Wednesday night Retired General and former NATO Supreme Allied Commander, Wesley Clark, stumped for Democratic Presidential candidate Barack Obama. He arrived at the Jefferson Center about 5:45 PM shortly after Virginia State Senator John Edwards warmed up the crowd. The video is a snippet from the rally.
Showing posts with label Roanoke Politics. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Roanoke Politics. Show all posts
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
What Came First...
What Came First, the Chicken or the Egg?
Roanoke City Council met August 4 in an information session on Countryside at City Hall. The session began around 11:15 and lasted for about two hours. During that time the full council was briefed in depth by Brian Townsend before giving way to a question/answer time.
Much of Townsend’s briefing was geared to providing the new council members; Rosen, Price, Bowers, and Nash; and opportunity to become familiar with the history of the Countryside purchase and development plans by the City.
Much of the briefing centered on how the airport impacts the club. With a significant chunk of land leased to the city by the airport commission and with that lease due to expire in mid November, the city will need to renegotiate the lease for golf to continue. In addition, the airport commission wishes to widen the Runway Protection Zone (RPZ). To accomplish that goal, a land swap is being proposed that will swap two tracts on either side of
Part of the informational briefing centered on the current state of the golf facility. Townsend informed the council that Meadowbrook currently pays $17,500 for the lease to operate the course. The annual debt service for FY 2009 is just over $470,000. Meadowbrook reported $87,500 in profit in 2005, $79,800 in 2006, and $43,200 in 2007.
Townsend also covered the short-term capital improvement needs for Countryside:
Cart Paths:
-$25,000 for paving paths near tees and greens/returning rest to grass
Or
-$180,000 for full replacement
Irrigation System
-$100,000 for repairs
Or
-$700,000 for full replacement
Burcham and Townsend then presented their two basic recommendations:
1. Short Term Golf Course Agreements
-Extend limited lease agreements with a management group for five years
-Finalize Land swap and Lease Extensions
-Limited capital improvements
-Identify additional redevelopment ideas (may still develop at a later date)
2. “Golf Course Stewardship” Long Term Golf Commitment
-Finalize land swap and lease renewal with Airport Commission
-RFP operation and management lease
-Feasibility Study for golf operation
-Invest in the capital improvement plan
The discussion was focused and productive. Most council members stated their support for maintaining the golf course. The real debate seemed to be centered on the airport lease. Here comes the chicken and egg part. Dr. Trinkle and Mrs. Mason were especially focused on the upcoming possible lease extension by the airport commission. The question is will the airport commission extend the lease so that the city can then commit to golf or does the city need to commit to golf so that that airport commission will extend the lease? Which came first, the chicken or the egg?
Mr. Nash and Dr. Trinkle also broached the subject of a permanent commitment to golf. One thing that our organization hopes to avoid is another round of development roulette five years down the road when the housing market looks sunnier. We want a firm commitment to support fully Countryside Golf Course. One way to demonstrate that is by seeking a long-term lease with the airport commission. If the airport commission were to commit to a long-term lease (ten years or longer) where the city guaranteed that the land would remain a golf course, then the airport commission could be assured of having a low-density acceptable use of the property.
Mayor Bowers made several comments that cheered us. He stated that he didn’t want this process to drag out. He wants citizens to be heard in the matter and then a firm time window of no more than a year established to iron out the details of the city’s course of action. Of course, with both the Meadowbrook lease and airport commission lease all coming due in October/November, that time table will need to be pushed up even more.
Mayor Bowers also stated that Roanokers tell him that they are “…green with envy…” over
Court Rosen and Anita Price did a lot of listening, but Rosen did state that the city can make Countryside Golf Course are real amenity. He mentioned that thinking out of the box on how to utilize the assets of the course is important. He gave for example, the idea that memberships may be offered to employees to businesses that choose to locate in the city.
Anita Price quietly made the powerful point that the city and Meadowbrook need to be doing more to market and publicize the course. She pointed out that the visitor brochure produced by the Roanoke Valley Convention and Visitor’s Bureau does not list Countryside in the golf listings. Other public courses are listed, but not the city’s course. Several phone books serve the valley. Interestingly, if you want to look up Countryside in the yellow pages of the Verizon phone book (the largest and arguably most popular), you won’t find it listed at all. It does appear in the “Yellow Book” with an attractive quarter page ad.
Mr. Lea restated his long-standing support for the 18 hole golf course. Like the other council members, he stated a desire to meet with the airport commission.
Dr. Trinkle, in addition to his other comments, stated that he wants the city to commit to five to ten years of being good stewards of the golf course. He also wants to hear from the public about how the facility can benefit the community and schools.
Mrs. Burcham began to wind down the meeting by stressing that the staff would like to put forth an RFP for a 5-year lease to run the golf course facility. She stated that the council and staff would need to define expenses and responsibilities before entering into the lease agreement.
At that point, the discussion became a little murky and difficult to follow. We weren’t sure exactly what will be brought before the council in terms of RFP’s at future meetings. However, we believe that Council directed staff to bring an RFP proposal with at least a five year lease built in back to them. It also appeared that some council members directed the staff to negotiate with Meadowbrook for a long-term commitment; however, that negotiation may be handled through the RFP process. (The council members sat with their backs to the public and there were no microphones, so it was sometimes difficult to hear comments and read body language.)
Countryside Neighborhood Alliance had a strong showing with many of our friends present. In addition, representatives from the golf course attended.
The session produced news of an upcoming meeting with the airport commission to discuss several issues. Perhaps the lease extension and land swap will come up. This meeting will take place on September 2 at noon. We didn’t catch the location.
Overall, we were very pleased with the tone and seriousness of the discussions. The council members were civil to and respectful of the public and each other. They discussed, unrelated to Countryside, having a retreat at a local venue (most likely the city owned Apple Ridge Farm) to discuss issues and set goals and priorities. If the chickens can be hatched, Countryside Golf Course may have a bright future.
Sunday, August 3, 2008
City Council to Be Briefed Monday
"I think it was a mistake to even try to do something with it in the first place," Nash said. "But the city backed into a situation, whether they intended to or not, where they have a municipal course, and hopefully they can get it right this time."
~Alvin Nash quoted by Mason Adams in his Roanoke Times article August 3
The Roanoke Times ran a piece in the newspaper today. In his article Mason Adams raised three primary questions that may be batted around.
~Alvin Nash quoted by Mason Adams in his Roanoke Times article August 3
The Roanoke Times ran a piece in the newspaper today. In his article Mason Adams raised three primary questions that may be batted around.
- Does the council want to take another shot at development or leave it for recreation?
- If the latter, then should it be used for athletic fields, passage for the Lick Run Greenway or maybe even an aquatic facility with swimming pools?
- And if the council does want to stick with the 18-hole golf course, then who manages it? Meadowbrook? The city? Or should it issue a request for proposals?
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Open House With Mayor Bowers
Valerie and Mayor BowersOpen house in the Mayor's office today. Everyone visiting was treated to a seat in the Mayor's chair and a picture with the Mayor Bowers. By noon there had been at least 50 people. I arrived about that time and took over taking pictures with my camera for secretary, Joyce Johnson.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Business Leadership Fund PAC
The Business Leadership Fund Political Action Committee is the political lobby for the Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce. On it's website are various plans - one of which is for Countryside indexed under "Quality of Life". CLICK HERE!
From the PAC's website:
"There's an old saying that if you're in business, you're in politics. As a taxpayer and employer, you know that local government philosophy and policy represent a significant cost to you and your customers. Decisions made in local government affect your business. Shouldn't you have a say in the process?
Finding pro-business candidates and helping them win election to local office is the best way to protect your livelihood and your investment."
CLICK HERE for more on this PAC.
Why am I bothering to post the obvious?
Answer: The Roanoke Times DataSphere (Matt Chittum) has made it a point to question where the thousands of dollars for the "Joe Smith" ad came from and just who are the Citizens for Sensible Decisions (CSD). "Who gave it? How much? What precisely did it buy?"
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This titillating topic of sinister political scandal will end with a disappointing fizzle. "Joe Smith" is Wishneff. Wishneff = CSD. Money came from Wishneff, THE END.
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The real funny part is Matt asking "What precisely did it buy?" Hey, maybe it bought re-erection of Victory Stadium? CLICK HERE for registration of Citizens For Sensible Stadium Decisions.
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Matt, how about asking what "precisely" did the thousands of dollars from the Business Leadership Fund PAC "buy"?
Monday, May 5, 2008
Shine the Light on Them, Valerie!
As an observer from another locale, I am continually amazed by the biting and scratching going on in front of and especially behind the scenes of Roanoke City Council.
I'm very proud that you are running on principle. Government MUST be of and by the People. No other candidate for City office can hold a candle to you. Win or lose, you are a champion, a bright light. Thank you for taking the time to run.
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Councilman Keeps Changing Countryside Support
Well now, I just came from the Deyerle Court neighborhood meeting. I was late due to attending the Fraternal Order of Police meeting. There were 8 candidates including myself. It had turned into a forum. I did get to speak. My point is that our supporter Councilman Lea has somewhat changed his tune on supporting Countryside Golf Course as an 18-hole golf course named after Roy Stanley. The "tune" change was an 18-hole golf course AND development. How is that for a kick in the A$$.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Alvin Nash For Countryside
What a pleasant surprise. Mr. Nash, a golfer, and member of Countryside Golf Association. He had written a letter to Council last year expressing the reasons for keeping the golf course. Woohoo, is all I can say and we'll hold him to it. Whoa is the Editorial Board - is their endorsement the "kiss of death" these days. Will the citizens wise up on May 6th and make up their own minds?
Friday, March 28, 2008
Rubert Cutler Wants Countryside Developed
The Roanoke Times Editorial Board has spoken. Dr. Rupert Cutler is their choice. This is the same man who made fun of the Countryside residents in Northwest when he was on Council. He and Fitzpatrick joked about us "seeing all kinds of flying things" out here at the airport. We would see birds and airplanes and we would all be happy, ignorant citizens. We pleaded for the wildlife here. He is a preservationist when it is convenient for his agenda. All hail to the Editorial Board - I will be kneeling before them on April 17th to receive the blessing from these gods. I know you all have seen the movie "A Christmas Story". The part where Ralphie is hanging on to the top of the sliding board making his plea for the Red Rider Rifle "triple action" something or other like that. Santa Claus put his foot on Ralphie's head and sends him down the slide saying "you'll shoot your eye out, kid"! Well I fully expect the Editorial Board to put their foot on my "head" or some other part of my anatomy and say "no hope for you - oh ye commoner unworthy of our endorsement". Well let the people have the last laugh for a change ... show them and VOTE on May 6th.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
"Sunshine Week" - March 16th - 22nd
I was informed by the Roanoke Times Editorial Board that since I am now a candidate for Roanoke City Council that I would have to state so in any blogging on editorials or commentary. I did bog today and they did publish it. I may continue this on the issues I passionately support.
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Saturday, March 15, 2008
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Monday, March 3, 2008
Today I Announced For City Council
Barely recovering from the flu with a voice not quite sounding like me I forged ahead with my scheduled 10:00 AM announcement today. Go to the Garner For Council blog and read the text and see the nice setup my friend "Cutty" Edwards had for me at the Holiday Inn. I felt like Hillary Clinton standing up there, "my friends".
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Very nice of Brian Townsend to email me this morning regarding the agenda item scheduled for vote today. I noticed that the agenda item was identified more accurately as I objected to at the February 19th Public Hearing where the acre was identified only as "vacant city-owned property". Today's agenda carried the wording as "vacant city-owned property" located at Countryside Golf Course. The acre to be sold to Newbern, LLC:
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7:27 AM - Ms. Garner...given that we will not have 2 City Council members at our meeting today, the City Council will not act on the matter related to the conveyance of the 1+- acre of property at Countryside to Newbern Properties. As you might recall from the last City Council meeting, state law is very specific about how many councilpersons are required to vote on the conveyance of public property. I am not sure what date the Council will move this item to at this time. However, I wanted to let you know this in case you were planning to come to the meeting today at 2pm.
.
Brian Townsend
Assistant City Manager for Community Development
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JUST IN from Brian Townsend at 3:00 PM:
Ms. Garner...today at its meeting, the City Council tabled the matter regarding the Conveyance of 1.05 acres of the Countryside Golf Course to Newbern Properties until their April 7th meeting at 2pm.
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PS: I swear it seems like that stake gets closer to Frontage Road every time I go by it. As I took yet my 100th picture of the stake I met "Ernie" of "Ernie's" downtown and he said he has been asking Mayor Harris regularly: "What are you going to do with Countryside Golf Course?" It seems Ernie has been a member of Countryside "forever". He thanked us all for working so hard to keep it. As I expected Ernie did not know what the stakes were for and is really concerned about it now. Ernie wants to buy me lunch so you betcha I'll be visiting Ernie's real soon.
Monday, February 25, 2008
"Trifecta" This Past Tuesday
(1) Early Roanoke City Independent candidate announcement - (2) My Roanoke Times Commentary - (3) Roanoke City Council Meeting.
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Quite by accident (another story in itself) the Roanoke Times "Announces Me". However, I was just beginning the process of gathering petition signatures. It all snowballed from the prior day attending a "draft Bowers" event.
.So there it was on Tuesday I announced ... really? I did not read further as I rushed to the unveiling of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., monument. Someone said to me, "the press must like you". I gave them a puzzled look. Later I was told by another that my commentary was on the editorial page as well. Holy smokes - I put that in 2 weeks ago. The editorial board saved it for the day Countryside Neighborhood would attend the 7:00 PM Council Meeting where a public hearing was schedule on the 1 acre to be sold to Newbern, LLC. I could tell they saved it for that very day because when I wrote it I had "Feb. 19th" which they changed to say "today". CLICK HERE FOR COMMENTARY.
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It goes to show you there IS a wall between news and the editorial board. This was a coincidence. Now then I had to go to Council that evening a bit uneasy with these two events. However, the Council Meeting went well and they seemed to be paying more attention to us now. They were unable to vote on the sale of publicly owned property with only 5 members in attendance. Monday, March 3rd, they will give it another shot. Councilman Lea was dismayed at the maintenance needed as the VP of Operations for Meadowbrook wrote. I gave each member of Council a copy of the VP's letter to Economic Deveopment. I also gave them copies of the map telling them that without knowing what is going to be built on the acre - there is no certainty that it will not interfere with play. They agreed so at the March 3rd, 2:00 PM meeting the plans for the Trane building expansion should be available for Council members.
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Good news this evening - it looks like sprucing up the golf course is moving ahead. The city is cleaning up the pool area and demolishing the pool building. That will be sad for my community members who grew up using this pool. It was a community center and partially covered at one time. When I first moved here it was still operating. There is no saving any of it.
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There is also the promise of even more maintenance being applied to the golf course itself. No promise regarding the irrigation system or golf paths however. We should hear more in the coming months.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Rich Cranwell Speaks to the Countryside Property
I believe the City should maintain Countryside as a municipal golf course--for reasons due to planning, and prioritization of this City's resources. I also believe that, should the City pursue development again, that the citizens need to be included in the process.
Thus far, the development proposals have been unsatisfactory to either the citizens, our City council, our City management, or some combination of these players. The last round of proposals were rejected. No city should develop an area for development's sake and since there is no plan, and attempts to secure proposals have been widely unsuccessful, the City should leave the land undeveloped for the immediate future.
In terms of our priorities, the City collects roughly $17,500 a year from this golf course. This certainly is not much revenue, but it is still a profit. Our City needs to turn its attention to more immediate areas, including our City Market Building--which lost $120,000 in 2007. I believe our energies and resources are better spent refurbishing the market building and finding a way for it to make a profit.
I believe it is worthwhile to look into some limited projects for parts of Countryside. It would seem beneficial to look at possibilities for some municipal soccer and sports courses to increase the space available for our children all over the city to use.
Any future proposals, and any investigations of possibilities for soccer fields, etc. I believe, require citizen input. The citizens, council, and City management need to work together on this and I would not make a decision about development without input from all three of these sources.
Thus far, the development proposals have been unsatisfactory to either the citizens, our City council, our City management, or some combination of these players. The last round of proposals were rejected. No city should develop an area for development's sake and since there is no plan, and attempts to secure proposals have been widely unsuccessful, the City should leave the land undeveloped for the immediate future.
In terms of our priorities, the City collects roughly $17,500 a year from this golf course. This certainly is not much revenue, but it is still a profit. Our City needs to turn its attention to more immediate areas, including our City Market Building--which lost $120,000 in 2007. I believe our energies and resources are better spent refurbishing the market building and finding a way for it to make a profit.
I believe it is worthwhile to look into some limited projects for parts of Countryside. It would seem beneficial to look at possibilities for some municipal soccer and sports courses to increase the space available for our children all over the city to use.
Any future proposals, and any investigations of possibilities for soccer fields, etc. I believe, require citizen input. The citizens, council, and City management need to work together on this and I would not make a decision about development without input from all three of these sources.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Councilman Fitzpatrick's Thoughts on the Countryside Property
"I am happy to respond and appreciate the opportunity to let you and your neighborhood know my thoughts. As you know, the city got interested in the land when we found it was for sale as we have so little land left in the city. One of the largest issues facing us is the fact that as an Independent city, we have so few ways to find revenue to pay for citizen services compared to cities like us in the other 49 states.
Virginia is the only state that has separate local governments where we do not have joint services mandated by state statute. That means that our costs are higher in so many ways than they would be if we were part of the normal city/county structure found in the other states. If we were like Charlotte or Greensboro, once the population density of an area gets to a certain level, that area is automatically annexed into those city's boundaries. That leads to new sources of revenue, new land for growth and a positive way to move that community ahead. There is a very good balance that comes with that kind of policy. The General Assembly of Virginia has so far chosen not to deal with this central issue. If it does not change, taxes for our citizens in the city will eventually have to rise to unfair rates for our citizens because we will have no new options for growth with no land to develop. That is the real reason Council got so interested in the availability of Countryside as we see this coming and no state changes that will help us out of a very tough financial situation in the making.
Since we have so little land, City Council wants to make sure we develop the acreage we have left with good, solid, planned development that can add to the value of any current neighborhoods( like Countryside) in any of the very few areas where we can grow and increase our tax base accordingly as we try to provide the services all citizens need. With the highest per capita age of residents in Virginia we are not in an enviable position and see our annual costs for public safety and EMS along with many other services going up and up with no long term way to find any solution.
The land at Countryside is a valuable asset to Roanoke and we do not want to see any project that would devalue current property or be developed in a way that is not good for the city or you and your neighbors. What we may have to see, however is some kind of effort to use that land wisely. My background is in Economic Development and I have worked on every kind of project you can imagine and to me, land is the basic value of a city and we all have an obligation to manage its development so it is done well. As a person with years in the field of economic development I expected a lot when we asked for a proposed plan for Countryside. At the time it was announced, I know of no one who liked it including me. It was not what we need knowing the potential of your area and its vitality to Roanoke. It clearly did not take into consideration many of the issues that your group brought to the table.
I have not taken a position at this time on Countryside as there is no active plan on the table. I know there are many who want to keep the golf course open and if someone comes up with a plan that would make improvements so it would be a quality course, and can show us it will make a good investment of taxpayers money, I have no problem supporting the concept. Just as I did on the other plan process, I would support as much communication as we can allow when dealing with a private sector developer and as many meetings as necessary with residents of the area. One thing I know about is that the best developers in the country, will run if their names get used to quickly and publicity is made public before financing and contacts with involved parties can take place. The other thing that is most clear is that any plan has to be more detailed and public than that by any private land owner because, we (the city) as the owners, will not do something that will adversely affect the area. If this had been bought by a private owner, there would be very little we could to to affect development as long as they followed the city's comprehensive plan. It is a good thing that we purchased the property as that will always protect you and your neighbors interest's more thoroughly.
No one on Council wants to see Countryside changed so much that it is only a commercially developed area. That is not what is best for Roanoke or your neighborhood. What is needed is some kind of plan done with the residents involvement, both parties being realistic about accepting some change and seeing what commitments can be made by the city with funding it gets from the right kind of new development.
I drive by the new Biomed area each day on my way to work and it is amazing to see what is happening there. It will be a great job producer, one that we have needed for a very long time and with it will come the need for more housing, condos, retail, entertainment and athletic venues. It is not what it used to be, it is not really nor will it likely be a neighborhood, but it will impact every neighborhood in the city and even the Valley. It could even be the genesis of some new ideas you and your neighbors may have about residential growth at Countryside.
I have never taken a position on a potential project until I understand all I can about it. I will do the same with Countryside when and if we have a plan to consider. Committing up front, politically or otherwise, is not what we need in our leadership today. We need to have a valid, neighborhood sensitive, good for the city plan to review and so far, I see none in the pipeline.
What I will promise you, your neighbors and all citizens of Roanoke, is to do my best to make the best decisions I can based on the facts and what I think will be in the best interest of the citizens of the City of Roanoke whenever a proposal or project like this comes to our attention. That is what I have always done and it has worked well for me as I try to be fully informed before making decisions that affect the city, its future and most importantly, its citizens.
Since I was 10 years old Roanoke has been the thing in my life most important except family. My goal as a teenager with my first driver's license was to drive on every street in the city. I did that and it was amazing to see all the different parts of Roanoke and how this wonderful city fits together. My roots are in NW with my parents both growing up there so that was one of the areas of the city I knew early on. With annexation came an entirely new city and lots of new territory to learn!
The greatest honor one can have is to be elected to represent citizens. I take it unusually seriously as I am the oldest person on Council and remember so much of our history, both bad and good. It is a great place to live and work but we have some very large issues that will affect everyone in the city if we do not make good choices. As my dad told me before I left Roanoke to go to Ferrum Junior College, "there is something no one can take away from you but you can give it away in 30 seconds. That is your integrity." I live by that quote and always have and it has stood the test of time. I hope I can always do that until the day I am no longer here. The Judge was a very insightful person and taught me a lot that has made me a better person.
Thanks for the chance to respond to your request. Let me know whenever I can be of help to you or your neighbors. Bev"
Virginia is the only state that has separate local governments where we do not have joint services mandated by state statute. That means that our costs are higher in so many ways than they would be if we were part of the normal city/county structure found in the other states. If we were like Charlotte or Greensboro, once the population density of an area gets to a certain level, that area is automatically annexed into those city's boundaries. That leads to new sources of revenue, new land for growth and a positive way to move that community ahead. There is a very good balance that comes with that kind of policy. The General Assembly of Virginia has so far chosen not to deal with this central issue. If it does not change, taxes for our citizens in the city will eventually have to rise to unfair rates for our citizens because we will have no new options for growth with no land to develop. That is the real reason Council got so interested in the availability of Countryside as we see this coming and no state changes that will help us out of a very tough financial situation in the making.
Since we have so little land, City Council wants to make sure we develop the acreage we have left with good, solid, planned development that can add to the value of any current neighborhoods( like Countryside) in any of the very few areas where we can grow and increase our tax base accordingly as we try to provide the services all citizens need. With the highest per capita age of residents in Virginia we are not in an enviable position and see our annual costs for public safety and EMS along with many other services going up and up with no long term way to find any solution.
The land at Countryside is a valuable asset to Roanoke and we do not want to see any project that would devalue current property or be developed in a way that is not good for the city or you and your neighbors. What we may have to see, however is some kind of effort to use that land wisely. My background is in Economic Development and I have worked on every kind of project you can imagine and to me, land is the basic value of a city and we all have an obligation to manage its development so it is done well. As a person with years in the field of economic development I expected a lot when we asked for a proposed plan for Countryside. At the time it was announced, I know of no one who liked it including me. It was not what we need knowing the potential of your area and its vitality to Roanoke. It clearly did not take into consideration many of the issues that your group brought to the table.
I have not taken a position at this time on Countryside as there is no active plan on the table. I know there are many who want to keep the golf course open and if someone comes up with a plan that would make improvements so it would be a quality course, and can show us it will make a good investment of taxpayers money, I have no problem supporting the concept. Just as I did on the other plan process, I would support as much communication as we can allow when dealing with a private sector developer and as many meetings as necessary with residents of the area. One thing I know about is that the best developers in the country, will run if their names get used to quickly and publicity is made public before financing and contacts with involved parties can take place. The other thing that is most clear is that any plan has to be more detailed and public than that by any private land owner because, we (the city) as the owners, will not do something that will adversely affect the area. If this had been bought by a private owner, there would be very little we could to to affect development as long as they followed the city's comprehensive plan. It is a good thing that we purchased the property as that will always protect you and your neighbors interest's more thoroughly.
No one on Council wants to see Countryside changed so much that it is only a commercially developed area. That is not what is best for Roanoke or your neighborhood. What is needed is some kind of plan done with the residents involvement, both parties being realistic about accepting some change and seeing what commitments can be made by the city with funding it gets from the right kind of new development.
I drive by the new Biomed area each day on my way to work and it is amazing to see what is happening there. It will be a great job producer, one that we have needed for a very long time and with it will come the need for more housing, condos, retail, entertainment and athletic venues. It is not what it used to be, it is not really nor will it likely be a neighborhood, but it will impact every neighborhood in the city and even the Valley. It could even be the genesis of some new ideas you and your neighbors may have about residential growth at Countryside.
I have never taken a position on a potential project until I understand all I can about it. I will do the same with Countryside when and if we have a plan to consider. Committing up front, politically or otherwise, is not what we need in our leadership today. We need to have a valid, neighborhood sensitive, good for the city plan to review and so far, I see none in the pipeline.
What I will promise you, your neighbors and all citizens of Roanoke, is to do my best to make the best decisions I can based on the facts and what I think will be in the best interest of the citizens of the City of Roanoke whenever a proposal or project like this comes to our attention. That is what I have always done and it has worked well for me as I try to be fully informed before making decisions that affect the city, its future and most importantly, its citizens.
Since I was 10 years old Roanoke has been the thing in my life most important except family. My goal as a teenager with my first driver's license was to drive on every street in the city. I did that and it was amazing to see all the different parts of Roanoke and how this wonderful city fits together. My roots are in NW with my parents both growing up there so that was one of the areas of the city I knew early on. With annexation came an entirely new city and lots of new territory to learn!
The greatest honor one can have is to be elected to represent citizens. I take it unusually seriously as I am the oldest person on Council and remember so much of our history, both bad and good. It is a great place to live and work but we have some very large issues that will affect everyone in the city if we do not make good choices. As my dad told me before I left Roanoke to go to Ferrum Junior College, "there is something no one can take away from you but you can give it away in 30 seconds. That is your integrity." I live by that quote and always have and it has stood the test of time. I hope I can always do that until the day I am no longer here. The Judge was a very insightful person and taught me a lot that has made me a better person.
Thanks for the chance to respond to your request. Let me know whenever I can be of help to you or your neighbors. Bev"
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Mayor Harris, I was not invited ...
As Democratic Committee District Leader for Northwest City I was not invited to Mayor Harris' candidacy announcement. Mayor Harris is again seeking the Democratic nomination for Mayor of Roanoke City. I thought maybe I missed the announcement in my "in box" ... nope, not there. I checked my phone messages, nope nary a one.
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I called other members in my District and other Districts and nope they were not invited either.
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What am I thinking we were Bowers supporters at the Democratic Committee's reorganization so I guess all that unifying talk was just that ... "talk".
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Then again The Roanoke Times and WDBJ7 reported that Mayor Harris was surrounded by 30 officials and members of the business community. Not a "working class" citizen to be found in the bunch. I hope they enjoyed their unifying moment.
Thursday, January 3, 2008
Councilman Lea's Position On Countryside
Here is word for word Councilman Sherman Lea's response to my request for his position on the Countryside Golf Course Property:..
"Before I comment directly on Countryside, let me state that during the campaign season all citizens will have to separate the two R’s. They are record and rhetoric. I stand on my record of nearly four years of committed service to all of the citizens of Roanoke. I have adamantly, clearly and without hesitation stood with and for the citizens of the Countryside neighborhood.
I recall the first neighborhood meeting with Councilman Brian Wishneff, at that time City Planner Brian Townsend and myself at which Councilman Wishneff and myself advised all those in attendance that we would do everything we could to see that members of the neighborhood be involved in the development process of Countryside. My position has not changed. I, again, stand on my record of supporting Countryside and my clear position that the 18-hole golf course be maintained and that representatives from the community be included on the committee to oversee any development that will take place in this neighborhood.
I have and continue to stress as a public servant and I emphasize the word “servant” that we as a governing body listen to citizens. I have not only visited with members of the community in their homes, but attended cookouts to let everyone know that my word is my bond. I want to continue to be that voice for the citizens on Roanoke City Council. Therefore, I am respectfully asking each and every citizen in the community for your support and vote in the upcoming Democratic Primary Election in February and then, hopefully, on to the May election where I would hope to be elected to serve you for four more years. I hope that through my work with the citizens during the last four years you feel that you can depend on me to speak out to voice your concerns. As many of you recall, I pushed through the Planning Commission and Council the renaming the golf course The Roy Stanley Golf Course. That effort was successful as all of the Planning Commission except one voted to approve the name change. I feel that there is a majority vote on Council to also support this change. However, I have placed that name change in abeyance because I advised the family I did not want that to become a “political football”. I still have expectations that this will take place within the next twelve to eighteen months.
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Again, I urge all citizens to just look at the record of where I stood on all issues during my tenure on Council. Please refer my to web page at ShermanLea.com, click on my announcement of candidacy speech and read it in its entirety. Also, I urge you to look at the multimedia reports that will share with you some of my thoughts on Countryside and other issues that affect you on a daily basis. Thank you for your support in the past and I appreciate and respectfully ask you for your continued support as I seek re-election to Roanoke City Council. As I said in my candidacy speech, this is your city and you have honored me the last four years to work on your behalf and I can sincerely say that I have done that to the best of my ability. Again, please support the re-election of Sherman P. Lea to Roanoke City Council."
I recall the first neighborhood meeting with Councilman Brian Wishneff, at that time City Planner Brian Townsend and myself at which Councilman Wishneff and myself advised all those in attendance that we would do everything we could to see that members of the neighborhood be involved in the development process of Countryside. My position has not changed. I, again, stand on my record of supporting Countryside and my clear position that the 18-hole golf course be maintained and that representatives from the community be included on the committee to oversee any development that will take place in this neighborhood.
I have and continue to stress as a public servant and I emphasize the word “servant” that we as a governing body listen to citizens. I have not only visited with members of the community in their homes, but attended cookouts to let everyone know that my word is my bond. I want to continue to be that voice for the citizens on Roanoke City Council. Therefore, I am respectfully asking each and every citizen in the community for your support and vote in the upcoming Democratic Primary Election in February and then, hopefully, on to the May election where I would hope to be elected to serve you for four more years. I hope that through my work with the citizens during the last four years you feel that you can depend on me to speak out to voice your concerns. As many of you recall, I pushed through the Planning Commission and Council the renaming the golf course The Roy Stanley Golf Course. That effort was successful as all of the Planning Commission except one voted to approve the name change. I feel that there is a majority vote on Council to also support this change. However, I have placed that name change in abeyance because I advised the family I did not want that to become a “political football”. I still have expectations that this will take place within the next twelve to eighteen months.
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Again, I urge all citizens to just look at the record of where I stood on all issues during my tenure on Council. Please refer my to web page at ShermanLea.com, click on my announcement of candidacy speech and read it in its entirety. Also, I urge you to look at the multimedia reports that will share with you some of my thoughts on Countryside and other issues that affect you on a daily basis. Thank you for your support in the past and I appreciate and respectfully ask you for your continued support as I seek re-election to Roanoke City Council. As I said in my candidacy speech, this is your city and you have honored me the last four years to work on your behalf and I can sincerely say that I have done that to the best of my ability. Again, please support the re-election of Sherman P. Lea to Roanoke City Council."
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Thank you Councilman Lea for taking the time to respond.
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I will be asking all the candidates when they announce for Roanoke City Council or Mayor their position on the future of the Countryside Golf Course Property. Mr. Rich Cranwell will formally announce his candidacy on January 12th and will respond after his announcement. Any candidate who does not respond will be duly noted. Even a negative response will be better than no response at all. No response is as good as saying "I don't care about you".
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Roanoke County Supervisor Takes a Poke at The City
“They [Roanoke City] would not even return our phone calls” said Richard C. Flora, Roanoke County Board of Supervisors - Hollins District.
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At the December 18th Roanoke County Board of Supervisors Meeting, Richard C. Flora, Hollins District, took an overlooked poignant jab at Roanoke City Administration and Government. Mr. Flora inadvertently made it clear that regional cooperation was not shared by Roanoke City. If anyone ever thought that it was the failing of other jurisdictions that Roanoke City could not get any cooperation I am here to tell you this is not the case. Mr. Flora’s comments pulled the cover back on what we don’t get from media coverage.
At the December 18th Roanoke County Board of Supervisors Meeting, Richard C. Flora, Hollins District, took an overlooked poignant jab at Roanoke City Administration and Government. Mr. Flora inadvertently made it clear that regional cooperation was not shared by Roanoke City. If anyone ever thought that it was the failing of other jurisdictions that Roanoke City could not get any cooperation I am here to tell you this is not the case. Mr. Flora’s comments pulled the cover back on what we don’t get from media coverage.
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The agenda item at the Board meeting was a rezoning of property from “transitional” to C-2 in Roanoke County. The property is located on Hershberger Road at Oakland Boulevard near Friendship Manor. The use was to be for an extended stay hotel. This property adjoins Roanoke City property zoned R-1 residential and if you are familiar with Oakland Boulevard you know it is a very attractive residential community.
The agenda item at the Board meeting was a rezoning of property from “transitional” to C-2 in Roanoke County. The property is located on Hershberger Road at Oakland Boulevard near Friendship Manor. The use was to be for an extended stay hotel. This property adjoins Roanoke City property zoned R-1 residential and if you are familiar with Oakland Boulevard you know it is a very attractive residential community.
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The citizens of this Roanoke City residential community spoke at the Board of Supervisor’s meeting against the hotel and they were treated with the utmost respect. Not only that - their FACE WAS SHOWN AT THE PODIUM FROM THE FRONT ON RVTV.
The citizens of this Roanoke City residential community spoke at the Board of Supervisor’s meeting against the hotel and they were treated with the utmost respect. Not only that - their FACE WAS SHOWN AT THE PODIUM FROM THE FRONT ON RVTV.
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The Board of Supervisor’s agreed and voted “NO” unanimously against the extended stay hotel.
The Board of Supervisor’s agreed and voted “NO” unanimously against the extended stay hotel.
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This is exactly what Board Member, Richard Flora, stated in his remarks: “I have been reminded that they [Roanoke City citizens] don’t vote for me but they are our neighbor”.
This is exactly what Board Member, Richard Flora, stated in his remarks: “I have been reminded that they [Roanoke City citizens] don’t vote for me but they are our neighbor”.
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Mr. Flora continued, “ the [Roanoke] City matter regarding the bus garage on the airport site … they [Roanoke City Administration] would not even return our phone calls and I don’t want to be put in the same category as that … so for that very reason we want to make sure that we listen to even our neighbors in other jurisdictions.”
Mr. Flora continued, “ the [Roanoke] City matter regarding the bus garage on the airport site … they [Roanoke City Administration] would not even return our phone calls and I don’t want to be put in the same category as that … so for that very reason we want to make sure that we listen to even our neighbors in other jurisdictions.”
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I was stunned - not only were Roanoke City citizens treated with respect and listened to intently while speaking at the Roanoke County Board Meeting but they were shown from the front - yes, their actual face was shown when speaking from the podium. This being in sharp contrast to Roanoke City Council meetings where the City’s own citizens are disrespected … much of the time not even being afforded the courtesy of looking at the speaker at the podium. Sometimes they even get up and leave during “Hearings on Public Matters”. Other times the Mayor and Council members look down at their desk shuffling papers totally ignoring the citizen at the podium - they twirl in their chairs, make side “chuckles“ with other Council members and generally give the impression they could care less about what a Roanoke citizen has to say - Unless you are an attorney, a business representative, or someone who is running for City Council that the majority supports - like at the last City Council meeting on Dec. 17th where Bill Bestpitch appeared after being invisible since he was voted off Council. If that was not the most obvious campaign speech at a Council meeting I have ever heard. He was pictured “full frontal” and had unlimited minutes and went on and on and on - Mayor Harris gushed and Fitzpatrick spoke up to even give the ARB more time (6 months) rather than the 60 days asked for by Bestpitch to save a Marshall Ave. home from condemnation and demolition. They have had many, many, years to address this. Campaigning at City Council is not allowed at Council meetings but of course we know the exceptions … like Valley Forward. If they like you, if you have connections, if you have money, if, if, …. If not then let’s spin in our chairs, shuffle our papers, and look amused.
I was stunned - not only were Roanoke City citizens treated with respect and listened to intently while speaking at the Roanoke County Board Meeting but they were shown from the front - yes, their actual face was shown when speaking from the podium. This being in sharp contrast to Roanoke City Council meetings where the City’s own citizens are disrespected … much of the time not even being afforded the courtesy of looking at the speaker at the podium. Sometimes they even get up and leave during “Hearings on Public Matters”. Other times the Mayor and Council members look down at their desk shuffling papers totally ignoring the citizen at the podium - they twirl in their chairs, make side “chuckles“ with other Council members and generally give the impression they could care less about what a Roanoke citizen has to say - Unless you are an attorney, a business representative, or someone who is running for City Council that the majority supports - like at the last City Council meeting on Dec. 17th where Bill Bestpitch appeared after being invisible since he was voted off Council. If that was not the most obvious campaign speech at a Council meeting I have ever heard. He was pictured “full frontal” and had unlimited minutes and went on and on and on - Mayor Harris gushed and Fitzpatrick spoke up to even give the ARB more time (6 months) rather than the 60 days asked for by Bestpitch to save a Marshall Ave. home from condemnation and demolition. They have had many, many, years to address this. Campaigning at City Council is not allowed at Council meetings but of course we know the exceptions … like Valley Forward. If they like you, if you have connections, if you have money, if, if, …. If not then let’s spin in our chairs, shuffle our papers, and look amused.
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I recall a Roanoke City Council meeting some time ago where a County resident addressed City Council on a Commercial Business expansion where their home had been damaged. Their home bordered Roanoke City where the Commercial Business was situated. The County resident was told that there was nothing they could do and advised them to join a neighborhood group, huh? Where was the regional cooperation for this County resident and the same respect that the County showed the City citizens? What a stark contrast and eye-opener this has been for those of us who don’t know better in how your local government respects the citizens that elected them.
I recall a Roanoke City Council meeting some time ago where a County resident addressed City Council on a Commercial Business expansion where their home had been damaged. Their home bordered Roanoke City where the Commercial Business was situated. The County resident was told that there was nothing they could do and advised them to join a neighborhood group, huh? Where was the regional cooperation for this County resident and the same respect that the County showed the City citizens? What a stark contrast and eye-opener this has been for those of us who don’t know better in how your local government respects the citizens that elected them.
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The Roanoke County Board of Supervisors treats Roanoke City residents with more respect then our own Council does…. Gees, how depressing. I ask you Roanoke City citizens who are not represented on City Council, why are you so apathetic?
The Roanoke County Board of Supervisors treats Roanoke City residents with more respect then our own Council does…. Gees, how depressing. I ask you Roanoke City citizens who are not represented on City Council, why are you so apathetic?
Saturday, December 15, 2007
How To Move Roanoke City May Elections To November
Roanoke City has such a poor turnout for May Elections. Yes, it seems like the Commonwealth of Virginia has an election several times a year. In 2008 we have a Presidential Primary, Presidential Elections, and Local Elections. At least we don't have a Primary locally in 2008. A Mass Meeting February 5th for the Democratic Nominees will take care of that.
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Can't keep up with all these dates? There is a solution to at least the local elections. Moving the local Mayor and Council elections to November when General Elections are held will certainly increase the abysmal voter turnout that decides the MOST important election for the citizens of Roanoke City. Remember ... all politics is local and of all the elections held your vote in local elections effects you the most but alas voter participation is the least. Will moving the local elections to November bring more voter interest? I don't know ... most Roanoke City voters don't know what is going on and have never attended nor viewed on RVTV the reruns of Council meetings. The Web casts are also available online for about a month. The best thing about the web casts is you can fast forward through the "formalities" and get to the agenda items in a flash which cuts down on some of those LONG 2 hour Council meetings.
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§ 24.2-222.1. Alternative election of mayor and council at November general election in cities and towns.
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A. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 24.2-222, the council of a city or town may provide by ordinance that the mayor, if an elected mayor is provided for by charter, and council shall be elected at the November general election date of any cycle as designated in the ordinance, for terms to commence January 1. No such ordinance shall be adopted between January 1 and the May general election date of the year in which city or town elections regularly are scheduled to be held therein.
A. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 24.2-222, the council of a city or town may provide by ordinance that the mayor, if an elected mayor is provided for by charter, and council shall be elected at the November general election date of any cycle as designated in the ordinance, for terms to commence January 1. No such ordinance shall be adopted between January 1 and the May general election date of the year in which city or town elections regularly are scheduled to be held therein.
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B. Alternatively, the registered voters of a city or town may file a petition with the circuit court of the city or of the county within which the town is located asking that a referendum be held on the question of whether the city or town should elect the mayor, if an elected mayor is provided for by charter, and council members at the November general election date of any cycle as designated in the petition. The petition shall be signed by registered voters equal in number to at least ten percent of the number registered in the city or town on the January 1 preceding the filing.
B. Alternatively, the registered voters of a city or town may file a petition with the circuit court of the city or of the county within which the town is located asking that a referendum be held on the question of whether the city or town should elect the mayor, if an elected mayor is provided for by charter, and council members at the November general election date of any cycle as designated in the petition. The petition shall be signed by registered voters equal in number to at least ten percent of the number registered in the city or town on the January 1 preceding the filing.
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(Roanoke City Total Number of Registered Voters as of 8/31/2007 are 56,433 X 10% = 5,643 signatures).
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The court, pursuant to § 24.2-684, shall order the election officials on a day fixed in the order to conduct a referendum on the question, provided that no such referendum shall be scheduled between January 1 and the May general election date of the year in which city or town elections regularly are scheduled to be held therein. The clerk of the court shall publish notice of the referendum once a week for the three consecutive weeks prior to the referendum in a newspaper having general circulation in the city or town, and shall post a copy of the notice at the door of the courthouse of the city or county within which the town is located.
The court, pursuant to § 24.2-684, shall order the election officials on a day fixed in the order to conduct a referendum on the question, provided that no such referendum shall be scheduled between January 1 and the May general election date of the year in which city or town elections regularly are scheduled to be held therein. The clerk of the court shall publish notice of the referendum once a week for the three consecutive weeks prior to the referendum in a newspaper having general circulation in the city or town, and shall post a copy of the notice at the door of the courthouse of the city or county within which the town is located.
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The question on the ballot shall be:
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"Shall the (city or town) change the election date of the mayor (if so provided by charter) and members of council from the May general election to the November general election (in even-numbered or odd-numbered years or as otherwise designated in the petition)?"
"Shall the (city or town) change the election date of the mayor (if so provided by charter) and members of council from the May general election to the November general election (in even-numbered or odd-numbered years or as otherwise designated in the petition)?"
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