Category Archives: Personnel

Charlottesville City Council explains decision to whittle replacement member applicants to six

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The four remaining members of Charlottesville City Council have privately selected a shortlist of six people who will move forward to a public hearing Monday to be selected as a replacement for former Councilor Sena Magill.  

They are: 

  • Alex Bryant, former executive director of the Ix Park and former executive director of the Tom Tom Foundation (application)
  • Former City Councilor Kathy Galvin (application) 
  • Current School Board member Lisa Larson-Torres (application)
  • Twenty-eight year Charlottesville resident Natalie Oschrin (application)
  • Former School Board member Leah Puryear (application)
  • Former City Councilor Kristin Szakos. (application)
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Walker to retire as Albemarle’s Deputy County Executive

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There’s a top opening in the executive leadership in Albemarle County. Deputy County Executive Doug Walker has announced he will retire effective August 1. 

“Our organization has been so fortunate to have Doug for the final ten years of his career,” said County Executive Jeffrey Richardson in a press release. “His ability to adjust on the fly in almost any situation, with a focus on true organizational and community problem-solving and improvement, is rare.”

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Copeland to take over as interim Chamber of Commerce president

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The president and CEO of the Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce has announced she will step down from the position after more than four years. Elizabeth Cromwell’s last day on the job will be February 17. 

“Personally and professionally, the time is right for me to take on some new challenges and adventures,” Cromwell is quoted in a press release. “I have learned a lot during my time here and am grateful to the board, the Chamber staff, our many volunteers, our Chamber members, and for all of my experiences here.”  

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Judge Moon throws out former Charlottesville Police Chief’s suit against the city

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Judge Norman K. Moon has thrown out a federal lawsuit filed by former Police Chief RaShall Brackney against the city of Charlottesville. Among other claims, Brackney had argued her firing in late summer of 2021 was racially motivated and was a violation of Virginia’s whistleblower statutes. 

The city had sought dismissal of the suit and Judge Moon agreed.

“Because Plaintiff does not allege sufficient facts to support these claims, Defendants’ motions to dismiss are granted,” reads the executive summary of the January 20 ruling.  (read the full ruling)

The 39-page ruling goes through all of the various counts against individuals named in the suit including Mike Wells of the Police Benevolent Association, various members of City Council, former City Manager Chip Boyles, former communications director Brian Wheeler, and assistant police chief Latroy ‘Tito’ Durrette. 

First page of Judge Norman K. Moon’s ruling dismissing the case (read the full ruling)

Before you go: The time to write and research of this article is covered by paid subscribers to Charlottesville Community Engagement. In fact, this particular installment comes from the January 24, 2023 edition of the program. To ensure this research can be sustained, please consider becoming a paid subscriber or contributing monthly through Patreon.

Councilors pick up committee assignments from vacant seat

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The resignation of City Councilor Sena Magill earlier this month also means that the remaining Councilors had to fill the vacancies she also left on other committees. In addition to attending Council meetings, each elected official serves on several boards and commissions as the official representative from Council. 

“We’re not filling every position that she had had but these are ones that have something going on right now for which its important to have the members right now,” said Charlottesville Mayor Lloyd Snook. 

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City to hire one firm to legal counsel for general operation, another for land use issues

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The city is still seeking a replacement for former City Attorney Lisa Robertson with the position posted for applicants. Interim City Manager Michael C. Rogers had previously announced that Senior Deputy City Attorney Allyson Davies would serve as the interim attorney, but that has turned out to not be the case.

“We will fulfill the role of City Attorney with the law firm of Sands Anderson,” Rogers said. “We made that determination because we are down an attorney in the office and we think the nature of the support we need is with a law firm and not just one individual.” 

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Kochis sworn in as Charlottesville police chief

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Michael Kochis has been on the job as Charlottesville’s Police Chief since Monday but his swearing in came yesterday at the tail end of a City Council work session. 

“Mayor and City Council, we’ve arrived at the time where we can welcome a new member to our family here in the city of Charlottesville, a new leader for the Charlottesville Police Department,” said interim City Manager Michael C. Rogers. 

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Chamber of Commerce names new members

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he organization that aims to promote the business community in the area has named new members of its Board of Directors. The Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce announced six new people this week.

  • Rita Bunch, Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital
  • Libby Edwards-Allbaugh, The Tax Ladies
  • Rudy Fernandez, Northrop Grumman
  • Allison Linney, Allison Partners
  • David Mitchell of Great Eastern Management Company
  • Todd Rowley, Old Dominion National Bank 
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Application window opens to replace Magill on Council

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The City of Charlottesville has moved quickly to open up the process to replace the vacancy that will open on City Council when Sena Magill resigns next week. Magill announced she would be stepping down on Tuesday. 

The application asks for basic information and then asks five questions.

  • How long have you resided in the City of Charlottesville?  
  • Have you ever been elected or appointed as an Officer or Commissioner for the City of Charlottesville?
  • Please indicate why you are interested in serving on City Council. 
  • Please indicate your areas of experience and knowledge that you see as important for consideration of your application for appointment. 
  • Please list any relevant leadership skills or educational training. 
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Price elected for second year to chair Albemarle Supervisors; Andrews becomes vice chair

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Albemarle County Supervisor Donna Price may not be running for a second term, but she will serve as that elected body’s chair for 2023. The six-member body had their organizational meeting this afternoon as conducted by County Executive Jeffrey Richardson.

“At this time, I will conduct the election of the chair and I will open the floor to nominations and I will open the floor for nominations for chair of the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors,” Richardson said. 

“Mr. Richardson, it is a privilege to nominate Supervisor Donna Price to be our chair for 2023,” said Supervisor Ned Gallaway of the Rio District. 

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