Kai Degner for City Council

Archive for the ‘Issues’ Category

I wanted to highlight an answer I shared some time ago when asked whether I agree with council candidates Richard Baugh and Dave Wiens’ concerns over how we are growing and whether high density developments in Harrisonburg should be put on hold:

Dave Wiens and Richard Baugh have had a front row seat to decisions regarding growth by virtue of their being on the Planning Commission, and I am convinced their decision to run for council with smart growth foremost in mind comes from seeing firsthand instances where approved developments put undue stress on traffic, schools, and services.

We are growing - and it’s going to continue whether the state gives us money for roads and schools or not. We can absorb this growth expensively and unsustainably (e.g. Walmart area, huge student apartment complexes), or we can do it efficiently and thoughtfully (e.g. Urban Exchange (pictured)). I prefer the latter, and I expect most people with a long-term commitment to our community share that view. (more…)

Yesterday, Clementine Cafe hosted an engaging speaker, Christopher Worth. I couldn’t make it (Rockingham County Fair Meeting) and, with Kent Smith, am organizing an impromptu discussion with Mr. Worth at 8pm this evening at Earth & Tea Cafe.

Chris Worth speaks about his Center for Innovative Design in Disabilities. This is an opportunity to learn from an innovative thinker championing new ideas and ways to use individual challenges to build community solutions.

UPDATE: There was a misunderstanding: this meeting was at 7am, not 7pm. This further makes my point that this information is not as accessible as it should be! I hope to still receive answers to my questions.

UPDATE 2: The next such meeting is 7am August 26 at the Country Club.

I will be attending the public meeting for the Harrisonburg Electric Commission tomorrow (Tuesday the 22nd) at 7pm at the Spotswood Country Club. I found out about this through the FaceBook group, “I live in Harrisonburg VA and want Green Electricity.” There are currently 135 people in this group, an indication of larger interest in this cause.

I looked for information about the meeting searching the DNR online, on the city website, and on HEC’s website and found no information. When I talk about open government, part of what I mean is (more…)

I walked to Sheetz today for an MTO sandwich, and, to eat it, joined a woman sitting at the table outside. She asked if I had a car. “I have one, but it’s not here. My friend borrowed it and it’s downtown,” I said. She needed a ride 6 miles East on Route 33 or across town to some other place in Harrisonburg. She had little money, didn’t own a car, and was looking to leave a nearby situation she deemed unsafe. “Where’s the bus stop?” I asked. “No buses run on Sunday,” she said. I was stunned. After she had no luck reaching someone with my cell phone, I told her to wait for me to get my car. She wasn’t physically well enough to make the walk with me, so off I trekked to downtown.

Near the Elizabeth Street parking garage, (more…)