My latest op-ed, titled above, appeared in The Virginian-Pilot last Friday. As Senate Bill 1349 passed both chambers of the legislature, I couldn't help but think of an old bumper sticker and Henry Howell Jr. The bumper sticker read, "Welcome to Virginia. Owned and Operated by Vepco." Howell, the fiery populist from Norfolk, campaigned for … Continue reading ICYMI: Where’s Howlin’ Henry?
Last week, Norfolk Circuit Court judge Junius P. Fulton III issued a ruling in the Talbot Hall case. The case involves the zoning of the area around the historic mansion; those who want to preserve the view to the river sued to overturn the zoning ruling of Norfolk City Council. (More here.) At the center … Continue reading Judge rules in Talbot Hall case, affect for school board?
I've been really busy over the past 10 days but not so busy that I didn't write a couple of op-eds for The Virginian-Pilot. The Norfolk City Council's vote to elect our school boards by wards prompted my "Wrong on school wards" piece, which appeared Thursday, 1/29. I really wasn't surprised the majority voted for … Continue reading Catching up: last two op-eds
The majority of Norfolk City Council - 5 members - voted in favor of a ward system for our elected school board. I'll have my say in my next op-ed. For now, take a few minutes to watch speakers and the council have their say - notice I didn't say "discuss" - on this issue … Continue reading Norfolk City Council votes for wards
My latest op-ed, title above, appeared in The Virginian-Pilot last Thursday. It was one of the few times that what I wrote was too long for the space 😦 But the essence of it was there. Two things are clear to me: Lack of leadership on this issue. Except for Tommy Smigiel, no one on … Continue reading ICYMI: Ditch wards for Norfolk School Board
My latest op-ed, title above, appeared in The Virginian-Pilot last Thursday. In it, I discuss House Bill 1585, which was introduced by my delegate, Chris Stolle. Stolle's bill seeks to add two alternative schedules to Va. Code § 22.1-79.1. One would allow the operation of year-round schools, a trend in education. A report by the … Continue reading ICYMI: Another tool in the school toolbox
Will ODU have to leave Conference USA? That's what some think the result of HB 1897 will be. I saw this bill coming - in the fall of 2013. That semester, I was taking a class and had to write a research paper. One of the things that had long intrigued me but I'd never … Continue reading A cap on student fees?
My latest op-ed, title above, appeared in The Virginian-Pilot Friday. With the Virginia General Assembly opening its 2015 session Wednesday and this being an election year for all 140 members, it should be a quite entertaining session. For reference purposes, the numbers I included in the article came from the statistics maintained by the Virginia … Continue reading ICYMI: 45 days of expectations in Richmond
Max Shapiro, in a comment on yesterday's post, raised a very salient point on the issue of electing school board members. It appears that legislation is absolutely required to actually elect the members. A search through the Norfolk charter and code reveals that Max is correct: there is virtually no references to the school board … Continue reading Norfolk elected school boards: an update
Norfolk City Council held two public hearings in December on what form the elected school board should take. I attended both meetings but did not speak because I've made my opinion known. It became clear to me that there is a real need for the system we adopt to contain some elements of both, perhaps … Continue reading Norfolk elected school boards: where we are
VIVIAN J. PAIGE | All Politics is Local 