My latest op-ed, title above, appeared in The Virginian-Pilot last Thursday. It was one of the few times that what I wrote was too long for the space 😦 But the essence of it was there. Two things are clear to me: Lack of leadership on this issue. Except for Tommy Smigiel, no one on … Continue reading ICYMI: Ditch wards for Norfolk School Board
My latest op-ed, title above, appeared in The Virginian-Pilot last Thursday. In it, I discuss House Bill 1585, which was introduced by my delegate, Chris Stolle. Stolle's bill seeks to add two alternative schedules to Va. Code § 22.1-79.1. One would allow the operation of year-round schools, a trend in education. A report by the … Continue reading ICYMI: Another tool in the school toolbox
Will ODU have to leave Conference USA? That's what some think the result of HB 1897 will be. I saw this bill coming - in the fall of 2013. That semester, I was taking a class and had to write a research paper. One of the things that had long intrigued me but I'd never … Continue reading A cap on student fees?
My latest op-ed, title above, appeared in The Virginian-Pilot Friday. With the Virginia General Assembly opening its 2015 session Wednesday and this being an election year for all 140 members, it should be a quite entertaining session. For reference purposes, the numbers I included in the article came from the statistics maintained by the Virginia … Continue reading ICYMI: 45 days of expectations in Richmond
Max Shapiro, in a comment on yesterday's post, raised a very salient point on the issue of electing school board members. It appears that legislation is absolutely required to actually elect the members. A search through the Norfolk charter and code reveals that Max is correct: there is virtually no references to the school board … Continue reading Norfolk elected school boards: an update
Norfolk City Council held two public hearings in December on what form the elected school board should take. I attended both meetings but did not speak because I've made my opinion known. It became clear to me that there is a real need for the system we adopt to contain some elements of both, perhaps … Continue reading Norfolk elected school boards: where we are
Former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell will be sentenced today. The Washington Post has a live blog up, as does The Virginian-Pilot. The recommendation is a sentence of 10-12 years. Maureen McDonnell, the former first lady, will not be sentenced today. Her sentencing is set for mid-February. I'll be joining Bearing Drift's Jim Hoeft on WVEC … Continue reading McDonnell sentencing today
Senator Lynwood Lewis, who represents the 6th district, is holding a series of town hall meetings in advance of the start of the General Assembly session next week. Except as noted, the meetings will be held from 6pm to 7:30pm. Here's the schedule: Norfolk Today, 1/5/15: Mary D. Pretlow Library, 111 W. Ocean View Avenue, … Continue reading Lewis town hall meetings this week
From last night: https://twitter.com/_Gonzi/status/547219344355520512 https://twitter.com/vpaige/status/547220215290134528 And then there's this: Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Stephanie Morales and defense attorneys Mike Rosenberg and Ali Sprinkle had to work quickly to get their names on the ballot. They said they learned on Thursday of the election to replace former Commonwealth's Attorney Earle Mobley and had to spend the weekend … Continue reading Not democracy
Every year, as a requirement for maintaining my CPA license, I have to take an ethics course. Perhaps it is time for something similar for our elected officials. The annual ethics requirement didn’t always exist. It used to be a one-shot deal: after passing the exam, I had to complete a comprehensive professional ethics exam … Continue reading On ethics
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 