I'm currently the Business and Agriculture Reporter at a daily newspaper - The News Leader in Staunton, Virginia. Prior to joining The News Leader I worked at a weekly paper for almost two years - The Loudoun Times-Mirror. I'm interested in writing on hard-hitting issues, features and anything that is going on in my community. I love to travel and write about my experiences and I hope to visit every state and state park someday. My days mostly conclude enjoying and curling up with a good book and a record playing, with my cat Thea. My blog is updated weekly with stories from the previous week. Check NewsLeader.com to follow current stories I've written.
This is a new spin on my Citizen Involvement Calendar.
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January 11th-15th
January 18th-22nd
January 25th-29th
Recent Posts
Oct 30, 2009
Oct 20, 2009
HandsOn Greater Richmond
A Step Forward for the Community of Richmond
During hard times many just look to another for a hand. The organization Hands On Greater Richmond does just that. Started in December 2005 as Activate Richmond, HandsOn set out with the mission to “inform, inspire, and engage volunteers through meaningful service and leadership opportunities to create positive change in our community.”
Kirsten Kaplan, cofounder and manager of the Corporate Cares program and the Interim Director, says HandsOn Greater Richmond is a way to link for everyone to join together.
“Our goal is to connect anyone interested in service to opportunities for them to make a positive difference,” said Kaplan. “Regardless of how much time, skills, or interest areas. Whatever the availability and cause, we will find a fit.”
Kaplan and cofounders Vanessa Diamond and Elaine Summerfield started the organization to people who were seeking ways to volunteer with friends and coworkers, according to Kaplan.
“It quickly grew into a web-based volunteer network where any community member interested in contributing time could sign up to volunteer,” said Kaplan.
By February 2007, Activate Richmond joined the nationwide HandsOn Network and became HandsOn Greater Richmond. Six months later, they joined the Partnership for Nonprofit Excellence, which encompasses Connect Richmond and Nonprofit Learning Point, according to Kaplan.
Tiffany Harris, part of AmeriaCorps VISTA and is the Progam Coordinator for HandsOn Greater Richmond, has been with the organization since its inception in 2005.
“When most volunteer opportunities are Monday through Friday, 9 to 5 and young professionals don’t really have the capacity to take off and volunteer,” said Harris. “So, we really wanted to develop these projects that were in a group setting, so it was a good way to meet people and also volunteer in the evenings and the weekends.”
There are two main events that are in the HandsOn Greater Richmond Calendar that serve as big volunteer service days. Martin Luther King Jr. Day and HandsOn Day. On October 17, HandsOn Day will take place all over the city. With up to 1,000 individuals serving at over 20 local projects, according to Kaplan.
“The HandsOn Day participants will provide more than 4,000 volunteer hours this October…an estimated value of $83,000 to the Metro Richmond community!” said Kaplan. “ In addition,
Some sponsors of HandsOn day include Target and Altria, who will also send volunteers for the event that is held city-wide.
“Our big thing literally is just volunteering. If you want to volunteer one time, if you want to sign up for one project, one day out of the year, you can volunteer,” said Harris. “If you’d like to search for an organization that really fits your needs and you want to volunteer with that one organization all year round we also have listings for that.”
Jennifer Miller, the Chair of HandsOn Day describes her experiences with HandsOn Greater Richmond as a “flexible way to give back to the community”.
“I am a Team Leader with HandsOn Day Greater Richmond. That means I can sign up to lead any kind of service project from leading a team at the Foodbank to doing an arts and craft projects with kids at a shelter to painting a mural at a community center,” said Miller. “I can pick the projects that suit my schedule.”
Though for most of the volunteers that work with HandsOn Greater Richmond, it is not their primary job. Miller works as a training communications manager. While when the cofounders first started out Kaplan worked for VCU’s Performance Management Group. Diamond worked for the VCU Division of Community Engagement. Summerfield continues to work for the Community Foundation. Even though the organization is mainly operated by volunteers, there are some staff members according to Miller.
Harris describes the second goal of HandsOn Greater Richmond was to get nonprofit organizations to “rethink the traditional 9 to 5, Monday through Friday volunteer model and get them to see if you reach out to see where volunteers are they’ll reach back and you’ll get more volunteers.”
Miller describes her volunteering experience as reaching that certain “helper high”.
“That feeling you get when you help someone else…hard work that just feels good,” said Miller. “You forget about all of your own problems for a while and you gain some real perspective about those living in less fortunate circumstances…when I found the one that truly touched my heart nothing comes close to that feeling.”
Volunteering is especially important in this economic state, according to Harris.
“It really gives you a chance to step outside yourself no matter how you think your situation is there’s always someone else that needs your help,” said Harris. “It gives you that sort of global perspective even on a local level.”
During hard times many just look to another for a hand. The organization Hands On Greater Richmond does just that. Started in December 2005 as Activate Richmond, HandsOn set out with the mission to “inform, inspire, and engage volunteers through meaningful service and leadership opportunities to create positive change in our community.”
Kirsten Kaplan, cofounder and manager of the Corporate Cares program and the Interim Director, says HandsOn Greater Richmond is a way to link for everyone to join together.
“Our goal is to connect anyone interested in service to opportunities for them to make a positive difference,” said Kaplan. “Regardless of how much time, skills, or interest areas. Whatever the availability and cause, we will find a fit.”
Kaplan and cofounders Vanessa Diamond and Elaine Summerfield started the organization to people who were seeking ways to volunteer with friends and coworkers, according to Kaplan.
“It quickly grew into a web-based volunteer network where any community member interested in contributing time could sign up to volunteer,” said Kaplan.
By February 2007, Activate Richmond joined the nationwide HandsOn Network and became HandsOn Greater Richmond. Six months later, they joined the Partnership for Nonprofit Excellence, which encompasses Connect Richmond and Nonprofit Learning Point, according to Kaplan.
Tiffany Harris, part of AmeriaCorps VISTA and is the Progam Coordinator for HandsOn Greater Richmond, has been with the organization since its inception in 2005.
“When most volunteer opportunities are Monday through Friday, 9 to 5 and young professionals don’t really have the capacity to take off and volunteer,” said Harris. “So, we really wanted to develop these projects that were in a group setting, so it was a good way to meet people and also volunteer in the evenings and the weekends.”
There are two main events that are in the HandsOn Greater Richmond Calendar that serve as big volunteer service days. Martin Luther King Jr. Day and HandsOn Day. On October 17, HandsOn Day will take place all over the city. With up to 1,000 individuals serving at over 20 local projects, according to Kaplan.
“The HandsOn Day participants will provide more than 4,000 volunteer hours this October…an estimated value of $83,000 to the Metro Richmond community!” said Kaplan. “ In addition,
Some sponsors of HandsOn day include Target and Altria, who will also send volunteers for the event that is held city-wide.
“Our big thing literally is just volunteering. If you want to volunteer one time, if you want to sign up for one project, one day out of the year, you can volunteer,” said Harris. “If you’d like to search for an organization that really fits your needs and you want to volunteer with that one organization all year round we also have listings for that.”
Jennifer Miller, the Chair of HandsOn Day describes her experiences with HandsOn Greater Richmond as a “flexible way to give back to the community”.
“I am a Team Leader with HandsOn Day Greater Richmond. That means I can sign up to lead any kind of service project from leading a team at the Foodbank to doing an arts and craft projects with kids at a shelter to painting a mural at a community center,” said Miller. “I can pick the projects that suit my schedule.”
Though for most of the volunteers that work with HandsOn Greater Richmond, it is not their primary job. Miller works as a training communications manager. While when the cofounders first started out Kaplan worked for VCU’s Performance Management Group. Diamond worked for the VCU Division of Community Engagement. Summerfield continues to work for the Community Foundation. Even though the organization is mainly operated by volunteers, there are some staff members according to Miller.
Harris describes the second goal of HandsOn Greater Richmond was to get nonprofit organizations to “rethink the traditional 9 to 5, Monday through Friday volunteer model and get them to see if you reach out to see where volunteers are they’ll reach back and you’ll get more volunteers.”
Miller describes her volunteering experience as reaching that certain “helper high”.
“That feeling you get when you help someone else…hard work that just feels good,” said Miller. “You forget about all of your own problems for a while and you gain some real perspective about those living in less fortunate circumstances…when I found the one that truly touched my heart nothing comes close to that feeling.”
Volunteering is especially important in this economic state, according to Harris.
“It really gives you a chance to step outside yourself no matter how you think your situation is there’s always someone else that needs your help,” said Harris. “It gives you that sort of global perspective even on a local level.”
Profile of Scott Burger
Working to improve a now infested with college kids area, Scott Burger is devoted to Oregon Hill and the Richmond Community. Not only is he President of the Oregon Hill Neighborhood Association, but he also is on the Board of Oregon Hill Home Improvement Council, Vice Chair of the Virginia Chapter of the Sierra Club, and Vice Chair of the local Green Party.
Originally from Norfolk, Burger moved to Richmond in 1992.
“When I first moved here I wanted to do stuff with the music scene,” said Burger. “That’s how I learned a lot about the area.”
Burger graduated Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut with a major in Political Science. He took an interest in international events, which now has triggered his interest in the community.
According to Burger, his main goal is to try and stay active in the Oregon Hill Community and keep the neighborhood going. The main problem is getting people to appreciate and understand the neighborhood a little more, said Burger.
His work with the Sierra Club has included getting park plans to go through for the Oregon Hill community. A big thing is to encourage more people to get involved in local politics, said Burger.
Not only is Burger focused on Oregon Hill but also the community of Richmond. College students are a big target to get involved, according to Burger.
“I think there’s a lot of groups that are trying to engage the college kids,” said Burger. “But, I’d like to see more people that are more invested in Richmond take an active part in decision making.”
As for the college influence in the Oregon Hill area, there has been much cause for concern. With the influx of more college students each year, comes higher rent for the area. Also, a certain problem of respecting neighbors, said Burger.
“We’ve been overwhelmed with college students…they’re just there living for fours years and partying,” said Burger. “I understand that, but it’s harder for them to understand the consequences of long term thinking and basic respect for some of the neighbors is a problem.”
Not all the college students have created a problem though, according to Burger.
“There are college students who are more interested in celebrating the neighborhood,” said Burger. “Doing art, things like that, I think that’s good.”
John Zeugner, the Chair of the Falls of the James, part of the Sierra Club which is an environmental group, has worked with Burger for a couple of years. Having many interests in common, and multiple run-ins at meetings and public hearings, Zeugner started to become aware of Burger.
“Scott organized a Regiment Green Party that was based mainly in Oregon Hill,” said Zeugner.
“I’m with the Sierra Club and have been for a long time, and I’ve been interested in the Green Party. I kind of took notice.”
Zeugner also took notice of Burger’s activity in Oregon Hill and the community along with the blogging community. Most of the work the two collaborate on concerns the Sierra Club. Issues like the Storm Water Regulation the city has enforced to the big debate on the stadium in Shockoe Bottom, according to Zeugner.
“Some things are small, you know somebody wants to do something stupid in the city we fight that,” said Zeugner about the issues that are dealt with. “We get involved with the state environmental programs and provide input when they’re doing the right thing and try to fight and sue when they’re doing the wrong thing.”
Barbara Williamson works with Scott on the Executive Committee of the Falls of the James Group, as the Legislative Chair and Political Chair. Williamson said she is aware of his activity in the City of Richmond.
“I know he is very active in his neighborhood with the Oregon Hill Civic Association,” said Williamson. “He is very concerned for how the city of Richmond is run and also with the Richmond Greens group…in addition to his work with the Sierra Club.”
Williamson also thinks of Burger’s activism as a benefit.
“I think it would be great if more Richmonders were as committed to caring for the environment and there community as Scott,” said Williamson.
The biggest impact that Burger, according to Williamson, has on Richmond is “his commitment to the environment and all he does…in addition to being married and having a demanding full-time job”.
With Burger’s numerous activities, he is also an information technician for Springfield Financial Group. Burger also started the Oregon Hill Blog in 2007, where he posts different events and news about the Oregon Hill area.
“He likes to blog and everything,” said Zeugner. “I just tend to think he comes on a little confrontational. I’m all for fighting bad things, but sometimes it backfires.”
Zeugner thinks Burger’s blogging activity has built up a community of bloggers as a big accomplishment. Though thought as somewhat confrontational, Burger is fighting for what he has a strong opinion about, according to Zeugner.
“He tends to really give VCU a hard time,” said Zeugner. “Maybe it’s entirely appropriate for the neighborhood that’s going to be most impacted to fight the hardest against the 900 pound gorilla in the room. But, you need all types in a democracy.”
He may seem a bit controversial with his efforts but, Lora Toothman, an Urban Studies Professor at VCU, has Scott guest speak in her Intro to the City classes. Scott has led tours of Oregon Hill for the past three fall semesters for the students of Toothman.
“Scott's tireless dedication to the causes that are important to him is admirable,” said Toothman. “His service to the community sets an excellent example of an engaged citizen, and it's an example from which everyone could learn.”
William Smith, the Volunteer Chair of the Falls of the James Group, works with Scott on the executive committee.
“He is very active in the Sierra Club and does a lot of work with the group’s website and blog[s],” said Smith.
Originally from Norfolk, Burger moved to Richmond in 1992.
“When I first moved here I wanted to do stuff with the music scene,” said Burger. “That’s how I learned a lot about the area.”
Burger graduated Trinity College in Hartford, Connecticut with a major in Political Science. He took an interest in international events, which now has triggered his interest in the community.
According to Burger, his main goal is to try and stay active in the Oregon Hill Community and keep the neighborhood going. The main problem is getting people to appreciate and understand the neighborhood a little more, said Burger.
His work with the Sierra Club has included getting park plans to go through for the Oregon Hill community. A big thing is to encourage more people to get involved in local politics, said Burger.
Not only is Burger focused on Oregon Hill but also the community of Richmond. College students are a big target to get involved, according to Burger.
“I think there’s a lot of groups that are trying to engage the college kids,” said Burger. “But, I’d like to see more people that are more invested in Richmond take an active part in decision making.”
As for the college influence in the Oregon Hill area, there has been much cause for concern. With the influx of more college students each year, comes higher rent for the area. Also, a certain problem of respecting neighbors, said Burger.
“We’ve been overwhelmed with college students…they’re just there living for fours years and partying,” said Burger. “I understand that, but it’s harder for them to understand the consequences of long term thinking and basic respect for some of the neighbors is a problem.”
Not all the college students have created a problem though, according to Burger.
“There are college students who are more interested in celebrating the neighborhood,” said Burger. “Doing art, things like that, I think that’s good.”
John Zeugner, the Chair of the Falls of the James, part of the Sierra Club which is an environmental group, has worked with Burger for a couple of years. Having many interests in common, and multiple run-ins at meetings and public hearings, Zeugner started to become aware of Burger.
“Scott organized a Regiment Green Party that was based mainly in Oregon Hill,” said Zeugner.
“I’m with the Sierra Club and have been for a long time, and I’ve been interested in the Green Party. I kind of took notice.”
Zeugner also took notice of Burger’s activity in Oregon Hill and the community along with the blogging community. Most of the work the two collaborate on concerns the Sierra Club. Issues like the Storm Water Regulation the city has enforced to the big debate on the stadium in Shockoe Bottom, according to Zeugner.
“Some things are small, you know somebody wants to do something stupid in the city we fight that,” said Zeugner about the issues that are dealt with. “We get involved with the state environmental programs and provide input when they’re doing the right thing and try to fight and sue when they’re doing the wrong thing.”
Barbara Williamson works with Scott on the Executive Committee of the Falls of the James Group, as the Legislative Chair and Political Chair. Williamson said she is aware of his activity in the City of Richmond.
“I know he is very active in his neighborhood with the Oregon Hill Civic Association,” said Williamson. “He is very concerned for how the city of Richmond is run and also with the Richmond Greens group…in addition to his work with the Sierra Club.”
Williamson also thinks of Burger’s activism as a benefit.
“I think it would be great if more Richmonders were as committed to caring for the environment and there community as Scott,” said Williamson.
The biggest impact that Burger, according to Williamson, has on Richmond is “his commitment to the environment and all he does…in addition to being married and having a demanding full-time job”.
With Burger’s numerous activities, he is also an information technician for Springfield Financial Group. Burger also started the Oregon Hill Blog in 2007, where he posts different events and news about the Oregon Hill area.
“He likes to blog and everything,” said Zeugner. “I just tend to think he comes on a little confrontational. I’m all for fighting bad things, but sometimes it backfires.”
Zeugner thinks Burger’s blogging activity has built up a community of bloggers as a big accomplishment. Though thought as somewhat confrontational, Burger is fighting for what he has a strong opinion about, according to Zeugner.
“He tends to really give VCU a hard time,” said Zeugner. “Maybe it’s entirely appropriate for the neighborhood that’s going to be most impacted to fight the hardest against the 900 pound gorilla in the room. But, you need all types in a democracy.”
He may seem a bit controversial with his efforts but, Lora Toothman, an Urban Studies Professor at VCU, has Scott guest speak in her Intro to the City classes. Scott has led tours of Oregon Hill for the past three fall semesters for the students of Toothman.
“Scott's tireless dedication to the causes that are important to him is admirable,” said Toothman. “His service to the community sets an excellent example of an engaged citizen, and it's an example from which everyone could learn.”
William Smith, the Volunteer Chair of the Falls of the James Group, works with Scott on the executive committee.
“He is very active in the Sierra Club and does a lot of work with the group’s website and blog[s],” said Smith.
Oct 14, 2009
Deeds/McDonnell Project
While my internship continues with WRIR, I've become a part of the News Team. In this project I'm working with Mark Craig on the Governor's Race in Virginia. We are both picking specific topics and comparing the two sides. Below are the finished products.
Women's Issues
Environment
With freezing temperatures and wet, days one week, followed by warmer temperatures the next, the environment is something of concern for some Virginia citizens. Global warming is increasing and the efforts to find new energy options has been proposed numerous times, but with no real action.
Both gubernatorial candidates Creigh Deeds and Bob McDonnell, said that global warming is a serious problem. Both favor alternative energy and plan to create more green jobs. The environmental platforms of the candidates focus on energy, revitalizing lands and watersheds, and creating green jobs.
The Democratic candidate, Deeds, focuses on alternative and renewable energy. According to Deeds website, he plans to restore the Chesapeake Bay, pursue smart, green government, reduce carbon emissions and create green jobs.
The Republican candidate, Bob McDonnell, supports the protection and restoration of watersheds. He backs the development of alternative energy, but also suggests drilling off the Virginia coast and establishing a new Dominion Electric Cooperative Coal Plan in Surry County, west of Norfolk.
Crystal Cameron, McDonnell’s press secretary, said that energy is a big topic in McDonnell’s campaigning.
“One of Bob’s top priorities is to make Virginia the energy capital of the east coast,” said Cameron. “He wants to utilize all of its energy resources.”
According to Deeds website, he wants to support research on cleaner coal and enforce rigorous air quality standards for coal-fired plants.
Showing a bipartisan viewpoint, Nathan Lott, the executive director of the Virginia Conservation Network, says that alternative energy options is a big part of what is facing Americans these days. He also mentions that the term “clean coal” is something V.C.N. does not like to use.
“Our focus for a couple years now has been on energy efficiency, an area where Virginia has lagged behind,” said Lott. “I would like to see both candidates showing some leadership and resolve there. We’d like to see what energy is used in Virginia and made in Virginia produced more cleanly.”
J.R. Dolbert, an advocate for the bipartisan environmental group, Environment Virginia, says that Virginia’s future needs to be clean coal free.
“Clean coal doesn’t exist,” said Dolbert. “The fact of the matter is that Virginia has a ton of potential to meet our energy needs with the wind blowing of our shores and the sun shining down on our rooftops.”
According to Lisa Guthrie, the Executive Director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters, backs Deeds in creating new jobs, stimulating the economy and finding ways to create renewable energy.
“Creigh Deeds has come out strong for providing some tax incentives for purchase of energy efficient devices and on renewable energy and is focused on creating new jobs with that,” said Guthrie. “We think that if he’s elected he’ll do a lot toward moving us toward a new energy economy.”
In 1996, Deeds was the chief sponsor of the Agricultural Stewardship Act, which helped farmers address water quality issues. Deeds wrote and then passed Virginia’s land preservation tax credit program in 1999, when Virginia was ranked last in the nation in per capita expenditures for natural resource since its passage, nearly 500,000 acres have been preserved.
When it comes to the Chesapeake Bay, both candidates favor pollution reduction and improving the bay’s water quality.
In 2000, McDonnell signed the Chesapeake Bay Agreement to obtain the outlined goals for nutrient reduction.
Deeds believes the efforts of leadership in federal and multi-state partnerships would actualize the restoration and reduction commitments to the bay.
“The Chesapeake Bay is one of our greatest natural resources and we have to make sure our future generation can enjoy it,” said Cameron.
Tax/Transportation
In the current state of the economy, the subject of taxation is never voter friendly. Candidates Creigh Deeds and Bob McDonnell bolster initiatives in creating tax breaks and boosting the economy. McDonnell’s plan emphasizes lowering taxes, trimming spending while improving free enterprise, and introducing new guidelines to solve transportation woes. While Deeds’s plan acts on solutions for homeowners and small businesses, the creation of jobs through his transportation plan, and simplifying Virginia’s government.
McDonnell wants to reduce business employment requirements for tax credits that create new jobs, back annual income credits for new green-jobs, and create the new role of job czar for the elected Lieutenant Governor to help stimulate Virginia’s economical future. In his plan, businesses will receive $1,000 tax credits for creating 50 new jobs, or 24 new jobs in distressed areas. Qualified energy-business will receive annual income credits for $500 for each new green job. The role of job czar involves coordination of economic development, as well as implementing new jobs for decaying state agencies.
While one the opposition, Deeds plans to offer small business tax breaks According to Deeds’s plan, businesses would be rewarded with a tax credit for the hiring of new workers or facility upgrades.
“My first priority is to create jobs in every corner of the Commonwealth and get the economy moving,” said Deeds. “That’s why I’ve focused on a plan to create jobs in every part of Virginia by awarding a tax credit for every job that’s created.”
McDonnell plans to audit state agencies in order to lower Virginia’s spending. He said tat with the doubling of the budget over the last decade a greater transparency is needed to make this state’s budget manageable.
Deeds plans to create a more efficient government by naming an efficiency improvement director from businesses, creating a state employee workforce plan, and promote energy savings within Virginia’s facilities.
According to Lisa Guthrie, the Executive Director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters, Deeds has a good chance of making government more efficient.
“I think that in terms of job generation the creating of some research efforts will link a lot of these priorities together,” said Guthrie.
By utilizing the surplus revenues from the general fund and identifying efficiencies in the state budget, McDonnell can avoid tax increase.
Crystal Cameron, Bob McDonnell’s press secretary said that there are several other ways to avoid tax increases, and McDonnell plans to see that through.
“It’s called leadership, it’s called accountability, it’s called going in and redoing budgets.” said Cameron. “As attorney general he cut 14% of his budget and took a pay cut. There were several other measures that he took without raising taxes to balance his budget and he will do the same as governor.”
With Deeds’s transportation plan, efforts of reviving Virginia’s roads may need a bit more support. According to Deeds, with regards to transportation, no money will be taken away from education or other amenities involving the general fund.
“Frankly, it’s going to benefit all of Virginia. Transportation is the biggest impediment we have right now,” said Deeds. “A lot of people think of transportation as a Northern Virginia and a Hampton Roads type of issue. But, it’s a statewide issue. We lose opportunity in every part of
McDonnell wants to make road construction in Virginia an immediate four-year priority. McDonnell believes current roadway projects lag in accomplishing the results needed. His strategy contains four pillars. First, projects creating benefits for taxpayers must receive priority. Second, reduce the completion times for these projects. Third, better strategies for operations and maintenance of existing roadways and the fourth pillar calls for a more stable and effective transportation funding model.
Election Night Wrap Up
Women's Issues
Environment
With freezing temperatures and wet, days one week, followed by warmer temperatures the next, the environment is something of concern for some Virginia citizens. Global warming is increasing and the efforts to find new energy options has been proposed numerous times, but with no real action.
Both gubernatorial candidates Creigh Deeds and Bob McDonnell, said that global warming is a serious problem. Both favor alternative energy and plan to create more green jobs. The environmental platforms of the candidates focus on energy, revitalizing lands and watersheds, and creating green jobs.
The Democratic candidate, Deeds, focuses on alternative and renewable energy. According to Deeds website, he plans to restore the Chesapeake Bay, pursue smart, green government, reduce carbon emissions and create green jobs.
The Republican candidate, Bob McDonnell, supports the protection and restoration of watersheds. He backs the development of alternative energy, but also suggests drilling off the Virginia coast and establishing a new Dominion Electric Cooperative Coal Plan in Surry County, west of Norfolk.
Crystal Cameron, McDonnell’s press secretary, said that energy is a big topic in McDonnell’s campaigning.
“One of Bob’s top priorities is to make Virginia the energy capital of the east coast,” said Cameron. “He wants to utilize all of its energy resources.”
According to Deeds website, he wants to support research on cleaner coal and enforce rigorous air quality standards for coal-fired plants.
Showing a bipartisan viewpoint, Nathan Lott, the executive director of the Virginia Conservation Network, says that alternative energy options is a big part of what is facing Americans these days. He also mentions that the term “clean coal” is something V.C.N. does not like to use.
“Our focus for a couple years now has been on energy efficiency, an area where Virginia has lagged behind,” said Lott. “I would like to see both candidates showing some leadership and resolve there. We’d like to see what energy is used in Virginia and made in Virginia produced more cleanly.”
J.R. Dolbert, an advocate for the bipartisan environmental group, Environment Virginia, says that Virginia’s future needs to be clean coal free.
“Clean coal doesn’t exist,” said Dolbert. “The fact of the matter is that Virginia has a ton of potential to meet our energy needs with the wind blowing of our shores and the sun shining down on our rooftops.”
According to Lisa Guthrie, the Executive Director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters, backs Deeds in creating new jobs, stimulating the economy and finding ways to create renewable energy.
“Creigh Deeds has come out strong for providing some tax incentives for purchase of energy efficient devices and on renewable energy and is focused on creating new jobs with that,” said Guthrie. “We think that if he’s elected he’ll do a lot toward moving us toward a new energy economy.”
In 1996, Deeds was the chief sponsor of the Agricultural Stewardship Act, which helped farmers address water quality issues. Deeds wrote and then passed Virginia’s land preservation tax credit program in 1999, when Virginia was ranked last in the nation in per capita expenditures for natural resource since its passage, nearly 500,000 acres have been preserved.
When it comes to the Chesapeake Bay, both candidates favor pollution reduction and improving the bay’s water quality.
In 2000, McDonnell signed the Chesapeake Bay Agreement to obtain the outlined goals for nutrient reduction.
Deeds believes the efforts of leadership in federal and multi-state partnerships would actualize the restoration and reduction commitments to the bay.
“The Chesapeake Bay is one of our greatest natural resources and we have to make sure our future generation can enjoy it,” said Cameron.
Tax/Transportation
In the current state of the economy, the subject of taxation is never voter friendly. Candidates Creigh Deeds and Bob McDonnell bolster initiatives in creating tax breaks and boosting the economy. McDonnell’s plan emphasizes lowering taxes, trimming spending while improving free enterprise, and introducing new guidelines to solve transportation woes. While Deeds’s plan acts on solutions for homeowners and small businesses, the creation of jobs through his transportation plan, and simplifying Virginia’s government.
McDonnell wants to reduce business employment requirements for tax credits that create new jobs, back annual income credits for new green-jobs, and create the new role of job czar for the elected Lieutenant Governor to help stimulate Virginia’s economical future. In his plan, businesses will receive $1,000 tax credits for creating 50 new jobs, or 24 new jobs in distressed areas. Qualified energy-business will receive annual income credits for $500 for each new green job. The role of job czar involves coordination of economic development, as well as implementing new jobs for decaying state agencies.
While one the opposition, Deeds plans to offer small business tax breaks According to Deeds’s plan, businesses would be rewarded with a tax credit for the hiring of new workers or facility upgrades.
“My first priority is to create jobs in every corner of the Commonwealth and get the economy moving,” said Deeds. “That’s why I’ve focused on a plan to create jobs in every part of Virginia by awarding a tax credit for every job that’s created.”
McDonnell plans to audit state agencies in order to lower Virginia’s spending. He said tat with the doubling of the budget over the last decade a greater transparency is needed to make this state’s budget manageable.
Deeds plans to create a more efficient government by naming an efficiency improvement director from businesses, creating a state employee workforce plan, and promote energy savings within Virginia’s facilities.
According to Lisa Guthrie, the Executive Director of the Virginia League of Conservation Voters, Deeds has a good chance of making government more efficient.
“I think that in terms of job generation the creating of some research efforts will link a lot of these priorities together,” said Guthrie.
By utilizing the surplus revenues from the general fund and identifying efficiencies in the state budget, McDonnell can avoid tax increase.
Crystal Cameron, Bob McDonnell’s press secretary said that there are several other ways to avoid tax increases, and McDonnell plans to see that through.
“It’s called leadership, it’s called accountability, it’s called going in and redoing budgets.” said Cameron. “As attorney general he cut 14% of his budget and took a pay cut. There were several other measures that he took without raising taxes to balance his budget and he will do the same as governor.”
With Deeds’s transportation plan, efforts of reviving Virginia’s roads may need a bit more support. According to Deeds, with regards to transportation, no money will be taken away from education or other amenities involving the general fund.
“Frankly, it’s going to benefit all of Virginia. Transportation is the biggest impediment we have right now,” said Deeds. “A lot of people think of transportation as a Northern Virginia and a Hampton Roads type of issue. But, it’s a statewide issue. We lose opportunity in every part of
McDonnell wants to make road construction in Virginia an immediate four-year priority. McDonnell believes current roadway projects lag in accomplishing the results needed. His strategy contains four pillars. First, projects creating benefits for taxpayers must receive priority. Second, reduce the completion times for these projects. Third, better strategies for operations and maintenance of existing roadways and the fourth pillar calls for a more stable and effective transportation funding model.
Election Night Wrap Up
Oct 13, 2009
Dance on Camera
This is an article I wrote for the Commonwealth Times. It's about the VCU Dance Department holding a screening of artists from all around the world. Don't mind the misprint of my name. I called it to their attention.
http://media.www.commonwealthtimes.com/media/storage/paper634/news/2009/10/12/Spectrum/dance.On.Camera.Educates.Inspires-3800693.shtml
http://media.www.commonwealthtimes.com/media/storage/paper634/news/2009/10/12/Spectrum/dance.On.Camera.Educates.Inspires-3800693.shtml