Filed under: Election 2008, General Assembly, Local Government and Politics, Local Press, Morning Round-Up, State Government and Politics
And….we…..are…..back.
Four stories you should know about:
-Governor Kaine is warning the General Assembly that major cuts are going to be needed in the budget due to what appears to have been a horrendous miscalculation by then-Finance Secretary, now-LG candidate Jody Wagner (seriously Democrats, this is the best you can do?) Could this be the silver bullet that kills Kaine’s VP chances? I dunno, Barack Obama barely has any accomplishments in his agenda, so even someone with a train wreck of a legacy might be worth it. Hint to Governor Kaine: Lying only works when you’re trying to raise taxes, not spending. For some reason, people tend to get a bit more upset when there’s no money instead of too much (even if it is all in the government’s hands). Personally, I like Delegate Clay Athey’s proposal best:
When the ax falls, it should land first on new programs proposed by Kaine, said Del. Clifford L. “Clay” Athey, R-Front Royal.
”That would free up $300 [million] to $400 million for before getting into core stuff” like education, Athey said.
Also a must read: Senator Obenshain’s response, up over at SWACGirl. Some highlights:
It wouldn’t have taken an expert to determine which way the fiscal winds were blowing in the waning days of 2007. Profligate spending, unfortunately, was the order of the day, and the attempts my Republican colleagues and I made to inject a dose of fiscal sanity into the budget process were dismissed out of hand. Reality and new spending programs were at odds, and the Governor decided that reality would simply have to give way.
………
More to the point, when the Governor presents revenue forecasts put together by his Secretary of Finance, we need to be able to rely on those projections as an unbiased and factually-based estimate. Instead, however, the numbers were merely a ploy to push new expenditures our Commonwealth can ill afford.
-President Rick Zinser is leaving Masanutten Military Academy next year after an eight year run. I’ll be perfectly honest: Colonel Zinser has done a marvelous job at the academy and has greatly changed how it is viewed in the community. Military academies (and this one in particular) are not little prisons; they are well thought out, alternative educational institutions driven by military values. Though I rarely like to do this, be sure to read the profile on Zinser and the Academy in last week’s Herald.
-Republican Electoral Board Member Bev Felming is working with the Woodstock Town Council on massaging the town’s current stance that town elections will be held at the old location (County Government Building) while all others will be at Central High School. The town decided to hold off on action when several residents protested the move, despite the fact that the move recieved no opposition before when it came to both the Electoral Board and the Board of Supervisors. (Although it should be noted there was some that may not have been lodged in public) Read your local government agendas, people!
-Strasburg’s planning commission is tackling the issue of commercial versus residential development once more, this time in the form of a proposal for 80-some condo units on Signal Knob Drive.
Filed under: Congress, Domestic Policy, Events, Local Government and Politics, Local Press, Morning Round-Up, State Government and Politics
Eight stories you should know about:
-The 287(g) program that allows local law enforcement to begin deportation proceedings may be on the federal budgetary chopping block. Shenandoah County participates in this program.
-The Strasburg Town Council is re-thinking the move from eight to six seats. Perhaps some of them realized that they too could be on the chopping block?
-The Woodstock Town Council has decided to keep its elections at the County Government Center rather than move to the school. Note that this applies only to the May General. Personally I don’t like the move at all. Why should these young whippersnaps get Election Day, the holiest of all days in a democracy, when yours truly had to labor tediously awaiting the return home to watch the festivities. I remember in 2000, the one time we did get Election Day off because they scheduled parent-teacher conferences the same day, that I too a nap so I could stay up late in to the night. In retrospect, that was a very good move…
-Dick Bowman has been award the Virginia, Maryland and Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives distinguished service award.
-The Shenandoah County Fair will offer free admission to all veterans and active-duty service members on August 27th.
-The Virginia Forensic Science Board has rejected a plan to help notify felons of biological data that could be retested. Instead, they’ll be notified by certified mail.
-Preparations are underway for the County Yard Crawl. Please note: this is not an excuse to dump all your old crap on your yard and just hope someone takes it.
-Bill Bolling and Bob McDonnell will run as a team next year, regardless of what happens with Time Kaine in the coming weeks.
Filed under: Domestic Policy, Election 2008, Local Government and Politics, Morning Round-Up, State Government and Politics, Uncategorized
-AG Bob McDonnell is suing HomeSpun HomeFashions in light on numerous complaints against their business practices.
-The team of Lohr and Saxman framed the energy debate yesterday for Senator John McCain. The talk was targeted towards the impact of ethanol production on farmers.
-The RTD has an amusing article about how retailers are looking to the candidates to boost lagging sales. John McCain chew toy, anyone? Personally, my cat could use an elephant collar.
-Two members of the Strasburg Volunteer Fire Department have been slapped with sexual harassment charges. Ouch.
-Apparently there are pros and cons to building a new bridge in Deer Rapids. I never knew that some people bought homes because of the unique inconveniences they offered.
Filed under: Congress, Domestic Policy, Election 2008, Events, General Assembly, Local Government and Politics, Local Press, Morning Round-Up, State Government and Politics
Six stories you should know about:
-Rep. Eric Cantor has come out swinging against Barack Obama’s energy policy. Funny. You couldn’t even get people to think about energy policy for most of the last twenty years.
-Representative Goodlatte is touting his coastal exploration plan.
-New Market has released details for its fa…uh, late summer Heritage Festival. You can keep trying to explain to me why you think moving this thing to the opening weekend of the fair was a good idea…..
-Strasburg’s Capital Improvements Plan is headed for an update.
-McCain surrogates Delegates Chris Saxman and Matt Lohr are outlining the Senator’s energy policy in Harrisonburg news conference this morning. Sorry folks, they’re not on the shortlist for veep.
-Larry Hincker, Virginia Tech’s VP for University Relations, spoke to a group of university security officials about crisis communication. That wasn’t a mistype. You may remember his for this gem.
Filed under: Election 2008, Election 2009, General Assembly, Local Government and Politics, Local Press, Morning Round-Up, State Government and Politics
stories you should know about:
-Garren Shipley speculates what the possible selection of Time Kaine for VP could mean for the General Assembly and Election 2009. My speculation: this is fun, but right now I’m at 55% confidence that Kaine won’t be picked.
-Karen Spillman, who was recently hired as Strasburg High’s new principal, apparently has a bit of a history with the media…..and not particularly a good one.
-Bob Goodlatte will be hosting a Veteran’s Fair at the Weyer’s Cave Community center on August 12th from 10 A.M. to 12 P.M. Veterans can get helping enrolling in benefits and learn more about about area VA Programs.
-Just a little bit to the North, but The Winchester Star is reporting that we may be looking at a great peach season this year. Note: In the 2002 census of agriculture for Shenandoah County, fruit made up nearly 48% of cash receipts for crops.
-Also just a bit away, The Winchester Star takes a look at Star Tannery’s fire company and their annual parade. They mention cancellations in Toms Brook and Conicsville, but I believe they mean Toms Brook and Strasburg (and I believe Mt. Jackson as well).
Filed under: Election 2008, General Assembly, Local Government and Politics, Morning Round-Up, State Government and Politics
Sorry, late start. Five stories you should know about.
-State Senator Frank Wagner, who along with Delegate Chris Saxman has been pushing for Virginia to use off-shore drilling not only to help America’s energy woes but also to aid transportation funding, weighs in on the McCain energy policy.
-County Chair Mike Monahan has been named head of the McCain effort in Shenandoah County. Congratulations, Mike.
-Fifth District Congressman Virgil Goode is boosting his 7th District colleague Eric Cantor as a possible vice-presidential candidate for Senator McCain. He even went so far as to have some “McCain-Cantor ‘08″ buttons made. Even if the ticket doesn’t come to fruition, being a Virginia political button fiend, I just HAVE to get me one of those.
-Speaking of Virginia Veeps, on the other side of the aisle former DNC Chair Terry McAuliffe is promoting Governor Tim Kaine (or Kaine Wreck, as we like to call him after the transportation debacle). This comes to many as a sign that Hillary Clinton, who McAuliffe defendely ferociously and often to the point of lunacy as it became apparent the nomination was slipping away from her, is not being considered for the nod.
-The town of New Market has ok’d a deal to send wastewater to Bridgewater’s Timberville plant. The deal, which will cost $10.25 million up-front, is seen as a cheaper alternative to building a new plant, which would have came in between $15 and $20 million.
Filed under: Election 2008, Local Government and Politics, Morning Round-Up, Party Politics
Six stories you should know about:
-Apparently, stores in the Hampton Roads region have been charging sales tax on non-prescription medications. which are supposed to be tax exempt. The Governor’s office called the mistakes “rare,” yet more than 1,200 stores were discovered to be lacking in this practice. Of course, Governor Kaine has never really been considered a friend of the taxpayer, has he?
-The Pocket Park in Strasburg is apparently having some drainage issues.
-E.J. Dionne has thoughts about the sudden thrusting of Virginia into the Electoral map spotlight. However, his analysis seems to rely heavily on the Democratic trope that Virginia is shifting blue due to the wins of Kaine, Warner, and Webb. Most Republicans will note that the Kilgore and Allen campaigns suffered from major tactical and strategic blunders. The Demographic shift is undeniably and led to the closeness of the Allen-Webb affair, but we’ll see what the score really is when Obama and McCain come up for a “clean” fight this fall.
-The County’s volunteer rescue squads are contemplating charging a fee for ambulance service. The reason, amongst others, is decreased donations which is leading to more fundraisers which, in turn is taxing staff.
-Chairman Jeff Frederick at RPV smacks Mark Warner:
Jim Gilmore & Mark Warner: A Tale of Two Taxes
No story is more emblematic of the mainstream media’s love affair for higher taxes than the manner in which Virginia’s two U.S. Senate candidates are portrayed.On the one hand you have Jim Gilmore, who promised to cut taxes for Virginians, and did so with a vengeance. Jim Gilmore fought for and won the largest tax cut in Virginia history, and was still able to oversee a booming Virginia economy, an improvement in public safety, and a balanced budget.
Democrat Mark Warner promised to not raise taxes, but after he was elected, well… who keeps promises anyway? Mark Warner pushed through the largest tax increase in Virginia history – breaking his promise, soaking Virginians to the tune of over $1.3 billion in higher taxes, and winning the love of many in the press to boot.
There is no getting around it; Mark Warner did not tell the voters of Virginia the truth, either before or after his huge tax increase. Yet he gets the kind of favorable press you’d normally see for a politician in the old Soviet Union. Why?
The fact is, the mainstream media (most, not all) love higher taxes and more government. But the people of Virginia are not going to get the truth from most news outlets, which is why it is so important for you – the GOP grassroots – to tell people the truth about the candidates at every opportunity. If we help get Jim Gilmore’s message out and explain the truth to people, this campaign could turn around very quickly!
-Finally, RPV has a new budget team:
Richmond, Virginia (July 15, 2008) – Delegate Jeff Frederick, Chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia (RPV) announced today that he has appointed Anthony Bedell as RPV’s Budget Director and Chairman of the Budget Committee.
The Fairfax native is a longtime Republican activist who led Frederick’s transition and executive director search committees. He currently serves as the Director of Federal and State Government Affairs for a Fortune 500 software company.
“Anthony Bedell is a person whom I have an extremely high level of trust and confidence in,” said Frederick. “He has the perfect background and experience to serve our party as Budget Director and he clearly understands the budget priorities and needs of the Party.”
Bedell has worked on over a dozen Republican campaigns in Virginia and elsewhere, including George Allen’s 1993 gubernatorial campaign, his 2006 senatorial campaign, and Bush-Cheney 2000 and 2004. He also worked for various legislators including Del. Jay O’Brien (Fairfax) and Del. Frank Ruff (Mecklenburg).
“I’m confident and so happy that Anthony Bedell will be providing his energetic, principled leadership to the Republican Party of Virginia.” remarked former Governor George Allen on the news of the appointment.
Bedell also has extensive executive branch experience. In 2001 he was appointed as a Senior Legislative Officer by Secretary Elaine Chao to handle a variety of legislative matters for the U.S. Department of Labor.
In 2003 the White House appointed Bedell as Associate Administrator for the Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs at the U.S. Small Business Administration. There he served as chief advisor to the Administrator on all legislative matters related to Congress and the executive branch.
Bedell is a product of Virginia’s public school system attending and graduating from West Springfield High School and Virginia Commonwealth University. He is also a veteran of the United States Air Force. He currently resides in Falls Church and is married with two children.
In addition, Frederick also named three others to RPV’s Budget Committee: Christopher Oprison, Bryce Reeves, and Scott Sayre.
Christopher Oprison, a former Marine prosecutor, is currently an attorney in private practice, after having recently left White House where he served as an Associate Counsel to the President. He and his wife Jennifer have three children and live in Loudoun County.
Bryce Reeves is Chairman Spotsylvania County Republican Committee and owner of an insurance agency. He has 18 years of government and civilian budget experience, in both law enforcement and active-duty military.
Scott Sayre, a businessman from Lexington, is the Vice Chairman of the Sixth Congressional District Republican Committee. Scott and his wife, Mary, employ over 100 people in their manufacturing operation which they started in their garage.
Filed under: Election 2008, General Assembly, Local Government and Politics, Morning Round-Up
Nine stories you should know about:
-The State Board Elections reports that over 148k people have registered to vote in Virginia since the first of the year. More than 2/3rds of them have been since the February 12th primary.
-UPI suggests that Latinos may provide the margin of victory in Virginia this fall.
-President Bush has lifted the executive order banning offshore oil and gas exploration that has been in place since his father’s administration. Might the President be taking cues from Delegate Chris Saxman?
-Shenandoah County Schools are using an interesting initiative to encourage schools to cut down on energy bills at the schools.
-Area blood blanks are suffering, according to various Red Cross officials, including SCRC and Board of Supervisors member Sharon Baroncelli, executive director of the Shenandoah Chapter.
-The RNC Committee on the Platform is giving run of the mill Republicans an unprecedented level of participation in the formation of the convention’s platform.
-The New Yorker has a fascinating story up about how Obama got his start in the rough and tumble world of Chicago politics.
-Speaker Bill Howell has named Delegate Todd Gilbert to a number of commissions:
Landes and Del. Todd Gilbert, R-Woodstock, were named to the Substance Abuse Services Council, which makes recommendations on Virginia’s public and private efforts to control alcohol and drug abuse.
……..
Howell named Gilbert to a commission studying the operations of the circuit court clerk’s office. The commission will consider staff shortages, security concerns, funding and technology-related issues.
Gilbert also is a member of the Southern Growth Policies Board, which promotes cooperation among Southern states.
And, Gilbert was named to the Virginia Alcohol Safety Action Program, which administers, funds and supervises the state system of local alcohol-safety action programs
-Finally, my grandfather’s obituary has been posted:
Roy C. Orndorff, 91, of Maurertown, died July 13, 2008.
A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, July 16, 2008, 11:00 AM at the Dellinger Funeral Home Chapel, Woodstock, by Rev. Joe Fleming and Rev. Charlie Moore. Burial will follow at Sunset View Memorial Gardens.
Mr. Orndorff was born December 19, 1916 at Cedar Creek, Virginia. He was the son of the late Lester and Della Orndorff.
He was the founder of the Orndorff Trucking Company, Orndorff’s Coal Yard, farmer, sawmill owner, orchardist, mine worker in his early years, and a huckster.
He was a lifetime member of Cedar Creek Christian Church, where he served as superintendent, Sunday school teacher, elder, and chairman of the board. He was also a member of the Saumsville Christian Men’s Fellowship, and the Saumsville Hunt Club.
Mr. Orndorff was preceded in death by two brothers, Robert and Benjamin Orndorff.
Mr. Orndorff is survived by his wife Christie Jewell Orndorff of Maurertown; two sons, Lester H. Orndorff, and Charlie Orndorff both of Woodstock; a daughter, Mary Ann Herrell of Winchester; two sisters, Emma Good of Leesburg, and Ruth Long of Woodstock; two brothers, Donald Orndorff of Strasburg and Phillip Orndorff of Fairfax; seven grandchildren, Lisa Nelson, Amanda Herrell George, Melisa Orndorff, Christen Orndorff Palmer, Tiffany Brown, Craig Orndorff, and Sabrina Orndorff; three great grandchildren, Clark Keller, Ashton Nelson, and Meleah Brown.
The family will receive friends on Tuesday evening, 7 to 9 PM at the Dellinger Funeral Home, Woodstock.
Pallbearers will be Gary Strosnider, Jerry Elbon, Ron Smoot, Leo Ryman, Roger Orndorff, and Guy Gochenour. Honorary Pallbearers will be Guy Wetzel, James Allen Hepner, Harold Racey, and Carson Ryman.
The family request that memorial contributions be made to the Woodstock Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 221, Woodstock, VA 22664, Toms Brook First Responders, P.O. Box 168, Toms Brook, VA 22660, or the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 321, Woodstock, VA 22664.
Filed under: Election 2008, General Assembly, Local Government and Politics, Morning Round-Up
Three stories you should know about
-Something……happened during the transportation session. It’s going to take a while for the smoke to clear, as neither house adjourned before 1:30. But it appears that his the gist of what happened: Both the Senate plan and the Kaine plan were defeated (the Kaine plan having previously died and then brought back up, when it didn’t get a single vote). Senate Plan failed along almost party lines, although a handful of Democrats defected along with one Republican (to side with the Senate, that is). The House Plan HB6006 then squeaked by after having all of the tax hikes removed (just 51 votes got it to the Senate). It failed in Senate finance. The House also passed a bill diverting revenues from off-shore drilling revenues to transportation, but the Senate killed it (it appears, but I’ll double check that one). So in essence, the Senate killed a reasonable solution, while the House stood up for taxes.
Let’s let nobody forget this moving into 2009.
Linkies: Washington Post and Northern Virginia Daily
-Governor Gilmore is gearing up for his first showdown with Governor Warner. Expect to see a great deal come out of this as Warner is finally forced to duke it out on the issues and not just his “success” in foisting the largest tax hike in Virginia history on the Commonwealth.
-The Strasburg Town Council has voted to delay the reappointment of Town Manager Kevin Fauber until August. It’s unclear what’s going on behind the scenes, but there may be some displeasure with his performance. Were Fauber to be dismissed, he would be the second town manager to leave in a month (Evan Vaas recently left the town of New Market, to be replaced by County Planning Official Chris Boies), but this time not of his own volition. We’ll wait for this one to develop. Sorry, story is on dead tree only.
Three stories you should know about:
-Edward Nathaniel Bell, who murdered Winchester Police officer Ricky Timbrook nearly a decade ago, is preparing his arguments for the U.S. Supreme Court. Let’s hope that the court finally allows the Timbrook family to have their justice.
-The new Strasburg Town Council met last night.
-Another innovative event for the McCain campaign: a conference call with Northern Virginia voters. Expect plenty of these virtual events, as well as many visits by both candidates, as Barack Obama comes to Fairfax tomorrow.
That’s all for now. Please join us tonight at United Country Real Estate in Mount Jackson for Phone Banking on behalf of the Goodlatte campaign. 6-9 p.m.
