VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local

Richardson withdraws as Commerce Sec

Sunday, January 4, 2009 – 2:29 pm

According to numerous sources, New Mexico Governor and former presidential candidate Bill Richardson has withdrawn his name for the nomination for Secretary of Commerce.

The Democratic officials said Richardson cited the distraction of a federal investigation into his ties to a California company that won municipal bond business in New Mexico after contributing money to various Richardson causes.

Statements issued by both Richardson and President-elect Obama are available here.

If the investigation was enough to cause him to withdraw his name, it should be enough to prompt his resignation as governor. The NM LG, Diane Denish, a candidate for governor, doesn’t deserved to be dragged down because of him.

By vjp | Posted in Bill Richardson, National, Politics | Comments (8)

The Pulpit Speaks: December 1959

Sunday, January 4, 2009 – 2:11 pm

An article written by my father, the Rev. C. Thomas Paige, as it appeared in the Tri-State Defender. This particular article did not have an exact date on it. From its contents, it was written in the month and year shown.

“And unto one He gave five talents; to another two, and to another one, to every man according to his several ability; and straightway took his journey.” — Luke 25:15

Only in a matter of a few hours, many of us will be celebrating New Year’s Day. Many of us approach this day with mixed emotions. The past years have left many people with tear-stained faces, broken hearts, broken dreams and many misapprehensions. We are rather reluctant to start a new year. Our abilities to endure much of the same is just about exhausted. Not only did this happen to us as individuals but we also see the same things happening to our friends and acquaintances. The world about us is filled with tensions and we find ourselves going around in circles.

This is not something that has just happened. Men throughout history have been plagued with similar ordeals. But history also reveals that men have been able to rise above these things and go on and make their contribution to society. There is one thing that all of us must constantly remember: this is not something just happening to us but to all men in all walks of life.

Continue reading →

By vjp | Posted in Religion, The Pulpit Speaks | Comments (0)

Savage in, new candidates page

Sunday, January 4, 2009 – 12:56 pm

As expected, Rich Savage has announced his candidacy for Lieutenant Governor. Savage is a political consultant and small business owner. His website can be found here. That brings the total to three Democratic candidates pursuing the LG nomination. I saw posted on another blog that a fourth candidate may announce.

With so many candidates, I decided to create a page on this blog with links to all of them. At least it will make it easier for me to track them. Hopefully, you’ll find it useful as well.

UPDATE: Better article on Savage here.

By vjp | Posted in 2009 Elections, Local, Politics, Virginia | Comments (0)

Macker announces

Saturday, January 3, 2009 – 5:18 pm

Terry McAuliffe announces that he will announce his candidacy on Wednesday. Was there any doubt?

The campaign also released a schedule of townhall meetings and events to be held around the state as a campaign kick off. The events begin Wednesday, January 7 and are scripted thru January 15.

By vjp | Posted in 2009 Gubernatorial Race, Local, Politics, Terry McAuliffe, Virginia | Comments (10)

Connolly open house reception

Saturday, January 3, 2009 – 1:19 pm

You are cordially invited to an open house reception following the swearing-in of

Gerry Connolly

Congressman from Virginia’s 11th District

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

2 PM - 6 PM

Cannon Office Building - Room 327

Light Refreshments will be Served

To RSVP, please email Donald at info@gerryconnolly.com.

By vjp | Posted in Local, Politics, Virginia | Comments (0)

Petition for OTR

Saturday, January 3, 2009 – 1:02 pm

Almost every Saturday, I have posted the topics and guests for On The Record, hosted by Joel Rubin. Unfortunately, last Sunday’s show was the last. A group of concerned citizens has started a petition which acknowledges that WVEC is unlikely to change its mind on this but wants “other media outlets in the region” to know “that there is a demand for the kind of informed dialogue that Joel Rubin brought to our homes each week.”

If you agree, please sign the petition, let others know of its existence, and encourage them to sign as well.

By vjp | Posted in Hampton Roads, Local, Politics, Virginia | Comments (4)

Wilder enters the blogosphere

Friday, January 2, 2009 – 12:32 pm

Yep, you read that right. Former governor and most recently, Richmond mayor, L. Douglas Wilder has entered the blogosphere. His blog is here. He intends to cover local and national politics.

The people are always ahead of politicians. Citizens provide the support for the vision and impetus for government – fighting crime, protecting the river, improving schools, and so on.

This will be an interesting blog to watch. Welcome to the blogosphere, Governor!

By vjp | Posted in National, Politics, Virginia | Comments (1)

2009 resolutions

Friday, January 2, 2009 – 10:59 am

You know you’re going to make them And, even worse, break them But here is one that you could make and not break: seek out a little solitude.

Back in 1998, the late psychologist Ester Buchholz wrote in Psychology Today magazine, “Life’s creative solutions require alonetime. Solitude is required for the unconscious to process and unravel problems. Others inspire us, information feeds us, practice improves our performance, but we need quiet time to figure things out, to emerge with new discoveries, to unearth original answers. … The natural creativity in all of us — the sudden and slow insights, bursts and gentle bubbles of imagination — is found as a result of alonetime. Passion evolves in aloneness. Both creativity and curiosity are bred through contemplation.”

Sounds like a plan.

So what’s on your list?

By vjp | Posted in Fun stuff | Comments (8)

Sen. John Miller Town Hall meetings

Friday, January 2, 2009 – 9:01 am

Senator John Miller will hold four town hall metings prior to the start of the General Assembly session, which convenes on January 14th. From the press release:

“This session of the General Assembly will be dealing with many difficult issues. In addition to make hard decisions on where to cut the budget, legislators will deal with whether to increase the cigarette tax, ban smoking in restaurants and how to fund transportation,” Senator Miller said. “I want to give my constituents the opportunity to tell me how they feel about these things and other important issues that affect them and their families. I look forward to hearing the views of my constituents. It helps guide my decisions in the Senate.”

The schedule:

Poquoson - Tuesday, Jan. 6, 7pm-8:30pm, Public Library, 500 City Hall Avenue
Hampton - Wednesday, Jan. 7, 7pm-8:30pm, Booker Elementary School, 1600 Apollo Drive
Newport News - Thursday, Jan. 8, 7pm-8:30pm, Ferguson Center for the Arts - Music and Theatre Hall at CNU
York County - Saturday, Jan. 10, 2pm-3:30pm, Tabb Library, 100 Long Green Road

By vjp | Posted in Hampton Roads, Local, Politics, Virginia | Comments (0)

2008 Top Ten

Thursday, January 1, 2009 – 12:01 pm

Reviewing 2008, the top ten posts on this blog (based on the number of times viewed):

I excluded from the list the views of the various static pages on the blog. Interestingly enough, My Representatives and Contact me rank pretty high, too.

By vjp | Posted in blogging | Comments (0)