City Council candidates were grilled on their commitment to public safety Tuesday during a forum held by the Lynchburg Fire Fighters Association.

Lynchburg officials are currently developing a “big-box” ordinance that would eliminate large-scale retail as a by-right property use in the city. Recent proposals suggest the heightened restrictions should apply to all commercial developments exceeding 50,000 square feet in area. Last month, a panel of local developers consulted by the Lynchburg Planning Commission raised numerous objections to the outlined program and sought to have the standard changed to 100,000 square feet.

Endorsements from the Lynchburg Voters League have gone to City Council candidates Mike Gillette (Ward I), Ceasor Johnson (Ward II), Nat Marshall (Ward III) and Marie Waller (Ward IV).

The Community Dialogue on Race and Racism has brought more than 600 people together with the goal of improving race relations within Lynchburg. This effort — a first for the city — was initiated after the 2006 death of Clarence Beard Jr., a black man who died during a struggle with two white police officers.

Lynchburg property values increased 20 percent last year due to the 2007 reassessment. City Council subsequently voted to lower the tax rate to $1.05 per each $100 of assessed value — a drop of 5.4 percent. The revenue-neutral rate was 94 cents.

Ward II City Council candidate David Johnston is calling for more city tax credits as a means of promoting both economic development and neighborhood revitalization.

City Council hopeful David Johnston is embroiled in what building inspectors say is their longest-running case of code violations in a house still being lived in.

Do you feel Heritage High should or should not be made a priority in the city’s five-year capital improvement plan?

In 2006, City Council approved plans for the new Cornerstone development off Greenview Drive, a project that spans more than 100 acres and includes commercial space and up to 1,000 residential units.
Explain what you feel the pros and cons of such a development are. Specify whether you feel the project will, overall, have a positive or negative effect on Lynchburg, and whether you agree or disagree with council’s 2006 decision.

Lynchburg Republicans will not issue any endorsements in this year’s City Council race, party chairman Mark Peake said Friday.

Ward II City Councilman Ceasor Johnson officially announced his bid for re-election Thursday, saying the city needs to continue its progress on “critical issues” like school construction and balanced development.

Ceasor Johnson, whose ward includes downtown, is running against challenger David Johnston, a server/manager at Charley’s Restaurant.

Lynchburg Democrats voted to endorse Ward I Councilman Mike Gillette on Wednesday, choosing the incumbent over challenger Tom Shahady.

Lynchburg City Council agreed Tuesday to consider broadcasting election forums on a new local government channel in the future, but said nothing can be done in time for this year’s races.

Ward I City Council candidate Tom Shahady formally announced his campaign from the shore of the troubled College Lake on Monday.