Supervisors take a pass on peace resolution
At their meeting on May 14, 2008, the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors heard public comment requesting that the County endorse a resolution supporting the creation of a Federal cabinet-level Department of Peace and Nonviolence. While peace and nonviolence are not initiatives followed by Charlottesville Tomorrow, we do monitor and report on the different approaches taken by our local governments.
The Charlottesville City Council voted 4-0-1 (David Brown abstaining) to approve a resolution of support for the Department of Peace at their meeting on April 7, 2008. The Board of Supervisors did not place the resolution on their agenda. Instead, Chairman Ken Boyd (Rivanna) accepted comment on the proposal under other matters from the public, then he read a letter being sent by the Board in response to the request.
Boyd's May 14, 2008 letter states in part:
Charlottesville City Council has taken other actions which the County might view as "outside our area of jurisdiction" including:
Q. Do you believe that it is appropriate for local governments to prepare and present resolutions to the Federal Government concerning impeachment and war issues?
David Brown: "I think our resolutions should be limited to issues that affect people locally..."
Peter Kleeman: "I do not believe issues of conscience should necessarily be determined by majority vote."
Holly Edwards: Indicated agreement with Kleeman.
Satyendra Huja: Indicated agreement with Edwards and Kleeman.
Brian Wheeler
The Charlottesville City Council voted 4-0-1 (David Brown abstaining) to approve a resolution of support for the Department of Peace at their meeting on April 7, 2008. The Board of Supervisors did not place the resolution on their agenda. Instead, Chairman Ken Boyd (Rivanna) accepted comment on the proposal under other matters from the public, then he read a letter being sent by the Board in response to the request.
Boyd's May 14, 2008 letter states in part:
The Board of Supervisors is a locally elected body that is charged with responding to matters specific to our community of Albemarle County. Therefore it has not been our practice as a body to adopt formal positions on issues to be determined at the federal level that are outside of our area of jurisdiction, and so we are not officially adopting your proposed resolution.Boyd commended the public for their dedication to this issue.
Charlottesville City Council has taken other actions which the County might view as "outside our area of jurisdiction" including:
- Voting to fly the Tibetan flag over City Hall
- Passing a resolution in opposition to the Patriot Act
- Passing a resolution against a unilateral war in Iraq
Q. Do you believe that it is appropriate for local governments to prepare and present resolutions to the Federal Government concerning impeachment and war issues?
David Brown: "I think our resolutions should be limited to issues that affect people locally..."
Peter Kleeman: "I do not believe issues of conscience should necessarily be determined by majority vote."
Holly Edwards: Indicated agreement with Kleeman.
Satyendra Huja: Indicated agreement with Edwards and Kleeman.
Brian Wheeler
Comments