Nov 30, 2024 Story by: Editor
The Virginia Legislative Black Caucus (VLBC) achieved a milestone by hosting its first-ever Fredericksburg town hall at Shiloh Baptist Church (New Site). The event featured engaging conversations during a dynamic Q&A session, with community members voicing their concerns.
Previously, VLBC town hall meetings were typically held in Hampton Roads and Richmond. However, VLBC Vice President Del. Joshua Cole (D-Fredericksburg) initiated the Fredericksburg meeting to reflect the growing number of Black elected officials representing Northern Virginia in recent election cycles.
Cecilia Cain, the VLBC’s legislative director, moderated the town hall, kicking off proceedings promptly at 6 p.m. Del. Rozia Henson (D-Prince William), Del. Michael Jones (D-Richmond), Sen. Aaron Rouse (D-Virginia Beach), and Cole shared heartfelt stories about their paths to public service.
“This meeting is very important and will help with the upcoming legislative session in January,” Cain noted.
School board members from Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania County, and Caroline County were present. Rev. Jarvis Bailey, chair of the Fredericksburg School Board, expressed gratitude to Cole for his efforts to secure state funding for Fredericksburg City Public Schools (FCPS).
In 2021, Cole secured $500,000 for James Monroe High School’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, followed by an additional $1 million in 2024 for CTE initiatives and $7 million for a middle school currently under construction in Idlewild.
Nicole Cole, vice chair of the Spotsylvania School Board, highlighted the historic appointments of Clint Mitchell as the county’s first Black superintendent and Deborah Frazier as its first Black woman Chief Academic Officer. She also announced her candidacy for the House of Delegates in District 66 for the 2025 election, stating, “African American elected officials are stepping up in the community. We are qualified leaders. The community needs to know this, and we also need the community’s support.”
Key concerns raised by attendees included marriage, reproductive, and voting rights, which could face significant changes under future federal administrations. Addressing these issues, Rouse, chairman of the Privileges and Elections Committee, outlined plans to pass three amendments: “one to protect women’s reproductive rights, another to restore voting rights for those who lost them, and, last but not least, an amendment to uphold marriage equality.” He emphasized the urgency of these measures, stating, “We have work to do. I’m laser-focused on getting the amendments passed.”
Henson also raised concerns about abortion rights, remarking, “I don’t understand why [the governor’s office] would veto House Bill 609. Women have the right to contraception. These are the challenges we’re up against. Women are very scared. Virginia is the only southern state that allows women the right to choose without consequence.”
The town hall also addressed immigrants’ rights. Jones discussed the rising Latino population in his district, which has grown to 32%. He advocated for raising the minimum wage and increasing education funding, stating, “A good education would help immigrants learn English, and economic mobility would give them access to resources. Latinos are human beings as well; they have a right to exist. The population is growing very fast, and this issue is personal for me.”
The final question focused on law enforcement regulation and community relations. Del. Cole emphasized the importance of training and mental health support for police officers, recalling his 2021 contribution to a budget amendment increasing funding for regional policing academies. “Training is where it all begins to produce qualified and caring officers in our communities,” he explained. He also called for better pay for law enforcement, adding, “These solutions can help build trust between police and community members.” Source: Fredericksburg Free Press
