Shad Planking set for April 21

The 62nd Annual Shad Planking will be held on Wednesday, April 21, beginning at 2pm at the Wakefield Sportsman’s Club. The formal event starts at 4pm and the speaker will be former Senator and former Governor George Allen. Tickets are $20 if purchased before April 1 and $25 thereafter.

With friends like these…

... who needs enemies? The photo at left shows Norfolk Councilman Randy Wright at a McCain/Palin rally. Sitting next to him is Pam Brown, the president of the Norfolk Republican Party, and, I'm told, one of the co-chairs of his campaign. In the blog post which accompanies the photo, Pilot writer Kerry Dougherty calls him … Continue reading With friends like these…

Friday music

This oldie just seems, well, appropriate. Blades are long, clenched tight in their fist Aimin' straight at your back And I don't think they'll miss (What they do) (They smile in your face) All the time they want to take your place The back stabbers (back stabbers) Full lyrics

DPVA JJ Speaker announced: Klobuchar

The senior U. S. Senator from Minnesota, Amy Klobuchar, has been secured as the speaker for the annual Jefferson Jackson Dinner. This year's event features a weekend of activities, but the dinner, to be held on Saturday, March 20 at the Richmond Convention Center, is always the marquee event. Tickets for the dinner are $150 … Continue reading DPVA JJ Speaker announced: Klobuchar

As if on cue: it ain’t about us

Just yesterday, I wrote: Lost in all of this is the reason they were elected in the first place: to represent us, not themselves, to the best of their ability. With rare exceptions, it’s not about us. Exhibit A: Changes to ethics rules in the General Assembly, which seemed almost a sure thing in the … Continue reading As if on cue: it ain’t about us

American Idol results 03/04/10

Four more contestants - two males and two females - were eliminated from the ninth season of American Idol tonight. Since the guys went first this week, they went first for tonight's elimination. John Park, who has a nice voice but seems to always pick the wrong song, was the first one to go. Joining … Continue reading American Idol results 03/04/10

DePaul gets COPN, to build new hospital

It's been a long time coming, but Bon Secours announced today in a press release that the certificate of public need (COPN) to build a new 124-bed DePaul hospital has been issued. “We are pleased that the Deputy Commissioner has approved our plan to build a new Bon Secours DePaul,” said Peter J. Bernard, CEO, … Continue reading DePaul gets COPN, to build new hospital

My legislative agenda: reviewed

In December 2007, I put out my legislative agenda for the 2008 General Assembly session. It consisted of the following: Nonpartisan redistricting Payday lending reform Real estate tax relief Restoring felons right to vote Verifiable voting Throughout the 2008 session, I followed all the bills related to these topics. At the end, while there were … Continue reading My legislative agenda: reviewed

Democracy in action: candidates file for local elections

Tuesday was the filing deadline for the upcoming May 4 local elections. In Norfolk, where we have five ward seats and the mayor on the ballot, 18 candidates have filed. In Portsmouth, three at-large council seats are up, and eight people have filed to fill them. Over in Chesapeake, there will be five at-large seats … Continue reading Democracy in action: candidates file for local elections

Opinion, please: who should have access to voter files?

Last year, a group called The Know Campaign, planned to send out a mailing to households in Virginia, disclosing the voting history of the household and their neighbors. A question arose as to how the non-profit group obtained the voting records, since access to those records is limited to elected officials, candidates and political party … Continue reading Opinion, please: who should have access to voter files?