Independents battle Democrats, each other for City Council

After a hotly contested primary, the three Democratic nominees for Charlottesville City Council are set, but for the independent candidates, the battle is just beginning.

The five independents in the mix this year — Bob Fenwick, Andrew D. Williams, Brandon Collins, Paul Long and Scott Bandy — all finalized their paperwork before the filing deadline Tuesday night, according to officials with the city registrar’s office.

On Saturday, the Democrats selected incumbent Satyendra Huja, School Board member Kathy Galvin and dredging activist Dede Smith as their three nominees.

The independents have had chances at two public forums to make the case for why voters should ditch the Democrats, but they reacted to the primary results and reiterated their campaign messages in interviews this week.

Fenwick, a 66-year-old general contractor, is trying again to translate his activism against the Meadow Creek Parkway and the water supply plan into a seat on the council. Fenwick delivered more than 1,000 petition signatures to the registrar’s office Tuesday morning, far exceeding the 125 needed.

Fenwick was the candidate who came closest to toppling a Democrat in the 2009 election, earning 20.2 percent of the vote compared to 31.2 percent for Councilor Kristin Szakos and 38.7 percent for Mayor Dave Norris.

Fenwick said that prior to his decision to wade into the fray to try and preserve McIntire Park, he was nonpolitical. The difference between this year and 2009, Fenwick said, is experience.

“I was a rookie last time,” Fenwick said. “I was unfamiliar.”

Fenwick’s major focus, the plan to build a new earthen dam at Ragged Mountain Reservoir, was a top issue in the Democratic primary. Huja and Galvin, the two top finishers, both support the dam, while Smith favors a dredging approach. Fenwick said he doesn’t agree with the notion that Saturday was a bad day for the pro-dredging crowd.

“No. Because it was really one established veteran, one established incumbent and then Dede and Kathy Galvin split,” Fenwick said. “The primary is for party regulars and party activists, so I would love to be successful and make it a 3-2 majority for a number of reasons, not just for water. But we’ll see what happens. I realize what I’m up against.”

Collins, a 38-year-old musician, restaurant worker and personal care attendant, doesn't beat around the bush about where he falls on the political spectrum.

“I am not shying away from the fact that I’m a socialist,” Collins said. “And I think that’s brought me in a lot more support than I anticipated.”

Collins favors a “comprehensive approach” to poverty and the environment, as well as an expansion of public transportation. At candidate forums, he’s suggested that every city resident be offered guaranteed employment. During discussions of the water plan, Collins has said that no resident should have their water turned off due to an inability to pay the bills. Collins said there’s a split in the Democratic Party between the establishment and an “oppositional faction” that has left a gap for an independent candidate.

“I think for folks who are interested in a very bottom-up take toward dealing with poverty, toward dealing with the parkway, toward dealing with the dam, folks are going to be looking for at least one independent to vote for,” Collins said.

Long, a 61-year-old who works in the transportation department at the University of Virginia and frequently advocates for the homeless, has adopted a similar focus on the unemployed, poor and working class.

Long also ran in 2009, earning 7.5 percent of the vote, and he has repeatedly referred to the local party as “Bush-lite” Democrats.

“My feeling is that councilman Huja and Ms. Galvin both represent pro-business interests,” Long said. “To me, they don’t have a background in representing natural constituents of the Democratic Party.”

In the absence of a black candidate on the Democratic ticket, Long said he will support fellow independent Andrew D. Williams, a 25-year-old insurance claims adjuster who will be the only black council candidate on the ballot.

“I will be actively campaigning for him,” Long said. “I think it’s important that African-Americans realize they don’t have to stay with the Democratic Party.”

Colette Blount, the only black Democrat to participate in the primary, finished fifth in a field of seven.

Williams said he chose to run as an independent because he doesn’t want to be a “puppet” for the Democratic leadership, adding that he doesn’t trust the judgment of the local party leadership.

“I think that we need to leave corporate politics in Washington and not bring it here when we need to focus on the residents,” said Williams.

Williams attempted to run in 2009, but wasn’t able to gather the required signatures.

Williams said he saw no reason to run as a Democrat just because he was black, and he wasn’t shocked by the fact that Democrats didn’t nominate a black candidate.

“It’s pretty consistent with how many in the black community are leaving the city,” said Williams. “It’s the same reason why people leave their jobs; it’s the same reason why people leave companies: They are not happy with the service. They are not happy with the leadership. Or they are just not happy with the way they’re being managed.”

Until the City Council has some “fresh, new” perspective, Williams said, nothing’s likely to change.

“It’s nice that Democratic leadership doesn’t take me seriously,” Williams said. “But I’m going to give them an election they won’t forget. And if possible, I’m going to drag another independent with me.”

Bandy, who is out of town, could not be reached for comment.

The general election is Nov. 8.