Amid a backdrop of protest, the Charlottesville City Council on Monday elected its two newcomers, Mike Signer and Wes Bellamy, as mayor and vice mayor, respectively. Both nominations were approved unanimously, and were followed by a prepared statement from Signer, an attorney whose campaign raised more than $50,000 last year — approximately half of what he and his two Democratic running mates raised collectively.
When C-VILLE reported last week about how much money was raised and spent in the June 9 Democratic primary, “Big money: Dede Smith voted out in high-dollars primary,” the article didn’t make clear that the numbers used were from a May 27 filing and the final numbers won’t be in until July 15.
Charlottesville Electoral Board Chairman Jim Nix is his attributing his renewed confidence in the turnout rate for the Democratic primary election Tuesday to the competitive slate of candidates on the ballot who have been campaigning furiously.
Wes Bellamy plucked the slightly damp, red plush toy from the Cherry Avenue median in Fifeville, where the sign stood reading, “Wes for Council.” In a town known for its diversity, the apparent symbol – a monkey clutching a banana – stood out. Bellamy, a black man, is running for the City Council after losing a 2013 primary bid by five votes.
Mike Signer grew up in Arlington, but Charlottesville tugged on him from an early age. The 42-year-old Fifeville resident and father of two spent summers here as an elementary school student in the ’70s, taking enrichment courses at UVA.
Charlottesville Mayor Satyendra Huja will not be running for re-election to the City Council later this year. His second term as a councilor will end Dec. 31. In a news release, Huja said he is “very grateful to the people of Charlottesville for the opportunity to serve this great community” and is “looking forward to a productive 2015.”