Charlottesville has a new city council, and that group chose a new mayor last night. Some residents hoped officials could now move on from an especially turbulent time, but the debate over who would lead made it clear that anger and frustration remain in the community -- and on the board. Sandy Hausman has that story.
It was a painful moment as councilors Kathy Galvin and Nikuya Walker sat, side by side, each a candidate for mayor. In Charlottesville, it’s the council that makes that choice. Galvin, who had served two terms on the school board and is in her second term on council, cited her experience and temperament, but supporters of Walker – an African-American woman new to elected office, were not convinced.
“I am not a glamorous person, and I do not seek the limelight, and I would not as a city manager," Galvin said.
The crowd jeered as she realized her error.
"Excuse me -- as a mayor. And it is really very unnerving to have this conversation, and it would have been wonderful to have the conversation with you Nikuya, so that we wouldn’t be in a situation where every word I say is being met with a catcall.”
Wes Bellamy, the first African-American man on city council, threw his support to Walker, recalling a chat he’d had with an older constituent.
“This individual believed that he never would see a black mayor and black vice mayor. ‘That just won’t happen here. Them folks won’t let you do that,’ and if we truly believe in changing the narrative, then we need to vote for Miss Walker and let’s start changing the page.”
The council then voted 4 to one in favor of Walker, but Galvin would have a revenge of sorts. Wes Bellamy was nominated for vice mayor, arguing it would be revolutionary to have two African-Americans leading the city where more than 70% of residents are Caucasian. Galvin announced her support for Heather Hill, another newcomer to politics, who is white.
“I think it would be astoundingly revolutionary to have a completely woman ticket, and I do think the message is extremely important that we are working together across lines of race.”
Hill got three votes. Bellamy two. Apparently exhausted by the first official act of the evening, former Mayor Mike Signer congratulated the winners and called for a ten minute recess.