In case you missed it, my latest op-ed appeared in Wednesday's Virginian-Pilot. A picture, they say, is worth a thousand words, and the graphic to the left gets to the core of what I was trying to say. I realized, as I was working on the piece and talking to people, that many are not … Continue reading Beyond partisan rhetoric: the bell curve
Category: Local
Budget surplus
Gov. Bob McDonnell announced Wednesday a budget surplus of $220 million. Part of that surplus comes from the accelerated collection of sales tax, a shell game of sorts that shifts funds normally collected in July to June. This isn't a new trick - we've seen it before - but it does cloud a bit the … Continue reading Budget surplus
Holley recall open thread
7:54 Final numbers: 10,821 voted in favor of recall, 5,154 against. I can guess what the headlines will look like tomorrow. ~ 7:47 pm All but the provisional ballots and one precinct are in. 10,331 voted in favor of recall, 4,987 voted against. The total votes cast - 15,318 - exceeded the total number of … Continue reading Holley recall open thread
Caring for all of Norfolk means advocating for all neighborhoods
Guest post by Councilman Tommy Smigiel, whose edited letter appeared in the Virginian-Pilot today. Here is the unedited version. I’d like to set the record straight and step out on a positive note after reading Kevin Murphy’s letter to the editor “Downtown is No. 1 in growth” (Virginian-Pilot, July 9). In his remarks Kevin Murphy … Continue reading Caring for all of Norfolk means advocating for all neighborhoods
Open thread: Dillon Rule
One of the first posts I wrote on this blog was about the Dillon Rule. And if you search this blog, you'll find that I often rail against it. I promised last week to open a thread where we could discuss it. From an editorial in today's Virginian-Pilot: The state's rigid adherence to the Dillon … Continue reading Open thread: Dillon Rule
Sometimes, it’s not about race
In an editorial Sunday, The Virginian-Pilot called for the recall of Portsmouth Mayor James Holley, who faces such an election for the second time Tuesday. In an op-ed a few pages later, writer Nathan McCall says the mayor should be allowed to finish the remaining two years of his term and then go quietly into … Continue reading Sometimes, it’s not about race
Norfolk credit card policy
As a Norfolk taxpayer and as a CPA, I found the following statement in this story troublesome: McDonald said that city policy does not explicitly state appropriate and inappropriate use of its credit cards. I obtained from the city a copy of the document that is required to be signed at the time the credit … Continue reading Norfolk credit card policy
Alveta Green appointed to Norfolk council
Former School Board member Alveta Green was appointed Thursday afternoon to the Superward 7 seat on Norfolk council. The seat became vacant due to the required relinquishment by Daun Hester, who challenged Paul Fraim for mayor. The rule dates back to a challenge made by former Ward 3 councilman Herbert Collins, who ran against Hester … Continue reading Alveta Green appointed to Norfolk council
Woah! What’s Hampton School Board up to?
The Hampton School Board has been in the news quite a bit lately. We have the board suing its former superintendent - and him counter-suing. Then there's the School Board attorney. Seems she is using a job offer from another school district to wrangle a new contract, not unusual by any means. What is unusual … Continue reading Woah! What’s Hampton School Board up to?
It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day
This song has been bouncing around in my head for quite some time. And while it's been covered by almost everyone, the original by Nina Simone remains the best. Take a minute, close your eyes, and listen to the master. Last week, I witnessed a new day in Norfolk. I was there when Councilman Tommy … Continue reading It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 