Learn Together as a Community This Week
Check out this upcoming Community Forum
How is February almost over? January seemed like it was 5 months long but I swear February began just 10 days ago. Let’s check in once again and see what’s ahead as the month starts to wind down . . .
COMMUNITY NEWS:
On Monday February 14, 2022 Staunton City School Board met. It was really heartening to see the community rally and show up to not only thank the School Board members for the job they do (a job, I might add, that was made immeasurably more fraught by an unthinkable global pandemic), but also to ensure that voices of people who believe in science, kindness, and equity were heard loud and clear. You can read about it here if you missed it.
COMMUNITY ACTION:
Read all about how Virginia is holding up crucial funding for our schools under a cap that was put in place in 2009 in response to a recession that ended over a decade ago. That link will also detail how you can contact your representatives and urge them to eliminate the funding cap.
Nitch over at Staunton Organizing is a whiz at streaming community meetings not only to increase access and community engagement, but also to create a record of them. On February 15th two Board meetings we don’t typically see were streamed and recorded. If you have the time, please check out the Staunton Redevelopment and Housing Board meeting and the Blue Ridge Criminal Justice Board meeting.
If you ever have questions about applying for a seat and/or serving on one of our local Boards and Commissions, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at localandvocalstaunton@gmail.com. Currently there is an opening on the Economic Development Authority to fill the term of Greg Campbell who resigned to work in the Youngkin administration. (Click here to read more about why it is so important we somehow get a level head on that Board!) There is also an opening for a Youth Member of the Youth Commission (which oversees the regional Office on Youth), as well as an opening on the Tourism Advisory Board (which “advises the City on various tourism promotional issues and provides input into the budget process, working closely with the administrative staff of the Staunton Convention and Visitors Bureau”).
Click here to submit an application for any of these openings.
COMMUNITY LEARNING:
Nate Lawrence, founder of Forward Staunton and a teacher at Staunton High School, wrote an impassioned and important editorial in The News Leader this week titled I Love My Job, But It’s Getting Hard; People Are Leaving. We Need Help. Please give it a read.
This will be on the calendar below, but I want to highlight this important upcoming event. A Community Forum (sponsored by Staunton Visioning Coalition) is being held Sunday February 27, 2022 from 3 - 5 PM at Ebenezer Baptist Church in Staunton. I’m sharing the flier below and will list the speakers as well. Please note that vaccinations and masks are required. There is also an option to attend via Zoom. Please click here to register for this free event!
SPEAKERS/TOPICS:
Info on Staunton Visioning Coalition - CINDY CONNORS
Perspectives On How Staunton City Government Can Represent Diversity, Inclusion, And Transparency To Be A City Government Responsive To The Needs Of Its Citizens - MELAINA MATTHEWS
Perspectives On Community Engagement: How Local Government Knowledge And Participation Is A Path To Understanding State And National Politics And Engagement – SHARON FITZ, RISE ORGANIZATION
Perspectives On: What It Is Like To Run - MICHELE EDWARDS, What It Is Like To Serve - JIM HARRINGTON
The Relationship Between City Council And The School Board – KEN VENABLE, CHAIRMAN, STAUNTON SCHOOL BOARD
Perspectives On The Middle River Jail – HANNAH WITTMER
Candidates Interested In Running For City Council & School Board
Q&A
Wrap Up
COMMUNITY CALENDAR:
Tuesday Feb 22, 2022 at 7 PM: Virtual Barn Raising event from Rural Groundgame. Tickets can be purchased here. (Online event)
Wednesday Feb 23, 2022 at 7:30 PM: Staunton Organizing is hosting bimonthly virtual meetings the night before City Council meetings to allow citizens to learn more about what’s on the agenda. Each meeting typically has a School Board member, City Council member, and/or other civic leader in attendance to help answer questions. Click here for more info.
Thursday Feb 24, 2022 at 5:30 PM: Staunton CIty Council Work Session begins at 5:30 PM and the Regular Meeting begins at 7:30 PM. Click here to read about what’s on this meeting’s agenda.
Sunday Feb 27, 2022 at 3:00 PM: Community Forum Sponsored by Staunton Visioning Coalition. See above for details and flier. Please click here to register for this free event!
Thank you for reading! Stay vocal and safe and thank you so much for staying aware!
Want to help support this effort? You can make a one time donation HERE or visit the Local and Vocal PATREON PAGEto become an ongoing supporter at any level.