I've been really busy over the past 10 days but not so busy that I didn't write a couple of op-eds for The Virginian-Pilot. The Norfolk City Council's vote to elect our school boards by wards prompted my "Wrong on school wards" piece, which appeared Thursday, 1/29. I really wasn't surprised the majority voted for … Continue reading Catching up: last two op-eds
The majority of Norfolk City Council - 5 members - voted in favor of a ward system for our elected school board. I'll have my say in my next op-ed. For now, take a few minutes to watch speakers and the council have their say - notice I didn't say "discuss" - on this issue … Continue reading Norfolk City Council votes for wards
My latest op-ed, title above, appeared in The Virginian-Pilot last Thursday. It was one of the few times that what I wrote was too long for the space 😦 But the essence of it was there. Two things are clear to me: Lack of leadership on this issue. Except for Tommy Smigiel, no one on … Continue reading ICYMI: Ditch wards for Norfolk School Board
My latest op-ed, title above, appeared in The Virginian-Pilot last Thursday. In it, I discuss House Bill 1585, which was introduced by my delegate, Chris Stolle. Stolle's bill seeks to add two alternative schedules to Va. Code § 22.1-79.1. One would allow the operation of year-round schools, a trend in education. A report by the … Continue reading ICYMI: Another tool in the school toolbox
Will ODU have to leave Conference USA? That's what some think the result of HB 1897 will be. I saw this bill coming - in the fall of 2013. That semester, I was taking a class and had to write a research paper. One of the things that had long intrigued me but I'd never … Continue reading A cap on student fees?
My latest op-ed, title above, appeared in The Virginian-Pilot Friday. With the Virginia General Assembly opening its 2015 session Wednesday and this being an election year for all 140 members, it should be a quite entertaining session. For reference purposes, the numbers I included in the article came from the statistics maintained by the Virginia … Continue reading ICYMI: 45 days of expectations in Richmond
Max Shapiro, in a comment on yesterday's post, raised a very salient point on the issue of electing school board members. It appears that legislation is absolutely required to actually elect the members. A search through the Norfolk charter and code reveals that Max is correct: there is virtually no references to the school board … Continue reading Norfolk elected school boards: an update
Norfolk City Council held two public hearings in December on what form the elected school board should take. I attended both meetings but did not speak because I've made my opinion known. It became clear to me that there is a real need for the system we adopt to contain some elements of both, perhaps … Continue reading Norfolk elected school boards: where we are
Former Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell will be sentenced today. The Washington Post has a live blog up, as does The Virginian-Pilot. The recommendation is a sentence of 10-12 years. Maureen McDonnell, the former first lady, will not be sentenced today. Her sentencing is set for mid-February. I'll be joining Bearing Drift's Jim Hoeft on WVEC … Continue reading McDonnell sentencing today
Senator Lynwood Lewis, who represents the 6th district, is holding a series of town hall meetings in advance of the start of the General Assembly session next week. Except as noted, the meetings will be held from 6pm to 7:30pm. Here's the schedule: Norfolk Today, 1/5/15: Mary D. Pretlow Library, 111 W. Ocean View Avenue, … Continue reading Lewis town hall meetings this week
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 