On Saturday there was a Hampton Roads Civic Engagement Summit held in Suffolk. Over 180 people from throughout the region participated.
Shortly after arriving on Saturday morning I met fellow blogger Missy Schmidt. During the main sessions I sat with CCO President Sam Reid and CCO Previous President Chandler Scarborough. State Senator John Miller came in and sat in front of us.
The meeting started with audio comments by Bob O'Neill, followed by the introduction of the Summit Moderator: Suzette Denslow, Chief of Staff for Richmond Mayor Dwight Jones. The Key Presentation was given by Chris Gates, Executive Director of Philanthropy for Active Civic Engagement (PACE). Dr. Quentin Kidd did a Presentation on the Batten Surveys. That was followed by breakout groups. Everyone then reconvened for a final round of voting.
A large contingent from the Virginia Beach Taxpayers Alliance (VBTA) showed up: Dean, Moss, Greenmun, et al. Virginia Beach's embarrassment became the region's as they engage in their usual antics. One observer from Virginia Beach tried to pass it off: the hijinx were mild "for them."
The VBTAers were thrown for a loss when Keynote Speaker Gates commented on the history of referenda. The original intent of referenda was not for day-to-day government, but simply to release pressure when things got very bad.
On the Batten Surveys, the two top priorities that both the elite and general population agreed on were the economy and transportation.
It will be interesting what becomes the use of Saturday's input and results.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Jeff Frederick Removed As RPV Chairman
Yesterday afternoon the Republican State Central Committee removed Chairman Jeff Frederick by a 57-18 vote.
My two cents worth: I'm glad Frederick is gone and the bloodshed over. What Frederick didn't seem to get is that the Chairman's primary duty for the Republican Party of Virginia (RPV) is to be chief fundraiser, not chief ideologue. In addition, 3 Virginia Republican House of Representatives lost their Congressional seats last November, the worst record in the country.
On Facebook I've joined the group "Draft George Allen as RPV Chair." George is not only capable, but the best consensus candidate available. We need to unify the RPV behind the new Chairman and push on to wins this November.
My two cents worth: I'm glad Frederick is gone and the bloodshed over. What Frederick didn't seem to get is that the Chairman's primary duty for the Republican Party of Virginia (RPV) is to be chief fundraiser, not chief ideologue. In addition, 3 Virginia Republican House of Representatives lost their Congressional seats last November, the worst record in the country.
On Facebook I've joined the group "Draft George Allen as RPV Chair." George is not only capable, but the best consensus candidate available. We need to unify the RPV behind the new Chairman and push on to wins this November.
Jason Call Running In the 90th
Yesterday morning I met Jason Call, who is running for the House of Delegates in the 90th District. That's the seat currently held by Algie Howell. Jason's website is at http://www.vote4call.org/
His politics? Jason came up and introduced himself. He thought he knew me from somewhere, asking if I'd been at the "Ron Paul meetings". (No, I'm not a Paulistinian; I was a Mike Huckabee supporter.)
His politics? Jason came up and introduced himself. He thought he knew me from somewhere, asking if I'd been at the "Ron Paul meetings". (No, I'm not a Paulistinian; I was a Mike Huckabee supporter.)
Only On Sunday On HRT
For my fellow bus riders, you'll be amused by this one. What little bus service Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) runs on Sunday can make for some stories. I have one from today.
Route 310 is the Downtown Shuttle that serves downtown Norfolk from the Cedar Grove Transfer Center. Occasionally HRT will make a mistake and put a low floor Gillig on that route, a vast underutilization of their best equipment. (Orions are the best fit for the 310.) Today there were two low floor Gilligs on the 310, Buses 2022 and 2023. Given the lack of service on Sunday, they could get away with it.
Route 310 is the Downtown Shuttle that serves downtown Norfolk from the Cedar Grove Transfer Center. Occasionally HRT will make a mistake and put a low floor Gillig on that route, a vast underutilization of their best equipment. (Orions are the best fit for the 310.) Today there were two low floor Gilligs on the 310, Buses 2022 and 2023. Given the lack of service on Sunday, they could get away with it.
Friday, April 3, 2009
RAC April 2, 2009
On Thursday afternoon Virginia Beach's Resort Advisory Committee (RAC) held it's April meeting.
Michael Jenkins has been given a 4 month extension to put together a firm proposal for redeveloping the Dome site. Jenkins had asked for 2 months, while the Virginia Beach Development Authority (VBDA) granted 4 months.
The RAC voted to endorse a proposal for a one-year pilot program to operate pedicabs exclusively along the bike path adjacent to the Boardwalk. Some discussion ensued as to whether or not a permanent arrangement should have a single company or multiple companies competing.
Commissioners were show plans for a Walgreen's proposed to be built on the site of the former post office at 24th Street. Some wondered whether the current building could be morphed into a Walgreen's, rather than the planned new building. In addition, concerns were expressed over how the layout would interface with nighttime loitering along Atlantic Avenue.
Michael Jenkins has been given a 4 month extension to put together a firm proposal for redeveloping the Dome site. Jenkins had asked for 2 months, while the Virginia Beach Development Authority (VBDA) granted 4 months.
The RAC voted to endorse a proposal for a one-year pilot program to operate pedicabs exclusively along the bike path adjacent to the Boardwalk. Some discussion ensued as to whether or not a permanent arrangement should have a single company or multiple companies competing.
Commissioners were show plans for a Walgreen's proposed to be built on the site of the former post office at 24th Street. Some wondered whether the current building could be morphed into a Walgreen's, rather than the planned new building. In addition, concerns were expressed over how the layout would interface with nighttime loitering along Atlantic Avenue.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Greenmun Named Light Rail Project Manager
Reid Greenmun has been chosen to be Virginia Beach's Project Manager for light rail construction. Norfolk named a construction czar for it's major downtown projects, and now Virginia Beach is following suit.
When asked about the appointment, Greenmun replied, "As the old saying goes, 'If you can't beat them, join them.' I came to realize that the VBTA's campaign against light rail is futile. It's based on lies, distortions, and outdated information. It was getting to the point where I couldn't look at myself in the mirror anymore."
Explaining his flip-flop, Reid stated,"I've now received professional help for dealing with my paranoia. The TOD Conspiracy that used to obsess me was only a figment of my imagination. I've come to embrace rational land planning and urbanization."
Asked if other VBTAers would cross the line to advocate for light rail, Reid said, "Given their short-sightedness, prejudices, and failure to understand basic economics, I'm not holding my breath on it. However, Virginia Beach would be a much better place if we could all come together to hammer out a sensible mass transit plan for the Beach with light rail at it's center."
When asked about the appointment, Greenmun replied, "As the old saying goes, 'If you can't beat them, join them.' I came to realize that the VBTA's campaign against light rail is futile. It's based on lies, distortions, and outdated information. It was getting to the point where I couldn't look at myself in the mirror anymore."
Explaining his flip-flop, Reid stated,"I've now received professional help for dealing with my paranoia. The TOD Conspiracy that used to obsess me was only a figment of my imagination. I've come to embrace rational land planning and urbanization."
Asked if other VBTAers would cross the line to advocate for light rail, Reid said, "Given their short-sightedness, prejudices, and failure to understand basic economics, I'm not holding my breath on it. However, Virginia Beach would be a much better place if we could all come together to hammer out a sensible mass transit plan for the Beach with light rail at it's center."
Bob O'Connor Named CVB Director
Virginia Beach City Manager Jim Spore today named Bob O'Connor as the new Director of the Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB). O'Connor replaces the retiring Jim Ricketts. Spore elaborated, "Bob's 4,000 page Investigative Report on the Resort Area shows that he's more knowledgeable than anyone else on Tourism policy. Therefore, he's a natural pick for the job."
Bob O'Connor was elated at the appointment, "I plan to decimate Virginia Beach's Tourism industry like I destroyed CACI. First, the VBTA Board of Directors will replace the RAC as the Tourism policy advisory board of Virginia Beach. The VBTA has never met a Resort Area project that it didn't hate. Second, the Virginia Aquarium will be converted into an institution for the study and worship of Robert Dean. Finally, the Gift of Tourism Campaign will be replaced by the Gift of Bob O'Connor Campaign. Residents prefer my blathering to facts any day."
When asked if such policies would destroy the fiscal dividend the City receives from Tourism, Bob snarled, "The only dividend I care about is the paycheck I'll now be receiving from the City."
When asked whether or not City Council and Staff couldn't keep the Tourism industry afloat, O'Connor replied "I've always opposed each and every City initiative. I won't change now. Whatever that want, I'll reject."
Bob O'Connor was elated at the appointment, "I plan to decimate Virginia Beach's Tourism industry like I destroyed CACI. First, the VBTA Board of Directors will replace the RAC as the Tourism policy advisory board of Virginia Beach. The VBTA has never met a Resort Area project that it didn't hate. Second, the Virginia Aquarium will be converted into an institution for the study and worship of Robert Dean. Finally, the Gift of Tourism Campaign will be replaced by the Gift of Bob O'Connor Campaign. Residents prefer my blathering to facts any day."
When asked if such policies would destroy the fiscal dividend the City receives from Tourism, Bob snarled, "The only dividend I care about is the paycheck I'll now be receiving from the City."
When asked whether or not City Council and Staff couldn't keep the Tourism industry afloat, O'Connor replied "I've always opposed each and every City initiative. I won't change now. Whatever that want, I'll reject."
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