School's Not Out For Summer

School’s not out for summer _ www.chesterfieldobserver.com _ Chesterfield Observer

Matthew Jones Feature

Special Athlete Heads to the National Games _ Www.chesterfieldobserver.com _ Chesterfield Observer

Tick-Borne Illnesses Have Quite a Bite

Tick-Borne Illnesses Have Quite a Bite _ Www.chesterfieldobserver.com _ Chesterfield Observer

65th High School Reunion

High School Reunion Story

Rental Rates In Chesterfield Count Schools

Rental Rates Story

City Hall Calendar for July

Week of July 5


Week of July 12


Week of July19


Week of July 26

Foster Care Story-Chesterfield Observer

Foster Family Story

City Hall Calendar for June

The week of June 7th


The week of June 14th


The week of June 21st


The week of June 28th

Movement Grows to Reform Marijuana Law

The Virginia Gazette

Movement grows to reform marijuana laws

By Laura Peters & Robin Hertel

To many young people, smoking pot isn’t a big deal, hardly a crime to merit hard time in prison. But law enforcement authorities take marijuana possession seriously: Over the past 20 years, the number of marijuana arrests nationwide has nearly tripled to more than 870,000 in 2007.

In Virginia that year, nearly 20,000 people were arrested on marijuana charges. That was an increase of more than a third since 2003, according to the group DrugScience.org.

Some groups say that it’s overkill to arrest people for having a small amount of marijuana for personal use, and that it’s wrong to throw pot smokers in prison.

The National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws is advocating what it considers to be “more rational and cost-effective marijuana policies.” Dee Duffy, director of the Virginia chapter of NORML, says most people convicted of marijuana offenses are law-abiding citizens.

“They have families, hold jobs, are educated and pose no threat to the commonwealth,” Duffy said. “The greatest threat is to the person who is in jail for marijuana possession; the punishment far outweighs the crime.”

Under Virginia law, possession of any amount of marijuana draws an automatic 30 days in jail and a fine of $500 as a first offense. As a subsequent offense, the sentence goes up to one year in jail and a fine of $2,500.

Growing marijuana is a felony and can earn up to 30 years in jail and a $10,000 fine. The sale of a half-ounce or less of marijuana is a misdemeanor punishable by one year in jail and a $2,500 fine. Possess any greater amount and it’s counted as a felony. The seller can receive up to 50 years behind bars, depending on how much is being sold to whom, and can be fined up to $1 million.

Del. Harvey Morgan (R-Gloucester) introduced two pieces of legislation during this year’s General Assembly session dealing with marijuana. One would have decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana, and the other would have allowed doctors to use marijuana to treat more diseases.

Morgan, 79, is a pharmacist and an assistant clinical professor of pharmacy at Virginia Commonwealth University's medical school. Having served in the House of Delegates for 31 years, Morgan said he did not expect the bills to go very far. And he was right: Both died in committee.

Morgan said he believed his proposals would save the state money – the cost of arresting, prosecuting and imprisoning marijuana smokers. And he felt his medical marijuana law would help ease the pain of people with debilitating diseases.

NORML officials say marijuana laws should be changed for several reasons. For one thing, they say, the laws are selectively enforced. The group says this can be seen in a recent study that compared 2007 marijuana arrests by age and by sex in the United States. Men were about six times more likely than women to be arrested on marijuana charges.

“Public opinion will change. Gradually, but it will. Interest and concern increases, which makes more demands on legislators,” Duffy said.

Recently in Richmond, a woman on her way to court for a traffic violation was busted for possession of marijuana, giving her a maximum penalty of 30 days in jail and a $500 fine.

Sheriff C.T. Woody Jr. told a television reporter that arrests like these “should serve as a reminder that our deputies are constantly on alert for illegal items entering the courthouse.” He also said such arrests illustrate how drugs can affect someone’s ability to make rational decisions.

Detective Jason Thompson of the Henrico police says that growing marijuana is more common than people think.

“Within the past several months, we have come across several grow operations,” Thompson said. “They appear to be more common in the recent years than they used to be … I think it’s a trendy thing -- a lot of the people that are into the marijuana culture. Personally, I think they find it interesting. It’s easy to grow.”

To ensure statewide enforcement, State Police are working with the Governor’s Initiative Against Narcotics Trafficking, or GIANT.

Part of GIANT’s mission is to curb the domestic cultivation of marijuana, indoor and outdoor, in Virginia, and to stop smugglers from bringing illegal drugs into the state by air and other means. Despite efforts to control the spread of marijuana in the U.S., arrests continue to rise. According to FBI statistics from 2008, about 48% of all drug arrests were for marijuana.

“There are so many marijuana arrests, I can’t even begin to imagine how to count them all,” Thompson said. “I have been to homes that the entire rooms have been gutted and used solely for the use of marijuana growing.”

City Hall Calendar for the Month of May

May 3rd-7th

May 10th-14th

May 17th-21st

May 24th-28th

Fund Drive

 Audio Version

Every fall and spring since 2005 marks this happy little time that all of us at WRIR like to call "fund drive." During this spring's fund drive -- and others in the past -- the station comes to life, filling with people, laughter and a great deal of delicious food provided by local businesses. This time of year truly encompasses what being a locally-produced, operated and run station is all about.

WRIR Board Member Josh Bearman told his story.

"The meaning of the fund drive, besides the obvious 'getting us a third of our yearly income,' is to us an attempt to validate ourselves by seeing how much of the community will come out to help support WRIR because WRIR's whole message is one of localism and community outreach and community engagement," Bearman said.

In Fall 2009, WRIR raised $27,900 with 426 donors. In Spring 2009, 414 donors gave $27,700 to the station. During WRIR's first-ever fund drive, $21,000 was raised.

There is a sense of community in the kitchen as people filter in and out and grab food. Local residents come together to support a cause they believe in: independent radio, radio for the rest of us.

Julia McCauley, Operations Director for the station, spoke about what WRIR means to her.

“My favorite part about being with WRIR is working with so many people who give up their time and talents to bring radio to Richmond,” McCauley said.

“Indie radio is important because it brings voices that you won’t hear anywhere else. A lot of people don’t know the music scene around here, a lot of people don’t know about other political views and WRIR gives them that voice.”

Phil Ford is a DJ and spoke about what the station means to him.

“I do the Friday Breakfast Blend, every Friday, from 6-8am,” Ford said. “It’ll be five years coming in August. I think it’s a good sense of community more than anything; a community of people that like music and like being involved in something bigger than themselves that’s actually worth a damn.”

Melanie Lane, a donor, spoke about her WRIR experience.

"I love your station -- amazing shows, especially on Sundays. I love your Sunday shows, Monday mornings -- pretty much any time I flip it on it's just refreshing to hear something different and new. I think it's just a little bit more heartfelt, it's not so mainstream. You have a lot of people that are really pulling together for the same kind of common cause and I think that is a very important thing, especially in any community," Lane said.

"So it just kind of shows a lot of support and a lot of information that we wouldn't normally not be able to get. I don't watch the news, so you guys are my news."

A variety of premiums are offered during this year's fund drive. Keeping consistent with past drives, a newly-designed T-shirt is available for donations of $45 or more. For $100, you receive two fund drive tees and the WRIR 5th anniversary silk-screened poster signed by artist Noah Scalin. And a portion of your $200 donation will benefit Tricycle Gardens.

A student premium is also available for $20 and comes with a T-shirt from a past fund drive. All premium donation levels come with a WRIR sticker and schedule. During WRIR's music shows, a number of prizes are given out like concert tickets, CD packages and gift certificates.

WRIR's Fund Drive will continue through Sunday, May 2. Any donation helps keep the station alive. You can donate by calling 804-622-9747 or coming by the station, located at 1621-B West Broad Street. You can donate online at wrir.org.

-Laura Peters

GO NUTS!

Audio Version

Last night marked the season opening of Richmond’s new baseball team, the Flying Squirrels. With the first ball brought in by skydivers and fireworks during the National Anthem, everyone was ready for a great ball game. Tickets were between $6 and $10, and the sold out game drew lots of Richmond Braves’ fans.

Will Meeks pointed out changes to the stadium that included the removal of seating and TVs near concessions lines. Though he has his gripes, he says he is pleasantly surprised with how things have been turning out.

“So it is kind of different, but still, it’s giving room for new experiences to be held. I thought I wasn’t going to be liking the scene but I really love it,” Meeks said.

Rachel Cressin, a Richmond native, has been going to baseball games ever since she was a kid. She says she is looking forward to the new season.

“I’ve always been a big baseball fan, you know, support the local team — and let’s face it — it’s cute boys in tight pants,” Cressin said.

Mike Lusk has been watching the transition of the stadium through the winter and says that it’s become a gem.

“Baseball is back for the children of the area, and it’s a very important part of the community. A part of the community we didn’t realized was as important as it was until it was gone for 18 months,” Lusk said.

The Squirrels clobbered the Reading Phillies 3-0. Following their win, the audience sat in awe over the fireworks show at the end of the 9th inning. But don’t fret -- the Squirrels will bring fireworks on 13 different occasions this season.

The night wasn’t without disadvantages. You might want to load up on food and drinks before the game due to the long lines and angry customers — unless you enjoy waiting 30 minutes for a large beer and some Cracker Jacks.

At the end of the game, the crowd filtered out. Everyone looked a little buzzed trying to figure out how to get out of the stadium. Although the Squirrels had been on the road for the past week, they were welcomed home in their newly-renovated stadium and brought a win home for their fans.

After catching up with Cressin at the end of the game, she spoke of her excitement to have seen opening night. One of her favorite parts was the fireworks.

“I mean, like I said before, you gotta support local baseball, it’s good to have them back, and they’re actually really good, so I’ll definitely be back,” Cressin said. “I definitely think it’s a good community, I think it’s gonna bring more people out and maybe help revenue, and it’s just nice to have baseball back in Richmond.

Lusk sang a jingle he wrote for the Flying Squirrels.

“Catch Squirrels mania, with the Richmond Flying Squirrels. Catch all the action, catch every play, the Richmond Flying Squirrels, excitement all the way. Go, Squirrels, go, you can make it on home. Catch all the action, with the Richmond Flying Squirrels.”

-Caroline Jackson, Kelsey Radcliffe, and Laura Peters

City Hall Calendar for the month of April

Week of April 5th

Week of April 12th

Week of April 19th

Week of April 26th

Cuccinelli Fights the Federal Government

Audio Version

President Obama has signed health care reform legislation into effect but Virginia’s Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli is suing the federal government. Cuccinelli says the new bill is unconstitutional, and Virginia’s Governor Bob McDonnell is standing behind the attorney general. Cuccinelli commented last week.

“The federal law is unconstitutional because the government is forcing citizens to buy health insurance. Saying it has such authority because its power to regulate interstate commerce. But if a person decides not to buy health insurance, that person by definition is not engaging in commerce, Cuccinelli said. "If you are not engaging in commence how can the federal government regulate that? Just being alive is not interstate commerce, otherwise there are no limits to the commerce clause and the Congress’s authority to regulate what we do. There has never been a point in our history where our federal government requires us to buy goods or services. Such a requirement would represent an enormous erosion of liberty in this country."

Under the new bill, Virginians with pre-existing conditions can no longer be denied coverage. Small businesses will get tax credits to help provide health care and senior citizens will no longer fall into Medicare’s “donut hole,” a grey area involving out-of-pocket co-payments.

Many think that Cuccinelli’s actions are essentially his bid for the 2013 gubernatorial race. Cuccinelli had his suit ready to file Sunday night, waiting for Obama to sign it into law. Minutes after the President did so, Cuccinelli was ready with cameras set and media present to explain his action against the federal law.

This isn’t the first time Cuccinelli has sued a federal agency. In February, he sued the Environmental Protection Agency in regards to manmade global warming, claiming that it does not exist. Some say an expensive legal action in Virginia’s current fiscal straits is a misdirection of resources.

David Mills, Executive Director for the Democratic Party of Virginia says the effect of what Cuccinelli is doing is putting himself between the benefits of the health care reform and the tens of thousands of Virginians that could benefit from it.

"The attorney general’s office could really be making a massive difference for Virginians. But, instead of focusing, he’s decided to file these lawsuits. I can’t for the life of me figure out what makes him think these things are more important," Mills said. "The whole thing is just an example of misplaced priorities. And an example what happens when an individual uses their office as a piggy bank for their political agenda."

Mills says that the Democratic Party of Virginia filed a Freedom of Information Act request on the attorney general’s office last week to see how much tax dollars are being spent.

"It’s very possible it will be thrown out for not having any standing and being a massive waste of resources, the public’s time, and tax payers dollars. In a down budget time it’s not what we need from people’s attorney," Mills said.

13 other state attorneys general have filed a similar suits; all but one are Republicans.

Timothy Jost, a law professor at Washington and Lee University says that in order to have the suit succeed individuals need to get involved.

"The state doesn’t have standing to do this. Under Article 3 of the Constitution you have to show some kind of injury to bring a lawsuit. Number one it’s not in effect yet, and two it doesn’t affect the states, I can’t imagine how they are going to show standing," said Jost.

-Laura Peters

Global Warming Article

Published:

Emporia News

Gaineville-Times

Democrats Blast Cuccinelli Over Global Warming

By Xanthe Waters and Laura Peters

Capital News Service

RICHMOND – A roomful of Democratic legislators voiced outrage over Republican Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli’s legal actions challenging the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s findings on global warming.

More than 15 Democratic senators and delegates gathered last week at the Capitol to urge Cuccinelli to withdraw his petition seeking to block the EPA’s finding that greenhouse gases from cars, factories and power plants pose a threat to humans.

“It’s Ken Cuccinelli vs. 2,000 of the world’s leading scientists,” said Delegate Albert Pollard, D-Lively. “He’s taking a knife to an intellectual gunfight, and he’s wasting taxpayers’ dollars.”

Sen. Donald McEachin, D-Richmond, said Cuccinelli’s lawsuit against the EPA is “misguided and a big waste of money.” He estimated it would cost the state between $250,000 and $500,000.

“That’s maybe 10 teachers or 10 policemen for a year. That’s hundreds of school breakfasts for schoolchildren. That’s money to go toward transportation, snow removal or even fixing potholes,” McEachin said.

“There are plenty of other good uses for that money rather than going on a frivolous jaunt of legal precedence.”

Sen. Ralph Northam, D-Norfolk, studied the causes and effects of global warming as a member of Virginia’s Climate Change Commission, which was appointed in 2007 by then-Gov. Tim Kaine.

“The science on climate change is clear,” Northam said. “If we do nothing to reduce carbon emissions, we will disadvantage ourselves on a number of fronts.”

The Democratic lawmakers said the environmental effects of climate change in recent years have been obvious and undeniable.

Pollard spoke out for the farmers in the 99^th House District, which includes much of Virginia’s Northern Neck. He said this year was the wettest year on record, preventing many farmers from getting their tractors in the field to plow.

“My message to the attorney general is very simple,” Pollard said. “There are plenty of reasons to be upset about federal overreach, but their efforts to fight pollution should not be one of them.”

Sen. Patricia Ticer, D-Alexandria, is concerned about flooding along the coast because of global warming. She said several insurance companies have stopped writing new policies for homeowners in Virginia’s 19 coastal communities because of weather-related risks.

“It’s hard to believe our ears when we heard that there was enough money to go into a lawsuit on this issue, when we don’t have enough money to do education, health care and mental health,” Ticer said.

Cuccinelli was elected as attorney general last fall. Delegate Jennifer McClellan, D-Richmond, said she knew from one of the first campaign debates that Cuccinelli did not believe in global warming.

“You don’t have to be a scientist to see that the polar ice caps are melting,” McClellan said. “Even though we’ve had four blizzards in the past couple of months, [that] doesn’t mean that the average temperature of the Earth is not increasing.”

Cuccinelli has called the EPA’s data “unreliable, unverifiable and doctored.”

“It’s political science, not real science,” he said last month in announcing that he was challenging the agency’s attempts to crack down on the emission of greenhouse gases.

Cuccinelli said he fears that the EPA’s finding would hurt jobs and the economy in Virginia.

March's City Hall Calendar

March 1-5

March 8-12

March 15-19

March 22-26

The Arc of Virginia Rally

Published:

Delmarvanow

Fund Community Services, Arc of Virginia Urges

By Laura Peters
Capital News Service

RICHMOND – Virginia should help people with developmental disabilities live in the community – instead of housing them in state institutions.

That was the message that the Arc of Virginia, an advocacy group for developmentally disabled people, sent last week to state officials. More than 100 people attended the group’s rally at the Capitol, warning against proposed state budget cuts for community-based services.

“We’re dealing with significant reductions. There are reductions of support services,” Howard Cullum, president of Arc of Virginia, told the people who gathered around the Bell Tower at Capitol Square.

“This is not looking good. We recognize there are significant money problems, and we accept that, but we don’t like it. We recognize the difficult task the governor and the General Assembly have.”

Attendees at Monday’s rally held signs and pictures of people who would be affected by the budget cuts. The Arc of Virginia is pushing for programs that serve developmentally disabled people in the community instead of putting them in state institutions.
Virginia’s proposed budget would cut state funding for community-based services by more than $270 million.

“The problem is, we’re about to go backwards. We’re about to continue a policy that says people with significant disabilities need to be removed from society,” Cullum said. “We don’t believe that’s the way to go.”

Catherine Olson showed people at the rally the cost difference between state institutions and community services: The average annual cost of operating a Virginia institution is $194,000 per person – but for a community-based service, it is $95,000 per person.

Community-based services are not only cheaper to operate but also cheaper to build, Olson said. It costs $23 million to construct a 70-bed institution but just $8.4 million for a 90-bed community-based service.

“Why in God’s earthly name are they giving money to the people in the institutions when we need it more?” Olson said.

The rally participants marched through Capitol Square to the Civil Rights Memorial and then on to the General Assembly Building. There, they filed onto every floor to hold a vigil for more than 7,300 Virginians who are on waiting lists for services and others who are institutionalized. They stood for 47 minutes for the $47 million needed to rebuild and renovate state institutions.

Linda Trippet of McLean traveled to Richmond on behalf of her daughter, who is 26 years old and living with her. Trippet also cares for her elderly mother, who has Alzheimer’s.
“I’m here to show support,” Trippet said. “It doesn’t make sense to choose an institution. There is a solution.”

###

Information for text box

About the Arc of Virginia

The Arc of Virginia’s mission is to advocate for the rights and full participation of all children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The organization speaks out on issues that affect not only people with disabilities but also their families.

The Arc has six core values: people first; democracy; visionary leadership; community
participation; diversity; and integrity and excellence.

“The Arc believes that all people with intellectual and related developmental disabilities have strengths, abilities and inherent value; are equal before the law; and must be treated with dignity and respect,” the group’s Web site says.

For more about the organization, visit the Arc’s:

Web site, http://thearcofva.org/

Twitter feed, http://twitter.com/TheArcofVA

Facebook page, www.facebook.com/TheArcofVA

Petersen's Conservation Bill

The following article is about Chap Petersen's, D-Fairfax, Green Public Buildings Act.

Commonwealth Times

Gainesville Times

Local Kicks

Emporia News

Updated Version

Gainesville Times

The Arc of Virginia

Audio Version

This week on Richmond Independent Radio News, community organization rallies Monday.

Many people associate February with civil rights. It is, after all, Black History Month and a time to reflect on African Americans’ struggle for equality. But another group also celebrates its progress during February. Fifty-five years ago – on February 15th 19-55 -- families of people with developmental disabilities formed the organization called The Arc of Virginia to create a voice in Virginia’s capital. … This created a movement that brought the community together in recognizing Virginians with developmental disabilities. Monday, to continue their movement, The Arc of Virginia is having a March for Rights at the Bell Tower in Capitol Square. Continuing on, the rally will march to the Virginia General Assembly building. There they will hold a vigil for the 6,000 Virginians who are still waiting for community-based services. They will fill every floor of the building and stand in protest of the $47 million being spent on the rebuilding and renovations of segregated state institutions. Each of the nine floors are for specific regions of Virginia, the first floor designated for Richmond. At 1 p.m. the group will meet with their legislators to voice their concerns about what should be done for the intellectual and developmental disabled people of Virginia.

Jamie Liban, executive director of The Arc of Virginia urges people to come out.

Arc’s main 2010 Legislative goal is to restore major cuts that have been imposed and oppose new building of institutions.

The Arc of Virginia is an advocacy group with the mission to advocate the rights and full participation of all children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The organization speaks out on issues that not only affect the people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities but, their families as well. They seek to help people with disabilities, and urge others to become a part of the movement. They have six core values starting with people first, then creating involvement through democracy. With their leadership they create community participation, and have diversity among their members and conduct their business with integrity and excellence.

The rally starts at 10am at the intersection of 9th and Franklin Streets. To keep up with The Arc of Virginia you can visit their website at TheArcofVA.org or catch them on twitter or facebook at twitter.com/TheArcofVA or facebook.com/TheArcOfVA. You can also sign up for Action Alerts that tell you about budget issues and legislation that may affect you by going to http://capwiz.com/arcofva/mlm/signup.

-Laura Peters

Smoking Ban Follow-Up

Smoking Ban first segment

smoking ban follow up

Places it's been published

delmarvanow.com

wpcva.com

Martinsville Bulletin

Tobacco.org

The Whipple Report for Feb. 11, 2009

Smoke-Free May Be Working for Richmond

By Laura Peters

Capital News Service

RICHMOND – A lot of Virginia’s restaurant and bar owners feared their business would go up in smoke when the state’s smoking ban took effect in Virginia. They thought they’d lose customers who enjoy a cigarette with their drink or meal. But two months later, many eating and drinking establishments seem pleasantly surprised: They say the smoking ban hasn’t had much effect.

Poe’s Pub owner Mike Britt says his business hasn’t been that much affected by the ban in the two months it’s been enforced. He also said when speaking to some law enforcement officials, not one he spoke to has written a ticket for violators.

“There’s nobody to go out and enforce it. It’s basically under the health department. When they come in they’re supposed to tell the owner that they are under violation,” Britt says. “But, they can’t do anything about it. They have to go back to their office and call the police. If the police show up, which I don’t think they are, unless they’re calling 911. Who’s going to call 911 for a cigarette?”

According to James Mercante, part of the Richmond Police Department Public Affairs, the department is working with the Attorney General’s office to develop an enforcement plan.

The Attorney General’s office said they don’t go out and enforce the law; that’s up to the local law officials and the health department.

Chuck James, the Chief Deputy to the Attorney General said there are two ways in enforcing the Smoking Ban. One way, is to fine an individual for no more than $25 if they have violated the ban and refused to refrain from smoking. The second way, James says, is if a proprietor of a restaurant doesn’t comply with the ban, they are noted with the Virginia Department of Health.

Gary Hagy, head of the Food and Environmental Services for the Virginia Department of Health, says his department is in charge of the restaurant inspections that also look for violations of the ban. To comply with the ban, there needs to be either separate rooms or separate ventilation for the smoking rooms and a separate entrance. Restaurants also need to post no smoking signs and remove ash trays.

“The law limits the enforcement quite a bit,” Hagy says. “During regular inspections, we will also evaluate the restaurants compliance with the Clean Air Act.”

The limit that the health department faces is that they cannot issue any fines for violators.

“If we see something, we’ll discuss it with the owner, and try educate them on the requirements of the law, and try to obtain compliance,” Hagy says. “If they don’t comply, then we refer it to the local law enforcement. The code gives the authority for any law enforcement to issue a summons for the violator.”

To James’ knowledge, there hasn’t been any big flag as to smoking ban violators, and most restaurants have been taking it upon themselves to make their restaurant non-smoking.

“A lot of restaurants went smokeless on their own accord without having this legislation being passed,” James says.

Over 4,000 restaurants have been inspected in the commonwealth, according to Hagy, and 95 percent have all complied with the ban. In the past year, the number of smoke-free restaurants has increased from 66 percent to 85 percent.

Poe’s Pub has been smoke-free in their dining room two years prior to the ban being enacted. Britt even enjoys not having smoking in his restaurant.

“I think it’s nice for people to walk in the front door and not have smoke in their face,” Britt says.

The smoking ban was put into effect December 1^st, 2009 after being passed in the Virginia General Assembly under House Bill 1703, the Indoor Clean Air Act. This bill states that smoking is not allowed in restaurants in Virginia, without certain measures, like separate rooms and ventilation. The bill was signed by Governor Tim Kaine in March 2009. As of January 22, 2010, the House introduced House Bill 1351, the Indoor Clean Air Act, which would prohibit smoking in any building owned or leased by the Commonwealth. This bill is awaiting vote in the General Laws Committee. To follow up on this bill, or any other bill in the General Assembly you can go to richmondsunlight.com.

Rail Transit Story

Publish article

Virginia Looks Toward Rail, Transit

By Laura Peters

Capital News Service

RICHMOND – Rail and other public transit services are keys to solving Virginia’s transportation problems, the chairman of the House Transportation Committee says.

“As Virginia becomes an increasingly urban and suburban state, rail and transit increase will become an important part of our transportation solution,” said Delegate Joe May, R-Leesburg. “It’s not a choice; it’s just the way it has to be.”

Virginia doesn’t have the money and other resources to build more roads. So, May said, “The far greater solution is going to have to be rail and transit, and you might as well get used to it.”

He made his comments last week at a House transportation subcommittee meeting attended by officials from the Virginia Department of Transportation and the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation.

Thelma Drake, director of the Department of Rail and Public Transportation, addressed the subcommittee. She is a former House member from Norfolk.

Drake said public transportation reduces energy consumption and improves air quality.

But public transit faces a funding crisis, she said. “Revenues are declining, as needs continue to increase.”

Virginia has applied for funding under the federal economic stimulus program to extend a high-speed rail line from Washington, D.C., to Richmond. Only time will tell whether the state will get the money, Drake said.

She said the federal stimulus funds would not be used for operating the rail service.

Gregory Whirley Sr., acting commissioner of VDOT, told the subcommittee that his agency is being revamped.

For one thing, VDOT has been trimming its workforce, cutting 450 employees last April, 640 in July and about 680 in January. Also, the agency is focusing on road maintenance, not construction.

“Maintenance is to preserve the existing highway systems, not to increase capacity,” Whirley said.

He said VDOT is working hard to cut costs and redefine its mission.

“We have to keep our eye on the ball, in spite of all these changes,” Whirley said. “Our operations won’t be perfect, and our activities won’t be flawless. But I guarantee you we will get the job done. Hopefully, we will emerge from this a strong and more focused agency.”

City Hall Calendar for the month of February

Week of Feb 1st

Week of Feb 8th

Week of Feb 15th

Week of Feb 22nd

McDonnell Keeps Rest Stop Promise

Here is an article I wrote about McDonnell's plan to reopen the rest stops that were closed last year.

Article

Gov. McDonnell vows to veto tax hike

Here is an article I wrote for Capital News Service about Governor McDonnell's State of the Commonwealth address. It was published on RichmondBizSense.com

Article

Higher Education Advocacy Day

Published in the Virginia Gazette

University Professors Get Lobbying Lesson

By Laura Peters
Capital News Service

RICHMOND – Faculty members from colleges and universities across Virginia converged Thursday on the Capitol to urge legislators to support higher education.

During Higher Education Advocacy Day, hosted by Virginia Commonwealth University, about a dozen of professors visited with lawmakers and urged them to protect higher ed from more state budget cuts.

“A large issue for us is funding in the state,” said Ernie Ackermann, a computer science professor at the University of Mary Washington in Fredericksburg. “Over the past few years, the state funding for higher education has decrease, I think, 24 percent.”

Ackermann said Virginia ranks poorly among the states in higher education funding.

“In the Southern region, we’re dead last,” he said. “We want to see if we can stop that trend.”
The day’s events began with a meeting that included officials from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, which oversees public colleges and universities.

For VCU, key points in legislation this session include funding, financial aid, compensation for faculty and staff. According to the VCU’s Office of Government Relations, SCHEV adopted a resolution marking student financial aid as a top priority for the 2010-2012 budget and are trying to get an increase of $19.9 million for the 2011 year.

Also, according to the website, nearly 70 percent of VCU students use financial assistance in some way.

Brian Turner, a member of the American Association of University Professors, helped prepare the faculty members to meet one-on-one with legislators.

“It is important for the members of the General Assembly to know who we are,” said Turner, a political science professor at Randolph Macon College. “We are not just part of SCHEV; we are individuals.”

Kirsten Nelson, the communication and government relations director for SCHEV, said visiting each legislator’s office is like going trick-or-treating.

“Talk about your successful students,” Nelson said. “Talk about how you’re contributing to Virginia.”

Raymond Jirran has been retired for 12 years from Thomas Nelson Community College has been attending the Higher Education Advocacy Day for eight years. His primary focus this legislative session is the budget.

“They won’t be able to pay our retirement, so that’s my alarm,” Jirran said.

Jirran said he planned to speak with Sens. R. Edward Houck of Spotsylvania and John Miller of Newport News and Delegate Watkins Abbitt of Appomattox. Jirran also shares a close relationship with Delegate Tom Gear of Hampton.

“My closest relationship is to Delegate Gear. He’s part of my Lion’s Club; his chief of staff is a former student of mine,” Jirran said.

Jirran said it’s important that faculty members understand what is happening at the Capitol.

“The real thing that’s happening here,” he said, “is the faculty themselves is grasping what’s going on.”

Dan LaVista, the Executive Director of SCHEV, said the overall budget for education is $85 million for the year. Within that, only $4 million goes to scholarships and financial aid, according to LaVista. The day before Higher Education Advocacy Day, the General Assembly convened for a two-month session to write a state budget. Lawmakers must find $4 billion to balance the budget.

Selected General Assembly Pre-filed Bills Discussed at Meeting

Faculty Related

HB 32: Possession of concealed handguns by faculty members at state institutions of higher education-Allows full-time faculty members of state institutions of higher education who possess a valid Virginia concealed handgun permit to carry a concealed handgun on campus.

Student-Related

HB 146: Child support-Provides that child support may be ordered for a child attending an institution of higher learning until the child obtains an undergraduate degree or reaches the age of 23.

Capital Projects

HB 41, SB 15: Bonds-Authorizes the Treasury Board to issue bonds in an amount up to $206,870,000 plus financing costs to finance revenue-producing capital projects at institutions of higher education.

Sustainability

SB 109: Green Public Buildings Act-Requires executive branch agencies and institutions entering the design phase for construction of a new building with certain requirements to conform to the LEED Silver or Green Globes two globe standard.

Revenue-related

SB 166: Community College Scholarship Match Program-Establishes the Community College Scholarship Match Program to provide matching funds to community college foundations and the Virginia Foundation for Community College Education.