Some time has passed since there was a sonic version of Charlottesville Community Engagement, a newsletter that is now only sometimes a podcast, the podcast you are now listening to. That time could be anytime after May 25, 2024 when this edition was updated away from the WTJU Radio Version to something for Substack subscribers who want to hear these stories! I’m Sean Tubbs, and I do, too.

In this edition:

* Charlottesville transportation planners are seeking to rebuild public trust (learn more)

* Transportation planning manager updates Charlottesville City Council on existing projects (learn more)

* Charlottesville Area Transit seeks input on a new strategic plan intended to make the service more attractive (learn more)

* Regional planners want you to identify unsafe intersections in the region (learn more)

* Virginia Breeze to launch new east-west service through Charlottesville (learn more)

* UVA is seeking firms who want to partner on building up to 2,000 beds as part of an initiative to require second-year students to live on Grounds (learn more)

First shout out: ReLeaf Cville

In today’s first subscriber supported public service announcement: ReLeaf Cville exists to reverse a worrying trend. Since 2004, Charlottesville’s Tree Canopy has declined from 50 percent to 38 percent. Two-thirds of the city’s neighborhoods are below 40 percent. ReLeaf Cville aims to change that through a series of tree plantings, preservation efforts, and education campaigns.

ReLeaf is a public / private partnership between the city tree Commission, the Nature Conservancy, City of Promise, Charlottesville Area Tree Stewards, and the Van Yahres Tree Company. Their efforts are funded through donations so consider making yours today!

Sponsored message: Buy Local

Buying locally supports our neighbors and community members and makes a big impact for our local economy. Local businesses are more likely to reinvest in our community and their goods and services contribute to the unique character of our community.

Learn more about how you can support local business at ShowLocalLove.org and on social media:

* Instagram

* Facebook

* The website formerly known as Twitter

Notes on #681A

It’s now been three and a half months since I agreed to do a radio version for WTJU, a decision that forced me to rethink how I do a lot of things. As soon as I agreed to volunteer my time to produce a version for them, I knew I needed to create a way to manage all of the stories.

At the beginning of this newsletter back in July 2020, I wasn’t tracking any of this. I wasn’t even sure what I would be putting together. The first one dates back to July 13, 2020 if you want to hear it.

For the first year or so, all I did was put them together and move on. At some point, I began cross-posting stories to the Information Charlottesville website but until I began using this spreadsheet, I wasn’t really keeping track of my progress.

Up until episode 650 or so, all of these were podcasts. That stopped when I knew I had to better consider the sound quality as some of what I was using sounded awful over the radio. I also realized that sometimes the extra hour of production to create a radio version delayed information I wanted to get out quickly.

I miss that twinned era, but I don’t think it’s going to be coming back anytime soon. I’d like to know what you think of this, though. Please drop me a line, or leave a comment. I want to hear from podcast listeners. There’s at least 300 of you!

Saturday is alright for podcasting. Or at least, that’s how I deliberately misremember a song in order to have an opening paragraph for this latest audio version of Charlottesville Community Engagement. For much of this publication’s history, the sonic and print versions were unified. It may take an epic quest for that to be restored. I’m Sean Tubbs, and I seem to have misplaced the map.

In this edition:

* Albemarle Supervisors approve $2 million for Piedmont Housing Alliance’s 60-unit Premier Circle project (learn more)

* The regional planning body adopts a new regional economic development strategic plan (learn more)

* Charlottesville City Council gets briefing on how tourism bureau works (learn more)

* Charlottesville wins the ability to increase Council salaries (learn more)

* JABA director marks Older Americans Month (learn more)

Concluding notes for #676-A

Two podcasts in a week! It might be that I can get into something of a rhythm! In any case, as soon as I hit send, the next work week begins. I do not think I am going to write up a newsletter today. I feel like I should write up some things I have not been able to complete yet.

In any case, thanks to paid subscribers. If you want to become one yourself, Ting will match your initial subscription. I am aware they are not available in all locations, but I am also aware of how their support allows me to continue to feel like I can continue this work into the future.

Ting can help you with your high speed Internet needs. If service is available in your area and you sign up for service, enter the promo code COMMUNITY and you will get:

* Free installation

* A second month for free

* A $75 gift card to the Downtown Mall

There is an existential theory that there is no such thing as time and what we experience is nothing more than an elaborate illusion, a construct whose mechanisms we mere mortals cannot understand. For much of the history of Charlottesville Community Engagement, an extra hour or so was taken to turn the written word into something audible. This edition is evidence that something that seems like time has been spent on an audio intrusion.

In today’s edition:

* UVA President Jim Ryan and UVA Police Chief Tim Longo offer their perspectives on the removal of an encampment on Saturday

* Louisa County Supervisors restore funding to Piedmont Virginia Community College after hearing from officials

* Albemarle County Supervisors adopt a budget for fiscal year 2025 based on the increase of two tax rates

* A thrift store in Crozet celebrates its 45th anniversary

Notes for #674-A

These four audio segments were in yesterday’s newsletter, which my records indicate is #674. Now that the podcast and the newsletter are disconnected, I’ve been struggling to come up with what to call it for my records. For now, I’m going with #674A.

My hope is to eventually sync the two products back up, but that’s likely not going to happen. I’m enjoying the freedom to get a newsletter out without having to worry about the audio, which means I can get out more stories. That’s the whole point!

You’ll also note there’s no sponsors in the body of this written version announcing this podcast. I used the same public service announcements in the audio as yesterday. If some entity would like to put their name to each podcast, drop me a line!

In the meantime, paid subscribers help cover my time to get work like this done. If you sign up at $5 a month, $50 a year, or $200 a year, Ting will match your initial subscription.

Ting can help you with your high speed Internet needs. If service is available in your area and you sign up for service, enter the promo code COMMUNITY and you will get:

* Free installation

* A second month for free

* A $75 gift card to the Downtown Mall