Former school board member running for City Council

Former Charlottesville School Board chairwoman Dede Smith announced Monday that she will run for City Council, becoming the sixth Democratic candidate in the race.

Smith, 55, served on the School Board from 2000 to 2006 and worked as director of the Ivy Creek Foundation, a nonprofit environmental group that oversees the Ivy Creek and Ragged Mountain natural areas, from 1993 to 2007.

“I believe I can bring a wealth of experience, energy, informed decision-making and a grassroots style of government to this Council,” Smith said as she made the announcement at Forest Hills Park.

Her platform focuses on responsive government, education and protection of natural and historic resources.

Charlottesville is “the best place to live in this country,” Smith said, but there are threats on the horizon.

“Our quality of life here in Charlottesville is vulnerable to the pressures of growth and our aging infrastructure,” Smith said. “Our history is catching up to us. Our challenge will be to address these important environmental and transportation issues without it destroying the really rich natural and historic character in our city.”

Smith also said she wants to provide top-notch educational opportunities for all children by strengthening partnerships between schools and local food initiatives and continuing efforts to close the achievement gap.

On business issues, Smith supports job training targeted to meet specific needs of local companies and “eliminating barriers and burdensome fees.”

Smith co-founded the group Citizens for a Sustainable Water Plan, and has actively opposed the construction of a new dam at the Ragged Mountain Reservoir. When asked about her position on Monday, she reiterated her opposition to the plan.

“Given all the new information that we have, we should reconsider the approach we've been taking to expanding our water-storage capacity,” Smith said.

Smith favors restoring existing infrastructure first by repairing the spillway at Ragged Mountain and expanding capacity at the South Fork Rivanna Reservoir.

On controversial projects like the water-supply plan and Meadow Creek Parkway, Smith said the council should revisit its decisions if and when new information comes to light.

“It is my position that for any decisions that have already been made, if they have not been implemented and better information comes forward, then those positions should be reconsidered,” Smith said. “Because what the City Council must do is keep the best interests of its citizens first and foremost.”

About 40 people, including many opponents of the parkway and water-supply projects, turned out to support Smith’s candidacy.

Among them was Mayor Dave Norris, who said Smith speaks to the right kinds of issues by focusing on providing a better future for the city’s youth and making sure that officials act as good stewards of the environment.

“I think she’s certainly heading in the right direction with her campaign and I look forward to serving with her on council,” said Norris, an opponent of the plan to construct a new dam.

Peter Kleeman, a local activist involved in legal action to halt construction on the city’s portion of the parkway, said Smith has demonstrated a commitment to do her homework and talk to residents before making decisions on public issues.

“She, basically, is someone that I trust to make the decisions that are best for the community based on the best available information, and won’t make a casual decision when better decisions are possible,” Kleeman said.

A total of 10 candidates have announced campaigns for the three at-large council seats up for grabs this year.

Smith joins incumbent councilor Satyendra Huja, homebuilder and developer Paul Beyer, city School Board member Kathy Galvin, fitness-club owner James Halfaday and retired attorney Peter McIntosh in seeking one of three nominations by the Democratic Party.

Independents Bob Fenwick, Brandon Collins, Andrew Williams and Scott Bandy also have announced campaigns.

Councilors Holly Edwards and David Brown have announced they will not seek re-election this year. Mayor Dave Norris and Councilor Kristin Szakos are not up for re-election until 2013.

The Democratic Party’s “firehouse primary” is 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 20 at Burley Middle School. The general election is Nov. 8.