Been one of those days 😦 Time for a few links. Seems the General Assembly managed to pass a budget yesterday. The vote was, amazingly enough, unanimous. I'm not so sure what to think of that. I'd like to think it means that the negotiators actually compromised to do the best they could by the … Continue reading Monday this and that
Month: February 2011
Norfolk City Council: 3/1/11
By Tommy Smigiel Sorry for the delay on posting the agenda items for this Tuesday. I had some difficulty downloading the agendas and some of the item specifics were deleted by accident from my drop box. City Council was off last week, and this week doesn't offer anything exciting on the agenda. Some may question … Continue reading Norfolk City Council: 3/1/11
Retirements
I mentioned in my earlier post today that we needed to focus on November's General Assembly elections. As if on cue, two legislators - both Democrats - announced their retirements today. First up was Del. Albert Pollard. Recall, if you will, that Pollard "retired" in 2005. At that time, it was, according to this, to … Continue reading Retirements
Friday ruminations
In tax season full tilt so this will be quick. We're #1! Too bad it's at being the first in the nation to have a law (governor will sign) that puts abortion clinics in the same category as hospitals. With "friends" like Chuck Colgan and Phil Puckett, who needs enemies? We're #50! Well, not yet, … Continue reading Friday ruminations
Fiscally irresponsible through any eyes
My latest op-ed, title above, appeared in The Virginian-Pilot Wednesday. The topic, of course, was the now-failed effort to build an office tower. Despite all of this, there was something else going on with this project, an invisible hand pushing it as it rose, phoenix-like, from the ashes for the third time. In various reports … Continue reading Fiscally irresponsible through any eyes
Norfolk news: more spending
Let's see: Norfolk is facing a $32 million budget deficit, $53 million if the schools are included. So what austerity measures did the newspaper report today? How about more spending? The beleaguered Community Services Board, which is funded by a combination of city, state and federal funds, gave their executive director a bonus of $21,700 … Continue reading Norfolk news: more spending
Still crazy after all these years?
By Steve Vaughan It's said that the definition of insanity is continuing to do the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.  I don't want to call the new Republican majority in the House of Representatives crazy, but if the shoe fits...  There's a fairly good chance that we're headed for another government … Continue reading Still crazy after all these years?
Happy 90th, Mama
Today marks the 90th birthday of my mother. This is my favorite picture of her, one that shows her healthy and happy. It is this picture that I keep in my mind's eye, even though today's reality is far different. My mother loves pretty flowers and so I've already sent a beautiful bouquet for her … Continue reading Happy 90th, Mama
Opinion, please: virtual academy
The Virginian-Pilot has an article discussing a "virtual academy:" K12 Inc., a private online education company that uses Carroll County as its public-school intermediary to provide virtual education through eighth grade for students across the state. More than 350 students are enrolled in K12's virtual academy through Carroll County, three times as many as last … Continue reading Opinion, please: virtual academy
Democracy does not end at the ballot box
Guest post by Maria LoPresto Many of us concerned about Norfolk’s government ask for transparency, yet not all of us take the time to make our concerns known during the budget process. WHY is the budget process important to the average citizen? What is important about this process and why should be we care? The … Continue reading Democracy does not end at the ballot box
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 