This evening the Virginia Beach City Council voted 10-0 to purchase the Norfolk Southern Right-Of-Way, a potential mass transit corridor that runs in a straight east-west line across our city. Rosemary Wilson was absent.
It was the first public show of strength by Light Rail Now (LRN), with supporters wearing Light Rail Now lapel stickers. Online threats by the opposition prompted LRN to mobilize.
Speaking of the opposition, Robert Dean was the only major VBTAer front and center. (Afterwards I saw John Moss outside the Council Chambers.) Mostly a cast of characters no one had ever heard of. Not only did they overstate what was on the line tonight, but made some ridiculous statements during their remarks. As I said later, "They threw their third stringers at us and we chewed them up."
Three television cameras were there: WAVY, WVEC, and one I couldn't identify. Andy Fox came over after I spoke, got the spelling of my name right, and looked at the written text of my remarks. Hey, I may be on Channel 10 later.
Shortly after my remarks to Council, a VBTAer came over and called me a "no damn good bus rider." I'm tempted to use that quote on the blog banner.
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Friday, September 10, 2010
Worked Up For A Speech
D. J. Spiker of the blog Bearing Dirft posted a link to this Huffington Post video on his Facebook feed. I embed what may be one of the craziest political speeches you'll ever see.
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Transit Notes September 9, 2010
1. I took this picture of MacArthur Station in downtown Norfolk this morning. Construction is putting up the station itself. Note the crew powwow going on, partially caught in the lower left corner.
With the day free, I went downtown for a haircut & beard trim, lunch, and a movie. The Other Guys was quite hilarious at points.
2. TMD is here and is starting work on the Efficiencies Study for Hampton Roads Transit (HRT). They arrived today and had an all-day work session with HRT's Planning Department.
I found out by chance: leaving downtown, I ran into them being given their introduction to the Cedar Grove Transfer Center. They managed to finish before the Outbound 23 (to my beloved Walmart on Military Highway) arrived.
The Deanlusional Deantator Doesn't Get It
Among those who attended last night's CCO meeting was Virginia Beach Taxpayers Alliance (VBTA) Maximum Leader Robert Dean. He arrived late, and sat in the rear. Towards the end, he rose to give a farcical speech.
1. He began with his usual anti-tax gig, going on how taxation was slashing our disposable incomes.
Nothing new. Any anti-taxer could have given it.
2. He then attacked light rail. He went on how a few times this year the VBTA had contacted the CCO Board of Directors about opposing it, only to be rebuffed.
What was Dean expecting? The Board to be shamed and come out against it now? The civic league representatives to be appalled by the Board's actions and rise up against them? If Dean hasn't noticed, the CCO has a representative on the Light Rail Now (LRN) Board of Directors. Also, two other CCO personalities sit on the LRN Board. It's far more savvy to be sitting at the table helping craft a proposal, than to be on the outside screaming like raging lunatics.
The telling thing: Dean's rant was met with a yawn. Everyone in the room was civicly active. If they embraced the VBTA's beyond the pale extremism, they'd join the tiny breakfast cult. They don't join because they recognize the VBTA as a collection of racist kooks.
The bigger issue is that while the VBTA claims "We are the people", the CCO isn't even singing the same gendre of music. The lays the lie to the VBTA's claim to be the real representatives of the residents. The VBTA has looked upon the CCO as a threat, trying to plant VBTAers on the CCO Board.
1. He began with his usual anti-tax gig, going on how taxation was slashing our disposable incomes.
Nothing new. Any anti-taxer could have given it.
2. He then attacked light rail. He went on how a few times this year the VBTA had contacted the CCO Board of Directors about opposing it, only to be rebuffed.
What was Dean expecting? The Board to be shamed and come out against it now? The civic league representatives to be appalled by the Board's actions and rise up against them? If Dean hasn't noticed, the CCO has a representative on the Light Rail Now (LRN) Board of Directors. Also, two other CCO personalities sit on the LRN Board. It's far more savvy to be sitting at the table helping craft a proposal, than to be on the outside screaming like raging lunatics.
The telling thing: Dean's rant was met with a yawn. Everyone in the room was civicly active. If they embraced the VBTA's beyond the pale extremism, they'd join the tiny breakfast cult. They don't join because they recognize the VBTA as a collection of racist kooks.
The bigger issue is that while the VBTA claims "We are the people", the CCO isn't even singing the same gendre of music. The lays the lie to the VBTA's claim to be the real representatives of the residents. The VBTA has looked upon the CCO as a threat, trying to plant VBTAers on the CCO Board.
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Clowndidate Watch 2010, 2nd Edition
This evening was the September meeting of the Council of Civic Organizations (CCO), Virginia Beach's civic league federation. With it City Council election season, some candidates showed up to campaign. Beforehand, Tanya Bullock, James Cabiness, Toni Hedrick, and Bill DeSteph were there. John Moss showed up late and spoke to people as they departed.
Prior to the meeting, Toni Hedrick walked over to where I was seated and handed me her campaign card. I was wearing my "I (Heart) Light Rail" t-shirt.
Yeah, like a mass transit advocate would vote for a friggin' VBTAer....
Prior to the meeting, Toni Hedrick walked over to where I was seated and handed me her campaign card. I was wearing my "I (Heart) Light Rail" t-shirt.
Yeah, like a mass transit advocate would vote for a friggin' VBTAer....
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Dave Redmond Wins
In our latest poll, I asked who was your first choice in the Virginia Beach City Council At-Large contest field. With a new record of 220 votes cast, Dave Redmond won with 40% of the vote. While Andrew Jackson will be my first vote, as he's the candidate who would push Virginia Beach towards where it needs to be in the future, I'm leaning towards Redmond as my second vote in that he's the best-suited towards managing today's problems.
In 2nd Place was Wally Erb at 31%. Wally pushed trying to get a light rail referendum question on this November's ballot, claiming it was simply to give the public a vote...but admits he'd campaign against it in a referendum campaign. Wally is a Libertarian who decries subsidies...but is pushing a "Tricare/Medicare Initiative" that would have the City's General Fund subsidize his doctor. Does the Erb Campaign logo have two pictures of him, one of each of his faces?
Surprisingly, James Cabiness finished 3rd at 18%. I'll take a serious look at him if Redmond disappoints.
Andrew Jackson and Rita Sweet Bellitto each got 4%, with John Moss at 2%. Bill DeSteph finished last with three votes. Was that Bill, his girlfriend, and his girlfriend's mother?
The new poll question: should the radar at Oceana be moved? Taller buildings in the Resort Area are and would obstruct it.
In 2nd Place was Wally Erb at 31%. Wally pushed trying to get a light rail referendum question on this November's ballot, claiming it was simply to give the public a vote...but admits he'd campaign against it in a referendum campaign. Wally is a Libertarian who decries subsidies...but is pushing a "Tricare/Medicare Initiative" that would have the City's General Fund subsidize his doctor. Does the Erb Campaign logo have two pictures of him, one of each of his faces?
Surprisingly, James Cabiness finished 3rd at 18%. I'll take a serious look at him if Redmond disappoints.
Andrew Jackson and Rita Sweet Bellitto each got 4%, with John Moss at 2%. Bill DeSteph finished last with three votes. Was that Bill, his girlfriend, and his girlfriend's mother?
The new poll question: should the radar at Oceana be moved? Taller buildings in the Resort Area are and would obstruct it.
Thursday, September 2, 2010
RAC September 2, 2010
Despite the approach of Hurricane Earl, Virginia Beach's Resort Advisory Commission (RAC) met this afternoon for about an hour.
First there was a Presentation by the City's Special Events And Film Office (SEAFO). Overall, special events in the Resort Area continue to mushroom, accounting for 65% of the City's total in 2009. (Special events in City parks outside the Resort Area fall under the Department of Parks and Recreation, and aren't counted towards the total.) As of August 27, in 2010 there have been 292 Resort Area special events, 151 non-Resort, and 18 films shot.
The Oceanfront Enhancement Committee (OEC) reported on the parking meters for homeless funds program. 7 meters have been installed along the Boardwalk, with 6 sponsors so far.
The Plan/Design Review Committee (PDRC) reviewed 5 projects, with 3 of note. First, another look at Beach Centre at 31st Street and Pacific Avenue. Second, a proposed new restaurant (to be named "Eden") in the old brick post office on 32nd Street. (Psst...the VBTA will believe it's part of a conspiracy when they learn Runnymede Corporation now owns the building.) Third, the proposed Ocean Sky Retail Center, which would go where the Viking Motel now stands.
Not meeting during the past month were three RAC committees: the Transportation, Parking, and Pedestrian Committee (TPPC), the Resort Investment Committee (RIC), and the Communications Committee.
The American Music Festival is scheduled to go on this weekend, but with a delayed start on Friday night. (Commissioners were told 8 P.M., with hamptonroads.com now reporting gates will open at 6:30 with shows starting at 7:45.) The worst of Hurricane Earl is suppose to be over by Noon, with winds down to 10 mph by 5 P.M. Setup crews are slated to get to work at 2 P.M., and should have the basics up in time. By Saturday night's shows, concert goers shouldn't notice anything different from previous years.
First there was a Presentation by the City's Special Events And Film Office (SEAFO). Overall, special events in the Resort Area continue to mushroom, accounting for 65% of the City's total in 2009. (Special events in City parks outside the Resort Area fall under the Department of Parks and Recreation, and aren't counted towards the total.) As of August 27, in 2010 there have been 292 Resort Area special events, 151 non-Resort, and 18 films shot.
The Oceanfront Enhancement Committee (OEC) reported on the parking meters for homeless funds program. 7 meters have been installed along the Boardwalk, with 6 sponsors so far.
The Plan/Design Review Committee (PDRC) reviewed 5 projects, with 3 of note. First, another look at Beach Centre at 31st Street and Pacific Avenue. Second, a proposed new restaurant (to be named "Eden") in the old brick post office on 32nd Street. (Psst...the VBTA will believe it's part of a conspiracy when they learn Runnymede Corporation now owns the building.) Third, the proposed Ocean Sky Retail Center, which would go where the Viking Motel now stands.
Not meeting during the past month were three RAC committees: the Transportation, Parking, and Pedestrian Committee (TPPC), the Resort Investment Committee (RIC), and the Communications Committee.
The American Music Festival is scheduled to go on this weekend, but with a delayed start on Friday night. (Commissioners were told 8 P.M., with hamptonroads.com now reporting gates will open at 6:30 with shows starting at 7:45.) The worst of Hurricane Earl is suppose to be over by Noon, with winds down to 10 mph by 5 P.M. Setup crews are slated to get to work at 2 P.M., and should have the basics up in time. By Saturday night's shows, concert goers shouldn't notice anything different from previous years.
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