
Click here to learn how you can be part of the story.
 

Shenanandoah National Park Superintendent talk
Thursday, February 5, 2015 at 7:00 PM at the Crozet Library

Come here Superintendent Jim Northup of Shenandoah National Park at the Crozet Library on Thursday February 5th at 7:00 pm. Over the course of a 34 year career with the National Park Service Superintendent Northup has been privileged to work in some of America's most beautiful, popular and complex parks, including Shenandoah, Grand Teton, Big Bend, Grand Canyon and Smokey Mountains National Parks.
Come listen to the library's special guest speak about our nearby national treasure.

This is one of the series of talks, dubbed the Crozet Soirée, at the Crozet Library.  It is free and everyone is invited to attend,
No registration required.

OVERNIGHT LANE CLOSURES JANUARY 12-16 ON INTERSTATE 64 OVER AFTON MOUNTAIN

STAUNTON – A series of mobile single-lane closures are scheduled for the week of January 12-16, 2015 on Interstate 64 eastbound and westbound. These overnight closures are for fog-light replacement between mile marker 98 in Augusta County and mile marker 104 in Albemarle County.
 
The mobile closures are scheduled for 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. each night in the following locations:

• Monday, January 12: Westbound left lane from mile marker 104 to 98.
• Tuesday, January 13: Eastbound left lane from mile marker 98 to 104.
• Wednesday, January 14: Westbound right lane from mile marker 104 to 98.
• Thursday, January 15: Eastbound right lane from mile marker 98 to 104.
• Friday, January 16: Remaining locations if needed.

All work is weather permitting.
 
Traffic alerts and traveler information can be obtained by dialing 511. Traffic alerts and traveler information also are available at 511Virginia.org. For other assistance call the VDOT Customer Service Center, available 24 hours-a-day, seven days a week. Citizens can dial 1-800-FOR- ROAD (1-800-367-7623) from anywhere in the state to report road hazards, ask transportation questions, or get information related to Virginia’s roads.
 
VDOT can be followed on Facebook, Flickr, Twitter and YouTube. RSS feeds are also available for statewide information. The VDOT Web page is located at www.VirginiaDOT.org.
 

Crozet Community Meeting
Tentative Agenda
January 8, 2015
7:30 PM at the Field School

(Click here for PDF version of the agenda)

Welcome
Agenda Review / Changes and additions from the floor.
Approval of the CCA’s last meeting's minutes (Dectember 11, 2014) (Click here for draft of December 11 minutes)
Treasurer's Report by Emery Taylor  ($10 family contribution for 2015 now payable)

Drop-in visit from Albemarle County Police officers (Evening Patrol Division) As part of the Albemarle County Police department community policing.

A Moment in Crozet History (Phil James)

Presentation:  Security Cameras in Crozet?  (Officer Andy Gluba, ACPD; and Tom Loach, Chair, Crozet Safety Corps)

Updates and News from Ann Mallek, our county supervisor.

Old Business:

• Phil Best made a motion and Lisa Goehler seconded the motion that Article II as presented (below) be approved for adoption at the January meeting.  This motion was unanimously approved in December.   Do we have a motion to adopt?
  • Article II: [Bolded italics indicates revision, otherwise it as currently worded. Current wording of Article II is on the last page of this agenda]
    Officers will be elected for a one-year term, commencing on the first meeting of the calendar year immediately following their election. Positions will consist of President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Candidates must be present at the election or have spoken with a current officer about their willingness to serve if elected. Majority approval by attendees at the first meeting of the calendar year will constitute election.  Duties of the officers shall be as implied by their titles. All officers shall be responsible for keeping accurate records.  
     
• Update on Safe Routes to School (SRTS) project (aka Crozet Avenue north sidewalk project.  (from Trevor Henry, Albemarle County Director of Facilities Development)
• Pavement Marking/Flashing Beacon Request Route 250/Clover Lawn VDOT Project  (from Trevor Henry, Albemarle County Director of Facilities Development
• Update/Concerns on Barnes Lumber re-development proposal by Frank Stoner/Milestone Partners? http://www.barnes-lumber.com

New Business:

• Election of CCA officers:  Nominations are 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.  Candidates must be present at this meeting or have spoken with a current officer about their willingness to serve if elected
• Planning for Fifth Annual Crozet Swing Dance in March.
• Request for proposals to use the old Crozet Library (old train depot).  What does Crozet need?
• Other items? 

Comments and Questions?

Announcements –

• Crozet Community Advisory Council meeting is next Wednesday,January 21 at 7:00 PM at  the Crozet Library. NOTE the new day of the week (Third Wednesday) and location (Crozet Library). Everyone is encouraged to attend.
• In April 2014 the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors formed the Long Range Solid Waste Solutions Advisory Committee to study solid waste management as a public policy issue and to identify best practices for the management of solid waste in the County now and in the future. The committee will recommend a process for developing solid waste policy for the County based on consensus, cooperation, and economic analysis.  To that end, the Advisory Committee developed a public opinion survey to identify the issues that need to be considered and studied. Your input will help guide the direction of future study to improve community services.
  • https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/59QBWPV
  • There are TWO vacancies on this committee – for information about the committee and how to apply, go to this website: http://www.albemarle.org/department.asp?department=gs&relpage=17573
• Join the Crozet Trails Crew (CTC) this Saturday, January 10 starting at 9:30 AM, in the cul-de-sac at the bottom of Fairwinds Lane in Western Ridge (please carpool from outside the neighborhood if possible as parking is very limited).  CTC will be looking at the County-owned portion of the trail adjacent to Lickinghole Basin.  The only tools needed will be pruners, loppers, and small handsaws. CTC will bring some tools also.  (http://crozettrailscrew.org)
• Join the Jefferson-Madison Regional Library (JMRL)and the Charlottesville Office of Human Rights in a community discussion of the Civil Rights Movement and its ongoing effects on society. Each evening features segments of award-winning documentaries focused on one aspect of the Civil Rights Movement, and ends with audience discussions led by prominent community members and scholars. Created Equal: America’s Civil Rights Struggle is made possible through a major grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, as part of its Bridging Cultures initiative, in partnership with the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. This is a FREE event, and refreshments will be provided. For more information, visit jmrl.org/createdequal. The dates and films to be shown are listed below. All events listed below will be held in the McIntire Room at the J-MRL Central LIbrary, 201 East Market Street, Charlottesville, VA.
  • January 15, 6PM – The Abolitionists. Discussion Leaders: L.D. Perry (NAACP) and Prof. Maurice Wallace (UVa)
  • January 29, 6PM – Slavery By Another Name Discussion Leaders: L.D. Perry (NAACP) and Prof. Lisa Woolfork (UVa)
  • February 12, 6PM – Freedom Riders Discussion Leaders: L.D. Perry (NAACP) and Prof. Grace Hale (UVa)
  • February 26, 6PM – The Loving Story Discussion Leaders: L.D. Perry (NAACP), Charlene Green (Office of Human Rights) and partner Bekah Saxon (Virginia Education Association)
• Others?

Future Agenda Items?

The next CCA meeting is March 12, 2015 at 7:30 PM at the Field School Auditorium

CCA meetings are at 7:30 PM on the second Thursday of the odd numbered months (except July).
Join our email list, by clicking on the "Contact Us" link on the top of this page. 
This email list is moderated, so you cannot get spam because only approved email messages are sent out.  Volume is usually 4-6 emails a month, all related to Crozet & Western Albemarle events and concerns.

A reminder that our Virginia state delegate R. Steven Landes, of our 25th House district will hold at Town Hall meeting  Saturday, January 3, at 9:30 AM at the Crozet Library.

He has also posted his annual legislative survey, at www.stevelandes.com.  You are invited to complete it by January 16, 2015.

Continue reading →

Crozet Community Meeting
Tentative Agenda
December 11, 2014
7:30 PM at the Field School

(Click here for PDF version of the agenda)

Welcome
Agenda Review / Changes and additions from the floor.
Approval of the CCA’s last meeting's minutes (September 11, 2014) (Click here for draft of September 11 minutes)
Treasurer's Report by Emery Taylor  ($10 family contribution for 2014 now payable)

Drop-in visit from Albemarle County Police officers (Evening Patrol Division) As part of the Albemarle County Police department community policing.

Presentations:  Clann Mhor and the Blue Ridge Tunnel Restoration.  By Dan Burke and Kevin Donleavy along with Bob Dombrowe

Updates and News from Ann Mallek, our county supervisor.

Old Business:

• Updates from the Crozet Park (Kim Guenther, Crozet Park President)
• Update on the Build Crozet Library fundraising (http://buildcrozetlibrary.org)  (Bill Schrader, Build Crozet Library chairman)
• Update on Barnes Lumber re-development proposal by Frank Stoner/Milestone Partners? http://www.barnes-lumber.com
• RECOVERED:  The ACPD recovered the "Welcome to Crozet" sign that was stolen from near RWSA treatment plant on Rte 240 (Three Notch'd Road) (thank you!) However, not before we had already replaced it. 
• Motion was made by Jo Ann Perkins and seconded by Mike Marshall at our last meeting to reimburse me $375 for purchase of magnetic Crozet emblems (as invoiced).  Per our bylaws, it was tabled.  Is there a motion to resume consideration?
• Revision of bylaws regarding voting on motions.  Here are the proposed revisions to the bylaws as discussed at our last meeting.  (Current wording is available by clicking here.  Thanks and acknowledgement to Jim Crosby for his assistance with the wording of these articles.)
  • Article VI: Amendments to the Articles of Incorporation or these Bylaws may be proposed at any scheduled CCA meeting.  Upon majority vote of approval, such proposed amendment must be placed on the agenda of the next regularly scheduled CCA meeting for a final majority vote for adoption.  Such adoption shall become effective at the subsequent scheduled meeting following adoption.
  • Article VII: Motions made at a scheduled meeting in the conduct of the general business shall be voted upon and moved for adoption by a majority vote of those present. Motions on new matters or topics of general community interest or impact made at a scheduled meeting may be presented at any scheduled CCA meeting.  Upon majority vote of approval, such proposed amendment must be placed on the agenda of the next scheduled CCA meeting for a final majority vote for adoption. The context of the motion will be communicated in the meeting minutes of the meeting in which it is presented and noted as being presented for vote of adoption at the next subsequent meeting. 
  • New Article VIII:  A quorum of 10 percent of the members who are current in their dues shall be required to conduct business at any meeting of the CCA.
  • New Article IX:  Roberts Rules of Order Newly Revised shall govern the CCA conduct of meetings where they are not inconsistent with these Bylaws.
  • To be clear in the use of our language – there is a distinction being made here between approval and adoption of a motion.  As discussed at our September meeting:
    • motions regarding the general business of the CCA (e.g., Good Neighbor Awards, Crozet Emblem stickers purchase) made be approved and adopted at the same meeting in which they are made. 
    • Motions to amend the bylaws or regarding larger community issues, (e.g,. to support the Crozet Master Plan) may be approved at one meeting, but then must wait for a vote to adopt at the next scheduled CCA meeting.  So such a motion, after the first meeting may be said to be "approved, but not yet adopted".

New Business:

• Election of CCA officers occurs at our next meeting, January 8, 2015.  Nominations are 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.  Candidates must be present at the January 8 meeting or have spoken with a current officer about their willingness to serve if elected.
• Revision of Article II concerning when elections are held.  Currently the second sentence says: Majority approval by attendees at the final meeting of the calendar year will constitute election.  However, our practice for many years has been to hold elections on the first meeting of the year. 
  •  Suggest it be revised (bolded italics indicates revision, otherwise it as currently worded) to say:  Article II: Officers will be elected for a one-year term, commencing on the first meeting of the calendar year immediately following their election. Positions will consist of President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. Candidates must be present at the election or have spoken with a current officer about their willingness to serve if elected. Majority approval by attendees at the first meeting of the calendar year will constitute election.  Duties of the officers shall be as implied by their titles. All officers shall be responsible for keeping accurate records.
• Other items? 

Comments and Questions?

Announcements –

• Crozet Community Advisory Council meeting is next Wednesday, December 17 at 7:00 PM at  the Crozet Library. NOTE the new day of the week (Third Wednesday) and location (Crozet Library). Everyone is encouraged to attend.
• Join the Crozet Trails Crew (CTC) this Saturday, Dec. 13 starting at 9:30 AM, at the lower Westhall trail (go straight into Westhall, past Summerdean on your left, until you see the big dirt pile and a road stub on your left. That's the top of the trail.). CTC will bring tools, but wear sturdy shoes and work gloves.
• Others?

Future Agenda Items?

The next CCA meeting is January 8, 2015 at 7:30 PM at the Field School Auditorium

CCA meetings are at 7:30 PM on the second Thursday of the odd numbered months (except July).
Join our email list, by clicking on the "Contact Us" link on the top of this page. 
This email list is moderated, so you cannot get spam because only approved email messages are sent out.  Volume is usually 4-6 emails a month, all related to Crozet & Western Albemarle events and concerns.

Clann Mhor and the Blue Ridge Tunnel Restoration
Thursday, December 11 at 7:30 PM
at the Field School, 1408 Crozet Avenue

The Crozet Community Association meeting will begin with a special presentation, entitled Clann Mhor and the Blue Ridge Tunnel Restoration. by Clann Mhór Dan Burke and Kevin Donleavy along with Bob Dombrowe, about the Crozet Tunnel, the people who build it in the 1850's and its current restoration.

The implementation phase is now underway for Phase I of the Blue Ridge Tunnel Project. Nelson County officials have selected and awarded the contract for Phase I of the rehabilitation and trail project to Fielder’s Choice Enterprises, Inc. of Charlottesville, Virginia.  Work began October, 2014 and is scheduled to be completed by February 2015.

Clann Mhór is a small non-profit, tax exempt 501.c.3 research organization that is studying the history of the Blue Ridge Railroad in Central Virginia. During the 1850's this seventeen-mile section of the railroad was built under the direction of Claudius Crozet, a brilliant French engineer, who took on the challenge of getting the railroad over the Blue Ridge Mountains. The contractors for this work hired hundreds of Irish immigrants and rented slaves to do this difficult work.  Clann Mhór – which in Gaelic means the Great Family – wishes to honor the history of these forgotten railroad workers.

Full Disclosure: This presentation is part of our usual Crozet Community Association meeting.  All are welcome, even encouraged, to attend.  Our meeting agenda is available by clicking here.

Pies for Thanksgiving!

If you haven't heard, Chef Meredith and Pastry Chef Valat at Mountainside Senior Living in Crozet have been busy whipping up some of Val's famous desserts.  This is your chance to see what all the buzz is about…

Some of our residents have to make hard choices every month.  Like whether to buy their heart medicine or their diabetes medicine.  Thanksgiving is about a lot of things.  But the most important thing is giving. This year why not give and receive!  We'll do the baking and all the money earned goes to help pay the pharmaceutical bills of our residents.  Help us help them.  Don't make them choose.  

You're only choice this season is which pie you are bringing to Thanksgiving dinner!  Order your completely home made pies now and pick up between November 19th and November 26th, just in time for Thanksgiving.  They're selling quick and they are delicious!  Click here for pie details..
Call 434-823-4307 to place your order today!

Crozet Avenue Streetscape Completion Celebration!

Albemarle County cordially invites you to join County Supervisor Ann Mallek and County Executive Tom Foley along with project team members in celebrating the completion of the Crozet Streetscape Project.

Now that the Crozet Streetscape project is completed, residents and visitors will enjoy the visually enhanced entryway and main thoroughfare, as well as improved pedestrian connectivity within downtown Crozet. Business owners will enjoy increased vitality, as people can easily walk between shops. The streetscape balances the needs of pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorists.

Please come help us celebrate this exciting achievement!

DATE: Thursday, November 20, 2014
TIME: 12:00 pm
LOCATION: Gather at the Mudhouse, 5793 The Square, Crozet
SCHEDULE:
12:15  – Walking tour
12:30 – Program commences in front of new Crozet Library.

Continue reading →

Ann Mallek's Town Hall meetings in November.

Our county supervisor, Ann Mallek has scheduled a series of town hall meetings in November on the county’s five-year plan, its process and other topics of interest.  The plan combines schools, general government and capital improvements into a financial plan and framework used for annual county budgets.

The preliminary five-year financial plan currently projects an $8.1 million gap between projected revenues and identified "catching up" and "keeping up" expenditures for local government and schools for the next fiscal year. That gap that would increase to a $26 million gap by fiscal year 2020. Supervisors are conducting town hall meetings during November and early December to get public feedback about strategies for filling the projected gap, which could range from eliminating services and scaling back expectations to adjusting the tax rate or considering special tax districts.

The meetings date, time, and locations are:

• Tuesday, November 18 from 7:00  to 9:00 PM at Henley Middle School with Supervisor Liz Palmer;
• Thursday, November 20 from 7:00  to 9:00 PM at Broadus Wood Elementary School with Supervisor Brad Sheffield;
• Saturday, November 22, from 10 AM to noon at the White Hall Community Center.

Plan to attend one of these meetings to hear about the plan and provide your feedback and thoughts.