Hampton Roads
ICYMI: Showing up at decision time
My latest op-ed, title above, appeared in The Virginian-Pilot Thursday. In hindsight, I think it was appropriate in light of yesterday’s firehouse primary in the 14th Senate, won by Del. John Cosgrove. According to VPAP, there are 124,202 registered voters in the 14th. Using the results from 2012, I’d venture to say that roughly 60% … Continue reading
GOP Senate election tonight
Three Republican candidates square off tonight in a primary for the Virginia Senate seat in the 14th district. The retirement of Harry Blevins opened up the seat, which will be contested in a special election on August 6. The three candidates are Del. John Cosgrove, activist Chris Stearns, and former Chesapeake council candidate Bill Haley. … Continue reading
Norfolk heading for a 4-cent increase in real estate tax rate
According to The Virginian-Pilot’s Jill Nolan, Norfolk Mayor Paul Fraim has the five votes necessary for an 4-cent increase in the real estate tax rate. I guess we can’t complain – Hampton is looking at as much as a 23-cent increase. I’m not completely sold on the need for the additional two cents, although I … Continue reading
But it’s for the children!
Norfolk held a hearing tonight on the proposed 2-cent increase in the real estate tax rate for school construction. Hearing from the parents of children in our schools, most notably Larchmont and Ocean View Elementary Schools, was just heart-wrenching. How our schools ended up in such disrepair is beyond me. None of the speakers were … Continue reading
Norfolk: it’s budget time
City manager Marcus Jones presented his FY 2012 budget to council Tuesday afternoon. The presentation is below. A better copy of the slides used in the presentation can be found here. And the budget itself is here. Council will hold a public hearing on the budget on April 24. Separately, council will hold a public … Continue reading
ICYMI: Where was the civic engagement?
My latest op-ed, title above, appeared in The Virginian-Pilot Thursday. The topic was the public hearing held Tuesday evening as a part of the Norfolk City Council meeting. I wasn’t able to physically be there – because of my teaching schedule this semester – but I rushed home to watch the live stream.(Entire video below.) … Continue reading
Quick hits 03/25/13
Just a few articles you may have missed: Port Authority decision tomorrow. The Virginia Port Authority will decide Tuesday on who will run the port. This is big – and has huge implications for Hampton Roads as well as the entire commonwealth. Cuccinelli opines on transportation and Medicaid. Attorney General/gubernatorial candidate Ken Cuccinelli offered his … Continue reading
Hampton: The Assault On Freedom of Speech
Voter participation is at an all time low for localities. The participation/attending/viewing city council meetings is even lower by citizens. This allows for bad behavior by elected officials to go mostly unnoticed. However, there is always the faithful small group that watches what goes on in local politics and either writes about them on blogs, … Continue reading
It’s coming
Sequestration, that is. Despite recent efforts to sound the alarm on its effects in Hampton Roads and Virginia, including a letter from Gov. Bob McDonnell, I doubt Congress will do its job. Forget the blame game – both sides agreed to this mess because it wasn’t supposed to happen. And now I hear folks saying … Continue reading
Northam: doctor, citizen redux
Back in 2007, when Ralph Northam was running for Senate for the first time, I wrote about how he provided medical care to a boy who had just been hit by a car. Yesterday, the senator found himself in another situation that allowed him to use his medical training: … the Norfolk Democrat used his … Continue reading
Are Virginians paying attention?
My latest op-ed, title above, appeared in The Virginian-Pilot Thursday. It has always bothered me that until a state issue hits the national news, far too many in Virginia were unaware of the issue. Sometimes, like the electoral vote scheme, the state and local media has been covering the topic from the beginning. I wrote … Continue reading
Turpin in for VB Commonwealth’s Attorney
Gregory Turpin announced earlier today that he is running for Commonwealth’s Attorney in Virginia Beach. Current CA Harvey Bryant is retiring. Turpin’s announcement is below the fold.
LOOK WHO’S TALKING