Convicted killer Dexter Lee Vinson was put to death Thursday night after his petition for clemency was denied by Governor Tim Kaine, who said: Having carefully reviewed the Petition for Clemency and judicial opinions regarding this case, I find no compelling reasons to doubt Mr. Vinson’s guilt or to invalidate the sentence recommended by the … Continue reading Kaine denies clemency, inmate put to death
Category: Local
Norfolk Ward 2 candidates
With three contenders, the Ward 2 council race is the liveliest. There is no incumbent for this race, as the seat has been vacated by Paul Fraim, who is running for mayor. The three candidates, all seeking elected office for the first time, are Felisha D. Belin, Andrew J. Wallach and Theresa W. Whibley. I … Continue reading Norfolk Ward 2 candidates
Bay Oaks Park fight not over
The Bay Oaks Park Committee has filed a notice of appeal to the Virginia Supreme Court, asking that the earlier decision be overturned and the petition on the park be reinstated. The group has until June 24 to file the full appeal. The process could easily go into 2007 if the court decides to have … Continue reading Bay Oaks Park fight not over
Incumbency has its perks
According to this article in today's Pilot, most of the money for campaigns has flowed to the incumbents. Challengers are often forced to self-finance, meaning we only get people to run for office if they have their own money. Wallach has loaned almost $39,000 to his campaign while Saunders has loaned hers $35,000. Both of … Continue reading Incumbency has its perks
Norfolk Ward 1 candidates
The race between incumbent Don Williams and challenger Barbara Saunders is a rematch of the 2002 race for the same seat. In 2002, Williams won by only 421 votes, out of 2,941 votes cast. Ward 1 is the smallest of the wards, containing only 6 precincts and about 13,000 registered voters. It is expected to … Continue reading Norfolk Ward 1 candidates
Budget hearing
The Norfolk budget hearing will be held on May 3. From the city's press release: Public Hearing on City Manager’s Proposed 2007 Operating and Capital Improvement Budget NOTE: Input at this public hearing will be limited to comments on the proposed operating and capital improvement budgets only. Wednesday May 3, 2006 6 p.m. Lafayette Winona … Continue reading Budget hearing
Five cents is proposed real estate rate reduction
Tonight, Norfolk City Manager Regina Williams will be presenting the budget to council. The budget includes a 5-cent reduction in the real estate tax rate, from the current $1.35 to $1.30 per $100 of assessed value. The $1.1 billion budget is 6.1% higher than last year's. According to Williams, real estate taxes account for only … Continue reading Five cents is proposed real estate rate reduction
Norfolk Mayoral Candidates
On May 2, Norfolk citizens will have an opportunity to elect our mayor for the first time since 1916. This opportunity was a long time coming. Back in 1997, council first decided to study the issue and appointed a commission to do so. In the fall of 2000, an advisory referendum was held, in which … Continue reading Norfolk Mayoral Candidates
Dean: Voting machines not reliable
Howard Dean, chairman of the DNC, had this to say about voting machines: This is not some Internet conspiracy; this is a serious problem that faces American democracy. These machines are not reliable and they shouldn’t be used. We should not be using machines in this country where the results of the vote can’t be … Continue reading Dean: Voting machines not reliable
Local candidates: No party affiliation on ballots
In Virginia, voters do not register by party. The only hint that a particular voter is Democrat, Republican or Independent is whether or not they vote in party primaries. I don't have a problem with that; after all, voters' party affiliation is a personal choice and "declaring" to be for one party or the other … Continue reading Local candidates: No party affiliation on ballots
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 