"For the first time Wednesday night, council aspirants aired their views on the topic [of Meadowcreek Parkway] at a forum sponsored by the local chapter of the Sierra Club, an international environmental group" (Davide Dukcevich, The Daily Progress, February 10, 2000).

"Though the nine candidates present were divided on the road, the tenor of the conversation lacked the acrimony that has marked the issue" (Davide Dukcevich, The Daily Progress, February 10, 2000).

"A question on the controversial road kicked off the forum and the topic dominated the debate, held before an audience of about 70 at the Wesley Memorial United Methodist Church" (Davide Dukcevich, The Daily Progress, February 10, 2000).

"[Kevin] Lynch [D], a founding member of Sensible Transportation Alternatives to the Meadowcreek Parkway [STAMP], said he would overturn the council's vote if residents were convinced that an alternative plan would work" (Davide Dukcevich, The Daily Progress, February 10, 2000).

"Calling the road a destructive and shortsighted response to the city's challenges, Lynch said the road would encourage the construction of new developments in Albemarle County, thus creating more traffic" (Davide Dukcevich, The Daily Progress, February 10, 2000).

"Calling himself a 'green Republican' in contrast to 'asphalt Democrats,' John Pfaltz [R] said he was against the parkway, which he said would dump highway traffic into Charlottesville. He said Albemarle should build more highway connectors in the county" (Davide Dukcevich, The Daily Progress, February 10, 2000).

Pfaltz asked the group to "'Repudiate the asphalt Democrats and to vote for a Green Republican in May'".

"Maurice Cox [D] said the two-lane version of the parkway would soon become four lanes. 'Build it and they will come,' he said" (Davide Dukcevich, The Daily Progress, February 10, 2000).

Cox said, "'Build it and they will widen it'".

"'At the end of the road you'll find sprawl and more sprawl,' he later added" (Davide Dukcevich, The Daily Progress, February 10, 2000).

Lelia Edloe Brown and Peter Kleeman said they would work to implement the Democrats for Change platform if they were elected to the council.

Peter Kleeman [D] said that insufficient study of alternative proposals to alleviate the current traffic concerns on Park St. (such as providing an eastern connector) had been undertaken and that he "'would oppose any Meadowcreek Parkway until such time it is clear that no alternative transportation solution could meet our regional transportation needs'. He added, 'I don't anticipate this occuring in my time on City Council ...'".

Brandon Smith, who was also at the forum says that he is against construction of the Meadowcreek Parkway and I objects to it for all the reasons previously outlined by STAMP. "'The parkway,' he says, "will create a bottleneck downtown and that causes traffic problems'" (The Observer, February 9, 2000).

"But Kevin Cox [I] wants a four-lane road, saying the two-lane plan wouldn't relieve congestion on city streets" (Davide Dukcevich, The Daily Progress, February 10, 2000).

David Simmons [D] said that he supports Council's decision to build the Meadow Creek Parkway and that voting to revisit the Meadow Creek Park subject would undermine Council's decision. "'Should additional aspects of Meadow Creek Parkway arise during my term, I will study and review all sides of the issues before making a decision,' Simmons said."

"'I view Council's decision to build Meadow Creek Parkway as a means of confronting our current traffic situation, an opportunity to guide our land use decisions, protection of our open space, making McIntire Park more accessible for all residents and as an approach to revitalize our community', said Simmons".

"[Peter] McIntosh [D] and [Meredith] Richards [D] maintained their support for the two-lane version, and vowed to hold the Virginia Department of Transportation's 'feet to the fire' to have a parkway surrounded by parkland" (Davide Dukcevich, The Daily Progress, February 10, 2000).

McIntosh said that contrary to the title and position of STAMP, no sensible transportation alternatives to the Meadowcreek Parkway had been offered.

He added, "'Opponents of the Parkway have called for a moratorium in order to change the transportation behavior of the citizens so we can reduce Park Street traffic. [But] it is fundamentally unfair to the residents of the neighborhoods of Davis, Watson, North, Agnese and the other streets off Park Street to sacrifice their quality of life to change the driving habits of the entire community'".

Richards said, "'I believe the two-lane design represents a balance of community values'" (Davide Dukcevich, The Daily Progress, February 10, 2000).