Category: Virginia

Phil Hamilton indicted

Woah: Former state Del. Phil Hamilton has been indicted on charges of bribery and extortion by a federal grand jury, the U.S. Attorney’s office announced. Hamilton solicited a job at Old Dominion University while simultaneously seeking state funding for the ODU program. I have to say that I'm surprised - it's been a long time … Continue reading Phil Hamilton indicted →

Sen. Miller to have surgery, miss part of session

Senator Yvonne B. Miller (D-Norfolk) will miss part of the upcoming General Assembly session, according to a press release from the Senate Democratic Caucus. Miller is scheduled to have surgery on January 12. Sources tell me that the Senator had a fender bender last month and that the surgery is the result of something discovered … Continue reading Sen. Miller to have surgery, miss part of session →

Gear retires

Del. Tom Gear, whose 91st House of Delegates district covers the city of Poquoson plus parts of Hampton and York County, has resigned effective today, citing health problems. Gear said his own battle with multiple sclerosis has made spending two months a year shuttling between the Peninsula and Richmond too much of a effort. Gear … Continue reading Gear retires →

Top 10 for 2010

A quick look at the top 10 posts (in terms of views) on blog this that were written this year. Military Spouses Residency Relief Act: it's gonna cost us American Idol results 4/28/10: down to five American Idol results 5/12/10: top 3 Why Nye lost Joint Forces Command to close Report: Hampton City Council candidates' … Continue reading Top 10 for 2010 →

Whitehurst: Keep PBS funding

The Governor has proposed reducing the funding for public broadcasting in this current budget with an eye towards eliminating it. One would expect the CEO of our local PBS affiliate, WHRO, to be against the cuts - and he is, as you can see here. While some might think that self-serving, a letter which appeared … Continue reading Whitehurst: Keep PBS funding →

Tom Perriello: ‘We Walk Away With Our Heads Held High’

This interview, like his letter last week, shows why Tom Perriello is truly a public servant and not just a politician like those with whom we are most acquainted. Tom just gets it - and he says something I've always believed to be true: I think it helps to have politicians who don't mind losing … Continue reading Tom Perriello: ‘We Walk Away With Our Heads Held High’ →

Civic resolutions for the New Year

My latest op-ed appeared in this morning's Virginian-Pilot. It just seemed appropriate, with New Years just around the corner, to offer some civic resolutions. We all manage to find time to do those things that are important to us, but tend to leave the civic stuff to others. As much as I follow what goes … Continue reading Civic resolutions for the New Year →

2012 race for Senate heats up

The Senate seat occupied by Sen. Jim Webb, who hasn't officially announced his re-election run for 2012 (although I have little doubt that he will), is drawing a number of Republican challengers. Leading the way is the former occupant, George Allen. Making noise about a run is Prince William Board of Supervisors chair Corey Stewart … Continue reading 2012 race for Senate heats up →

Opinion, please: teacher/student social networking

According to this article, the Virginia State Board of Education is considering guidelines restricting teachers interaction with students via social networks. For the first time, the state Board of Education is set to make recommendations for how teachers and students should interact over social-networking sites. Next month, the board is scheduled to vote on the … Continue reading Opinion, please: teacher/student social networking →