Guest post by Maria LoPresto Many of us concerned about Norfolk’s government ask for transparency, yet not all of us take the time to make our concerns known during the budget process. WHY is the budget process important to the average citizen? What is important about this process and why should be we care? The … Continue reading Democracy does not end at the ballot box
Category: Local
Take out the trash day: Norfolk police chief to retire
Aficionados of The West Wing will recognize that Friday is Take Out The Trash Day. The latest release came a bit ago, innocently entitled "City of Norfolk Announces Staffing Changes." Within the release was a relative bombshell: Police Chief Bruce Marquis will retire effective April 1. The chief has been under fire lately related to … Continue reading Take out the trash day: Norfolk police chief to retire
Norfolk bails on Tivest deal
From a press release this morning: NORFOLK –The City of Norfolk administration received information this morning that the STOP Organization has reversed its decision to be a tenant in the Midtown Office Tower. The City’s participation was contingent upon Tivest Holdings, LLC being able to confirm that the STOP Organization was committed to the project. … Continue reading Norfolk bails on Tivest deal
GA update from Sen. Ralph Northam
By Sen. Ralph Northam With only one full week remaining in the 2011 General Assembly session, the House and Senate are working hard to complete action on the budget and other legislation. Several of my bills have passed both chambers and now await the Governor’s signature, including measures to ease access for our veterans to … Continue reading GA update from Sen. Ralph Northam
The Byrd machine’s continuing influence
My latest op ed, title above, appeared in Wednesday's The Virginian-Pilot. The shadow of Harry F. Byrd, Sr. is a long one, despite his death almost 45 years ago. It permeates so much of what we do in modern day Virginia. I found it ironic that Byrd's rise to prominence was based on his opposition … Continue reading The Byrd machine’s continuing influence
Remarks to City Council on Tivest Project
Sometimes, right and left take a back seat to right and wrong. With that, here's what I said to City Council today about the Midtown Office Building project: By Coby Dillard That a majority of City Council has spoken in support of this project, in a time where our schools continue to fall apart and … Continue reading Remarks to City Council on Tivest Project
Norfolk: Just say no
This morning's newspaper reported that the developer of the office building project paid delinquent real estate taxes on properties it owns in the city. The taxes, penalty and interest on more than a dozen properties were paid for properties the company owns in Broad Creek, a development in central Norfolk in which the city has … Continue reading Norfolk: Just say no
Replacing Webb
The announcement that Senator Jim Webb will not seek reelection caught a lot of people by surprise. While thanking him for his service, speculation began almost immediately as to whom the Democrats would nominate to replace him. A meme quickly developed among the main stream media: the candidate would be former governor and current DNC … Continue reading Replacing Webb
Norfolk City Council: 2/15/11
By Tommy Smigiel The informal agenda offers some items of interest for our citizens this week. Presentation of the FY2010 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report and KPMG External Auditors FY2010 Independent Auditor's Report Update on Mid-Town Office Tower Update on Real Estate Assessments Status Review of Light Rail Construction Will the KPMG Audit Report reveal anything interesting? Is there … Continue reading Norfolk City Council: 2/15/11
Enough
Guest post by Louis Eisenberg On Saturday, February 12th, 2011, the seeds that were planted in the 2010 Norfolk City Council elections began to bloom. The citizens noticed the results of what sunlight in the form of Tommy Smigiel, Angelia Williams and Andy Protogyrou can bring to our city. Three new Council members held the … Continue reading Enough
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 