Jan27

Kings Dominion Law Survives

by PubliusPublicola on January 27th, 2012 at 12:10 PM
Posted In: Uncategorized

 

For now ..what do you think about it?

We would love to hear your opinion.

 

Here is a Statement from State Senator Chap Petersen:

Yesterday the Senate Education Committee, in a surprise to me, killed several bills designed to repeal Virginia’s “Kings Dominion” law.

For those not aware, the law requires Virginia school districts to start their year after Labor Day, which means no school until well into September. That apparently gives a boost to Virginia’s tourism industry.

I have always supported repeal. First, our school calendar should not be dictated by any industry. Second, with national standardized testing in May, our kids receive less actual learning time than their peers in other states. Third, the summer break is already TOO LONG. (take it from a father of 4 kids).

And, yes, my family is a major consumer of Virginia tourism with annual trips to Virginia Beach, southwest Virginia and various amusement parks.

Of course, Virginia has recognized the onerous nature of the law by granting waivers to 77 school districts, which are mostly small and rural. All the major ones (Fairfax, Prince William, Virginia Beach) are still trapped under the existing law. So this is having a continuing impact on the majority of our kids.

Apparently a bill will come over from the House, so we will get a second chance to get this right. Like the “Sunday hunting” ban, the “Kings Dominion” law is an anachronism.

2012 is a good year to get rid of it. – Chap Petersen

 

 

 

 

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Jan25

David Webster to run for Herndon Town Council

by PubliusPublicola on January 25th, 2012 at 12:10 PM
Posted In: Uncategorized

What follows is a glowing endorsement from Julie Williams and David Webster’s campaign announcement :

 

I am tremendously excited to be able to share with you the announcement and my endorsement of David Webster in his run to become a member of the Herndon Town Council. While the Herndon Town Council election is by law non-partisan, i.e. party affiliations aren’t on the ballot, Spike and I have had the pleasure of working with David to promote other Republican candidates not to mention the work we have done together associated with Spike’s run for County Chairman.

In our experience he has shown himself to be honorable, hardworking, intelligent, and humble. David is dedicated and capable while possessing an ability to connect with people in a way that makes it easy to discuss contentious issues effectively. Spike and I count David among our friends and know that Herndon needs him on their Town Council to address many of the challenges that face her. Not least of all the impending silver line development that brings with it a multitude of opportunities for Herndon, opportunities to protect Herndon from disproportionate obligations as well as ones for benefits to the town. David Webster will protect and advance Herndon; I hope you will join us in supporting him.  
Julie Williams

 

Herndon Lawyer Dave Webster Announces Candidacy for Herndon Town Council

 

I am pleased to announce that I am a candidate for the Herndon Town Council.

 

My legal background and my experience negotiating large-scale government and private business partnerships will benefit the Town especially when we respond to development opportunities presented by the Herndon-Monroe Metro Station.  I am also qualified to assess statutory and regulatory requirements affecting the Town, such as compliance with the Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act and other matters.

 

I believe we need to control spending during these tough economic times and will oppose any new major spending initiatives.  I favor commercial development to attract jobs and increase tax revenues for the Town, but it is vital that we retain Herndon’s small town atmosphere, particularly in downtown.  We must not become just another strip mall/franchise eyesore.  Likewise, we must use caution in the Herndon Metro development, ensuring that it too maintains Herndon’s unique identity.  I will work hard to attract new business and preserve the character that makes Herndon a special place.

 

I am a lifelong resident of Fairfax County.  I have lived in Herndon for seven years.  I am a member of the Virginia and DC bars.   I began my legal career working as in-house counsel for Jack Kent Cooke where I was directly involved in negotiations with DC and Virginia government officials in an attempt to build a new Redskins stadium.  As part of my commitment to our community, I have represented a number of women who were victims of domestic violence in DC and Virginia courts over the past several years and have obtained restraining orders on behalf of my clients in six of those cases.

 

I believe in open and transparent government.  Thus far, I am the only candidate to file a publicly available campaign finance disclosure report with the Virginia State Board of Elections.  The report can be viewed at www.sbe.virginia.gov. I pledge that I will refuse to accept any PAC donations to my campaign.  I urge other candidates to do the same.

 

We are at a crossroads in the future development of Herndon.  I want to be part of that future.

 

Contact:

Dave Webster

Candidate for Herndon Town Council

The Webster Committee

P.O. Box 5063

Herndon, Virginia 20172

Phone: 703-415-6294

Email: dave@davewebster.us

 Comment 
Jan25

State of the Union Thoughts?

by Not Jim Moran on January 25th, 2012 at 10:26 AM
Posted In: 2012 elections

Red NoVA readers: What are your thoughts on last night’s State of the Union? Feel free to post in the comments section.

Personally, I thought it was a campaign speech that simply blamed Republicans. As Mitt Romney pointed out on NBC last night, President Obama had two years were both chambers of Congress were controlled by Democrats. How come he didn’t get more done during that period?

The highlight of last night’s speech was definitely this moment:

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Jan24

Gingrich, the Four More Years Candidate

by Chris Farmer on January 24th, 2012 at 3:30 PM
Posted In: 2012 elections, National politics, Presidential Race

I asked my brother Jeff what he thought of last night’s debate and his response was so good we decided to make it a guest post.  So here it is, fresh from Winchester, VA.

There is a reason why the leadership of the Republican Party is terrified at the possibility of Newt Gingrich becoming the nominee but it is not the reason that Gingrich wants to believe. Gingrich is claiming that he is the Washington outsider and he will shake up the establishment. This is a strange claim for a former Speaker of the House to make, especially considering that he has taken credit for both the Reagan revolution of the 1980′s and the first Republican majority since the 1920′s in every debate so far. Even after posting his contract, his role with Freddie Mac is still unclear. He said himself that there is a confidentiality agreement with the failed mortgage giant, so we may not ever know for sure what his specific job duties entailed. However, it is clear that he was paid by Freddie Mac and no other “Washington outsider” can make that claim. In earlier debates, he said he was a stronger candidate because he knows how Washington works. Gingrich is full of this type of hypocrisy. When he was asked about his extra-marital activities at the last debate in South Carolina, he lectured the moderator on decency. In response to the new wave of attacks by Romney, he told a group of his supporters yesterday morning “that when you are desperate, you will say anything.” This statement describes Gingrich’s own rhetoric during the South Carolina primary perfectly. After his blow out lost in New Hampshire, Gingrich attacked Romney on his career with Bain Capital. Gingrich is supposedly for a free market, yet, at least in this case, seems to support class warfare.

Gingrich is also claiming to be the big ideas candidate. He thinks on a grander scale than everyone else; while at the same time, he appeals to the lowest common denominator. Gingrich is a megalomaniacal demagogue. He embodies the vengeful spirit of Nixon, the arrogance of Obama, and the leadership skills of Carter. His only saving grace his that he is quicker on his feet than Romney, but as soon as the American public sits down and really listens to what Gingrich says, he will be seen for what he truly is; unfit to serve as President of the United States of America. This is the reason why Gingrich’s success in South Carolina has terrified members of his own party, because if he ends up winning the nomination, Obama will certainly succeed where Romney failed.

-Jeff Farmer

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Jan23

Road Names for Sale

by Chris Farmer on January 23rd, 2012 at 8:01 AM
Posted In: Bob McDonnell

Governor McDonnell has proposed a plan that would allow private companies to buy the naming rights to Virginia’s public roadways. The revenue generated from this plan would come from a naming fee and tolls and would go toward road maintenance. This doesn’t sound too bad, except for the tolls part of it. Nobody likes tolls, so I hope they cut that part of it out and just go with the annual naming fees. As an admirer of history, I appreciate the great historical names which have been attached to our roadways. I am fairly certain that roads like Patrick Henry Drive and Lee/Jackson Highway won’t lose their names so this should be ok. Some roads could use a name change anyway. For example, I have always been curious about the origins behind the naming of Guinea Road, which connects Braddock Road and Little River Turnpike in Fairfax. By-the-way, Braddock Road’s name comes from a solid historical reference to the French and Indian War.

So as long as the names don’t get out of hand I’m on board. The intersection of Olde English Malt Liquor and Attends Geriatric Diapers would be a bit much, but I doubt that example will become a reality. If there were a McDonald’s and Burger King intersection, and if there were no crime there, then what would that say about capitalism? How much fun would it be to drive across Goldmax Wooden Premium Grade Popsicle Stick Bridge? I would like to see wealthy Virginia pro athletes buy up some naming rights. The corner of Allen Iverson Avenue and Alonzo Morning Lane would be the most happenin’ place in the commonwealth. Maybe the unlikable Dan Snyder will choose to buy some PR points by acquiring naming rights to the roadways around Redskin Park in Ashburn and then name them after our favorite ‘Skins of old. I know that if my wallet matched my ego I would buy a road’s name. Just take Truly Awesome Chris Farmer Boulevard they’ll say. It would be sweet.

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