The Virginian-Pilot had a story Saturday about the possibility of an elected school board in Norfolk. Seems some folks have seen the light. Because of what they call a recent series of negative revelations about the public schools, three City Council members say they favor an elected school board. I've long advocated for an elected … Continue reading Past time for an elected school board, Norfolk
Category: Local
Northam GA update
General Assembly Update - February 19, 2010. By Senator Ralph Northam Greetings from Richmond! This week, crossover took place in the General Assembly, with all passed Senate bills going to the House of Delegates for consideration, and vice versa. There was little action on any of the bills I am sponsoring, but the pace will … Continue reading Northam GA update
Norfolk State of the City address
Remarks of Mayor Paul D. Fraim Norfolk State of the City February 19, 2010 Good afternoon. Let me first of all thank the Chamber of Commerce for providing this opportunity to report on progress made and challenges faced during a year that tested our resourcefulness like none in recent memory. 2009 will long be remembered … Continue reading Norfolk State of the City address
Norfolk’s light rail: $338.3M – and who knew what when
Philip Shucet, the new CEO of Hampton Roads Transit, announced Thursday that the Norfolk starter light rail line will cost $338.3 million, a 46% increase over what was originally budgeted. Such a sizeable overage is not normal. According to an earlier article, only four of the 25 light rail projects built since 1997 went over … Continue reading Norfolk’s light rail: $338.3M – and who knew what when
YWCA Benefit: The Vagina Monologues
presents a benefit performance of The Vagina Monologues for the ywca - south hampton roads March 5-6 @ 8pm and March 7 @ 2pm Tickets $15 For reservations please call: 757-214-5430 V-Day is a Global Movement to End Violence Against Women and Girls The award-winning play is based on V-Day Founder/playwright Eve Ensler's interviews with … Continue reading YWCA Benefit: The Vagina Monologues
The lobbyist & the delegate: husband & wife
Despite the General Assembly taking on of various ethics bills for its members, none of the legislation I've seen addresses the lobbyists. And some of these relationships between lobbyists and members of the legislature have a certain odor to them. Case in point: Del. Watkins Abbitt (I (but really R)-59th) and his wife, Madeline. Del. … Continue reading The lobbyist & the delegate: husband & wife
The struggle toward inclusiveness
This op-ed appeared in the Virginian-Pilot on Sunday, February 14, 2010. I’VE BEEN thinking about the subject of race in an ideal society, a world where we talk about race without making everything about race. It’s something I long for, something I once thought was not only possible but just around the corner. I’m no … Continue reading The struggle toward inclusiveness
Hester for Mayor: “It’s time”
Daun Hester kicked off her campaign for Mayor of Norfolk Saturday morning to a standing-room-only sized crowd. Hester, who has served on City Council since 1996, made some pretty bold statements in her speech (video below). There's no turning back for Daun Hester: come July 1, she will either be on council as Mayor or … Continue reading Hester for Mayor: “It’s time”
More on Howell’s asbestos bill
I knew there was something fishy about that asbestos bill that only benefited a single company. The Washington Post's Anita Kumar takes a much closer look in this article and this blog post. What she finds stinks. First we have a group, the American Legislative Exchange Council, which has been pushing legislation for the favored … Continue reading More on Howell’s asbestos bill
Schapiro on Wilder
Richmond Times Dispatch political columnist Jeff Schapiro takes on Doug Wilder's latest missive, published by Politico. He's got some real zingers in here. I'm guessing Schapiro isn't much of a Wilder fan.
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 