Category: Local

Sen. Webb’s diversity diversion

My latest op-ed, with the title above, appeared in The Virginian-Pilot Wednesday.  Since I wrote this blog post, the response of the Virginia NAACP"s executive director was made public and he was interviewed on TV. The discussion of Sen. Webb's op-ed continues, both online and off. (Just ran across this post last night.) I suspect … Continue reading Sen. Webb’s diversity diversion →

Activist judges: in the eye of the beholder

Exhibit A: Commonwealth of Virginia v. Kathleen Sebelius Exhibit B: Perry v. Schwarzenegger Which of these rulings is the result of a co-called "activist judge?" I happen to think neither, but there are plenty who disagree. We have gotten to the point where any decision with which we disagree had to be handed down by … Continue reading Activist judges: in the eye of the beholder →

Retire in order to serve?

That's the choice that Del. Dickie Bell had to make. "We are pleased to accommodate you and support you as a citizen legislator in the Virginia General Assembly," [Staunton School Board Chairman John] Ocheltree wrote. "We trust, however, that you recognize that your extended absence from your teaching duties creates hardship for the school division … Continue reading Retire in order to serve? →

Another day, another McDonald revelation

The Virginian-Pilot had another front page, above-the-fold, article about Norfolk's Commissioner of the Revenue Sharon McDonald.  This time, it is a hiring and spending freeze ordered by City Manager Regina Williams. The order came as the result of McDonald transferred an employee who accompanied her on trips to Richmond from the city's payroll to the … Continue reading Another day, another McDonald revelation →

Pitts: Lead, follow or get out of the way

Leonard Pitts of the Miami Herald has an interesting column on teachers versus teachers unions. In it, he discusses the effect that unions can have on the educational system. Americans seem to be rallying around a demand for education reform. Apparently, we've had enough of students failing schools and schools failing students. We know our … Continue reading Pitts: Lead, follow or get out of the way →

Governor to visit Norfolk Aug. 9

Governor Bob McDonnell will hold a series of town hall meetings across the state beginning August 4. Dubbed the "Virginia Speaks" tour, the series will allow citizens to speak directly to the Governor and members of his cabinet and administration. The only Hampton Roads stop is scheduled for Monday, August 9, from 7pm to 8:30pm … Continue reading Governor to visit Norfolk Aug. 9 →

Cuccinelli to donate tainted campaign funds

It's about time. Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli has finally decided to divest himself of the campaign donations he received from Bobby Thompson, the director of the U.S. Navy Veterans Association. The organization and its director have come under scrutiny in numerous states. According to the article, six states plus Virginia have launched investigations and Thompson … Continue reading Cuccinelli to donate tainted campaign funds →

The classroom as prime real estate

Loved the headline, above, which was on my latest op-ed in Wednesday's paper.  Readers of this blog may recognize some of the content as having been from this earlier blog post. It was this Wall Street Journal article that prompted me to dust it off and update it for the op-ed. The stats I used … Continue reading The classroom as prime real estate →

Local races update

A not-so-quick update on what's going on in Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, and Norfolk. I'll have to wait until I have more time to catch up on the other local races in Hampton Roads this November. Portsmouth The interim mayor of Portsmouth, selected by the council, turned out to be a former Vice Mayor Bernard Griffin. … Continue reading Local races update →