Government and Politics - The Roanoke Rambler (Page 11)

Interview

Roanoke City Council Candidate Jamaal Jackson on Retaining Police, Strong Neighborhoods, and Protecting Green Spaces

Jamaal Jackson, an independent, is one of nine candidates in the regular Roanoke City Council election Nov. 8, 2022.

Interview

Roanoke City Council Candidate Nick Hagen on Shootings Downtown, Government Bloat, and Imposing a Marijuana Tax

Nick Hagen, a Republican, is one of nine candidates in the regular Roanoke City Council election Nov. 8, 2022.

Racial justice

Roanoke's Federal Courthouse Should Be Named After Civil Rights Icon, Not Lawmaker Who Fought Integration, Lawyer Says

An attorney is calling to rename Roanoke's federal building after Reuben E. Lawson, who helped to end school segregation throughout Southwest Virginia.

Interview

Roanoke City Council Candidate Vivian Sanchez-Jones on Being An Advocate, Riding the Bus and Bringing Benches to Amtrak

Vivian Sanchez-Jones, a Democrat, is one of nine candidates in the regular Roanoke City Council election Nov. 8, 2022.

Interview

Roanoke City Council Candidate David Bowers on Segregation, His Middle-Class Constituents, and Tackling Climate Change

David Bowers, an independent, is one of nine candidates in the regular Roanoke City Council election Nov. 8, 2022.

Interview

Roanoke City Council Candidate Maynard Keller on Police Pay, Breakdowns in City Services, and Judeo-Christian Values

Maynard Keller, a Republican, is one of nine candidates in the regular Roanoke City Council election Nov. 8, 2022.

Neighborhoods

Roanoke City Tried To Buy Claytor Clinic Property As Part of Gainsboro Revitalization

Negotiations broke down in recent months because of the property’s convoluted ownership model, the city said.

Interview

Roanoke City Council Candidate Peg McGuire on Urban Renewal, School Closures' Dire Impacts, and 'After Church on Sundays'

Peg McGuire, a Republican, is one of two candidates in a special Roanoke City Council election Nov. 8, 2022.

Interview

Roanoke City Council Candidate Luke Priddy on Working in State Government, Investing in Parks and Pushing the City Manager

Luke Priddy, a Democrat, is one of two candidates in a special Roanoke City Council election Nov. 8, 2022.

Criminal justice

'We Got Soft on Crime': As Gun Violence Spikes, Roanoke Mayor Is Among Democrats Rethinking State Criminal Justice Reforms

Mayor Sherman Lea said Roanoke should consider using stop-and-frisk among other approaches to crack down on violent crime.

Development

Activism Around Evans Spring Develops As Roanoke Nears Pick For Master Plan Consultant

Since Roanoke City Council voted to pay for a development master plan, a small group of activists has been strategizing.

Politics

As Roanoke City Council Races Heat Up, Democrats and Republicans Turn to PAC Money

The use of PACs shows how closely candidates are running as party tickets in a race that will determine a majority of the City Council makeup.

Politics

Robert Jeffrey Was Convicted and Sentenced to Prison. Now He's Suing To Get His Seat Back on Roanoke City Council.

Robert Jeffrey Jr. is asking a judge to toss out a November special election to fill his seat and force City Council to reinstate him.

Education

Roanoke Schools Headquarters Should Be Named For Black Educator Who Blazed Public Service Trail, Civic Leaders Say

Some residents say the name of Roanoke native William Robertson should grace the school district's new administration building.

Policing

City Seeks Analysis of Roanoke Police Department As Agency Faces Staff Shortage, Lawsuits

Roanoke's police department seeks to be "more responsive and nimble," the city manager said.

Transportation

Roanoke Gives Green Light To Seek Funding for Williamson Road Traffic Reconfiguration

Plans to change the four-lane stretch to two car lanes, a center turn lane and bike lanes have garnered mixed reactions.

City Hall

Roanoke City Council Created An Equity Advisory Board Two Years Ago. Here's What It's Been Up To.

Roanoke City’s panel on equity emerged in 2020 amid a nationwide reckoning over racism.

Housing

Roanoke Housing Commissioners Hear How They Could Enhance, Expand Affordable Housing Units

“So your recommendation is, essentially, ‘Do this as quickly as you can,’” the commission's chairman told a consultant.