Month: October 2007

Pilot v Press: 9 days out

I subscribe to The Virginian Pilot and read The Daily Press online. I'm no fan of the recently redesigned Press website - poorly organized, opinions are intermixed with LTEs - but I still visit daily. They tend to post new stories - even those from the Southside - before PilotOnline gets them. PilotOnline, on the … Continue reading Pilot v Press: 9 days out →

Pilot endorses Bouchard, Mathieson

The Virginian Pilot announced its endorsements in the Virginia Beach races this morning, choosing Joe Bouchard in the 83rd and Bobby Mathieson in the 21st. On Bouchard: For years now, Bouchard has been a persuasive but quiet voice guiding deliberations on the biggest regional issues — the port, the future of Oceana Naval Air Station, … Continue reading Pilot endorses Bouchard, Mathieson →

No to Barker gay-boating*

Y'all all know how I feel about local politics: I'd much rather write about the stuff close to home than the stuff happening elsewhere. Then there are the times when "home" has a much broader meaning. Such is the case with Democratic Senate candidate George Barker. Barker has been the target of a malicious mailing … Continue reading No to Barker gay-boating* →

Candidates forum – Roosevelt Gardens

The Roosevelt Gardens Civic League hosted a candidates' forum for the 87th House and 6th Senate districts Tuesday night. I arrived just before the 7pm start time and found that the candidates had been sequestered! I never seen that before. The Democratic candidates were in one room and the Republican candidates in another. They were … Continue reading Candidates forum – Roosevelt Gardens →

Norfolk teacher named Virginia Teacher of the Year

From PilotOnline: Norview High School’s Tommy Smigiel was named 2008 Virginia Teacher of the Year on Friday, making him the first Norfolk teacher to receive that honor in at least 40 years. Now don't go getting a big head and all 😉 With the award, Smigiel won $7,500 as well as technology and professional development … Continue reading Norfolk teacher named Virginia Teacher of the Year →

Norfolk endorsements: Northam, no one

The Virginian Pilot's endorsements for the two Norfolk races have been released - with a surprise. In the 6th Senate district, the Pilot endorsed Democratic challenger Ralph Northam. The good doctor would bring wisdom and expertise to the General Assembly as it makes difficult health care trade-offs between cost, quality and access. For Accomack and … Continue reading Norfolk endorsements: Northam, no one →

Follow the money: Citizens for the Commonwealth

The reports are coming in of the distribution of the money by this new PAC which I mentioned earlier. VPAP shows that they are handing out the $425,000 they have raised so far in tight races across the Commonwealth: S027 Holtzman Vogel, Jill Citizens for the Commonwealth 10/25/2007 $15,000 H068 Loupassi, Manoli Citizens for the … Continue reading Follow the money: Citizens for the Commonwealth →

Where the candidates stand: gun show loophole

I have to admit that none of the arguments against closing the gun show loophole are persuasive. Yet, as you can see from the graphic, there are some people who believe it shouldn't be closed. As always, click to enlarge. (Graphic credit: The Virginian Pilot)

On the passing of Alice Kellam

Alice M. Kellam, the mother of Virginia Beach Commissioner of the Revenue Phil Kellam, passed away yesterday at the age of 86. My thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time.