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!

Simple answer to gun show loophole

The City of Hampton has come up with a simple answer to the gun show loophole: don't allow unlicensed dealers at gun shows. As this editorial from The Daily Press points out: Hampton requires promoters who want to sponsor gun shows at its facilities to bring in only licensed dealers. And to make things simple, … Continue reading Simple answer to gun show loophole →

Bouchard: port security expert

The Virginian Pilot has run the occasional "ad watch" column in which they look at a piece of mail and try to determine if the ad is accurate. Saturday, they looked at an ad put out by Chris Stolle which attacked Joe Bouchard on port security. If you recall, there was considerable controversy surrounding the … Continue reading Bouchard: port security expert →

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 →