Author: Vivian J. Paige

A former candidate, I've learned a lot about politics, both good and bad. I'd prefer more of the former and a lot less of the latter and I'm trying to do my part!

American Idol results 5/12/10: top 3

The top four contestants sang songs from the movies Wednesday night, with Jaime Foxx as the mentor. Although they had a lot to choose from, all of them chose really strange songs. Wednesday's results show reminded us that the top three gets to visit their home. Joy. More fodder for filling airtime. Tonight's fill took … Continue reading American Idol results 5/12/10: top 3 →

Updates: Portsmouth mayor, Norfolk council

Portsmouth mayor files challenge to recall In an interesting twist, Portsmouth Mayor James Holley III has filed a challenge to the recall attempts of the voters. The mayor continues to say he will not resign. The brief, one-page complaint challenges the sufficiency of the petition against him, the genuineness of the nearly 8,800 signatures, and … Continue reading Updates: Portsmouth mayor, Norfolk council →

Poor Michael Steele

Sometimes, I feel sorry for the guy - I really do. Yesterday was one of those times. As the RNC chair, Michael Steele had to release a statement denouncing Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan. That's politics today - if the nomination had come from a Republican president instead of a Democratic one, the statement from … Continue reading Poor Michael Steele →

Lena Horne: 1917 – 2010

I can't say I was a big fan but the passing of singer/actress Lena Horne requires acknowledgment. If you are not familiar with her story, this New York Times article is worth a read. By far, her signature song was "Stormy Weather." Here is the full performance from 1943:

Who is Norfolks’s Don Segretti?

Whoever sent out the flyer attacking Daun Hester and using the name of the Paul Fraim campaign might want to familiarize himself with Donald Segretti. Segretti, a Republican political operative, faked the letterhead of Democratic candidate Edmund Muskie. He also apparently stole letterhead from the Hubert Humphrey campaign and used it to send out false … Continue reading Who is Norfolks’s Don Segretti? →

Portsmouth mayor recall underway

Friday, a group of Portsmouth residents turned in petitions containing almost 8,800 signatures, the first step in the process to recall the mayor. James Holly, who was last elected in 2008, was fined $2,500 by his fellow council members last year, who also asked for his resignation. The mayor refused to do so. The next … Continue reading Portsmouth mayor recall underway →

Friday fun: what happened the year you were born?

A Car Cost $2275 Dwight Eisenhower is president of the US Sit-ins being after 4 black college students in North Carolina refuse to move from a deli counter when denied service A U-2 reconnaissance plane belonging to the US is shot down in the Soviet Union Hurricane "Donna" strikes the East Coast causing over 100 … Continue reading Friday fun: what happened the year you were born? →

Special election to be held to fill Hester’s seat

A bill introduced by Del. Clay Athey and signed into law by Governor Bob McDonnell has changed the process I outlined earlier by which councilwoman Daun Hester's seat will be filled. The bill, HB1014, overrides the charter provisions which previously allowed council to appoint a replacement for the remaining two years on Hester's term and, … Continue reading Special election to be held to fill Hester’s seat →

Norfolk budget forum online

Not sure how this got by me but tonight, as I attended the only public forum the city is holding on the budget, I was informed of the online forum on the city's website. The purpose of the forum is to allow citizens to comment on the budget. Some 60 people provided their comments to … Continue reading Norfolk budget forum online →