Quick hits local edition 10/1/12

Election set in 89th – Governor Bob McDonnell has set December 18 as the date for the special election in the 89th House district. The seat became vacant when Kenny Alexander was elected to fill the remaining term of Senator Yvonne Miller, who died in July. Three candidates will vie for the Democratic nomination. No Republican candidate has emerged. The filing deadline is October 19.

Last day to comment on Berkley Bridge lifts – Today is the last day to comment on Berkley Bridge lifts.

Norfolk loses pioneer to retirement – Sharon Chamberlin is a woman of many firsts, as this article points out. It is our loss that she was not named police chief. I am not surprised that she’s retiring. But she will be missed.

Garden Board of Trustees wants alternatives to eagle nests’ removal – This is good news, even if they didn’t go as far as I would have liked. The move to remove the nests is a hasty one, and, once again, a lack of communication on the part of the Norfolk council. They sprung it on the citizens pretty much after the decision had already been made.

Portsmouth candidates forum tonight – With the race getting closer, attending one of these is a good idea.

Endorsements coming – Virginian-Pilot editorial page editor Donald Luzzatto used his column Sunday to explain the paper’s endorsement process. They plan to roll out their endorsements – “in three races for Congress, one for the U.S. Senate, three mayoral contests, city council and school board campaigns in three cities, one constitutional amendment and a referendum on light rail” – beginning in mid-October. So I’ve got a lot of work to do! My predictions columns will start next week. I tentatively plan to do Suffolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, (including the referendum), Congress and then Senate. Not sure where I’ll work in the constitutional amendment.

~

‘Skins at .500 – OK, so this isn’t “local” unless you consider, as I do, the Washington Redskins our local pro team. The win yesterday was ugly, but a win is a win. Some glaring holes in the defense. And the kicker needs to go. Missing three of four field goals isn’t acceptable. Heck, I probably could have done that – and I’ve never played a down of football in my life!