Tom Perriello, who was certified as the winner of last month’s 5th District congressional race, is embarking on a 20-stop tour of the district to meet with elected officials, business and nonprofit leaders, and constituents.

For Albemarle residents who consider county vehicle decals a hassle, officials have made their lives a bit easier.

After discovering that Albemarle County’s financial deficit continues to grow, the Board of Supervisors delayed approval of a five-year financial plan Wednesday, and instead asked the county executive to present a budget scenario with an increased real estate tax rate.

The Albemarle County Board of Supervisors hoped to walk away with answers about whether synthetic turf was a safe replacement for grass athletic fields — but left a Wednesday meeting only with more unanswered questions.

Albemarle high schools are likely to have a better idea this week about whether the county supervisors are on board with replacing grass athletics fields with synthetic turf.

The Charlottesville City Council is questioning plans to allow departments to keep $3.6 million in unspent budget funds, suggesting the city might be better off instead saving some of the money during difficult economic times.

Charlottesville’s $2.1 million surplus from fiscal 2008’s general fund could be used to reduce budget deficits in fiscal 2009 and beyond, according to city staff.

“Bare-bones” is the word being used within the walls of City Hall to describe Charlottesville’s proposed Capital Improvement Program for the upcoming budget.

Several local officials said after a joint meeting Tuesday that their mission was accomplished: getting Albemarle County and Charlottesville officials heading in the same direction on the area’s long-term water supply plan.

Attorneys for U.S. Rep. Virgil H. Goode Jr., R-Rocky Mount, filed a petition to recount the 316,862 votes cast in the Nov. 4 election between Goode and challenger Democrat Tom Perriello.

Navigating through contradcting information and shaky cost estimates, Albemarle County and Charlottesville City officials hope to reach an agreement today about which parts of the area’s long term water supply plan should be revisited.

“A lot of people have asked me to ask for a recount, so we’re going to ask for a recount,” Goode said in a conference call with reporters.

“Over the last few weeks, voters from across the 5th District have encouraged me to seek a recount of the election,” Goode said in a statement Monday. “Tomorrow, I will file the appropriate legal papers to request a recount of this Election.”

The Albemarle Board of Supervisors agreed to move a 30-acre parcel of Wood’s surrounding property from the rural area to the development area so that Wood would sell the other tract of land for the Congress-approved $7 million.

Perriello, a national security consultant and Ivy resident, received an unofficial vote tally of 158,712 to 157,967 - a margin of 745 votes.

U.S. Sen.-elect Mark R. Warner believes there is long-term value in helping America’s auto manufacturing industry to survive its potentially devastating financial woes.

Residents want a professional study on dredging the South Fork Rivanna Reservoir, a local task force member said Wednesday night.

For now, local government officials have all jumped on the bandwagon: There’s no need to forge ahead with the Eastern Connector.

A joint meeting about the area’s long-term water supply plan is set to take place at 2 p.m. Tuesday in the Charlottesville Community Design Center at 100 Fifth St. S.E.

Now that the dust is settling on this year’s election, candidates running in next year’s Virginia governor’s race are prepping for an intense statewide race.

New buildings such as the immense, two-story Barnes & Noble at the Barracks Road Shopping Center eventually may not be subject to the same type of review by city officials.

Officials thought they had figured out how to supply the area’s drinking water for the next 50 years.

Albemarle County supervisors butted heads Wednesday over whether to start with a budget recommendation that has major cuts in spending, or one with a major tax hike.

An unknown number of late-arriving absentee ballots cast by U.S. military personnel overseas have not yet been counted in the photo finish race between Democrat Tom Perriello of Ivy and U.S. Rep. Virgil H. Goode Jr., R-Rocky Mount.

Charlottesville election officials have been given the gift of time

Albemarle County Super-visor David L. Slutzky is considering a bid to unseat four-term incumbent Del. Rob Bell, R-Albemarle County.

Democrat Tom Perriello claimed victory Friday in his against-all-odds campaign to unseat longtime GOP Congressman Virgil H. Goode Jr., R-Rocky Mount.

Democrat Tom Perriello of Ivy has declared victory in his bid to unseat longtime GOP congressman Virgil H. Goode Jr., R-Rocky Mount.

For the City Council, the statement “there’s no silver bullet” could not be more spot-on than when trying to figure out how to tackle Charlottesville’s poverty levels.

More than 650 surprise votes from Charlottesville gave Democratic congressional candidate Tom Perriello an unexpectedly wide lead Thursday in his race against six-term GOP incumbent U.S. Rep. Virgil H. Goode Jr., R-Rocky Mount.