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Avenging Archangel

  • RAC December 10, 2009

    Virginia Beach's Resort Advisory Commission (RAC) met this afternoon. The meeting lasted about an hour.

    The RAC elected new Officers for 2010. Preston Midgett will become Chairman, with Ken Taylor now term limited out. Preston has served as Chairman of the RAC's Transportation, Parking, and Pedestrian Committee (TPPC) for [...]
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    Posted: December 10, 2009, 4:49pm EST

  • Transit Station Planning Workshop

    Last night there was a station planning workshop for the Virginia Beach Transit Extension at the Virginia Beach Convention Center. I'm told "about 50" people were at last week's session at the Westin. Last night there were about half that number at the opening, with more drifting in later.
    [...]
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    Posted: December 10, 2009, 11:34am EST

  • Finnish Independence Day 2009

    Finland declared independence from Russia on December 6, 1917. Finland had been a Grand Duchy of the Russian Empire since 1809. With the provisional government in Petrograd overthrown by Lenin and his Bolsheviks in October, the Finns weren't going to stick around any longer.

    The video below has the' [...]
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    Posted: December 06, 2009, 12:01am EST

  • 2010 World Cup Draw

    Earlier today the draw for the 2010 World Cup Finals was held. Matches begin June 11 in South Africa, with soccer's World Cup being the most watched sporting event in the world. 32 teams were in the field: 31 had qualified through regional matches, plus the host team (South Africa) [...]
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    Posted: December 04, 2009, 11:00pm EST

  • TPPC December 3, 2009

    The Transportation, Parking, and Pedestrian Committee (TPPC) of Virginia Beach's Resort Advisory Commission (RAC) met this morning. It was the delayed November meeting, as the normal November date would have fallen on Thanksgiving morning.

    Barry Frankenfield gave an update on the Laskin Gateway Project. The sticking point is the [...]
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    Posted: December 03, 2009, 4:05pm EST

  • Wally Erb, Light Rail, and Race

    Nothing like a trip back through the microfiche. Wally Erb is heading up the VBTA front group trying to petition a light rail referendum question onto the ballot. I have a good memory for detail, and recalled an article from the 1999 light rail campaign, Sure enough, I found this [...]
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    Posted: December 03, 2009, 3:41pm EST

  • "The Miss Of The Century"

    It's only 2009, but this blown play by English soccer player Rocky Baptiste has already been dubbed "The Miss Of The Century". Baptiste takes a pass, gets past the goalie...only to have the ball squirm loose on him and hit the outer side of the goal.

    I played a' [...]
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    Posted: December 03, 2009, 3:35pm EST

  • You Like Rosemary By A 2:1 Margin

    By a 2:1 margin you like Rosemary Wilson's chances against Jeff McWaters in Saturday's "firehouse primary" for the Republican nomination in the 8th Senate District special election.

    Anyone who knows me knows I wouldn't vote for Rosemary if she was running unopposed. However, I think McWaters may have sunk' [...]
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    Posted: December 01, 2009, 10:00pm EST

  • Happy Thanksgiving, Turkeys!

    On Tuesday the Chesapeake City Council passed 8-0 a Resolution asking for a light rail extension study for their study. The Virginian-Pravda has the story here: [hamptonroads.com]

    There's the obvious story here: yet another city in the region jumps on board the train. 5 of the 7 cities [...]
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    Posted: November 25, 2009, 8:51pm EST

  • Phone Fun

    One of my Facebook Friends posted this one, and it's quite amusing.

    Dial the Nestle Crunch Hotline at (800) 295-0051. When it asks you to choose English or Spanish, doing nothing...and hear what happens after about 10 seconds. Press "4" from there and enjoy. [...]
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    Posted: November 24, 2009, 9:35am EST

  • December Newtown SGA Meeting Schedule

    The schedule has been set for the next round of public meetings on the Newtown Strategic Growth Area (SGA). The initial meetings were in October. This time, the consultant will be back with some concepts (based on the October input) to get public comment on.

    1. Wednesday, December 16
    [...]
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    Posted: November 23, 2009, 9:17pm EST

  • Kurbaan

    As a rule I don't post trailers from currently running movies, as I don't want to be accused of acting in self-interest. However, this afternoon I watched a movie that most of you probably had no intention of seeing, Kurbaan. It's an Indian-made film which has at it's center an [...]
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    Posted: November 23, 2009, 8:51pm EST

  • An Idea Walking To The Bus Stop

    Okay, it's a well-worn talking point to go on about how the policies advocated by the Virginia Beach Taxpayers Alliance (VBTA) would backfire royally on the very taxpayers the VBTA pretends to represent.

    However, an idea hit me walking to the bus stop today: could some area college student [...]
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    Posted: November 23, 2009, 8:42pm EST

  • Start Planning Now

    65% agreed that Hampton Roads should begin designing a series of dikes and levees with the sea's level expected to rise., with 35% opposed.

    The new poll question: who will win the Republican nomination for the 8th Senate District special election? [...]
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    Posted: November 20, 2009, 8:01pm EST

  • TRAC November 18, 2009

    The Transit Riders Advisory Committee (TRAC) of Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) met Wednesday evening at HRT Headquarters in Hampton.

    At their previous meeting, TRAC had approved their new committee guidelines, which include holding TRAC members to HRT's Sexual Harassment Policy. Copies of the policy were distributed to TRAC members. [...]
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    Posted: November 19, 2009, 8:02pm EST

  • My Good Samaritan

    With yesterday's TPO meeting adjourning about 12:06 yesterday, I knew I had closely missed the previous Outbound Greenbrier 15, with the next Outbound 15 through the area being the one from Robert Hall at 12:18. I hurried towards a courtesy stop on Military Highway.

    As I made the final [...]
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    Posted: November 19, 2009, 7:13pm EST

  • TPO November 18, 2009

    Hampton Roads' Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) met on Wednesday for it's November meeting. There was one speaker under Public Comment: a bicyclist pushing bike paths. The consent agenda was unanimously passed.

    Aubrey Layne, the recently-appointed member of the Commonwealth Transportation Board (CTB), addressed the TPO. He expressed his thoughts' [...]
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    Posted: November 19, 2009, 6:46pm EST

  • Invictus

    On my day off yesterday, I went to MacArthur Center to see 2012. It was pretty good.

    However, what really got my attention was one of the trailers shown before the main feature: Invictus. Starring Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela and having Clint Eastwood as Director, Invictus is based [...]
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    Posted: November 17, 2009, 12:15pm EST

  • Spinning Their Wheels

    The rain of the past few days has flooded the street that provides the lone entrance into our apartment complex (and the complex behind us). The water is up over the curb and covers the sidewalks.

    Accordingly, a 4x4 trying to come in here this evening attempted to come [...]
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    Posted: November 13, 2009, 7:15pm EST

  • Pushing Through To 15th Street And Back

    In looking forward to today's scheduled TDCHR meeting, the big concern was that there was also a Virginia Municipal League meeting slated. How many Commissioners would be gone? With an eminent domain hearing for Norfolk light rail, quorum was needed. What no one could have known then was that we'd [...]
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    Posted: November 12, 2009, 6:23pm EST

  • 88% Will Ride Higher Speed Rail

    88% of those who voted said they'd ride Higher Speed Rail from Norfolk if built, while 12% wouldn't.

    The new poll question: should Hampton Roads begin planning a system of dikes and levees? In his most recent State of the Region Report, Dr. Koch stated that Hampton Roads should [...]
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    Posted: November 10, 2009, 9:54am EST

  • Citizens Rapid Transit

    Citizens Rapid Transit (CRT) was the predecessor of Pentran, which merged with Tidewater Regional Transit (TRT) to become Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) on October 1, 1999.

    Well, someone has put up a website devoted to a historical look at CRT. The site includes some photos and a few stories. [...]
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    Posted: November 10, 2009, 9:46am EST

  • Yes, I Was Quieter Than Expected This Week

    Yes, I was busy as usual. However, the big post I had been planning after November 3 was a first look at the 2010 Virginia Beach City Council races.

    The catch is that one of the seats up is Ron Villanueva's At-Large seat. Until we know whether he's a [...]
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    Posted: November 07, 2009, 7:45am EST

  • City Budget Public Meeting

    On Thursday evening there was the second of four public meetings on the City Budget. 58 residents attended the session at Princess Anne High School.

    Upon arrival participants were given documents with the evening's agenda, germane facts and figures, plus a survey. The meeting was called to order by' [...]
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    Posted: November 07, 2009, 6:43am EST

  • RAC November 5, 2009

    On Thursday afternoon Virginia Beach's Resort Advisory Commission (RAC) held it's November meeting.

    Convention and Visitors Bureau (CVB) Director Jim Ricketts gave a preliminary summary of the 2009 season. For the year to date, occupancy is down 1.03%, led by a huge drop in the Northampton Boulevard Corridor. September [...]
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    Posted: November 07, 2009, 5:42am EST

  • You've Read The Comp Plan

    60% of voters have read Virginia Beach's draft Comprehensive Plan, 35% hadn't, while 3% planned to.

    The new question is on the big story of the week: Higher Speed Rail. If built, would you ride it? [...]
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    Posted: October 31, 2009, 9:28pm EDT

  • "Trailblazers, Triumphs, and Tributes"

    That was the theme for the annual Freedom Fund Banquet of the Virginia Beach Chapter of the NAACP, held Friday evening at the Westin at Town Center. Over 200 people were in attendance for an enjoyable evening with a good meal.

    The Banquet opened with the signing of Lift [...]
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    Posted: October 31, 2009, 8:26pm EDT

  • TPO Higher Speed Rail Special Meeting

    Yesterday there was a special meeting of the Transportation Planning Organization (TPO), Hampton Roads' Federally-mandated Transportation planning board. The meeting was called to try to settle on an alignment for future Higher Speed Rail service to our region.

    I arrived early for the meeting and the three draft Resolutions' [...]
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    Posted: October 31, 2009, 8:52am EDT

  • Virginia Beach Vision Transportation Forum

    Yesterday evening Virginia Beach Vision hosted a Transportation Forum at Meyera E. Oberndorf Central Library. A number of community leaders were invited to attend, and the room was packed. The Forum featured a panel discussion by Dwight Farmer (Executive Director of the Hampton Roads Transportation Planning Organization), Aubrey Layne (Commonwealth [...]
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    Posted: October 28, 2009, 10:32am EDT

  • I Wish I Didn't Have This Post To Make

    The local media has noted the rise in homelessness due to the recession. Virginia Beach Mayor Will Sessoms has stated he doesn't believe we can close the Winter Shelter program next Spring. Taking the bus to and from this evening's Comprehensive Plan meeting, I got to see the problem firsthand.
    [...]
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    Posted: October 26, 2009, 11:00pm EDT

  • Comprehensive Plan Public Meeting

    This evening there was a public meeting at the convention center on Virginia Beach's draft Comprehensive Plan. I counted 17 in attendance. (City Staff told me there were 26 last Thursday evening at the Bayside Recreation Center.)

    The meeting started with a Presentation by Tom Pauls, who is the' [...]
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    Posted: October 26, 2009, 10:06pm EDT

  • The Drama Queens Cometh?

    On Tuesday's agenda for the Virginia Beach City Council's formal session is the granting of a new two-year contract to City Manager Jim Spore. I'm certainly no Jim Spore fan, but only a fool would bet against Council approving the contract.

    That raises a big question in my mind:' [...]
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    Posted: October 25, 2009, 7:47pm EDT

  • TDCHR October 22, 2009

    The Transportation District Commission of Hampton Roads (TDCHR) held it's October meeting this afternoon in Hampton.

    A Presentation was given by Rear Admiral Mark Boensel, Commander of Navy Region Mid-Atlantic. He covered the Navy's economic impact on the region ($14.69 billion directly in FY 2008), but - appropriately enough [...]
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    Posted: October 22, 2009, 8:05pm EDT

  • The Public Is Much Smarter Than Reid Greenmun

    As part of the process for developing the region's 2034 Long-Range Transportation Plan, an Internet survey of residents was conducted. When asked the question "What do you think is the most effective way to reduce transportation congestion in our region?", here's what they chose:

    1. Expanding the mass transit [...]
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    Posted: October 22, 2009, 10:41am EDT

  • TPO October 21, 2009

    Wednesday morning the Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) held it's October meeting. The TPO is Hampton Roads' Federally-mandated Transportation planning commission.

    First of all, there were no speakers for the Public Comment session, then the consent agenda was passed unanimously without comment.

    The big thing was that the TPO [...]
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    Posted: October 22, 2009, 10:32am EDT

  • Sacre Bleu!

    Coming out of the City Council strategic planning meeting, I crafted a poll question on the Property Tax rate. I never would have guessed what the results would be: 47% want to raise the rate to above 91 cents, 34% want to raise the rate to remain revenue neutral (with [...]
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    Posted: October 18, 2009, 8:37pm EDT

  • I Finally Figured It Out

    It's always cheap fun to kick around our favorite bunch of kooks, the Virginia Beach Taxpayers Alliance (VBTA). Transportation is one of the major issues in Virginia Beach and Hampton Roads as a whole. A number have verbally jousted with the VBTA and their Transportation Chairman, Reid Greenmun, on the' [...]
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    Posted: October 18, 2009, 8:10pm EDT

  • Transit Notes October 16, 2009

    Today's full itinerary (a medical appointment, lunch & matinee, and a couple errands) made for an 11 bus day. Some notes from it all:

    1. It was the first time I had rode the first Outbound Route 20 of the morning, which goes through Pembroke East at 5:45 A.M.' [...]
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    Posted: October 16, 2009, 9:21pm EDT

  • This In 2009?!?

    In Louisiana a Justice of the Peace is refusing to issue marriage licenses for interracial couples. His excuse is that he claims interracial marriages don't last long. [www.kansascity.com]

    As the ACLU lawyer in the story notes, the Supreme Court struck down prohibitions on marriage based on race 46' [...]
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    Posted: October 15, 2009, 5:41pm EDT

  • Comp Plan Photo Police

    Yesterday I was skimming Virginia Beach's new draft Comprehensive Plan. There were a couple bus photos in the Policy Document that caught my eye:

    Page 18

    There's a photo of the bus on Hampton Roads Transit's (HRT) Route 72...sitting at the Suffolk Bus Plaza. That's right: the 72 [...]
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    Posted: October 15, 2009, 12:05pm EDT

  • VBTA Vice Chairman Calls For Cutting City Budget By $530 Million

    It's pretty much an axiom in Virginia Beach politics that if you want to hear a position that's so extreme that it's beyond the pale, wait for Reid Greenmun to speak up. On Wednesday the Virginia Beach Taxpayers Alliance (VBTA) Vice Chairman/Transportation Chairman was commenting on a story online, and' [...]
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    Posted: October 08, 2009, 12:07am EDT

  • Draft Comp Plan Now Online

    The new draft Comprehensive Plan for the City of Virginia Beach has now been posted online. [www.vbgov.com] [...]
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    Posted: October 07, 2009, 11:48pm EDT

  • This Is So Rich!

    The VBTA was passing out a flier at tables prior to the Community Summit getting underway on Monday evening. (They were violating at least two city Ordinances in the process, but that's another story....) The opening sentence makes for a great laugh:

    "The Virginia Beach Taxpayers Alliance's vision is" [...]
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    Posted: October 07, 2009, 11:39pm EDT

  • Redevelopment Wins Over Traffic Flow

    I never saw one on this scale coming. 72% voted to design 32nd Street with three lanes for traffic, then wider sidewalks to aid urban redevelopment. 27% supported four lanes of traffic for better vehicle flow.

    The new question is one what to do with Virginia Beach's Property Tax [...]
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    Posted: October 07, 2009, 11:09am EDT

  • 2009-2010 City Council Priorities

    Early this afternoon the Virginia Beach City Council voted out their priorities for the coming year.

    POLICY AGENDA

    Top Priority

    1. Landfill/SPSA

    2. Tax Rate: Direction and Debt Limit

    9. Roads Funding

    10. Transportation and Light Rail : Strategy and Public Engagement

    12. [...]
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    Posted: October 06, 2009, 7:09pm EDT

  • 2009 Council Retreat - Day 3

    It's been quite awhile since the Virginia Beach City Council met for strategic planning in August. With the Community Summit concluded, Council met again Tuesday morning.

    The morning started with distribution of resident feedback from the Summit and a reading of their comment cards. The comment cards were a' [...]
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    Posted: October 06, 2009, 6:47pm EDT

  • Community Summit 2009 Feedback

    On Tuesday morning sheets with the written-up and tallied resident feedback from Monday night's Community Summit were presented. The following were the top vote getters among the suggestions.

    MAJOR SUCCESSES 2004-2009

    1. Town Center

    2. Oceana NAS and BRAC

    3. Convention Center

    4. Oceanfront Upgrades
    [...]
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    Posted: October 06, 2009, 6:26pm EDT

  • Community Summit 2009

    On Monday evening Virginia Beach held a Community Summit. Residents were asked questions derived from City Council's two days of strategic planning in August. 80 residents came to the convention center to participate.

    It was an enjoyable evening that brought forth some intriguing ideas. A couple of the revenue [...]
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    Posted: October 06, 2009, 6:12pm EDT

  • Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad Is Jewish

    Astonishing. Experts have examined a closeup of a photo of President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad taken at the March, 2008 Iranian election. He's holding up his identity papers. The papers reveal that he was originally named Sabourijan, which means "weaver of the Sabour". In Persia, the talit (the Jewish prayer shawl) is [...]
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    Posted: October 03, 2009, 11:03pm EDT

  • Newtown SGA Meetings - Round 1

    On Thursday Virginia Beach held the first round of public meetings on a plan for redevelopment of the Newtown Strategic Growth Area (SGA). There were focus groups earlier in the day, followed by a meeting open to the general public in the evening. Both types of sessions asked the same [...]
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    Posted: October 02, 2009, 10:28pm EDT
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