One of the accounting tricks in the proposed amendments to the FY 2010 Virginia Beach Budget is to impose an annual $45 fee for non-residents using our libraries. It's a case where what is good politics is bad public policy.
I live in Virginia Beach and have a Beach library card. I also have cards from Chesapeake, Newport News, Norfolk, and Portsmouth. Each system has it's strengths:
Chesapeake - probably the best all-around: large book collections, plenty of good computers, nice buildings, and more operating hours than anyone else in the region. If they only had much better meeting rooms....
Newport News - the Pearl Bailey Library may be small, but has the feel of a community center.
Norfolk - my favorite computer room is in the new main library in the Seaboard Building. In addition, the Pretlow is a gem.
Portsmouth - patrons are friendly, plus a neat queueing system for the public computers.
Virginia Beach should not launch a regional fee war. First, as dependent as we are on visitors, we should be mindful of our image. Second, as Virginia Beach often gets portrayed as the bad guy in regional efforts, no need to feed into it.
Virginia law provides that the resident of any jurisdiction may get a reciprocal library card in any other locality in the Commonwealth. It's an easy argument that a non-residents fee violates the spirit - if not the letter - of the law.
Here's an idea for further regional cooperation: how about an agreement among localities not to impose non-resident library fees on residents from elsewhere in Hampton Roads?
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Monday, March 30, 2009
No Ads Here
Blogger has now made it very easy to put ads on your blog and take in some cash.
I'm not going to. As those of you who read my Christmas' posts know, I'm not in this for money. Since Blogger is freeware, I have no costs in maintaining this blog. Therefore, I won't subject you to ads.
I'm not going to. As those of you who read my Christmas' posts know, I'm not in this for money. Since Blogger is freeware, I have no costs in maintaining this blog. Therefore, I won't subject you to ads.
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Bob McDonnell Kicks Off Campaign
Yesterday Bob McDonnell kicked off his campaign for Governor. Also speaking at the Rally at Princess Anne High School were Randy Forbes and Bill Bolling. Bearing Drift has excellent coverage; however, as a Blogger for McDonnell, I'd be remiss not to put up a post on it.
I ran into a few people I hadn't seen in awhile. Also, quite a few members of the Virginia Beach City Council were there: Glenn Davis, Rosemary Wilson, Louis Jones, Ron Villanueva, and John Uhrin.
The most intriguing sight of the day: someone wearing a "Huckabee/Palin 2012" t-shirt. (Where do I get one?)
Both Bolling and McDonnell gave great speeches. The focus of McDonnell's campaign is going to be jobs. That wins on two levels: it's especially hot button in this economy, and the Demonrats can never beat Republicans on jobs creation.
This campaign is Bob McDonnell's to lose. Fun fact: since 1977, the party holding the White House has lost the Virginia Governor's race.
I ran into a few people I hadn't seen in awhile. Also, quite a few members of the Virginia Beach City Council were there: Glenn Davis, Rosemary Wilson, Louis Jones, Ron Villanueva, and John Uhrin.
The most intriguing sight of the day: someone wearing a "Huckabee/Palin 2012" t-shirt. (Where do I get one?)
Both Bolling and McDonnell gave great speeches. The focus of McDonnell's campaign is going to be jobs. That wins on two levels: it's especially hot button in this economy, and the Demonrats can never beat Republicans on jobs creation.
This campaign is Bob McDonnell's to lose. Fun fact: since 1977, the party holding the White House has lost the Virginia Governor's race.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
82% Want Ken To Run For Sheriff
82% of poll voters want Senator Ken Stolle to run for Sheriff of Virginia Beach, while 17% were opposed.
The new poll: should pedicabs be allowed to operate along the bike path paralell to Virginia Beach's Boardwalk?
The new poll: should pedicabs be allowed to operate along the bike path paralell to Virginia Beach's Boardwalk?
Norfolk's Light Rail Starter Line Is A Bargain
Compare Norfolk's cost per mile with other light rail systems recently built around the country and you'll see our Starter Line is very cost-effective:
Norfolk - $38,918,918
Charlotte (Lynx Blue Line) - $48,197,916
Portland (Interstate Avenue - MAX Yellow Line) - $55,172,413
Denver (West Corridor Line) - $58,429,752
Phoenix (Central/East Valley) - $68,965,517
Portland (South Corridor Line) - $69,361,445
Los Angeles (Expo Line Phase 1) - $100,930,232
Now that you know the facts, don't fall for naysayers generalizations about light rail construction costs. Not only is Norfolk's Starter Line the cheapest out there, but the Virginia Beach extension should cost even less per mile given the straightaway railroad Right-Of-Way that's being purchased.
Norfolk - $38,918,918
Charlotte (Lynx Blue Line) - $48,197,916
Portland (Interstate Avenue - MAX Yellow Line) - $55,172,413
Denver (West Corridor Line) - $58,429,752
Phoenix (Central/East Valley) - $68,965,517
Portland (South Corridor Line) - $69,361,445
Los Angeles (Expo Line Phase 1) - $100,930,232
Now that you know the facts, don't fall for naysayers generalizations about light rail construction costs. Not only is Norfolk's Starter Line the cheapest out there, but the Virginia Beach extension should cost even less per mile given the straightaway railroad Right-Of-Way that's being purchased.
Stimulus Checks in May
For those receiving Social Security benefits, Vice President Joe Biden announced one-time stimulus payments of $250 will be distributed in May. http://www.ssa.gov/pressoffice/pr/recovery-payments-pr.htm
TDCHR March 26, 2009
The Transportation District Commission of Hampton Roads (TDCHR), the governing board of Hampton Roads Transit (HRT), met this afternoon.
Norfolk's light rail Starter Line is about 30% complete, and track and ties should begin to be laid on the eastern portion later next week. Promotion standees reading "The Tide Is Rising" and holding brochures will begin appearing in Norfolk locations.
The awarding of the contract for the Virginia Beach light rail DEIS has been delayed until April. HRT expects to have a pricing proposal from the most qualified bidder late next week.
HRT is running more than $2.2 million under it's Operating Budget for FY 2009.
The draft Operating Budget for FY 2010 has been trimmed to the point where it is less than an .1% increase over FY 2009. First, a one year amendment has allowed state capital funds (which will be supplanted by Federal stimulus money) to be moved to operations. Second, $1 million in Federal funds have been received from the MPO. Third, the termination of Hampton neighborhood service will allow that money to be shifted. Fourth, 7 positions (3 vacant) have been eliminated.
There was a Presentation on the regional Mass Transit Vision Plan, which is scheduled to be released next week. There may be a second round to the process to deal with the Plan's shortcomings.
Some online have wondered where HRT got $5 million from to help with the purchase of the Norfolk Southern Right-Of-Way in Virginia Beach at the same time the system is facing possible service cuts. The money is Federal Section 5307 funds, which couldn't be used for bus operations.
Finally, the next meeting of the TDCHR will be April 23 in Hampton at HRT headquarters at 1:30 P.M.
Norfolk's light rail Starter Line is about 30% complete, and track and ties should begin to be laid on the eastern portion later next week. Promotion standees reading "The Tide Is Rising" and holding brochures will begin appearing in Norfolk locations.
The awarding of the contract for the Virginia Beach light rail DEIS has been delayed until April. HRT expects to have a pricing proposal from the most qualified bidder late next week.
HRT is running more than $2.2 million under it's Operating Budget for FY 2009.
The draft Operating Budget for FY 2010 has been trimmed to the point where it is less than an .1% increase over FY 2009. First, a one year amendment has allowed state capital funds (which will be supplanted by Federal stimulus money) to be moved to operations. Second, $1 million in Federal funds have been received from the MPO. Third, the termination of Hampton neighborhood service will allow that money to be shifted. Fourth, 7 positions (3 vacant) have been eliminated.
There was a Presentation on the regional Mass Transit Vision Plan, which is scheduled to be released next week. There may be a second round to the process to deal with the Plan's shortcomings.
Some online have wondered where HRT got $5 million from to help with the purchase of the Norfolk Southern Right-Of-Way in Virginia Beach at the same time the system is facing possible service cuts. The money is Federal Section 5307 funds, which couldn't be used for bus operations.
Finally, the next meeting of the TDCHR will be April 23 in Hampton at HRT headquarters at 1:30 P.M.
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