For those good little Egyptians who have been living in the land of denial about TEA Party racism, there's now a report out documenting the ties between the TEA Party and White supremacist and racist groups. It's a collaborative effort between the national NAACP and a think tank.
The report can be downloaded at www.teapartynationalism.com I've already downloaded it.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Hampton Roads Special Needs Registry
A website has been established to serve as a portal for our region's special needs population. In the opening phase, those with medical special needs (i.e. medically fragile, technologically dependent, high risk, etc) will be able to register in the databank. The purpose is to identify those with special needs in order that services can be delivered to them in case of a disaster.
The Federal grant to establish it simply covers those with medical special needs. However, there are plans for a second phase that would allow the social needs/at-risk population to register. That would cover those who speak limited English, are low-income and/or transit-dependent, pregnant women and those with newborn children, frail/older adults, etc.
The website is at www.hrspecialneeds.org The official launch of the site is October 28, but I managed to pull up the site a short time ago.
The Federal grant to establish it simply covers those with medical special needs. However, there are plans for a second phase that would allow the social needs/at-risk population to register. That would cover those who speak limited English, are low-income and/or transit-dependent, pregnant women and those with newborn children, frail/older adults, etc.
The website is at www.hrspecialneeds.org The official launch of the site is October 28, but I managed to pull up the site a short time ago.
TPO October 20, 2010
The Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) met this morning at the Regional Building in Chesapeake.
There is a proposed amendment to the TPO By-Laws to move meetings from the 3rd Wednesday at 10:30 A.M. to the 3rd Thursday at 9:30 A.M. The idea is to allow our region's Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) members to attend. There were some objections raised by Peninsula representatives over having to drive to Chesapeake on back to back mornings for meetings (the HRPDC meets on the 3rd Wednesday), effectively taking a half day for them each day. It was suggested that either the HRPDC meetings also be moved, or that the meetings be put in separate weeks. The vote on the amendment would come at the TPO's November 17 meeting.
The TPO approved the proposed Scope Of Work for Phase 1B of the region's High Speed Rail Vision Plan.
The TPO's Citizen Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC) reported out, favoring a state Gasoline Tax increase that would be indexed to inflation. Also, they'd like to see a regional transportation funding package. Finally, they wish for a military representative to brief the CTB annually on the military's transportation needs in our region.
The TPO voted for it's annual Legislative Package after a stormy debate over a clause advocating a regional transportation authority. In addition, they decided to include a clause endorsing expansion of the Midtown Tunnel.
There is a proposed amendment to the TPO By-Laws to move meetings from the 3rd Wednesday at 10:30 A.M. to the 3rd Thursday at 9:30 A.M. The idea is to allow our region's Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB) members to attend. There were some objections raised by Peninsula representatives over having to drive to Chesapeake on back to back mornings for meetings (the HRPDC meets on the 3rd Wednesday), effectively taking a half day for them each day. It was suggested that either the HRPDC meetings also be moved, or that the meetings be put in separate weeks. The vote on the amendment would come at the TPO's November 17 meeting.
The TPO approved the proposed Scope Of Work for Phase 1B of the region's High Speed Rail Vision Plan.
The TPO's Citizen Transportation Advisory Committee (CTAC) reported out, favoring a state Gasoline Tax increase that would be indexed to inflation. Also, they'd like to see a regional transportation funding package. Finally, they wish for a military representative to brief the CTB annually on the military's transportation needs in our region.
The TPO voted for it's annual Legislative Package after a stormy debate over a clause advocating a regional transportation authority. In addition, they decided to include a clause endorsing expansion of the Midtown Tunnel.
2010 AAPAC Endorsements
The African-American Political Action Committee (AAPAC) has released it's endorsement list for the November 2 election here in Virginia Beach.
For City Council, AAPAC endorses Andrew Jackson in the At-Large contest and Tanya Bullock in Princess Anne District. For School Board, Carray Banks in Bayside District and Gertrude "Bunny" Waugh in the At-Large field.
No, they didn't endorse in most contests. That's similiar to 2006, when Glenn Davis (At-Large) was the only Council candidate AAPAC endorsed.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
Don't Mess With The Concessions
You unanimously voted against curbing food and beverage sales at Resort Area events. I have a couple problems with the logic of the Virginia Beach Restaurant Association (VBRA). First, it assumes that all or nearly all the reduced sales would go to Resort Area restauranters. No, locals may either stop somewhere west of Birdneck Road on the way home or wait until they get home for something. Second, it overlooks the convenience factor. You may buy something in front of you, but you might not walk 2-3 blocks for it.
The new poll question is on Mayor Will Sessoms' intervention in this year Virginia Beach City Council races. Are you more likely to vote for a candidate due to Sessoms' endorsement, less likely, or do you ignore it?
Thursday, October 14, 2010
Transportation Speaker Series
As part of the ongoing Envision Transportation initiative, there will be a series of speakers on facets of the Transportation issue. The lectures will be in the Technology Theater of the Advanced Technology Center (ATC) at 7 P.M. each night.
1. Thursday, October 21
Stewart Schwartz, Executive Director of the Coalition for Smarter Growth.
www.smartergrowth.net
2. Thursday, October 28
Michael Rankin from Complete Streets
www.completestreets.com
3. Thursday, November 4
Dan Burden
www.walklive.org
4. Monday, November 15
Amy Inman of Virginia's Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) on the Regional Transit Vision Plan, Phase II
www.hrtpo.org/TPO_SpecReports.asp
For those unable to make it, the sessions will be taped for broadcast on VBTV. Remember that there's now weeknight service on Hampton Roads Transit's (HRT) Route 36, so you can make the trip in and out by bus.
1. Thursday, October 21
Stewart Schwartz, Executive Director of the Coalition for Smarter Growth.
www.smartergrowth.net
2. Thursday, October 28
Michael Rankin from Complete Streets
www.completestreets.com
3. Thursday, November 4
Dan Burden
www.walklive.org
4. Monday, November 15
Amy Inman of Virginia's Department of Rail and Public Transportation (DRPT) on the Regional Transit Vision Plan, Phase II
www.hrtpo.org/TPO_SpecReports.asp
For those unable to make it, the sessions will be taped for broadcast on VBTV. Remember that there's now weeknight service on Hampton Roads Transit's (HRT) Route 36, so you can make the trip in and out by bus.
Monday, October 11, 2010
SNL's Christine O'Donnell Ad
Christine O'Donnell is the Republican nominee for United States Senate in Delaware. Backed by the TEA Party, she defeated the party establishment's candidate in the GOP primary.
She now admits to having "dabbled" in witchcraft. That's the gist of this Saturday Night Live campaign ad for her.
H/T to Kevin Martingayle, who had a link to this posted on Facebook.
She now admits to having "dabbled" in witchcraft. That's the gist of this Saturday Night Live campaign ad for her.
H/T to Kevin Martingayle, who had a link to this posted on Facebook.
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