Archive for April, 2010

People Making a Green Difference

An interesting article from the Grist blog. Click the link to read about individuals who are making a real difference in their communities.40 People Redefining Green from grist.org.

Will the Board of Supervisors be raising our taxes soon?

If this article is any indication the answer may well be yes. To quote Prince William Conservation Alliance “As described in the 2005 Service Efforts and Accomplishment Report for Watershed Management, developers pay a Development Permit Fee to “meet expenses of site plan and lot plan review, site development inspections, and erosion control inspections.” In contrast, “[r]evenue from the stormwater management fee is dedicated solely to the operation and construction of watershed management projects.”

In the budget being voted on soon, supervisors plan to switch 70% of the cost of the Watershed Inspections Function away from developers. Developers who build new stormwater facilities will still pay 30% – perhaps enough to cover initial inspection costs, but all future inspections and repairs will be covered by the residents.” Click here to read the entire article.

Governor Proclaims April Confederate History Month

Now there can be no question that the Civil War was a significant part if Virginia’s history. There is also no question that it is also a major factor in our tourism industry. That said, our governor Bob McDonnell failed to make any mention of slavery as a factor, let alone a major cause for the Civil War. As the Washington Post pointed out today, roughly 25% of Virginia’s population during the war were slaves!

To fail to address this in his proclamation is both insulting to blacks and dishonest to history. It should not surprise anyone that he would make such a statement. His efforts to appeal to the base of the Republican party is in keeping with most of his other actions as and a perfect match for his money wasting, teabag Attorney General Cuccinelli.

From the governors mansion right down to our own county and district the far right attitudes of our legislators are clear. Whether it be McDonnell’s proclamation, Cuccinelli’s law suit against healthcare reform, Corey Stewart calling Tea Party members who insult and threaten congressmen and women “patriot’s” and the Coffee Party crowd, believing in civil debate “fruitcakes” and “nuts”, or John Stirrup introducing a motion at the BoCS meeting 23 March to THANK CUCCINELLI for his lawsuit, their positions are clear.

There are two questions we must ask ourselves. Are we content to let these actions go unchallenged, and if not, what are we going to do about it? My answer to the first one is NO I am not content to let these men push their far right agenda unopposed and I intend to do everything I can to see that they are reined in now and defeated in the next election.

This year we need to get our Democratic butts in gear and stop sitting on the sidelines like we did in November. You see what happens when we do! Everyone of us who believes this has to stop and that we need positive leaders, working for a better county, state and nation need to get behind our candidates. Right now you can show your feelings about McDonnell, Cuccinelli, Stewart, and Stirrup by working to reelect Gerry Connolly.

Gerry stood up for us on healthcare reform and now we need to stand up for him.  Make a donation http://gerryconnolly.com/ or volunteer. There is also a new organization just getting off the ground that is dedicated to electing Democrats in Prince William County. It’s called Greener Prince William PAC http://www.actblue.com/page/greenerprincewilliampac.

Look for more information on it shortly.

Monthly Meeting of The Gainesville Group

Join us at Taste of Asian for our monthly meeting.  This month the agenda will include a discussion of our upcoming forum on the recent housing market. We’re developing the format and preparing to invite speakers. We’re also looking for suggestions for future events, specifically issues of concern to the residents of Prince William County.

Second Heathcote Adopt-A-Highway Cleanup Coming

After months of cold and snow Spring has finally made an appearance!!  What goes better with the warm weather, the singing birds and the blooming tulips  than a nice walk on a lovely (I hope) Saturday MORNING?

The next clean up effort of our sponsored 2 miles is scheduled for 10 AM April 17th. Our section of Heathcote is from Route 29 to Old Carolina Road. All the equipment is provided all you have to do is show up and walk a bit.

The last time it took us about two hours to complete the entire section. It’s a good walk with great friends, and it serves a good cause as well so I hope you’ll come on out and join us.