I didn’t write the headline for my op-ed that appeared in Monday’s Virginian-Pilot but it was dead on. Those who follow my blog already know that I firmly believe that all politics is local – and that we have a much better shot of affecting local politicians than we do any other.
I’ve received calls, emails, and text messages from people all over Southside Hampton Roads since the article appeared. None of them disagreed – which is a good thing 😉 Here’s a sampling of the responses I’ve received:
Well said, Vivian. Well said.
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Your piece hit it right on the head. It was not too wonkish and pointed out that streets lights and garbage collection is important and impacts us more.
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Your article “show up” was written to and for me. I plead guilty for failing to show up. My Dad who trusted you would be ashamed of me.
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Thanks for the history lesson that the VP published today.. [I] was aware of bits and pieces of the history of voting in Va. and the Dillon rule but you filled in the blanks.
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You did an excellent job telling the folks about the power of the electorate when they go to the polls. As student of local government I concur with your comments about their authority and power. Most people do not realize this.
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Very nice job! They should get you to write columns more often.
I appreciate the feedback. And I hope to continue having my voice heard.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
Nice the see the Virginian-Pilot be a forum for bloggers from both sides….uhm…one side of the aisle.
Actually, the bloggers portion of the paper includes both sides. This wasn’t part of that – and you know it.
Oh – and there certainly wasn’t anything partisan about my op-ed, either.
Hmmm. I’m thinking of an excellent counter-argument to your column.
And I’m thinking you need to write it up for all to see 😉
Would’ve been nice side by side.
How many times do I have to say it? 41 states use Dillon’s Rule (so Virginia isn’t “one of the last states to embrace” Dillon’s Rule Dillon’s Rule makes no difference- the state legislature can give whatever powers it wants to local governments!
First, it’s called editing. Second, by your own admission:
So Virginia’s adherence to the Dillon Rule does make them one of the last to fully embrace it. You can defend its use but as long as Richmond does NOT give the power to the localities, there is no way to adopt the things I often see mentioned as an alternative from people who move to Hampton Roads from states where the rule is either not enforced nor applicable.
Vivian’s right. Other states more loosely apply the Dillon rule, most commonly they allow cities free reign in non-tax and non-fee areas. That would be a nice step for Virginia to take, since the tax area is the part of the Dillon rule that state legislators most rely upon when voicing support for it.
Going to the article topic, the fact that people are not active in local politics is an arguement for the Dillon Rule. Those May elections (now Nov. in VB) and other tactics mentioned along with the Byrd Machine, that minimize participation kinda make forcing the localities to first go through the state for sweeping changes look like a good idea. In addition to the tax issue Brian, there are very real property rights concerns. It is the middle class, the poor, and those without connections that find themselves at the losing end of backroom deals and cronyism.
Your argument doesn’t hold water, Britt. If people aren’t involved, the localities go to the state for changes that the people never weigh in on. We had that problem earlier this year when Norfolk was going to ask for a charter change that would have further disenfranchised the voters. Had we not become aware of it – and acted against it – it would have passed without notice.
Democrats win when voters vote. Apathy and low turnout is the GOBP’s only hope for electoral success.
Scott Brown shocked the world with essentially the same vote count in MA as the McCain/halftermtwitterquitter ticket received 14 months earlier.
When folks complain about their local officials and government, many believe things won’t change and/or their vote doesn’t matter. You have just reminded us once again that our vote does matter and we do count, IF we are engaged. One only has to look at the Norfolk Ward 5 council race between Tommy Smigiel and Randy Wright to see that a change occurred when the citizens of Ward 5 became engaged and voted. We just have to keep reminding ourselves WE have the power to affect change. Thanks!
Vivian,I couln’t find a Reply button under your reply. I even refreshed, sorry to have to post my reply here. Not sure what I was missing.
“Your argument doesn’t hold water, Britt. If people aren’t involved, the localities go to the state for changes that the people never weigh in on.”
I definitely get your point, and maybe we do get the government we deserve. True enough, Virginia Beach does not have a Housing and Redevelopment Authority, because the voters voiced a strong “no” to that one. Thankfully, so. So, I find a lot of merit in your assertion there.
However, your counterpoint makes assumptions. That assumption being that when the city goes to the state for a change, that the change will be accepted because there was no sizable dissenting voice.
I would argue that were the city corrupt and local dissent was met with shadowy intimidation, the state might find something amiss and refuse the requested change.
Had the vast majority in Virginia Beach hypothetically cared not for the residents and landowners in Burton Station and out voted them in a referendum for a Redevelopment Authority (to condemn land that was encouraged to be blighted by zoning restrictions), the State concievably in that hypothetical, could have rejected the change citing discrimination and property rights concerns. I see this restriction on local government as a good thing.
We agree on the need for participation and I enjoyed your featured op-ed. We just differ on the merits of the Dillon Rule, I suppose. I am confident in my view, but I am open to persuasion. Perhaps at some point you’ll open up a topic specifically on the Dillon Rule?
The reply thingee only goes 5 deep so as to avoid those long, skinny comments 🙂 You didn’t miss it.
In theory, you are correct. In practice, though, the GA caves to whatever the localities want (which, I know, does not support my argument that Dillon Rule=bad).
Case in point: when Norfolk wanted to add an 8th member to council (elected mayor) instead of adopting a plan that would keep the number of members at an odd number. A blue ribbon commission was appointed and they recommended the odd number. But no one on council wanted to give up his or her seat. So they compromised. A lot of folks went to Richmond to urge the GA to deny the charter change, to no avail.
And even though adding the 8th member essentially created a 5-3 white majority, not even the Justice Department would help.
(Another problem I have with the rule is that it gives cover to the localities when they don’t want to do something the citizens want. Because we cannot ask for a charter change ourselves, if council doesn’t want it, they won’t request one and blame their lack of action on it.)
Yes, I will start a post on the Dillon rule. I’ll do it next week. It’s been a while since I posted on it.
And glad you liked the op-ed 😉
Did you just hear that laugh coming all the way from Arlington?
Um, no. Why?
“And even though adding the 8th member essentially created a 5-3 white majority, not even the Justice Department would help.”
Why should they? What’s wrong with a 5-3 white majority?
It’s not reflective of the city.
So what? The people of the city are voting them into office, are they not? Is it wrong for a Black to vote for a White or vice versa?
Yes, Warren. That is exactly what Vivian is saying. With years and years of her archives and explained views up here, I’m sure it’s perfectly clear that that’s Vivian’s approach to local politics.
Christ.
Then why care about the skin-color of the elected officials?
Sorry to get here late. Vivian’s lessons on why vote and the Dillon Rule are most useful. Voting is kinda like literacy–if you ain’t got it, you hide your deficit…never talk about it. We now have in Norfolk some outrageous malpractices in the treasurer’s and Comm. of Revenue’s offices. A new, fresh mayor would have felt compelled to set all else aside and get to the bottom of a) 300 cases of lack of tax collections, and b) petty misbehavior between the two tax-related officials. HOWEVER, with a mayor and Council that are still dominated by good-old-boys and do-nothing attitudes, nothing will happen. It was true in the Byrd Machine days (I can remember at age 75)–quite a few state officials were very honest, but they were also beholden and intimidated by the Machine–so they sat quietly and did nothing, thus letting those who were dishonest run the show. Unbelievable that in 2010 we would let that atmosphere continue to prevail in Norfolk. So yes, Vivian, our votes do count, but we’ve “lost all conviction,” as a poet wrote; heck, soon we won’t have schools that teach such poets. Our governor was, in fact, trained at a graduate school in Virginia Beach that already forbids what they consider to be a “too-liberal education.” Soon our kids will be looking at Texas-style book lists! As Virginia’s AG Cuccinelli sues the US government, one is reminded of Joe McCarthy days: Tell a lie that’s big enough to seem ridiculous and wise people will ignore it–while legislators will pursue it.
Do you think we’ll get a report from Norfolk City Council on the possible malfeasance in the tax offices? If not, it’s because we, the citizens, don’t insist upon it.