Podcast for March 2, 2026: Albemarle’s next budget, Greene’s next Supervisor, and what’s next for Windy Knoll?

Can anyone prove that February 10, 2026 was the last time there was an audio edition of Charlottesville Community Engagement? Turns out it is not that difficult as there is clearly a link and the day in question was a Tuesday. This podcast version consists of some stories from recent weeks and links to them if you’ve not read them yet.The next actual newsletter may or may not be out this afternoon depending on how well a new month’s energy sustains itself throughout the pre-spring day.In this edition: * Greene Supervisors appoint former member to fill vacancy (learn more)* Albemarle Planning Commission wants to see another design for Windy Knoll (read the story)* Albemarle Supervisors take action on Boulders Road project (need to produce)* Charlottesville PC looks ahead to next set of zoning changes (need to produce)* No tax rate increases included in proposed $724M Albemarle budget for FY2027 (read the story)First shout-out: WTJU Puzzle Hunt returns on March 14In today’s first shout-out: Cville Puzzle Hunt is back! Organized by WTJU 91.1 FM and designed by Puzzled Bee, the event is a citywide cerebral puzzle for teens and adults of all ages. The Cville Puzzle Hunt works like an escape room, but all of downtown Charlottesville is the “room.”This year’s event takes place Saturday, March 14, 2:30 - 6 p.m. The Puzzle Hunt starts and ends at IX Art Park, with puzzles to solve at various downtown locations. Those participating will have a wild afternoon running around trying to untangle five diabolical, large-scale puzzles inserted into the urban landscape.Advance registration is requested at CvillePuzzleHunt.com. The event is free and a $10 a person donation is suggested or $20 if you want to sponsor someone else.Thoughts at the end of CCE-1007AThings have been off since the end of January culminating in a trip away from the place where I am best set up to be productive. But there were other odd things I’d like to mention to those who make their way to the ends of this newsletters.* It felt off to make a transition from #999 to #1000. I have a hard time believing I’ve actually been doing this for five and a half years.* The WTJU fundraiser pre-empted me for a week which threw off the rhythm.* Something happened to my recording equipment. For one, the audio gain in my headphones was off so I couldn’t hear myself doing narrations. For another, something about the microphone isn’t processing certain frequencies. Today I have to fix that, hence this podcast edition.* I’ve taken the first steps toward a new way people can support the work. I don’t have any sort of campaign planned to promote this, but I’m dropping the link.* I learned I had to go away three days before the trip, which led to me taking some time off to get ready * Being the sole proprietor and sole employee means there are a lot of levers that have to be pushed and it’s just me with arms that can do the work. I was sick for a couple of days and that means some work got displaced.* I do two stories a week for C-Ville Weekly which has a harder deadline than audio work that is consumed by far fewer people. Today I’m making myself do this before I write this week’s stories. Friday was my last day with the family and I needed space.A reality is that if the audio is to continue, I need to have help doing the work. One day I will have a plan to train people who would like to learn, but managing people takes up the most time of all for a former extrovert turned full-on introvert. Still, maybe one day. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit communityengagement.substack.com/subscribe