The first candidate to announce for the upcoming Norfolk council elections in May was Tommy Smigiel, who is taking on incumbent Randy Wright in Ward 5. Smigiel, a former Virginia Teacher of the Year, has hit the ground running. He's got his website up and has been knocking doors and attending meetings throughout the ward. … Continue reading Smigiel: A new choice. A new voice.
Category: Politics
Support expansion of state health care benefits
The articles last week on the proposal by outgoing Governor Tim Kaine to expand health care benefits of state employees didn't tell the whole story. Now that we have the proposed language for the changes, hopefully some of the commentors will rethink their positions. Let's start at the beginning. In 2007, then Attorney General Bob … Continue reading Support expansion of state health care benefits
Virginia Beach, Chesapeake shenanigans
No longer can South Hampton Roads residents point to Norfolk for the follies of its elected representatives. Add Virginia Beach and Chesapeake to the mix. In Virginia Beach, Dan Lowe, the school board member representing the Bayside district, resigned. The remaining members get to appoint a replacement. Current at-large member Carolyn Weems was one of … Continue reading Virginia Beach, Chesapeake shenanigans
Warner & other freshmen on health care reform
According to a press release, senator Mark Warner is leading a freshman group of 11 Senators on health care reform issues. The eleven freshmen are Sens. Mark Begich (AL), Michael Bennet (CO), Roland Burris (IL), Kay Hagan (NC), Ted Kaufman (DE), Paul Kirk (MA), Jeff Merkley (OR), Jeanne Shaheen (NH), Mark Udall (NM), Tom Udall (CO) and Mark Warner(VA). Since Labor Day, these freshman Democrats have … Continue reading Warner & other freshmen on health care reform
Without a mention of “macaca”
Who doesn't remember S. R. Sidarth, the young man whose recording of then-Senator George Allen brought the word "macaca" into the consciousness of every Virginian in 2006 and brought down the Senator's re-election campaign? Apparently, Alex Trebek 🙂 Last night, the older, clean shaven Sidarth appeared on Jeopardy, the long-running trivia game show. I caught … Continue reading Without a mention of “macaca”
Portsmouth sheriff threatens removal of courthouse security
For the second time this year, Portsmouth Sheriff Bill Watson has threatened action in the city in a dispute over compensation. Earlier this year, Watson threatened to suspend services provided by inmate work crews unless his deputies received raises. This time, Watson says he will keep his deputies from providing courthouse security. “Jan. 4, they … Continue reading Portsmouth sheriff threatens removal of courthouse security
Exhibit #9,9999,999 on VA campaign finance reform
Brian over at Bearing Drift brought up an issue that I had been thinking about in conjunction with last Saturday's Republican canvass. Although I don't live in the 8th Senate district, I was as inundated with TV and radio ads as anyone who did. The only thing missing was the mail, which I understand was … Continue reading Exhibit #9,9999,999 on VA campaign finance reform
Vote Wilson December 5
The election to select the next Senator from the 8th District may be scheduled for January 12, but the real election will take place tomorrow, December 5. With no Democratic candidate, the voters in the 8th will choose their representative in a Republican canvass. I'm urging everyone - Republican and Democrat alike - to head … Continue reading Vote Wilson December 5
Kaine proposes extending state health benefits
Governor Tim Kaine is proposing to extend state health care benefits to "other qualified adults" living in the households of state employees. Under the proposal, adults without health benefits who share a home with an insured state worker would be eligible for coverage. This would include domestic partners - heterosexual or homosexual - who live … Continue reading Kaine proposes extending state health benefits
RHIP: Let him fly the flag
There is a saying in the military that "rank has its privileges." As a corollary to that, I often say that age has its privileges. I think both apply in the case of 90-year-old Medal of Honor recipient Col. Van T. Barfoot. According to a number of stories, the Henrico man has been ordered by … Continue reading RHIP: Let him fly the flag
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 