Category: Norfolk

OTR coming to an end

The email that I received Friday from Joel Rubin was one I had expected for a while. WVEC TV is canceling On the Record, the half hour interview program I have hosted and executive produced since 1992. The giveaway for me was the move of the show from 11:30 to noon. It just didn't make … Continue reading OTR coming to an end →

Corruption most foul

The above is the title of the latest missive from Larry Sabato's Crystal Ball. From the introduction (emphasis mine): Who is to blame for acts of corruption? The guilty officials, of course, are the people we must hold culpable. Yet, the citizenry also bears its share of the rap once a culture of corruption develops … Continue reading Corruption most foul →

Paying for light rail

The starter light rail line is seriously over budget, with costs expected to be an additional $55.9 million. Needless to say, Norfolk council members aren't happy. The question now is how to come up with the additional $20.7 million that is Norfolk's share. One idea that is to increase the real estate taxes on commercial … Continue reading Paying for light rail →

Random stuff

Totally unrelated items I've run across "Next president" isn't on local ballot - I've been getting emails about this for a while. The Top 10 Political Turkeys of 2008 - Pretty good list. VA School Board sued over in-class haircut - $1,000 in compensatory damages for something that grows back? Cleaner who turns in $20K … Continue reading Random stuff →

Carrier to Mayport?

It seems so. The Navy announced Monday it wants to base a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier at Mayport Naval Station, an effort that would cost $426 million and could divert 3,200 sailors and civilian personnel from Virginia to Florida. The Virginia delegation, obviously, does not want to see this happen. Senators John Warner and Jim Webb, … Continue reading Carrier to Mayport? →

When the community comes together

Saturday morning dawned cold and rainy. Despite that, volunteers from throughout the community gathered at 8am at James Monroe Elementary School, located in Park Place, to plant a rain garden at the school. How appropriate to be planting a rain garden in the rain! Pretty soon, though, the sun came out (although the mud remained) … Continue reading When the community comes together →

Cook: “I’m sick and tired”

Norfolk School Board member Billy Cook was the focus of an article in Sunday's Virginian Pilot. Cook is on a mission: to end youth violence, and is urging others to help: Each time Cook heard about another shooting, beating or murder, he e-mailed messages to nearly 100 people. Sometimes he gave media interviews, calling for … Continue reading Cook: “I’m sick and tired” →

Local budget shortfalls

Tuesday, Norfolk announced a $24 million budget shortfall. Today, Virginia Beach announced a similar amount - at least $22 million. This is going to be painful, folks.

Better late than never, I guess

In 2005, when I ran for City Treasurer, one of the things that I wanted to change in the office was the ability to make tax payments over the internet.  Once I said that, we were told that a new system was already under contract to accomplish just that. In fact, we were promised that … Continue reading Better late than never, I guess →