My latest column appeared in The Virginian-Pilot Thursday. Lots of figures from the results of Tuesday's election - because that was really the only thing that was different as compared to four years ago. Here's the big thing: if the folks who turned out Tuesday stay involved in the process, they can make a difference. … Continue reading Low turnout – but better
The three incumbents running for Williamsburg City Council were all re-elected Tuesday, despite the fact that next Thursday they will almost certainly approve a budget that increases taxes, possibly multiple taxes. When City Manager Jack Tuttle proposed a budget two months ago that included increases in the real estate tax rate, personal property tax rate, … Continue reading How to Survive Raising Taxes
Back in January I wrote a blog relating to a policy the Hampton School Board was working on which would censor what employees could say with the threat of being sued or fired if they said anything prejudicial to the interest to Hampton City Schools. The statement was so vague it could have even been … Continue reading Follow up on Hampton School Board and Censorship
UPDATED Wednesday, 5/2: Were there any surpises in Hampton Roads last night? I think not. The candidates with the most money won. Only a couple of incumbents lost. Slates of candidates did well: witness the results in Hampton and Chesapeake. With more and more localities moving local elections to November, primarily because of state funding, I … Continue reading Election night results
It's Election Day in many of the localities in Hampton Roads. Here are the Voter Guides for Hampton and Newport News from the Virginia Peninsula MAL Unit of the League of Women Voters Hampton Mayoral Race Hampton City Council Race Hampton School Board Race Newport News City Council Race Newport News School Board Race The … Continue reading Election Day
The Hampton Roads Chamber of Commerce sent questionnaires to the candidates in Tuesday's election. The candidates' completed questionnaires can be found here. Yes, I read through them all. Seems like some folks didn't understand the questions 😉
Perhaps it is because there are four candidates in the Ward 6 race that the Ward 7 race, with just two candidates, has been pretty much of a sleeper. Or maybe it is because the differences between the two wards in terms of fundraising is so stark: according to VPAP, over $154,000 had been raised … Continue reading Norfolk’s Ward 7
Reading through this article, a paragraph caught my eye: What makes this an effective and rational strategy, of course, is the phenomenon known as “free riding.” When you think about it, it’s pretty irrational for any of us to vote. During these endless campaigns, it takes an extraordinary amount of time and energy to inform … Continue reading Political free riding
I attended the candidates forum hosted by Norfolk GAINS last night. A report of the event from Virginian-Pilot educational reporter Steven Vegh is here. The forum, like the group, focused on our public schools. Perhaps the very best part of the forum was the questions themselves. Rare is the case when I attend candidate forums … Continue reading Norfolk GAINS candidates forum
The Virginian-Pilot editorial board published its endorsements for Norfolk council today, with predictable results. About the only thing they did in this editorial that I didn't expect was to mention by name every candidate running. That's a good thing: name ID is one of the top issues that challengers face.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 