Category: Norfolk

Pilot endorsements: 4 for 5 so far

Beginning Saturday and continuing through today, The Virginian-Pilot has endorsed in five races. My predictions have been accurate in all but one of those. Incumbents Bobby Scott (3rd) and Randy Forbes (4th) were endorsed Saturday. Both merit a return to Washington, but with the expectation that they will make greater use of their substantial seniority … Continue reading Pilot endorsements: 4 for 5 so far →

Norfolk city manager to retire

In a letter to the Mayor and members of council, Norfolk city manager Regina Williams announced today her intention to retire on January 14, 2011. The letter is below the fold. Williams will have served for twelve years - seven more than I ever expected her to when she came to Norfolk. During her tenure, … Continue reading Norfolk city manager to retire →

Predictions on Pilot endorsements

Recall, if you will, what Don Luzzatto said about the endorsements at The Virginian-Pilot. Using that as a guide, here are my predictions of their endorsements. It should be noted that even though I write an opinion column for the editorial page, I was not privy to the interview and decision-making process. Portsmouth Mayor Elizabeth … Continue reading Predictions on Pilot endorsements →

Didn’t think I lived in Texas

Virginia 4th-grade textbook criticized over claims on black Confederate soldiers A textbook distributed to Virginia fourth-graders says that thousands of African Americans fought for the South during the Civil War -- a claim rejected by most historians but often made by groups seeking to play down slavery's role as a cause of the conflict. Local … Continue reading Didn’t think I lived in Texas →

Opinion, please: go to prison, lose pension

Consider this: A former city police detective who is serving two years in prison for his role in a marriage fraud ring could soon receive a retirement benefit funded by taxpayers. [...] If a city or agency certifies that an employee has committed malfeasance in office before he or she retires, the employee can lose … Continue reading Opinion, please: go to prison, lose pension →

Norfolk ward 7 fundraising reports

Friday was the filing deadline for financial reports covering 9/1-9/30 and three of the four candidates in the special election for Norfolk's ward 7 filed electronically. Those reports were available just after 5pm on the State Board of Elections website. Some interesting things in the numbers: Earl Fraley raised $2,870 in cash from 19 contributors … Continue reading Norfolk ward 7 fundraising reports →

Time for Fraim and friends to go

Guest post by Chuck Taylor I began this note after reading about the decision to keep the majority of Council discussion behind closed doors and away from public scrutiny two weeks ago.  However, it languished in a target rich environment, where so many interconnected issues of Council malfeasance and ineptitude made it hard to constrain … Continue reading Time for Fraim and friends to go →

Reminder: voter registration deadline 10/12

Just a quick reminder that if you aren't registered to vote, or if you have moved since last voting, Tuesday, October 12 at 5pm is the deadline to register to vote in the November 2 elections. Note that if you will be 18 by November 2, you can register as well. More information on registering … Continue reading Reminder: voter registration deadline 10/12 →

Photos from Harbor Party

Here are some photos, courtesy of Joel Rubin, from yesterday's Kiwanis Harbor Party in downtown Norfolk. The event was a lot of fun and the weather was absolutely perfect!