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!

Richmonder Yamin booted off Idol

In another life, I made my living singing six nights a week. (And I was a music major in college originally.) So I'm a big fan of American Idol (and thank goodness for Tivo 🙂 ) If this program had been around 20 years ago, I would have been in first line to audition. This … Continue reading Richmonder Yamin booted off Idol →

This ‘n that

Reminder: The deadline for signing up for the Norfolk Real Estate Tax Relief Program for the Elderly and Disabled is June 1. Suffolk council has agreed to - but not voted on - a real estate tax rate reduction, making the proposed rate of 94 cents per $100 of assessed value the lowest in the … Continue reading This ‘n that →

Stuck Behind the Speaker

A new blog has appeared called "Stuck Behind the Speaker." Welcome to "Stuck Behind the Speaker," the unofficial blog of the only transportation plan to emerge from the recesses of the 2006 Special Session of the Virginia General Assembly. This ought to be fun!

Robertson’s at it again

Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson is warning that, according to God, storms and possibly a tidal wave will pound America’s coastline this year. Via Pilotonline

Suppressing civic participation

Tonight I attended my civic league meeting. Unlike a lot of other civic leagues around the city (we have in excess of 100 civic leagues), ours only meets quarterly. Tonight's speaker was Dr. Stephen Jones, the relatively new (less than a year) superintendent of Norfolk Schools and a resident of a neighborhood that adjoins ours. … Continue reading Suppressing civic participation →

Norfolk real estate tax rate cut another penny

The budget was approved today on a 5-2 vote. It includes another 1 cent reduction in the rate, making the total reduction 8 cents. The new rate is $1.27 per $100 of assessed value. No report in who voted against the budget. Most likely it was Randy Wright and Don Williams, both of who were … Continue reading Norfolk real estate tax rate cut another penny →

Thoughts on immigration

I watched the President's speech tonight, as I'm sure many others did. And I've read the posts around the blogsphere and MSM on the issue, looking for insights into this complex problem. Bottom line is there is no simple solution. The US has done little to diminish the flood of immigrants coming across our borders. … Continue reading Thoughts on immigration →

Role models

Last week, I ran across this article about blacks needing to pick the right role models. One section seemed tojump out at me: Historians have noted that before Rosa Parks became the mother of the civil rights movement, at least two other women had been arrested for challenging segregation laws. But boycott organizer E.D. Nixon … Continue reading Role models →

City Councils: will they ever learn?

Seems that Portsmouth is the latest city to learn that messing with churches doesn't pay. Council wouldn't let a church move into a vacant building and the church sued in federal court. The case was settled last week for $1.2 million cash plus 1.8 acres of publicly owned land. Back in November, Chesapeake had a … Continue reading City Councils: will they ever learn? →

Edds on Democratic Primary

Margaret Edds is one of my favorite writers. She seems to just "get it." In today's editorial, which appears in the Pilot, she points out the apparent disconnect between national Democrats and Virginia Democrats in whom they support for the nomination - Harris Miller or Jim Webb - to run against George Allen. She makes … Continue reading Edds on Democratic Primary →