Loved the headline, above, which was on my latest op-ed in Wednesday's paper.  Readers of this blog may recognize some of the content as having been from this earlier blog post. It was this Wall Street Journal article that prompted me to dust it off and update it for the op-ed. The stats I used … Continue reading The classroom as prime real estate →

As a Norfolk taxpayer and as a CPA, I found the following statement in this story troublesome: McDonald said that city policy does not explicitly state appropriate and inappropriate use of its credit cards. I obtained from the city a copy of the document that is required to be signed at the time the credit … Continue reading Norfolk credit card policy →

Former School Board member Alveta Green was appointed Thursday afternoon to the Superward 7 seat on Norfolk council. The seat became vacant due to the required relinquishment by Daun Hester, who challenged Paul Fraim for mayor. The rule dates back to a challenge made by former Ward 3 councilman Herbert Collins, who ran against Hester … Continue reading Alveta Green appointed to Norfolk council →

This song has been bouncing around in my head for quite some time. And while it's been covered by almost everyone, the original by Nina Simone remains the best. Take a minute, close your eyes, and listen to the master. Last week, I witnessed a new day in Norfolk. I was there when Councilman Tommy … Continue reading It’s a new dawn, it’s a new day →

... I just hate to open the newspaper. Because I hate to see Norfolk in the headlines again, for something else that has been done wrong. This time, it's the Treasurer's office. The problem: delinquent real estate tax collections. The city has a huge backlog of seriously delinquent properties, due to lax collection practices and … Continue reading Some days … →

I have confirmed via various sources that three people will be interviewed Thursday for the council vacancy in Superward 7. Those three are Brenda Andrews, Alveta Green and Jimmie Wilson. Andrews is the publisher of The New Journal & Guide, Virginia's oldest black weekly newspaper. She ran for the seat several years ago. Green is … Continue reading Finalists for Norfolk council appointment →

Judge Charles Poston entered an order this morning (see below) setting the date for the special election to fill the Superward 7 seat vacated by Daun Hester. The election has been set for November 2, the same day as the fall general election. As mentioned in this article, Del. Kenny Alexander and Councilman Paul Riddick … Continue reading Special election in Norfolk’s Superward 7 set →

Last October, a spat between Norfolk's Commissioner of the Revenue, Sharon McDonald, and Treasurer, Tom Moss, resulted in a letter being issued by the Commissioner in which she accused the Treasurer and his deputy, Vice Mayor Anthony Burfoot, of revealing confidential taxpayer information to a reporter in violation of  Virginia Code § 58.1-3. The letter … Continue reading Special prosecutor report on McDonald/Moss spat →

June 30 was the deadline for those interested in being appointed to the Superward 7 council seat to make their wishes known. A total of 16 people stepped forward - including Daun Hester, who is vacating the seat as required by the City Charter. (I'll post the full list once I receive it. List below) … Continue reading Appoint Hester →