Category: Local

Steele on Smith: “He’s from the community”

Ryan Nobles interviewed RNC chair Michael Steele who was in town stumping for Chuck Smith, the Republican challenging longtime Democrat Bobby Scott in the 3rd Congressional District. Steele must have been using his talking points shortcut (about 1:06 of the video): Yeah, he's from the community, alright. Just not the community where he wants to … Continue reading Steele on Smith: “He’s from the community” →

Norfolk, VA Beach council races fundraising

The always excellent Virginia Public Access Project has compiled the numbers from the financial reports due yesterday. Here's where we are: Norfolk In the special election to fill the unexpired term of Daun Hester in Superward 7, there are four candidates. Earl Fraley, Jr. - no report as of this writing Phillip Hawkins, Jr.  - … Continue reading Norfolk, VA Beach council races fundraising →

Bring Virginia’s constitution into the 21st century

My latest op-ed, title above, appeared in Wednesday's Virginian-Pilot. The frequent changes to the constitution of Virginia - including the three amendments on the ballot this November - got me to thinking.  Perhaps it is time for a constitutional convention. The last time the constitution was revised was 1971. Rather that a slew of amendments, … Continue reading Bring Virginia’s constitution into the 21st century →

WTH, Councilman Winn?

An email with the subject "Please Join Randy Wright and Barclay Winn at Cagney's this Saturday" was forwarded to me Wednesday. Here's the content (click to enlarge): Would somebody please explain to me why Councilman Barclay Winn has teamed up with the former council member and not the current council member for a breakfast? There … Continue reading WTH, Councilman Winn? →

House Democratic Caucus leadership on ABC

Delegate Joe Morrissey (D-74th), the Minority Floor Whip, will be holding a fundraiser Thursday evening at the Boat House Restaurant at Rockett's Landing. During his remarks to those assembled, he will speak about Governor Bob McDonnell's plan to privatize ABC. This will mark the first time that the House Democratic Caucus leadership has spoken on … Continue reading House Democratic Caucus leadership on ABC →

Opinion, please: what makes you…

... call yourself a Democrat or a Republican? I've been thinking about this party label thing and wondering how others get to the point of choosing sides when it comes to party identification. (Here is a recent Gallup survey on party ID for the country.) It's a question I'd love to pose to elected D's … Continue reading Opinion, please: what makes you… →

Del. Abbott helps Norfolk homeowner

A Norfolk homeowner, facing foreclosure, was helped recently by Newport News Delegate Robin Abbott.  Abbott, an attorney,  offered to help elementary school teacher Michele McBeth after reading of the woman's attempts to save her home in the newspaper. Abbott, who specializes in consumer and mortgage law, scheduled an emergency hearing with a judge to stop … Continue reading Del. Abbott helps Norfolk homeowner →

Beach man abuses credit card, charged with embezzlement

And he wasn't missing any receipts. At least three bureau officials reviewed [Reggie] Stevenson's charges every month. But they usually verified only that the charges matched the receipts that Stevenson presented. They did not question the appropriateness of the expenses, even though that's required by city policy, Remias said. "That's where the big gap is," … Continue reading Beach man abuses credit card, charged with embezzlement →

City-paid private club memberships

The Virginian-Pilot has been on a roll lately, documenting and reporting on various behaviors of our local governments. It is what the hometown newspaper should be doing and I applaud them for it. Today's other big story is about the taxpayer dollars being spent on private club memberships.  At least it's not just Norfolk this … Continue reading City-paid private club memberships →