During a recent city council meeting in Charlottesville, community members voiced their concerns and suggestions on two pressing issues: ranked choice voting and homelessness.

One resident, a former civics teacher, passionately advocated for the implementation of ranked choice voting, highlighting its nonpartisan nature and broad support across political parties. She shared her positive experiences introducing the concept to her 5th and 6th-grade students, who engaged with the voting process without complaints. The speaker emphasized that starting ranked choice voting in schools could empower young advocates and help demystify the voting process for future generations. She urged the council to consider this approach as a means to ensure that all voters feel heard and valued.

Another resident, Liza Vance, expressed her distress over the visible homelessness and cleanliness issues in downtown Charlottesville. Having recently moved to the area, she described her observations of people living in makeshift shelters and the accumulation of trash along streets. Vance called for community involvement, suggesting the formation of a committee of concerned citizens to address these challenges collaboratively. She proposed exploring options for creating shelters and emphasized the importance of maintaining the city’s beauty and dignity for both residents and visitors.

Both speakers underscored the need for community engagement and proactive solutions to enhance the quality of life in Charlottesville, reflecting a shared commitment to improving the city for all its inhabitants.