President George Bush came to Hampton Roads today for a $5,000 per plate fundraiser luncheon for US Rep. Thelma Drake, who did not attend the event. Pilotonline has this story but gives no real reason behind Drake's decision to stay in Washington, only saying that she had "important congressional business" to attend to. Fellow Hampton … Continue reading Bush in town for Drake
Category: Local
Miller versus Webb debate
I expect that this debate may be the first and only time that many people in Hampton Roads will have the opportunity to hear the candidates speak. It was the first time that I have heard Webb speak and only the second time that I have heard Miller. Based on what others have said about … Continue reading Miller versus Webb debate
LWV-SHR: Transportation
Tonight I attended the Annual Meeting of the League of Women Voters of South Hampton Roads. For those who are not familiar with the organization, here is a bit from the national website: The League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan political organization, has fought since 1920 to improve our systems of government and impact public … Continue reading LWV-SHR: Transportation
This ‘n that
Reminder: The deadline for signing up for the Norfolk Real Estate Tax Relief Program for the Elderly and Disabled is June 1. Suffolk council has agreed to - but not voted on - a real estate tax rate reduction, making the proposed rate of 94 cents per $100 of assessed value the lowest in the … Continue reading This ‘n that
Stuck Behind the Speaker
A new blog has appeared called "Stuck Behind the Speaker." Welcome to "Stuck Behind the Speaker," the unofficial blog of the only transportation plan to emerge from the recesses of the 2006 Special Session of the Virginia General Assembly. This ought to be fun!
Robertson’s at it again
Religious broadcaster Pat Robertson is warning that, according to God, storms and possibly a tidal wave will pound America’s coastline this year. Via Pilotonline
Suppressing civic participation
Tonight I attended my civic league meeting. Unlike a lot of other civic leagues around the city (we have in excess of 100 civic leagues), ours only meets quarterly. Tonight's speaker was Dr. Stephen Jones, the relatively new (less than a year) superintendent of Norfolk Schools and a resident of a neighborhood that adjoins ours. … Continue reading Suppressing civic participation
Norfolk real estate tax rate cut another penny
The budget was approved today on a 5-2 vote. It includes another 1 cent reduction in the rate, making the total reduction 8 cents. The new rate is $1.27 per $100 of assessed value. No report in who voted against the budget. Most likely it was Randy Wright and Don Williams, both of who were … Continue reading Norfolk real estate tax rate cut another penny
Thoughts on immigration
I watched the President's speech tonight, as I'm sure many others did. And I've read the posts around the blogsphere and MSM on the issue, looking for insights into this complex problem. Bottom line is there is no simple solution. The US has done little to diminish the flood of immigrants coming across our borders. … Continue reading Thoughts on immigration
City Councils: will they ever learn?
Seems that Portsmouth is the latest city to learn that messing with churches doesn't pay. Council wouldn't let a church move into a vacant building and the church sued in federal court. The case was settled last week for $1.2 million cash plus 1.8 acres of publicly owned land. Back in November, Chesapeake had a … Continue reading City Councils: will they ever learn?
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 