Former Charlottesville Mayor and Delegate Mitch Van Yahres died last week at the age of 81. On this episode of WINA’s “Charlottesville–Right Now!”, Coy Barefoot speaks with many people who knew Mitch Van Yahres.
“Mitch was a Delegate who at times was known as the patron saint of unpopular causes,” said Charlottesville Daily Progress reporter Bob Gibson. Gibson relates the tale of how Van Yahres posthumously endorsed Barack Obama.
“His legacy with me is that I want to grow up and be like him,” said his long-time aide Connie Jorgenson.
“Mitch was always about cultivating the next generation of leadership,” said Holly Hatcher of the Charlottesville Area Community Foundation.
“Mitch Van Yahres’ footprints will be seen forever in Charlottesville, Virginia,” said Eugene Williams, former director of the Dogwood Housing Limited Partnership.
I deeply regret that I did not get to know Mr Van Yahres. I did attend his funeral. I met him only once when I took a Georgist handout to his office. I have missed a very important human.
Carl Shaw Mt. Zion, WV 26151