70% of you have professionals do your income taxes, while 30% do them yourselves.
Personally, since I started working at age 16, I've done my own income taxes every year but one. (I was in the hospital at tax time.) I've never found it difficult. I filed my taxes online, and received both my state and Federal refunds this past weekend.
The new question: what are the chances of Rita Sweet Bellitto being elected to a full term on the Virginia Beach City Council? On Tuesday Council appointed her to fill Ron Villanueva's vacant seat, which will be up for election in November. I offer the same four answers from the poll on the chances of Councilman/VBTA puppet Bill DeSteph getting reelected.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Cops As Librarians?
Arriving in the Resort Area early for this afternoon's RAC meeting, I went into the Oceanfront Library. A VBPD policewoman had security duty...and was behind the desk helping with librarian duties.
That raises some obvious questions. Are we so short library help that security has to be utilized in such a manner? With contracted security cheaper, why is VBPD providing library security? Why is a police officer pulling library duty when we need more cops on the street? With City Budget time just around the corner, I'd like to know.
That raises some obvious questions. Are we so short library help that security has to be utilized in such a manner? With contracted security cheaper, why is VBPD providing library security? Why is a police officer pulling library duty when we need more cops on the street? With City Budget time just around the corner, I'd like to know.
RAC February 4, 2010
This afternoon Virginia Beach's Resort Advisory Commission (RAC) met for about 80 minutes.
The Minutes from the January meeting were approved without correction. That was the only vote of the afternoon.
Barry Frankenfield gave an update on the Laskin Gateway Project. A few Commissioners who had been at the stormy December 10 Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting agreed it would have helped had the information that evening been formatted as presented to the RAC this afternoon. Not only are property owners looking to redevelop their holdings within the area, but developers are trying to assemble land in the periphery. The CAC doesn't currently have another meeting scheduled, but probably will meet in late February.
JT's Grommet Park rolls along, and will probably open in May. The playground for the wheelchair-bound will be on the beach at Rudee Inlet. It will be double wide (so two wheelchairs can pass), have a soft play area in addition to the playground equipment already considered, as well as sand tables. There will be access from the Boardwalk at that elevation so wheelchairs don't have to go down to the beach level then back higher again. There will be wheelchair areas at the front that will allow families to gather. The design of the front area is such that it should deflect fairly heavy storms. In the wake of the November Nor'easter designers went out and took photos and measurements to calculate storm surge on that part of the beach.
Speaking of Rudee Inlet, money is currently in the City Budget to allow design of an extension of the planned Rudee Walk out onto the jetty.
There are three potential operators seeking to bid on The Hippo, the proposed huge waterslide on the beach. City Staff is currently finalizing the language for a possible franchise.
As expected, revenues collected for the Tourism Growth Investment Fund (TGIF) are down in the recession. There will probably be a TGIF Presentation to the RAC this Spring.
Running the Shamrock Marathon through The North End is now go, with issues stemming from the current drainage pipe construction in the neighborhood having been overcome. There were talks between the City, marathon organizers, and the neighborhood's civic league to resolve the matters.
The next RAC meeting will be a strategic planning meeting. It will be Thursday, March 4 at 3 P.M. at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.
The Minutes from the January meeting were approved without correction. That was the only vote of the afternoon.
Barry Frankenfield gave an update on the Laskin Gateway Project. A few Commissioners who had been at the stormy December 10 Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) meeting agreed it would have helped had the information that evening been formatted as presented to the RAC this afternoon. Not only are property owners looking to redevelop their holdings within the area, but developers are trying to assemble land in the periphery. The CAC doesn't currently have another meeting scheduled, but probably will meet in late February.
JT's Grommet Park rolls along, and will probably open in May. The playground for the wheelchair-bound will be on the beach at Rudee Inlet. It will be double wide (so two wheelchairs can pass), have a soft play area in addition to the playground equipment already considered, as well as sand tables. There will be access from the Boardwalk at that elevation so wheelchairs don't have to go down to the beach level then back higher again. There will be wheelchair areas at the front that will allow families to gather. The design of the front area is such that it should deflect fairly heavy storms. In the wake of the November Nor'easter designers went out and took photos and measurements to calculate storm surge on that part of the beach.
Speaking of Rudee Inlet, money is currently in the City Budget to allow design of an extension of the planned Rudee Walk out onto the jetty.
There are three potential operators seeking to bid on The Hippo, the proposed huge waterslide on the beach. City Staff is currently finalizing the language for a possible franchise.
As expected, revenues collected for the Tourism Growth Investment Fund (TGIF) are down in the recession. There will probably be a TGIF Presentation to the RAC this Spring.
Running the Shamrock Marathon through The North End is now go, with issues stemming from the current drainage pipe construction in the neighborhood having been overcome. There were talks between the City, marathon organizers, and the neighborhood's civic league to resolve the matters.
The next RAC meeting will be a strategic planning meeting. It will be Thursday, March 4 at 3 P.M. at the Virginia Beach Convention Center.
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Phil Shucet To HRT
Okay, some of you are probably wondering about my opinion on Phil Shucet being named interim CEO at Hampton Roads Transit (HRT).
The bottom line here is that the TDCHR has now placed a much higher priority on light rail extensions than operating it's existing bus and ferry (don't forget Route 90!) network. Shucet is an engineer who has experience (as VDOT Commissioner) at contracting, construction projects, etc. Tackling the issues involved in light rail construction should be fairly easy for him.
What Shucet doesn't have experience at is mass transit operations. How much does he know about the issues involved in keeping HRT's buses rolling daily, planning new routes, etc.? Phil took office on Monday morning. Now imagine if our Winter storm had struck 84 hours later, on Tuesday morning. What does Shucet do? (At least by Monday morning HRT was back to "roll with caution" status.)
The bottom line here is that the TDCHR has now placed a much higher priority on light rail extensions than operating it's existing bus and ferry (don't forget Route 90!) network. Shucet is an engineer who has experience (as VDOT Commissioner) at contracting, construction projects, etc. Tackling the issues involved in light rail construction should be fairly easy for him.
What Shucet doesn't have experience at is mass transit operations. How much does he know about the issues involved in keeping HRT's buses rolling daily, planning new routes, etc.? Phil took office on Monday morning. Now imagine if our Winter storm had struck 84 hours later, on Tuesday morning. What does Shucet do? (At least by Monday morning HRT was back to "roll with caution" status.)
Kerry Dougherty Botches It Yet Again
In her column today, Kerry Dougherty attacks the City of Virginia Beach for having cleared the Boardwalk of snow and ice while many city streets remained covered.
It's an apples and oranges argument. The additional services provided in the Resort Area are paid for through the Tourism Growth Investment Fund (TGIF). It's the same pool of cash that gets Resort Area sidewalks cleared each night overnight during the Summer. So while the crews and equipment could have been potentially used elsewhere afterwards, there were no funds to cover the costs.
Can someone stop Kerry from continuing to embarrass herself?
It's an apples and oranges argument. The additional services provided in the Resort Area are paid for through the Tourism Growth Investment Fund (TGIF). It's the same pool of cash that gets Resort Area sidewalks cleared each night overnight during the Summer. So while the crews and equipment could have been potentially used elsewhere afterwards, there were no funds to cover the costs.
Can someone stop Kerry from continuing to embarrass herself?
Saturday, January 30, 2010
TDCHR January 28, 2010
Thursday was a very busy day for the Transportation District Commission of Hampton Roads (TDCHR), the governing board of Hampton Roads Transit (HRT). Commissioners arrived early to discuss the well-publicized issues surrounding the issue in closed session. After completing the formal open monthly meeting, they returned to closed session to continue the discussion.
The independent accounting firm presented the audit for FY 2009, and it was received by the TDCHR.
The humor of the meeting was the move to establish the annual line of credit for calendar year 2010. It should have been a routine vote, but with Commissioners now hypersensitive about money issues, a discussion of over five minutes ensued. As expected, the new line was approved. Funds from it will be used to retire the previous line.
HRT ridership for December, 2009 was up 3.51% over the previous year. As had been the case for most of 2009, it was weekend ridership driving the numbers.
HRT is currently nearly $700K under it's operating budget for FY 2010, even after a recent $800K cut in state assistance. CFO Larry Davenport seemed fairly confident that the agency will finish the fiscal year under budget.
The independent accounting firm presented the audit for FY 2009, and it was received by the TDCHR.
The humor of the meeting was the move to establish the annual line of credit for calendar year 2010. It should have been a routine vote, but with Commissioners now hypersensitive about money issues, a discussion of over five minutes ensued. As expected, the new line was approved. Funds from it will be used to retire the previous line.
HRT ridership for December, 2009 was up 3.51% over the previous year. As had been the case for most of 2009, it was weekend ridership driving the numbers.
HRT is currently nearly $700K under it's operating budget for FY 2010, even after a recent $800K cut in state assistance. CFO Larry Davenport seemed fairly confident that the agency will finish the fiscal year under budget.
TPPC January 28, 2010
On Thursday morning the Transportation, Parking, and Pedestrian Committee (TPPC) of Virginia Beach's Resort Advisory Commission (RAC) held it's January meeting.
The big news is that 2009 was a record year for Oceanfront parking. 2009 brought in $355k more revenue than 2008, with 34.96% of those using City lots and garages Virginia Beach residents. Please note: a recurring problem is people improperly using the cluster meters on Oceanfront streets. You need to first select the space you're going to use, then insert your coins. The other way around (like most vending machines) and your money will be lost.
An accounting error may enable additional parking spaces to be built at Sandbridge for residents. The City Ordinance for Sandbridge parking lot revenue requires that first the Parking Enterprise Fund be reimbursed for all expenses, then any profit goes to the Sandbridge sand replenishment TIF fund. Instead, all parking monies were going into the TIF. Once the money is adjusted, the City may consider using an adjacent lot it owns for enlarging the parking lot. It has the potential for around 30 spaces.
The proposed waterslide known as The Hippo would now be placed at 24th Street parallel to the stage. CCO RAC representative Henry Ryto was adamant that the view from the park itself not be blocked. Given it's history, the 24th Street Park has special meaning to some grassroots activists, making the matter quite dicey.
The TPPC expressed concern about the impact of a move to form-based zoning on Resort Area parking. The committee will watch and work on the issue closely.
In advance of the RAC's March 4 strategic planning meeting, a list of top five issues for the TPPC was distributed. No immediate objections were made. After review by committee members, the list will be subject to TPPC approval at it's February meeting.
Finally, ridership for seasonal VBWave service in 2009 finished 9.3% above that for 2008.
The big news is that 2009 was a record year for Oceanfront parking. 2009 brought in $355k more revenue than 2008, with 34.96% of those using City lots and garages Virginia Beach residents. Please note: a recurring problem is people improperly using the cluster meters on Oceanfront streets. You need to first select the space you're going to use, then insert your coins. The other way around (like most vending machines) and your money will be lost.
An accounting error may enable additional parking spaces to be built at Sandbridge for residents. The City Ordinance for Sandbridge parking lot revenue requires that first the Parking Enterprise Fund be reimbursed for all expenses, then any profit goes to the Sandbridge sand replenishment TIF fund. Instead, all parking monies were going into the TIF. Once the money is adjusted, the City may consider using an adjacent lot it owns for enlarging the parking lot. It has the potential for around 30 spaces.
The proposed waterslide known as The Hippo would now be placed at 24th Street parallel to the stage. CCO RAC representative Henry Ryto was adamant that the view from the park itself not be blocked. Given it's history, the 24th Street Park has special meaning to some grassroots activists, making the matter quite dicey.
The TPPC expressed concern about the impact of a move to form-based zoning on Resort Area parking. The committee will watch and work on the issue closely.
In advance of the RAC's March 4 strategic planning meeting, a list of top five issues for the TPPC was distributed. No immediate objections were made. After review by committee members, the list will be subject to TPPC approval at it's February meeting.
Finally, ridership for seasonal VBWave service in 2009 finished 9.3% above that for 2008.
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