Dede Smith for Charlottesville City Council

Dede Smith

30-year resident of Fry's Spring
in Charlottesville, Virginia

Decisions should be openly debated and should reflect the input of citizens.
City Councilors should uphold the interests of the citizens of Charlottesville in all negotiations with the County.
Decisions should be based on the best current information available. Prior decisions, if not yet implemented, should be reconsidered if new and/or better information becomes available.
The City should encourage the establishment of neighborhood associations for ALL neighborhoods and improve communication with active neighborhood associations.

Parkland should remain parkland and should not be used for highways, pump stations, and other infrastructure incompatible with park use.
Protect and enhance parkland access to provide all citizens easy access to recreation and the experience of nature.
All decisions on new development should consider the impact on schools, the environment and neighborhoods.
Reduce reliance on cars by improving bus service and other public transit, establishing more bike lanes, and expanding sidewalks and trails.
Protect our neighborhoods from incompatible commercial uses and development.
Create and implement policies to reduce, capture, and treat stormwater runoff
on-site to protect streams and creeks and the sewer system.
Maintain and restore water and sewer infrastructure before building new infrastructure.
Establish a permanent home for the City Market. Consider a Market District.

Provide excellent and equal educational opportunities, affordable, safe, and stable housing, and access to healthy activities.
Support local food initiatives and encourage coordination between local food and public institutions, such as schools and publicly sponsored programs.
The achievement gap can be closed through the combined efforts of schools and family support.

Implement effective training programs to meet specific needs of companies that provide jobs in the area.
Promote and increase small business opportunities, eliminating barriers and burdensome fees.
Facilitate energy and water efficiency upgrades for low to moderate income households and rental units. s
Work with ex-offenders to facilitate successful re-entry into the community and work to restore their voting rights.