Government and Politics - The Roanoke Rambler (Page 11)

David Suetterlein, Roanoke Area State Senate Candidate, on Tax Relief, Abortion Limits, and Working with Democrats

Suetterlein was elected to the Virginia Senate in 2015 and previously served as legislative director for former state senator Ralph Smith.

Interview

Trish White-Boyd, Roanoke Area State Senate Candidate, on Car Taxes, Electric Vehicles, and Protecting Abortion Access

White-Boyd was elected to Roanoke City Council in 2020 and has served as vice mayor.

Politics

Senate Candidate White-Boyd Rejects Transphobia Claim After Roanoke Brewery Cancels Event

The campaign said White-Boyd's invocation of “parental rights” may have led to some confusion.

City Hall

Amid Construction Projects, Roanoke City Realizes Crossing Railroad Tracks Will Cost It

The city intends to pay to cross railroad tracks on which rail enthusiasts hope to run a tourist-attracting excursion train.

Gun violence

After Audit, Roanoke City Council Scrutinizes Gun Violence Panel Membership

The mayor says he wants to see more citizens with a law enforcement background serve on the commission.

Education

Late Buses, Driver Shortages Persist As Roanoke School District Eyes New Contract

Hundreds of Roanoke school children still aren’t getting to class on time because of Durham School Services staff shortages, district says.

City Hall

New Roanoke City Law May Impact Panhandling. Just Don’t Call It Panhandling.

“I have ran out of patience with these people loitering and what they’re doing,” Mayor Sherman Lea said about those in street medians.

Policing

Roanoke Police Department Has Suffered From Many Vacancies, Leadership Discord, Report Says

Report says police department must address why "some employees may be leaving the agency to escape a toxic work environment."

Policing

Despite Expanded Summer Youth Curfew, Roanoke Police Issued No Citations, Chief Says

Council advocated for an expanded curfew this summer to prevent youth from being the victims or offenders of gun violence.

Neighborhoods

Roanoke City Struggles To Retain Neighborhood Liaison, With Fourth Hire in Five Years

Some who served in the position felt their advocacy for neighborhoods and residents conflicted with the city’s position on issues.

Education

Roanoke Schools Switch Up Bus Routes As Issues with Contractor Durham Persist

A driver for Durham said the school district’s routes “look perfect” on paper, but they don’t account for traffic, stop lights or other realities of the road.

Policing

Why Danville Police Chief Scott Booth Wants To Become Roanoke's Next Top Cop

Booth is a finalist for the position vacant since former chief Sam Roman became an assistant city manager in July.

City Hall

Roanoke Boxing Gym Puts Up Fight As City Seeks To Evict Club from City-Owned Building

Melrose Athletic Club, which runs Champ’s Gym, is in a legal battle with the city, which insists the group vacate a former Southeast Roanoke fire station.

City Hall

Roanoke City Council Refines Travel Policy As Members Spend Over Their Allotted Budgets

Council members say the spending isn’t extravagant — there’s just not enough money in each member's budget for travel.

Education

Roanoke Planning Commission Approves Preston Park Elementary School Rezoning Despite Qualms

Pleading teachers convinced commissioners to approve designs that city staff say do not adhere to Roanoke's master plan.

City Hall

As Washington Park Swimming Pool Looms, Roanoke Residents, City Leaders Tussle Over Cottage

The sudden activism around the cottage prompted visible frustration among some city leaders and members of City Council.

City Hall

Northwest Roanoke Residents Weigh In on Scaled-Back Eureka Park Recreation Center Upgrade

Roanoke is planning a $13 million upgrade of the recreation center, the largest spending project the parks department has ever undertaken.

Neighborhoods

Roanoke Neighborhood Leaders Ousted Over Fishburn Park Cottage Brouhaha, Claim Removal Vote Was 'Unlawful'

Owen McGuire and Freeda Cathcart of the Grandin Court Neighborhood Association were removed in a 63-25 vote.