Category: Norfolk

Bring on the disinfectant

Above is the title of my latest op-ed, which appears in today's Virginian-Pilot.  (When posted online, it will be available here.)  As you might expect, the topic is, once again, transparency, and the lack thereof as it relates to the mess at HRT. The issue of transparency is one that is not going away any … Continue reading Bring on the disinfectant →

More on Protogyrou audit request

As mentioned earlier, Norfolk council member Andy Protogyrou requested the city conduct an inquiry into the city's "interface" with Hampton Roads Transit. A copy of the memo, provided to me by Protogyrou, is below the fold. In a telephone call this morning, Protogyrou emphasized why he believes such an investigation is necessary. An attorney, Protogyrou … Continue reading More on Protogyrou audit request →

Williams: “jaundiced reporting”

Retiring City Manager Regina Williams penned a letter Tuesday to members of council, the citizens of the city, and the newspaper in which she called an article in The Virginian-Pilot "the most jaundiced reporting and headline" she could imagine.  I don't know if I'd go quite that far but I understand her frustration. After all, … Continue reading Williams: “jaundiced reporting” →

Opinion, please: Truancy policy a step too far?

Consider this: A 17-year-old male is walking to school when, with the school in sight, a police officer stops him and asks him where he's going. The youth says school. The officer says he has to drive him there - standard procedure for dealing with truants. When the kid refuses, he is handcuffed, put into … Continue reading Opinion, please: Truancy policy a step too far? →

Norfolk officials knew of LR overruns

Color me surprised - NOT! City Manager Regina V.K. Williams, former City Councilman W. Randy Wright and Assistant City Manager Stanley A. Stein knew about overruns and did not immediately divulge that information, the audit says. I've spent some time reading the report. It is damning.  That so many players in this fiasco are no … Continue reading Norfolk officials knew of LR overruns →

HRT kept true light rail costs secret

This is beyond believable: Months before signing legal documents assuring federal officials they could build light rail for $232 million, Hampton Roads Transit leaders knew it would actually cost tens of millions of dollars more, a new state investigation reveals. In fact, HRT senior officials maintained a separate, internal accounting of light rail costs that … Continue reading HRT kept true light rail costs secret →

Funnies in the Pilot

And they weren't on the comics page 😉 First up is this op-ed from Daryl Lease. "We join the Bush tax-cut negotiations, already in progress ..." Lease, once again, nails it. Then we have Kerry Dougherty taking on the Norfolk Council newbies. "... it's obvious that Councilman Tommy Smigiel doesn't know his place. Neither does … Continue reading Funnies in the Pilot →

Profiles in courage

Cowardly Lion: Courage! What makes a king out of a slave? Courage! What makes the flag on the mast to wave? Courage! What makes the elephant charge his tusk in the misty mist, or the dusky dusk? What makes the muskrat guard his musk? Courage! What makes the sphinx the seventh wonder? Courage! What makes … Continue reading Profiles in courage →

HRC Norfolk rally for DADT repeal

The Human Rights Campaign is holding a rally to support  "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" repeal in Norfolk this Wednesday, December 1, at 10:00am at the Five Points Community Farm Market, 2500 Church Street. The full information, including the information if you cannot attend, is below the fold. THE PUSH IS ON!! Please join the Human … Continue reading HRC Norfolk rally for DADT repeal →

Norfolk Clerk assumes jury duty service

The Norfolk Clerk of Court, George E. Schaefer, III, has announced that his office has taken over all of the responsibilities of Jury Administration from the Norfolk Sheriff’s Office. By using existing staff, rather than the three positions budgeted for the operation of the jury office, the City of Norfolk should realize savings of $90,000 … Continue reading Norfolk Clerk assumes jury duty service →