Emails show City Council challenged former CM Richardson's authority in the creation of new Office of Equity

Today, the City of Charlottesville suddenly announced the hiring of its first Deputy City Manager for Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion. But there’s a bit of a backstory…

" The City Code seems pretty clear to me that it is his call....we know that Tarron [Richardson] doesn't want this person to be a Deputy City Manager. I don't favor trying to jam this down Tarron's throat..." - City Councilor Llyod Snook, May 30, 2020

Today, the City of Charlottesville suddenly announced the hiring of its first Deputy City Manager for Racial Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion, Ashley Reynolds Marshall, who most recently was the Chief Executive Officer for YWCA of Central Virginia. This was one of the big changes in the fiscal year 2022 budget, which hasn't received nearly enough attention, as it's a powerful new position within the City Manger's office. Marshall will not only work to advance the city's racial equity agenda, but she will also manage no less than five departments, including the Office of REDI, Office of Human Rights, Department of Social Services, Department of Human Services, and the Police Civilian Review Board. Indeed, salary, benefits, and incidentals …