Government and Politics - The Roanoke Rambler (Page 16)

Interview

Roanoke City Council Candidate Maynard Keller on Police Pay, Breakdowns in City Services, and Judeo-Christian Values

Maynard Keller, a Republican, is one of nine candidates in the regular Roanoke City Council election Nov. 8, 2022.

Neighborhoods

Roanoke City Tried To Buy Claytor Clinic Property As Part of Gainsboro Revitalization

Negotiations broke down in recent months because of the property’s convoluted ownership model, the city said.

Interview

Roanoke City Council Candidate Peg McGuire on Urban Renewal, School Closures' Dire Impacts, and 'After Church on Sundays'

Peg McGuire, a Republican, is one of two candidates in a special Roanoke City Council election Nov. 8, 2022.

Interview

Roanoke City Council Candidate Luke Priddy on Working in State Government, Investing in Parks and Pushing the City Manager

Luke Priddy, a Democrat, is one of two candidates in a special Roanoke City Council election Nov. 8, 2022.

Criminal justice

'We Got Soft on Crime': As Gun Violence Spikes, Roanoke Mayor Is Among Democrats Rethinking State Criminal Justice Reforms

Mayor Sherman Lea said Roanoke should consider using stop-and-frisk among other approaches to crack down on violent crime.

Development

Activism Around Evans Spring Develops As Roanoke Nears Pick For Master Plan Consultant

Since Roanoke City Council voted to pay for a development master plan, a small group of activists has been strategizing.

Politics

As Roanoke City Council Races Heat Up, Democrats and Republicans Turn to PAC Money

The use of PACs shows how closely candidates are running as party tickets in a race that will determine a majority of the City Council makeup.

Politics

Robert Jeffrey Was Convicted and Sentenced to Prison. Now He's Suing To Get His Seat Back on Roanoke City Council.

Robert Jeffrey Jr. is asking a judge to toss out a November special election to fill his seat and force City Council to reinstate him.

Education

Roanoke Schools Headquarters Should Be Named For Black Educator Who Blazed Public Service Trail, Civic Leaders Say

Some residents say the name of Roanoke native William Robertson should grace the school district's new administration building.

Policing

City Seeks Analysis of Roanoke Police Department As Agency Faces Staff Shortage, Lawsuits

Roanoke's police department seeks to be "more responsive and nimble," the city manager said.

Transportation

Roanoke Gives Green Light To Seek Funding for Williamson Road Traffic Reconfiguration

Plans to change the four-lane stretch to two car lanes, a center turn lane and bike lanes have garnered mixed reactions.

City Hall

Roanoke City Council Created An Equity Advisory Board Two Years Ago. Here's What It's Been Up To.

Roanoke City’s panel on equity emerged in 2020 amid a nationwide reckoning over racism.

Housing

Roanoke Housing Commissioners Hear How They Could Enhance, Expand Affordable Housing Units

“So your recommendation is, essentially, ‘Do this as quickly as you can,’” the commission's chairman told a consultant.

Politics

Scope of Blame Widens in Volosin Campaign's Use of Sample Ballots During Roanoke City Council Primary, Complaints Say

Family of Peter Volosin and Vivian Sanchez-Jones passed out sample ballots, complaint filed by losing candidate alleges.

City Hall

Roanoke Parks Nonprofit Seeks To Raise Funds That City Can’t

Through private philanthropy, the Roanoke Parks Foundation is intended to enhance the city’s parks, centers and trails.

Education

Roanoke School Board Welcomes SROs In Every School, Punts On Student ID Badge In Approving $1.7 Million Safety Package

As part of safety improvements, the district would also add counselors and establish a 24/7 safety tip line.

Education

Artificial Intelligence, Clear Bags, Counselors Among Roanoke City Schools' Ideas To Keep Kids Safe

Roanoke's school board is weighing how to spend more than half a million dollars to improve safety for 13,000 students.

Politics

Among The Contenders For Roanoke City Council: Three Openly Gay Men.

If Democrats sweep the general election, Roanoke's city council would have the most gay members among any single Virginia locality.