Category: Norfolk

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 →

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 →

More on Norfolk real estate tax deferral

The more I think about and research this program, the less attractive it sounds. To recap: the program allows the deferral of taxes on any amount over the first 10% of assessment growth. Other requirements: Must have lived in home for at least 5 years. Combined household income cannot exceed $100,000. Taxes deferred will carry … Continue reading More on Norfolk real estate tax deferral →

Real estate tax rates

Virginia Beach drops their rate 3.39 cents, to $.99 per $100 of assessed value, Chesapeake is looking at 12 cents, to $1.11, Portsmouth is planning on 8 cents, to $1.36. and Suffolk's proposed budget reflects a 7 cent reduction, to $1.01. They are meeting today on this. And Norfolk has basically decided on 7 cents, … Continue reading Real estate tax rates →

MoveOn.org Drake ads – are they backfiring?

The Pilot's editorial today discusses the latest ad from MoveOn.org regarding Thelma Drake. The ad, which can be viewed on the MoveOn.org website (Quicktime required), is the second of three planned. This ad attempts to draw a connection between Drake and lobbyist Jack Abramoff. On the website is a pdf of the supporting documentation for … Continue reading MoveOn.org Drake ads – are they backfiring? →

Ear to the ground: Norfolk Mayoral Race 2010

With last Tuesday's elections now over, attention has already turned to the next mayoral race in 2010. Today's Pilot has a couple of articles of interest. Everybody's running Seems that nearly every council member is throwing their hat in the ring. The only ones not mentioned as doing so is Don Williams and the newly … Continue reading Ear to the ground: Norfolk Mayoral Race 2010 →