Category: Norfolk

Webb misses Vet event, offers lame excuse

This morning's Virginian-Pilot has an editorial about Senator-elect Jim Webb being a no-show at a local event which was planned for Veterans' Day, Saturday, November 11. Back in August, Webb agreed to appear. The Webb camp claims that they told organizers a month in advance that he might not be able to make it; however … Continue reading Webb misses Vet event, offers lame excuse →

More on the 87th HOD race

Bearing Drift has some additional information on Hank Giffin, the Republican (as yet unannounced) challenger in the the 87th, a seat currently occupied by Paula Miller. Pam reports that a fundraiser with Newt Gingrich is in the works for February. Right now, I'm getting contradictory information on this race. If some of the stuff I'm … Continue reading More on the 87th HOD race →

Voting paper trails and audits

From GOTV: A coalition of citizens’ groups will be working to pass legislation through the Virginia 2007 legislative session to require all election machines in the state to provide voter-verifiable paper audit trails. Charter members of the Verifiable Voting Coalition of Virginia include: Virginia League of Women Voters Virginia Libertarian Party Common Cause New Electoral … Continue reading Voting paper trails and audits →

Norfolk considers smoking ban

Shortly after taking her seat, the newest member of council, Theresa Whibley, proposed that Norfolk become the first city in the state to implement a city-wide ban on smoking in restaurants. Today we learn that the idea has legs and council is moving towards such a ban, perhaps as early as January. Two things come … Continue reading Norfolk considers smoking ban →

Ford suppliers: outlook is bleak

Much has been written about the fate of the workers in the soon-to-be closed Norfolk Ford plant. Little has been said about the companies who supply the plant with various parts and materials. The Virginian-Pilot has such an article today. The five suppliers mentioned in the story - Allied Systems Ltd., Visteon Corp., Johnson Controls … Continue reading Ford suppliers: outlook is bleak →

VP LTE online

I received an email Friday evening regarding a new feature at Pilotonline. Ever wanted to respond to a letter to the editor in the Virginian-Pilot but just didn't feel like taking the time to do so? Now you can do it online. Sunday's VP announced the official launch of bLetters: By turning each letter into … Continue reading VP LTE online →

Sweetpea elected to Hall of Fame

Among my most prized possessions is a blue silk corner jacket with the name "Pernell Sweetpea Whitaker" emblazoned in white script on the back. The jacket brings together a number of things for me. First, Norfolk native Whitaker is one of my favorite boxers. Second, the jacket was worn in the corner of one of … Continue reading Sweetpea elected to Hall of Fame →

Tax on tax

I've often heard that if there is a way to tax something, Norfolk will figure it out. But tax a tax? It seems that Norfolk's Commissioner of the Revenue Sharon McDonald has figured out how to do that, too. The plan is to place a levy on the 36.5 cents per gallon in state and … Continue reading Tax on tax →

Profile: Joel Rubin

The Virginian-Pilot today did a profile of Joel Rubin, host of On the Record and CEO of Rubin Communications. Wearing so many hats (some, such as his involvement with the Norfolk Kiwanis, too numerous to name) creates a situation where his ethics could be called into question. But, as WVEC reporter Mike Gooding says, "the … Continue reading Profile: Joel Rubin →