In tax season full tilt so this will be quick.
We’re #1! Too bad it’s at being the first in the nation to have a law (governor will sign) that puts abortion clinics in the same category as hospitals. With “friends” like Chuck Colgan and Phil Puckett, who needs enemies?
We’re #50! Well, not yet, but I expect we will be the last state to approve any recognition of same-sex couples. History is not on our side. And I don’t expect to live long enough to see it.
Suffolk WTH? The finance director says he was forced out. He was the fifth person to occupy the office since 2006. Something tells me the problem over there ain’t the finance director. Suffolk Council – are you paying attention?
Wait – I thought we were broke? Two of the three hired by Norfolk’s new city manager are coming from outside the city. Not saying that we don’t need a budget director but two assistants?
Finally, can we give the VA SEN race a rest already? I know we political junkies are always looking ahead but seriously – we’ve got the entire General Assembly up for election in November. Can we concentrate on that first?
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 
Re: We’re #1.
Senate Democrats need to be called out for the idiocy that led to this.
And I’m not talking about Colgan and Puckett.
They should never have let a bill amending that section of the code out of the Senate in the first place. The bill was of course merely an excuse for the amendment added in the House. Somebody needs to take charge in that Caucus and look out for the end game.
Totally agree. This should not have happened. But at least one of those guys should have taken a walk. So I’m not letting them off the hook.
Given how incompetent or just apathetic Norfolk government is, I’m willing to give Jones a pass on hiring his own people. He’s got a heck of a job to do and the only way he’s going to get it done is by bringing in people he trusts and bypassing the normal hiring process that would probably just lead to more cronies of Fraim and the other old hands on council.
It’s probably too soon to say this, but just based on what I’ve seen so far. Jones and Superintendent Bentley may be the best things to happen to Norfolk in a long time. Correct me if I’m wrong, but when was the last time there were budget town hall meetings for both school board and the city in general? They’ve been jointly making the rounds to civic leagues, meeting with civic league presidents privately, and really bringing a lot more people into the process.
Then again, I haven’t been around Norfolk for nearly as long as you have Vivian, so if this stuff has been done before, let me know.
Every manager the city has had during the time I’ve lived in Norfolk has brought in their own people – it’s the way most do things.
As for the budget meetings – this was something that Regina Williams tried to do a couple of years ago (at least) but it never quite got off the ground.
Forgive me for being cynical, but I think they are going to use the input from the meetings to justify what they wanted to do all along, just making it appear that the people are being listened to.
No forgiveness needed, I’m sure I’ll be right there with you before long.
Vivian,
Good point. Colgan’s probably not running again anyway. And he’s old. He could have gone to the rest room during that vote.
The assault on woman and children has migrated south from the House of Representatives to the Virginia Senate.
Sitting on your backside, not getting involved, not caring to vote is not an option. That will only lead to a teabag nation and governance of a war on the poor and middle class.
Are we mad enough yet?
What ARE you talking about?
Taken a walk? What is it with you Democrats and not voting?
Actually I commend Puckett and Colgan for voting their consciences instead of following the party line. Colgan especially since he is retiring, would probably not want to walk away from voting for something he cares about.