At the conclusion of Rush Limbaugh's remarks today to those attending the CPAC convention, remarks that were originally to last 20 minutes but ended up lasting one hour 50 minutes -- remarks that were met with cheers, standing ovations, chants of "USA! USA!" and "Rush! Rush!" -- he was presented with CPAC's "Defender of the Constitution" award -- an original framed document signed by Benjamin Franklin.
The presenter said that Rush does for America what Benjamin Franklin did for our Founding Fathers. It was an award well deserved.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Rush's "first international address" - CPAC live
Fox News is showing Rush Limbaugh live at CPAC right now in what he jokingly has called his "first international address." He is vintage Ruch ... on fire and firing up the crowd. Great watching....
Find the text of Rush's address and the video here.
Find the text of Rush's address and the video here.
Glenn Beck's heart stopping housing chart
Watch this video showing the U.S. economy since 1890 ... Glen Beck's heart stopping housing chart. Could we be heading to a financial depression? Watch and see what you think....
H/T Davos
H/T Davos
Tax revolt ... the eyes of America are on Augusta
It's been said on this blog that the eyes of Virginia are on Augusta County during our battle over outrageous increases in real estate assessments at a time of recession.
Today a comment was left that shows the eyes of America are on Augusta County as well:
Today a comment was left that shows the eyes of America are on Augusta County as well:
God bless the citizens of Augusta County! Stay the course and don't accept "no" nor any brush-offs from your local government officials.A groundswell is growing nationwide as tea parties and tax revolts spring up, outlets for frustrated citizens who feel overtaxed and as if their voices are not being heard.
Signed,
A fellow citizen from Cobb County, Georgia
News Virginian: Thumbs up for Chester, thumbs down for county officials
The Waynesboro News Virginian's weekly verdict is in:
At that meeting Churchville attorney Francis Chester will turn in the hundreds of petitions containing thousands of names and again ask that they roll back assessments to the 2005 values.
Supervisor Tracy Pyles has been the lone voice on the board calling for tax relief for citizens.
Sign the online petition ... or email if you want a petition emailed to you.
Petitions are available at locations throughout the SWAC area including:
New Location: Pets 'n Pals (Waynesboro)
Tractor Supply (Staunton)
Zelma's (Staunton)
Jiffy Mart on Grubert Ave (Staunton)
Memorial Baptist Church (Staunton)
Obaugh Pontiac-Buick-GMC (Staunton)
Eavers Tire (Fishersville)
7-11 Store (Fishersville - Rt. 250 at Woodrow Wilson Rehab)
Obaugh Chevrolet-Buick (Waynesboro)
Bookkeeping Management (Waynesboro)
Ace Gift Store - Acedemy of CE, Inc (Waynesboro)
Mark Martin's Auto World (Rt. 250 west of Waynesboro)
Pets 'n Pals (Waynesboro)
Middlebrook General Store (Middlebrook)
Jake's Convenience Store (Rt. 250 west of Staunton)
Riverside Grocery (Churchville)
T-Bone Tooter (Churchville)
Eavers Tire (Stuarts Draft)
Eavers Amaco (Stuarts Draft)
Greenville Trading Post (Greenville)
Joe's Barber Shop (Greenville)
BB&T (Greenville)
Chancellor Stone (Vesuvius)
Gertie's Store (Vesuvius)
Midway Machine & Parts (Steeles Tavern)
Augusta Co-Op (Fairfield)
Junction (Buffalo Gap)
Deerfield Convenience Store (Deerfield)
West Augusta Convenience Store (W. Augusta)
New Hope Grocery (Rt. 608 & 621 in New Hope)
Feb. 3 meeting recap
The townhall meeting held on Tuesday night, February 3, was a huge success with 600 residents attending to learn from Supervisor Tracy Pyles and local attorney Francis Chester how to make their voices heard at the Government Center.
Thank you, Augusta County!
One person wrote on Facebook that Augusta County residents were "packed like sardines" in the meeting Tuesday night and added, "But they were 600 of the nicest people I've ever met." We heard not one grumble or complaint as we scrambled to accommodate the large crowd. Thank you for your patience and understanding. And thank you for your kind words of encouragement.
March 11 ... together, Augusta ... we can make a difference!
- Thumbs up for Francis Chester's stand against a Goliath known as GOVERNMENT.In a week that saw continuous media coverage about an issue that is of extreme importance to the everyday citizen at a time when tax revolts and "tea parties" are being held nationwide, the News Virginian's weekly editorial opinion shouts it out loud and clear:
- Thumbs down for Augusta County officials who complained that David pulled out the sling shot to challenge Goliath.
Three UPAugusta Citizens Against Unfair Assessments will be at the March 11 Board of Supervisors meeting at 7 pm at the Government Center. All citizens concerned about real estate assessments are urged to attend and send a message to the board.
FRANCIS CHESTER, whose steady flurry of activity has kept him on the front page, managed to migrate from a lower place in this space with his action Friday: paying almost $3,000 in back taxes. The Churchville lawyer has been the face of Augusta County property owners’ reassessment fight, launching a petition drive and vowing to sue if supervisors do not roll back to 2005 values. Before taking up legal arms Chester might have paid his tax bill. Having his name in headlines for tax delinquency surely spurred him to open his checkbook. But we’ll also credit him with soldiering on when others might go slinking away. Property owners might yet benefit from the same chutzpah that prompted Chester to sound the battle cry while still owing tax money.
__________________________________
Three DOWN
Stinging from taxpayers’ ire over the reassessment, AUGUSTA COUNTY OFFICIALS this week turned some of their ire on the big, bad media for dutifully reporting that Supervisor Tracy Pyles, the lone voice of restraint on the subject, had an idea for delaying the institution of new values by two years, along with coverage of the various activities of Francis Chester. Reporters also heard about their failure to share the yeoman’s work being done by the assessors board. Suffice it to say that more than a few in power in the county would have preferred The News Virginian refrain from its weeklong, district-by-district look at the reassessment. Scrutinizing a move affecting thousands of people is our job. Bearing that scrutiny is county officials’.
At that meeting Churchville attorney Francis Chester will turn in the hundreds of petitions containing thousands of names and again ask that they roll back assessments to the 2005 values.
Supervisor Tracy Pyles has been the lone voice on the board calling for tax relief for citizens.
Sign the online petition ... or email if you want a petition emailed to you.
Petitions are available at locations throughout the SWAC area including:
New Location: Pets 'n Pals (Waynesboro)
Tractor Supply (Staunton)
Zelma's (Staunton)
Jiffy Mart on Grubert Ave (Staunton)
Memorial Baptist Church (Staunton)
Obaugh Pontiac-Buick-GMC (Staunton)
Eavers Tire (Fishersville)
7-11 Store (Fishersville - Rt. 250 at Woodrow Wilson Rehab)
Obaugh Chevrolet-Buick (Waynesboro)
Bookkeeping Management (Waynesboro)
Ace Gift Store - Acedemy of CE, Inc (Waynesboro)
Mark Martin's Auto World (Rt. 250 west of Waynesboro)
Pets 'n Pals (Waynesboro)
Middlebrook General Store (Middlebrook)
Jake's Convenience Store (Rt. 250 west of Staunton)
Riverside Grocery (Churchville)
T-Bone Tooter (Churchville)
Eavers Tire (Stuarts Draft)
Eavers Amaco (Stuarts Draft)
Greenville Trading Post (Greenville)
Joe's Barber Shop (Greenville)
BB&T (Greenville)
Chancellor Stone (Vesuvius)
Gertie's Store (Vesuvius)
Midway Machine & Parts (Steeles Tavern)
Augusta Co-Op (Fairfield)
Junction (Buffalo Gap)
Deerfield Convenience Store (Deerfield)
West Augusta Convenience Store (W. Augusta)
New Hope Grocery (Rt. 608 & 621 in New Hope)
Feb. 3 meeting recap
The townhall meeting held on Tuesday night, February 3, was a huge success with 600 residents attending to learn from Supervisor Tracy Pyles and local attorney Francis Chester how to make their voices heard at the Government Center.
Thank you, Augusta County!
One person wrote on Facebook that Augusta County residents were "packed like sardines" in the meeting Tuesday night and added, "But they were 600 of the nicest people I've ever met." We heard not one grumble or complaint as we scrambled to accommodate the large crowd. Thank you for your patience and understanding. And thank you for your kind words of encouragement.
March 11 ... together, Augusta ... we can make a difference!
Part 1: The mother of all bubbles ... the real estate bubble & tax appraisals
Financial Guest Post
by D. Sherman Okst
As I walked out of the post office with my unopened assessment letter in hand, I thought to myself, “Oh, good, I have been meaning to call them. Prices have been dropping so our assessment needed to be adjusted down.”
One less call to make.
Then I opened the letter.
“Ha!”
My house value, according to the appraiser, had gone up 27% in the two years since we had built it.
My first thought was, "Wow, the DOW is down 46%; it is nice to see that something has actually appreciated in value." My second thought was, “If only this were true.”
I mean, seriously, if any asset I owned had increased 27% in value over the past year, I’d be so happy I’d gladly pay taxes on that gain -- especially if that asset wasn’t sinking as fast as every other asset.
But, in reality, prices have fallen and are falling and will continue to fall. I don’t think anyone could tell me that this is ethical, or wise. At the time the decision was made, it may have appeared to be a good idea. It may have been made before people knew that they were in the biggest real estate bubble of all time. I mean, come on, it took National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) a year to officially call this a recession; by that time we had a few economists calling it a mini-depression so how can you blame someone for not knowing we were in a real estate bubble.
I contribute to a financial website. My blog gets 1.5 million reads per annum. A good bit of what I follow is real estate related. When I saw 27%, I knew something was wrong. Augusta County may be, right now anyway, a little behind the devastation curve that is occurring out there, but the real estate bubble is severe and it is a global event.
Dubai, a very rich nation, is experiencing the burst of its real estate bubble, as is Spain, the UK and every other country I can think of. Overseas workers have driven their Mercedes, some 3,000 of them to the Dubai Airport, parked them and skipped the country leaving their fancy new Mercedes and their condo mortgages behind. Over there they toss you in debtors' prison when you lose your job and can’t pay the mortgage.
My point is this: Augusta County isn’t as rich as Dubai, and even Dubai isn’t insulated from the real estate carnage.
The real estate bubble is a global phenomenon. One of my friends told me Augusta County was insulated. I asked him if he had started taking drugs. Nothing is insulated from this. A year or two behind the lag, maybe. Insulated, no. As severe as California or Florida, no. But Virginia is the 8th worst state foreclosure-wise.
Eighth worst.
D. Sherman Okst is an Augusta County resident who with his wife runs a small technology business. He reads extensively and studies the economy blogging as "Davos" at the Daily Digest, a column for Chris Martenson, which gets 1.5+ million reads a year. Sherman writes code, was a high school computer science teacher, and ex-airline captain with 15,000 hours and 18 years of service. He was a builder, managed a lumber yard and as a kid was a mate on a fishing boat. Sherman has also had work published in a few magazines.
by D. Sherman Okst
As I walked out of the post office with my unopened assessment letter in hand, I thought to myself, “Oh, good, I have been meaning to call them. Prices have been dropping so our assessment needed to be adjusted down.”
One less call to make.
Then I opened the letter.
“Ha!”
My house value, according to the appraiser, had gone up 27% in the two years since we had built it.
My first thought was, "Wow, the DOW is down 46%; it is nice to see that something has actually appreciated in value." My second thought was, “If only this were true.”
I mean, seriously, if any asset I owned had increased 27% in value over the past year, I’d be so happy I’d gladly pay taxes on that gain -- especially if that asset wasn’t sinking as fast as every other asset.
But, in reality, prices have fallen and are falling and will continue to fall. I don’t think anyone could tell me that this is ethical, or wise. At the time the decision was made, it may have appeared to be a good idea. It may have been made before people knew that they were in the biggest real estate bubble of all time. I mean, come on, it took National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) a year to officially call this a recession; by that time we had a few economists calling it a mini-depression so how can you blame someone for not knowing we were in a real estate bubble.
I contribute to a financial website. My blog gets 1.5 million reads per annum. A good bit of what I follow is real estate related. When I saw 27%, I knew something was wrong. Augusta County may be, right now anyway, a little behind the devastation curve that is occurring out there, but the real estate bubble is severe and it is a global event.
Dubai, a very rich nation, is experiencing the burst of its real estate bubble, as is Spain, the UK and every other country I can think of. Overseas workers have driven their Mercedes, some 3,000 of them to the Dubai Airport, parked them and skipped the country leaving their fancy new Mercedes and their condo mortgages behind. Over there they toss you in debtors' prison when you lose your job and can’t pay the mortgage.
My point is this: Augusta County isn’t as rich as Dubai, and even Dubai isn’t insulated from the real estate carnage.
The real estate bubble is a global phenomenon. One of my friends told me Augusta County was insulated. I asked him if he had started taking drugs. Nothing is insulated from this. A year or two behind the lag, maybe. Insulated, no. As severe as California or Florida, no. But Virginia is the 8th worst state foreclosure-wise.
Eighth worst.
D. Sherman Okst is an Augusta County resident who with his wife runs a small technology business. He reads extensively and studies the economy blogging as "Davos" at the Daily Digest, a column for Chris Martenson, which gets 1.5+ million reads a year. Sherman writes code, was a high school computer science teacher, and ex-airline captain with 15,000 hours and 18 years of service. He was a builder, managed a lumber yard and as a kid was a mate on a fishing boat. Sherman has also had work published in a few magazines.
Augusta: Reassessments in Beverley Manor
Today the Waynesboro News Virginian takes a look at real estate assessments in the Beverley Manor District of Augusta County with Reassessment opinions vary in Beverley Manor.
Talking with residents in this district that wraps around Staunton on the south, east, and north, there was a difference in opinion as to whether assessments were fair. It is understandable that the resident who works in real estate was okay with the increased value of his property but others were not as happy.
Check out the News Virginian's Database Center to look up reassessments online.
Talking with residents in this district that wraps around Staunton on the south, east, and north, there was a difference in opinion as to whether assessments were fair. It is understandable that the resident who works in real estate was okay with the increased value of his property but others were not as happy.
Check out the News Virginian's Database Center to look up reassessments online.
The Need for Fiscal Responsibility in Washington
By Congressman Bob Goodlatte
6th Congressional District
This last week President Barack Obama came to Capitol Hill to deliver his first address to a joint session of Congress. The President articulated to the American people in very frank terms the challenges that our nation is currently facing but reminded us all that with hard work and determination Americans can overcome these challenges and create a brighter future.
President Obama laid out his agenda from addressing the economic crisis to health care reform to America’s energy policy. I particularly welcomed the President’s call for fiscal discipline. In these challenging economic times it is even more important for government to control spending. The federal government must work to both eliminate every cent of waste and squeeze every cent of value out of each dollar our citizens entrust to it. American families and small businesses across this country are making sacrifices and cutting expenses and it is time the federal government did the same.
In stark contrast to President Obama’s call for fiscal responsibility, Democrats in Congress rushed through another massive spending bill, sinking us further into debt. Just one day after the President came to Congress to stress the importance of putting Washington’s fiscal house in order, the House of Representatives passed, without my support, the $410 billion omnibus spending bill which represents the largest increase in nonemergency federal spending since the 1970s. It includes an 8% increase in federal government spending and this is on top of the massive $1.1 trillion so-called economic stimulus bill that Congress passed just weeks ago.
More pork barrel spending is not what we need to get our economy back on track. The American taxpayer should not be forced to shoulder the burden of more wasteful government spending. Instead Congress must be willing to make the necessary and hard choices to bring fiscal responsibility to Washington. That’s why I strongly support freezing federal government discretionary spending at their current levels. Upholding the principles of fiscal responsibility and ensuring that the hard-earned dollars of taxpayers are spent responsibly are the only ways to strengthen our workforce, grow our economy and keep America competitive.
There are many differences between Republicans and Democrats but we can all agree that despite the challenging road ahead, Americans are more than equal to the task before us. I remain committed to working with Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to enact legislation which empowers American families and small businesses without expanding the government with increased taxes. This is the best way to promote jobs and strengthen our economy.
Cross-posted at SixtyFour81.com
6th Congressional District
This last week President Barack Obama came to Capitol Hill to deliver his first address to a joint session of Congress. The President articulated to the American people in very frank terms the challenges that our nation is currently facing but reminded us all that with hard work and determination Americans can overcome these challenges and create a brighter future.
President Obama laid out his agenda from addressing the economic crisis to health care reform to America’s energy policy. I particularly welcomed the President’s call for fiscal discipline. In these challenging economic times it is even more important for government to control spending. The federal government must work to both eliminate every cent of waste and squeeze every cent of value out of each dollar our citizens entrust to it. American families and small businesses across this country are making sacrifices and cutting expenses and it is time the federal government did the same.
In stark contrast to President Obama’s call for fiscal responsibility, Democrats in Congress rushed through another massive spending bill, sinking us further into debt. Just one day after the President came to Congress to stress the importance of putting Washington’s fiscal house in order, the House of Representatives passed, without my support, the $410 billion omnibus spending bill which represents the largest increase in nonemergency federal spending since the 1970s. It includes an 8% increase in federal government spending and this is on top of the massive $1.1 trillion so-called economic stimulus bill that Congress passed just weeks ago.
More pork barrel spending is not what we need to get our economy back on track. The American taxpayer should not be forced to shoulder the burden of more wasteful government spending. Instead Congress must be willing to make the necessary and hard choices to bring fiscal responsibility to Washington. That’s why I strongly support freezing federal government discretionary spending at their current levels. Upholding the principles of fiscal responsibility and ensuring that the hard-earned dollars of taxpayers are spent responsibly are the only ways to strengthen our workforce, grow our economy and keep America competitive.
There are many differences between Republicans and Democrats but we can all agree that despite the challenging road ahead, Americans are more than equal to the task before us. I remain committed to working with Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle to enact legislation which empowers American families and small businesses without expanding the government with increased taxes. This is the best way to promote jobs and strengthen our economy.
Cross-posted at SixtyFour81.com
Friday, February 27, 2009
It's a Star Wars weekend at our house
"Fear is the path to the Dark Side.Fear leads to anger ... anger leads to hate ... hate leads to suffering."
-- YODA, Star Wars
Episode I: The Phantom Menace
Backroads of Pastures District on a rainy winter day
Blue Ridge Mountains
Alleghany Mountains
Returning home at dusk as rain clouds gather over Alleghany Mountains...Lynn Mitchell
February 27, 2008
"To Them That's Gone" ... run for the fallen -- UPDATED
"In the summer of 2008 a small group of civilians ran 4,000 miles across America." And so begins the story of those who ran for the fallen ... one mile for each American military member killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom ... a journey that began at Fort Irwin, CA, and ended at Arlington National Cemetery.
They called their group "Run for the Fallen" ... and it has now been made into a documentary called "For Them That's Gone."
I was notified of this by Carol who let me know about the memorial run for local fallen Marine, Daniel Morris, who was killed Februry 14, 2007. Carol wrote:
"Since the flags were placed for the soldiers in the order killed, Daniel's flag was placed on Day 52 of the run, on August 5th, 2008. He was flag # 3134, about 13 miles outside of McMinnville, TN. That day, they started in Murfreesboro, TN & stopped in McMinnville, TN."She also found the flag for local fallen Marine Jason Redifer:
He was honored with a flag and card on Day 24 of the run, on July 8th, between Weston, CO, to Route 160/389 Junction, CO. His was put 18 miles from the Junction."I've been to that part of Colorado ... what a beautiful area of the country.
Daniel Bubb, a third young Marine from Augusta County, was killed in Iraq. Carol wrote:
Daniel Bubb was honored on Day 33 of the run, July 17, 2008. He was flag #1979, the 29th placed that day, about midway between Hopeton, OK, and Medford, OK, -- the route that day.She also added something else that I wanted to share:
I think what the RFTF people and this run did, should be shared as much as possible. There is so much out there that's done in a negative way, and this was so obviously positive. This run was done with respect, integrity, compassion & honest emotion from the beginning of the idea to the end at Arlington National Cemetery ... and that sort of behavior should get more coverage then the "people" that yelled, "You suck, impeach Bush," at the Citizenship Ceremony at Monticello. We all have opinions but there's a time and place.I don't know Carol. She is someone who reads my blog and who contacted me with this information. I am grateful to her for passing it along, and I certainly agree with her sentiments.
An additional note is a Texas member of the Run for the Fallen team will be doing a similar run across Texas in May to honor fallen Texans. If anyone is interested in that run, email and I will put you in touch.
God bless our military, our fallen heroes, our veterans, and our military families.
H/T to Carol
Augusta financial people understand the crunch
We have an abundance of financially savvy people in the SWAC area and I've had the pleasure to hear from a number of them during the current real estate assessment battle in Augusta County. Their understanding of the facts and figures is far better than mine so I defer to them on the financial technical information.
Davos is a local who writes for the financial blog Chris Martenson, and has passed along some information that may be helpful to those dealing with the current financial climate.
When the real estate battle erupted, he wrote:
Davos is a local who writes for the financial blog Chris Martenson, and has passed along some information that may be helpful to those dealing with the current financial climate.
When the real estate battle erupted, he wrote:
The Housing market took quite the hit in 2008: "The U.S. housing market lost $3.3 trillion in value last year and almost one in six owners with mortgages owed more than their homes were worth as the economy went into recession, Zillow.com said.He is sending over some YouTube videos that I will post later. My thanks to Davos and everyone else for their help.
"The median estimated home price declined 11.6 percent in 2008 to $192,119 and homeowners lost $1.4 trillion in value in the fourth quarter alone, the Seattle-based real estate data service said in a report today.
"About $6.1 trillion of value has been lost since the housing market peaked in the second quarter of 2006 and last year's decline was almost triple the $1.3 trillion lost in 2007, Zillow said. 'Funny, I kept hearing that prices never go down in real Estate.' "
More consequences of huge government bills
Fellow Valley blogger Jim Patrick from Shenandoah County says it loud and clear:
The problem is not Democrats. It’s not Republicans. The problem is 1,000 pages of garbage —written by special interests— that nobody in Congress has read through. Again.He is talking about the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009:
Call your Congress critturs and ask them to defeat this monster.
Buried in its thousand-or-so pages, the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (S. 22) has provisions that provides for potential civil forfeiture when a person picks up, moves, takes, trades, sells, or gives away a “paleontological resource.” You can loose your car for the kids picking up a neat rock.It gets worse. Read his well-written post here.
News Leader: "Library should allow petition"
I must admit I was pleasantly surprised this morning to read the editorial in the Staunton News Leader and see that they support the right of Francis Chester to place petitions to roll back assessments to 2005 values in the libraries:
I think Benjamin Franklin would be proud.
... we applaud the residents who have banded together to fight this perceived injustice. The battle of the day appears to be whether or not this group, calling itself Augusta Citizens Against Unfair Assessments, should have the right to place a petition at the county library.The libraries have a policy that no political petitions are allowed but the News Leader agrees that this is not a political petition but, rather, a petition of the people addressing an issue of interest to the community.
We agree. They should be able to place the petition in a county library. Debate is good. The people have a right under the First Amendment to petition their government for redress of grievances.
I think Benjamin Franklin would be proud.
Augusta: Landowners from South River question increases
The Waynesboro News Virginian looks at the South River District today in its week-long look at all seven districts in Augusta County. Located in the southeastern corner of the county, reporter Jimmy LaRoue found residents there who were not happy with the size of their increased real estate assessments.
Tomorrow the NV will look at Beverley Manor District.
Tomorrow the NV will look at Beverley Manor District.
Webb, Warner vote for censorship
Cominius at The Virginian Federalist said it best:
Senators Warner and Webb voted with Durbin to impose censorship. Those from the Commonwealth that gave us Patrick Henry's liberty or death, must hang our heads in shame at this outrage.I concur.
Bill Bolling & Bob McDonnell welcome new Attorney General
With the resignation of Bob McDonnell as Attorney General to pursue his gubernatorial run, William J. Mims has been chosen to serve out the term as Attorney General of Virginia.
Check SixtyFour81.com for statements from Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling and former Atty. Gen. Bob McDonnell on Mr. Mims' new role.
Check SixtyFour81.com for statements from Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling and former Atty. Gen. Bob McDonnell on Mr. Mims' new role.
Thursday, February 26, 2009
"To Them That's Gone" ... run for the fallen -- UPDATED
"In the summer of 2008 a small group of civilians ran 4,000 miles across America." And so begins the story of those who ran for the fallen ... one mile for each American military member killed in Operation Iraqi Freedom ... a journey that began at Fort Irwin, CA, and ended at Arlington National Cemetery.
They called their group "Run for the Fallen" ... and it has now been made into a documentary called "For Them That's Gone."
I was notified of this by Carol who let me know about the memorial run for local fallen Marine, Daniel Morris, who was killed Februry 14, 2007. Carol wrote:
"Since the flags were placed for the soldiers in the order killed, Daniel's flag was placed on Day 52 of the run, on August 5th, 2008. He was flag # 3134, about 13 miles outside of McMinnville, TN. That day, they started in Murfreesboro, TN & stopped in McMinnville, TN."She also found the flag for local fallen Marine Jason Redifer:
He was honored with a flag and card on Day 24 of the run, on July 8th, between Weston, CO, to Route 160/389 Junction, CO. His was put 18 miles from the Junction."I've been to that part of Colorado ... what a beautiful area of the country.
Daniel Bubb, a third young Marine from Augusta County, was killed in Iraq. Carol wrote:
Daniel Bubb was honored on Day 33 of the run, July 17, 2008. He was flag #1979, the 29th placed that day, about midway between Hopeton, OK, and Medford, OK, -- the route that day.She also added something else that I wanted to share:
I think what the RFTF people and this run did, should be shared as much as possible. There is so much out there that's done in a negative way, and this was so obviously positive. This run was done with respect, integrity, compassion & honest emotion from the beginning of the idea to the end at Arlington National Cemetery ... and that sort of behavior should get more coverage then the "people" that yelled, "You suck, impeach Bush," at the Citizenship Ceremony at Monticello. We all have opinions but there's a time and place.I don't know Carol. She is someone who reads my blog and who contacted me with this information. I am grateful to her for passing it along, and I certainly agree with her sentiments.
An additional note is a Texas member of the Run for the Fallen team will be doing a similar run across Texas in May to honor fallen Texans. If anyone is interested in that run, email and I will put you in touch.
God bless our military, our fallen heroes, our veterans, and our military families.
H/T to Carol
Eric Cantor ... rising star of the GOP?
Rep. Eric Cantor is receiving a lot of attention these days. A profile earlier this week by Time magazine has now been followed by an indepth look at the Republican Whip by ABC News. At a time when the GOP is adrift and looking for new leadership, this charismatic young man may fill the bill. As observed by ABC:
Cantor is being widely touted as a rising star in a party in search of a new identity. He's being hailed as the Newt Gingrich of his generation and a possible presidential contender in 2012 or beyond.He has his hands full ... but he seems to be balancing it all:
"I think that Republicans are united in the fact that we want to work with this president to try and solve the economic challenges that families are facing across this country," Cantor said Wednesday on ABC's "Good Morning America."At a time when many in the Party have drifted as the GOP appears to have forgotten some of its principles, they welcome Rep. Cantor's strong stand.
Since taking over as Republican whip for a diminished and demoralized caucus in the new Congress, Cantor has been a ubiquitous presence for the GOP -- on television, in White House meetings, and rallying the troops behind closed doors.
It was Cantor who surprised Obama aides at a White House meeting by taking Obama up on his invitation to offer alternative ideas on the stimulus package.
It was Cantor who crafted a Republican version of the stimulus bill, giving the GOP something to rally around. And it was Cantor again who managed his colleagues so effectively that not a single House Republican wound up voting for Obama's stimulus package.
"He is a very welcome breath of fresh air, who is not afraid or ashamed to stick to and forcefully agitate conservative principles and policy positions," said Keith Appell, a Republican political strategist. "He is a welcome change. He doesn't buy into the phony bipartisanship that Obama preaches but doesn't practice."Rep. Cantor seems to also have caught the eye of the President.
"The president has already, in a way, picked him out as a person he wants to have a better relationship with," said Rep. Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., the chief deputy whip in the Republican caucus.Good, positive article ... read it all here.
Augusta reassessment battle ... local tea party?
An Augusta County version of the Boston Tea Party will occur on March 11. That is the day Augusta Citizens Against Unfair Assessments will turn out to send a message to the six supervisors who are not listening to the people.
Supervisor Tracy Pyles has been the lone voice on the Board of Supervisors to stand for property owners who are outraged at their high real estate assessments at a time of recession. He has been shunned by other members of the Board but has persevered in his quest to stand up for the little guy.
Churchville attorney Francis Chester was also outraged at his personal real estate assessment that went up 255% and decided to do something about it. His petitions requesting the Board of Supervisors to roll back assessments to 2005 values have been circulated throughout Augusta County and are available in 40 locations and online. They caused an unprecedented groundswell from the people who were looking for a voice to stand up to their local government. Many had felt ridiculed and rejected by those at the Government Center.
A movement began. A meeting was held and 600 people packed Verona Methodist Church on a cold winter night as they heard from Tracy Pyles and Francis Chester. They asked questions; they laughed; they cheered. Volunteers from the community joined in with their neighbors in the battle.
Citizens have taken handsful of petitions into their neighborhoods. Others have displayed them at their businesses. One citizen activist put a petition online which has generated 800 signatures. A Pastures District business, Jake's Convenience Store, has collected over 1,000 signatures.
Valentine's Day found Augusta Citizens Against Unfair Assessments at the Tractor Supply Store in Staunton. At the invitation of the store, we set up a table for their Community Days event and enjoyed talking with county residents while filling up three more petitions.
Mike Shull, who owns a farm in southern Augusta County, made sure petitions were placed in businesses around Raphine, Vesuvius, and Greenville.
The owners of Middlebrook General Store have turned in a number of filled-up petitions.
Countless people have stopped at Francis Chester's farm in Churchville to turn in, pick up, or sign petitions.
The Waynesboro News Virginian picked up on this early, reporting about it beginning in the fall of 2008 when Supervisor Pyles first brought it up. They have publicly voiced their support in editorials and continue to do so, giving a thumbs up to Mr. Pyles.
The eyes of Virginia are on Augusta County during this battle. Neighboring Nelson County Life magazine readers went through a similar battle last year as did Gloucester and Bath.
Local readership on this blog has jumped during this battle as SWAC area folks have checked in for the almost-daily updates on this issue.
Even as news that housing starts are at their lowest since 1959 ... even with the news that home prices dropped 18% the last quarter of 2008 continuing a trend that had begun two years earlier ... even as we heard of a national property tax revolt ... Blue Ridge Mass Appraisal tried to say everything was just fine.
March 11. Mark your calendars.
Together, Augusta ... we can make a difference!
Supervisor Tracy Pyles has been the lone voice on the Board of Supervisors to stand for property owners who are outraged at their high real estate assessments at a time of recession. He has been shunned by other members of the Board but has persevered in his quest to stand up for the little guy.
Churchville attorney Francis Chester was also outraged at his personal real estate assessment that went up 255% and decided to do something about it. His petitions requesting the Board of Supervisors to roll back assessments to 2005 values have been circulated throughout Augusta County and are available in 40 locations and online. They caused an unprecedented groundswell from the people who were looking for a voice to stand up to their local government. Many had felt ridiculed and rejected by those at the Government Center.
A movement began. A meeting was held and 600 people packed Verona Methodist Church on a cold winter night as they heard from Tracy Pyles and Francis Chester. They asked questions; they laughed; they cheered. Volunteers from the community joined in with their neighbors in the battle.
Citizens have taken handsful of petitions into their neighborhoods. Others have displayed them at their businesses. One citizen activist put a petition online which has generated 800 signatures. A Pastures District business, Jake's Convenience Store, has collected over 1,000 signatures.
Valentine's Day found Augusta Citizens Against Unfair Assessments at the Tractor Supply Store in Staunton. At the invitation of the store, we set up a table for their Community Days event and enjoyed talking with county residents while filling up three more petitions.
Mike Shull, who owns a farm in southern Augusta County, made sure petitions were placed in businesses around Raphine, Vesuvius, and Greenville.
The owners of Middlebrook General Store have turned in a number of filled-up petitions.
Countless people have stopped at Francis Chester's farm in Churchville to turn in, pick up, or sign petitions.
The Waynesboro News Virginian picked up on this early, reporting about it beginning in the fall of 2008 when Supervisor Pyles first brought it up. They have publicly voiced their support in editorials and continue to do so, giving a thumbs up to Mr. Pyles.
The eyes of Virginia are on Augusta County during this battle. Neighboring Nelson County Life magazine readers went through a similar battle last year as did Gloucester and Bath.
Local readership on this blog has jumped during this battle as SWAC area folks have checked in for the almost-daily updates on this issue.
Even as news that housing starts are at their lowest since 1959 ... even with the news that home prices dropped 18% the last quarter of 2008 continuing a trend that had begun two years earlier ... even as we heard of a national property tax revolt ... Blue Ridge Mass Appraisal tried to say everything was just fine.
March 11. Mark your calendars.
Together, Augusta ... we can make a difference!
Family leadership
"Our leaders must remember that education doesn't begin with some isolated bureaucrat in Washington. It doesn't even begin with state or local officials. Education begins in the home, where it is a parental right and responsibility."
Ronald Reagan, 1982
"All great change in America begins at the dinner table."
Ronald Reagan, 1989
Augusta Citizens Against Unfair Assessments to turn out March 11
March 11. Mark your calendars for 7 pm at the Government Center in Verona.
That is the day Augusta Citizens Against Unfair Assessments will turn out to send a message to the six supervisors who are not listening to the people.
Please pass the word. Tell your friends. Tell your neighbors. Tell your family. An Augusta County version of the Boston Tea Party will occur on March 11.
Supervisor Tracy Pyles has been the lone voice on the Board of Supervisors to stand for property owners who are outraged at their high real estate assessments at a time of recession. He has been shunned by other members of the Board but has persevered in his quest to stand up for the little guy.
Churchville attorney Francis Chester was also outraged at his personal real estate assessment that went up 255% and decided to do something about it. His petitions requesting the Board of Supervisors to roll back assessments to 2005 values have been circulated throughout Augusta County and are available in 40 locations and online. They caused an unprecedented groundswell from the people who were looking for a voice to stand up to their local government. Many had felt ridiculed and rejected by those at the Government Center.
A movement began. A meeting was held and 600 people packed Verona Methodist Church on a cold winter night as they heard from Tracy Pyles and Francis Chester. They asked questions; they laughed; they cheered. Volunteers from the community joined in with their neighbors in the battle.
Citizens have taken handsful of petitions into their neighborhoods. Others have displayed them at their businesses. One citizen activist put a petition online which has generated 800 signatures. A Pastures District business, Jake's Convenience Store, has collected over 1,000 signatures.
Valentine's Day found Augusta Citizens Against Unfair Assessments at the Tractor Supply Store in Staunton. At the invitation of the store, we set up a table for their Community Days event and enjoyed talking with county residents while filling up three more petitions.
Mike Shull, who owns a farm in southern Augusta County, made sure petitions were placed in businesses around Raphine, Vesuvius, and Greenville.
The owners of Middlebrook General Store have turned in a number of filled-up petitions.
Countless people have stopped at Francis Chester's farm in Churchville to turn in, pick up, or sign petitions.
The Waynesboro News Virginian picked up on this early, reporting about it beginning in the fall of 2008 when Supervisor Pyles first brought it up. They have publicly voiced their support in editorials and continue to do so, giving a thumbs up to Mr. Pyles.
The eyes of Virginia are on Augusta County during this battle. Neighboring Nelson County Life magazine readers went through a similar battle last year as did Gloucester and Bath.
Local readership on this blog has jumped during this battle as SWAC area folks have checked in for the almost-daily updates on this issue.
Even as news that housing starts are at their lowest since 1959 ... even with the news that home prices dropped 18% the last quarter of 2008 continuing a trend that had begun two years earlier ... even as we heard of a national property tax revolt ... Blue Ridge Mass Appraisal tried to say everything was just fine.
March 11. Mark your calendars.
Together, Augusta ... we can make a difference!
That is the day Augusta Citizens Against Unfair Assessments will turn out to send a message to the six supervisors who are not listening to the people.
Please pass the word. Tell your friends. Tell your neighbors. Tell your family. An Augusta County version of the Boston Tea Party will occur on March 11.
Supervisor Tracy Pyles has been the lone voice on the Board of Supervisors to stand for property owners who are outraged at their high real estate assessments at a time of recession. He has been shunned by other members of the Board but has persevered in his quest to stand up for the little guy.
Churchville attorney Francis Chester was also outraged at his personal real estate assessment that went up 255% and decided to do something about it. His petitions requesting the Board of Supervisors to roll back assessments to 2005 values have been circulated throughout Augusta County and are available in 40 locations and online. They caused an unprecedented groundswell from the people who were looking for a voice to stand up to their local government. Many had felt ridiculed and rejected by those at the Government Center.
A movement began. A meeting was held and 600 people packed Verona Methodist Church on a cold winter night as they heard from Tracy Pyles and Francis Chester. They asked questions; they laughed; they cheered. Volunteers from the community joined in with their neighbors in the battle.
Citizens have taken handsful of petitions into their neighborhoods. Others have displayed them at their businesses. One citizen activist put a petition online which has generated 800 signatures. A Pastures District business, Jake's Convenience Store, has collected over 1,000 signatures.
Valentine's Day found Augusta Citizens Against Unfair Assessments at the Tractor Supply Store in Staunton. At the invitation of the store, we set up a table for their Community Days event and enjoyed talking with county residents while filling up three more petitions.
Mike Shull, who owns a farm in southern Augusta County, made sure petitions were placed in businesses around Raphine, Vesuvius, and Greenville.
The owners of Middlebrook General Store have turned in a number of filled-up petitions.
Countless people have stopped at Francis Chester's farm in Churchville to turn in, pick up, or sign petitions.
The Waynesboro News Virginian picked up on this early, reporting about it beginning in the fall of 2008 when Supervisor Pyles first brought it up. They have publicly voiced their support in editorials and continue to do so, giving a thumbs up to Mr. Pyles.
The eyes of Virginia are on Augusta County during this battle. Neighboring Nelson County Life magazine readers went through a similar battle last year as did Gloucester and Bath.
Local readership on this blog has jumped during this battle as SWAC area folks have checked in for the almost-daily updates on this issue.
Even as news that housing starts are at their lowest since 1959 ... even with the news that home prices dropped 18% the last quarter of 2008 continuing a trend that had begun two years earlier ... even as we heard of a national property tax revolt ... Blue Ridge Mass Appraisal tried to say everything was just fine.
March 11. Mark your calendars.
Together, Augusta ... we can make a difference!
Another crowd turned out for Augusta BOS meeting
It was the third Board of Supervisor meeting since reassessments were received in the mail by county residents ... and it was the third packed meeting as folks turned out to protest.
Wednesday night's meeting heard from local residents who were outraged at high real estate assessments and addressed the board for nearly an hour.
The next meeting will be March 11 when petitions circulated by Churchville attorney Francis Chester will be turned in to the supervisors. A large crowd is expected to turn out that night to send a message to supervisors.
Wednesday night's meeting heard from local residents who were outraged at high real estate assessments and addressed the board for nearly an hour.
The next meeting will be March 11 when petitions circulated by Churchville attorney Francis Chester will be turned in to the supervisors. A large crowd is expected to turn out that night to send a message to supervisors.
Augusta's North River District had highest assessments
The Waynesboro News Virginian's week-long look at the seven districts of Augusta County continues today with a look at the North River District located in the northwestern part of the county.
Large farms dot this rural area and all are working to make ends meet. Even a landowner from northern Virginia worried about being able to pass his farm down to his family:
Large farms dot this rural area and all are working to make ends meet. Even a landowner from northern Virginia worried about being able to pass his farm down to his family:
John Teunis, 76, of Arlington, also met with assessors Monday about his Mount Solon farm.Check out the rest of the article here.
Although somewhat calmed by assessors’ description of his farming tax breaks, Teunis still worries about value increases that could complicate his passing on the 453-acre farm as inheritance.
“Most of my land is in woodland and pasture and I have a very small section in farming fields,” Teunis said.
He calls 367 acres “rocky and wooded.” About 86 acres rent as pasture; crop fields occupy 18 acres.
Car crashed by Augusta County elementary student
In a bizaar story coming out of Crimora in the northeastern part of Augusta County, an 11-year-old boy crashed a vehicle into a concrete culvert traveling 60 mph. The accident, which occurred after midnight Saturday, caused injuries to the boy's 31-year-old father and other passengers who were 30, 19, and 7. An unidentified fifth passenger was unhurt. The father and another passenger were reported in fair condition; the others had less threatening injuries.
There are obvious questions needing to be asked in this situation.
There are obvious questions needing to be asked in this situation.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Jean Ann Bolling at Augusta GOP Women's Club Thursday
Jean Ann Bolling, wife of our Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, will be the guest speaker Thursday night at the Augusta County Republican Women's Club meeting. Held at Mossy Creek restaurant at 6 pm, the dinner meeting will feature Mrs. Bolling talking about heart health. No reservations are necessary for this dutch-treat dinner.
Americans for Prosperity on Fox & Friends Thursday a.m.
Tim Phillips, President of Americans for Prosperity, will appear on Fox & Friends Thursday morning at 7:20 a.m. to debate the card check issues. Tune in to hear him defend an employee's right to privacy.
Tomorrow ... 7:20 a.m. on Fox & Friends.
Bill Bolling to live-blog at Family Foundation March 4
Lt. Governor Bill Bolling will be live-blogging from the Family Foundation blog next Wednesday, March 4, from 5-6:00 pm. Go to SixtyFour81.com for all the details.
Augusta Free Press: "Supes duped by legal jargon"
Chris Graham over at the Augusta Free Press has been doing some investigative work into the legal wranglings between the Augusta County Board of Supervisors (six of them) versus Supervisor Tracy Pyles, attorney Francis Chester, and hundreds of local residents in the current real estate assessment battle.
With permission, here is the column in its entirety or check out Supes duped by legal jargon at the Augusta Free Press:
With permission, here is the column in its entirety or check out Supes duped by legal jargon at the Augusta Free Press:
February 25, 2009
by chrisgraham
The newspaper headlines suggesting that the Augusta County Board of Supervisors’ hands are tied with respect to legal remedies regarding the widely disputed general property reassessment come across to me as misleading.
It’s not exactly breaking news to me that the county attorney, Pat Morgan, would say that he can’t find any “lawful way,” as he wrote in a report to the Board of Supervisors presented on Monday, that the Board can halt or adjust the reassessment. I say that because the strategy offered by the single member of the Board of Supervisors, Pastures Supervisor Tracy Pyles, who has been advocating for the large contingent of county residents who have been fighting this fight, is not at all a “lawful” one, but that has been the point all along.
Pyles was the first to point out that while the county is indeed required to complete a reassessment under the State Code, the penalty for not doing so appears to be relatively minor in the form of the loss of local revenues from the sale of alcholic beverages under the Virginia ABC system, at a total cost to county taxpayers of roughly $40,000.
In that context, then, I wouldn’t expect Morgan to say anything other than what he said in his report. I mean, after all, he’s a lawyer, right? He can’t recommend in writing or otherwise that his client willfully break the law, as Pyles is suggesting as a course of action. He’d risk his law license in so doing.
Same for the part of the story involving an attorney general’s opinion in a similar case originating in Dinwiddie County from earlier this year. The Board of Supervisors there also wanted to block a reassessment that had come under fire, and the opinion of the attorney general’s office used language akin to what Morgan offered to Augusta supervisors. “(T)he Dinwiddie County Board of Supervisors cannot prevent, in a legally enforceable manner, the duly appointed professional assessor for a general reassessment of Dinwiddie County’s real estate from complying with Section 58.1-3300 of the Code of Virginia, 1950, as amended, because the Board of Supervisors disagrees with the results of such general reassessment,” the opinion concluded, again not surprisingly.
I have read and reread that opinion, and did not find any reference to the penalties that could be incurred were the Board in Dinwiddie to violate the terms of the Code applicable to reassessments.
I e-mailed Morgan late Tuesday night to ask what to me is the salient question in this instance - namely, is Pyles right that the only penalty to the county for failing to comply with the Code on the reasssessment the loss of $40,000 in ABC revenues?
Morgan got back to me on that point early this morning.
“There is another possible penalty found in 22.1-97 of the Code of Virginia, dealing with school funding,” Morgan wrote in his e-mail reply. "As you are probably aware, funding from the state is based on what is called a composite index. The State looks at many factors to determine a locality’s fair share of the costs of educating our children. One of the factors that goes into determining the composite index for a locality is if its real estate values are correct. Under 22.1-97 of the Code of Virginia, if the Department of Education determines that a locality is not appropriated sufficient funds, it can notify the Attorney General and he or she can petition for a writ of mandamus directing the locality to make such appropriations as are required by law.”
Interesting point there. A counterpoint, not legal in response to Morgan, but political to the Board of Supervisors, is that it would appear that this composite-index issue could also bite us another way if the reassessments are allowed to stand.
As has been pointed out elsewhere in the local news media, the average property in Augusta is now in Chesterfield County range with our new reassessment. The problem that we will face is not having anything close to Chesterfield County’s economic base or its tax rate. Get this - Chesterfield’s property-tax rate is 95 cents per $100 assessed value. Augusta is currently at 58 cents, and if the reassessment is allowed to stand with the tax relief to come from a reduction in the rate aimed at equalizing things, we could be in the 50-cent range when all is said and done.
And what does that mean? You got it. We get Chesterfield County-level money from the state for education with a tax rate about half what Chesterfield assesses its citizens to make up our local share.
The second part of Morgan’s answer was also helpful.
“To date, I could find only one County that failed to reassess when lawfully required,” he wrote in his e-mail. “That was Pittsylvania in the mid-’70s. The Board there followed a faulty interpretation of a statute that allowed Counties to alter the reassessment schedule if they had been subject of an annexation suit. In a formal opinion, the Attorney General determined that the County had violated the code, but also concluded that it would receive its ABC funding when a reassessment completed. The law concerning adjustments due to annexation suits has since been repealed,” Morgan wrote.
So we might not even lose our ABC revenues if we go this route.
Interesting, that.
Augusta court action: Chester claims victory
Churchville attorney Francis Chester went to court today in Augusta County Circuit Court to request the County Administrator Pat Coffield allow petitions requesting rollbacks of assessments be displayed in public libraries.
According to the Staunton News Leader:
According to the Staunton News Leader:
After County Attorney Patrick Morgan argued that County Administrator Pat Coffield is not the appropriate defendant in the case, Chester withdrew his motion and acknowledged that the Augusta County Library Board instead has the authority in the decision. However, Chester claimed this invalidated Coffield’s instruction to library officials to not display the petition and opens the path to submit his proposal directly to the libraries.The request now goes to the library board.
"This is the conclusion of the first battle,” he said, “and we won it, in the fight against the county and its taxes.”
Augusta landowners trying to cope: a look into Middle River District reassessments
The Waynesboro News Virginian's week-long look at real estate assessments in each of the seven districts in Augusta County continues today as reporter Jimmy LaRoue looks at Middle River in the northeastern part of of the county.
In Landowners trying to cope: a look into the Middle River District reassessments, property owners tell about how their properties were assessed with years-old improvements that were listed as new and how they are fighting to have those figures changed.
Wednesday, March 11 - Board of Supervisors meeting at 7 pm at the Government Center in Verona - all residents are urged to attend to send a message to supervisors. Email for more information.
In Landowners trying to cope: a look into the Middle River District reassessments, property owners tell about how their properties were assessed with years-old improvements that were listed as new and how they are fighting to have those figures changed.
Wednesday, March 11 - Board of Supervisors meeting at 7 pm at the Government Center in Verona - all residents are urged to attend to send a message to supervisors. Email for more information.
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Time Magazine: Eric Cantor works to regain GOP majority
"I feel that my obligation is to be a prudent guardian of taxpayer money."
Rep. Eric Cantor (R-VA 7th Congressional District)
Rep. Eric Cantor has a giant mounted photo propped like a canvas on the arms of a chair in the corner of his office in the Capitol. The image seems an innocently iconic one — a shot of the National Mall from Congress — until a staffer explains to you that it's the view from the Virginia Republican's old office when the GOP controlled the House, and it's there to serve as a daily reminder of what he's working toward: regaining the majority.So begins Time Magazine's new article about Republican Whip Eric Cantor, a popular servant of the people who hopes to bring the majority back to DC and the GOP. Capturing the mover-and-shaker of the forty-something set, Time reported:
Taking on the relatively unpopular congressional Democrats is one thing, but flagrantly opposing a wildly popular new President is risky, especially when the payoff could take years, if at all. But the move energized the GOP for the first time in a long while, inspiring six Republican governors — all rumored 2012 wannabes like Cantor himself — to threaten to decline some of the stimulus money.Read the entire article here.
The opposition also heightened Cantor's profile as the Newt Gingrich of his generation, a wonky, partisan bomb thrower who can rake in well over $300,000 in a single fundraiser, as he did last week. The Richmond, Va., Republican, who likes to remind folks he holds James Madison's seat in Congress, is one of the few rising stars in a party struggling to reinvent itself. But at 45, the baby-faced Cantor is hardly new to the scene. A player in House leadership for seven years, he has raised more than $16.5 million for himself and his colleagues in the last three election cycles — the carrot to his ideological stick when he's keeping his conference in line.
Cross-posted at SixtyFour81.com
Augusta: Landowners exasperated by assessments in Riverheads District
~ News continues to report record low housing starts and house prices ~
The Waynesboro News Virginian continues their week-long coverages of each of the seven districts in Augusta County with today's coverage of Riverheads District.
Reporter Bob Stuart talked with property owners in the southern part of the county in Augusta County properties now said to have added value: Landowners exasperated by assessments in Riverheads.
On a side note, the county attorney did some digging into the past and says supervisors cannot adjust reassessments, according to a 1970s AG opinion from Richmond. He also made some other questionable comments that may be challenged.
Churchville attorney Francis Chester will appear before the Augusta County Circuit Court Wednesday morning, Feb. 25, to defend his writ of mandamus against County Administrator Pat Coffield requesting petitions be allowed to be displayed in county public libraries. The public is encouraged to attend that hearing. The courthouse is located at the corner of Augusta and Johnson Streets in downtown Staunton.
Today we heard housing prices dropped a record 18% in the last quarter of 2008 -- October, November, and December, according to the Wall Street Journal -- adding fuel to the argument against the outrageously high real estate assessments in Augusta County. The WSJ says that now makes two years in a row housing prices have fallen:
Use the News Virginian's "Database Center" to check online assessments.
Coming Wednesday: Middle River.
The Waynesboro News Virginian continues their week-long coverages of each of the seven districts in Augusta County with today's coverage of Riverheads District.
Reporter Bob Stuart talked with property owners in the southern part of the county in Augusta County properties now said to have added value: Landowners exasperated by assessments in Riverheads.
On a side note, the county attorney did some digging into the past and says supervisors cannot adjust reassessments, according to a 1970s AG opinion from Richmond. He also made some other questionable comments that may be challenged.
Churchville attorney Francis Chester will appear before the Augusta County Circuit Court Wednesday morning, Feb. 25, to defend his writ of mandamus against County Administrator Pat Coffield requesting petitions be allowed to be displayed in county public libraries. The public is encouraged to attend that hearing. The courthouse is located at the corner of Augusta and Johnson Streets in downtown Staunton.
Today we heard housing prices dropped a record 18% in the last quarter of 2008 -- October, November, and December, according to the Wall Street Journal -- adding fuel to the argument against the outrageously high real estate assessments in Augusta County. The WSJ says that now makes two years in a row housing prices have fallen:
As of December, average home prices are down 27% from their mid-2006 peak. The 10-city and 20-city indexes have fallen every month since August 2006, 29 straight.News earlier in the month reported housing starts were at their lowest since 1959.
Use the News Virginian's "Database Center" to check online assessments.
Coming Wednesday: Middle River.
Monday, February 23, 2009
Augusta: assessments hit hard in Pastures District
The Waynesboro News Virginian begins its week-long investigation into each of the seven magisterial districts of Augusta County. Today they begin with Pastures District, home of Tracy Pyles, the lone supervisor who has called for rolling back assessments to 2005 values. Pastures District is also home of Churchville attorney Francis Chester who has vowed to bring suit against the Board of Supervisors if they do not roll back to 2005 assessments, and home of SWAC Girl.
In Ground Swell: Pastures property owners question values, reporter Bob Stuart talks with residents who saw their rural land increase dramatically even at a time of instable financial times and hundreds of lost jobs in the SWAC area.
Check out the News Virginian's online "Database Center" to track property values.
In Ground Swell: Pastures property owners question values, reporter Bob Stuart talks with residents who saw their rural land increase dramatically even at a time of instable financial times and hundreds of lost jobs in the SWAC area.
Check out the News Virginian's online "Database Center" to track property values.
On the radio this morning ... Augusta tax battle
This morning on WSVA 550 AM radio in Harrisonburg, Jim Britt has Churchville attorney Francis Chester and Supervisor Gerald Garber in the studio to discuss the Augusta County tax battle.
Until 11:30 this morning, these two gentlemen will answer questions phoned in by those from the community as host Mr. Britt explores this issue.
Until 11:30 this morning, these two gentlemen will answer questions phoned in by those from the community as host Mr. Britt explores this issue.
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Background on Augusta County assessments
"It's in the hands of the elected representatives."
-- David Showker, 67, Craigsville landowner
whose property assessment rose 593%
Waynesboro News Virginia
whose property assessment rose 593%
Waynesboro News Virginia
Beginning today and running all week, the Waynesboro News Virginian will have coverage of all seven Districts in Augusta County, following through with photos, interviews with residents, and feedback about 2009 real estate assessments that many consider outrageously high in a time of financial depression and lost jobs.
Check out Property values in Augusta County are booming: Craigsville landowenrs shellshocked by reassessments, today's article talking with folks in Craigsville in the western part of Augusta County (Pastures District).
Then check out the News Virginian editorial, Values need second look. And check out the News Virginian each day this week for more stories from throughout Augusta County as the land assessment controversy of 2009 continues.
Check out Property values in Augusta County are booming: Craigsville landowenrs shellshocked by reassessments, today's article talking with folks in Craigsville in the western part of Augusta County (Pastures District).
Then check out the News Virginian editorial, Values need second look. And check out the News Virginian each day this week for more stories from throughout Augusta County as the land assessment controversy of 2009 continues.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Sign the petition against the Fairness Doctrine
World Net Daily has a petition protesting the Fairness Petition:
We, the undersigned, assert our rights as citizens of the United States in demanding that Congress immediately drop all legislative efforts to re-impose the so-called "Fairness Doctrine" and that the president of the United States veto any so-called "Fairness Doctrine" legislation approved by Congress and that the U.S. Supreme Court overturn as unconstitutional any so-called "Fairness Doctrine" legislation approved by Congress and signed by the president.If you agree, please sign.
Wisdom from Dr. Peter Marshall ...
"Small deeds done are better than great deeds planned."
~ Dr. Peter Marshall (1902-1949)
Scottish-American Minister
& U.S. Senate Chaplain
~ Dr. Peter Marshall (1902-1949)
Scottish-American Minister
& U.S. Senate Chaplain
Friday, February 20, 2009
What kind of survivor are you? Take the quiz....
Glenn Beck asked on Friday's radio program what kind of survivor you are ... and offered The Survivors Guide Quiz on his website to find out if you are a fighter, believer, realist, thinker, or connector.
I was curious ... so I took the eighteen-question quiz. My results:
Glenn Beck is a Fighter; his radio program second-in-command Stu is a Thinker.
Check out Glenn's interview with Ben Sherwood, author of the book The Survivor's Guide.
I was curious ... so I took the eighteen-question quiz. My results:
Your Survivor Type: Thinker. You see problems clearly, using intelligence and creativity to overcome adversity, relying on your brain to meet challenges.Who else is a "thinker"?
Captain Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger: When his two engines failed, Captain “Sully” Sullenberger analyzed the task and made quick decisions, landing US Airways 1549 on the Hudson River, saving 155 lives.Other thinkers were Apple CEO Steve Jobs (was diagnosed with cancer in 1993 ... “Your time is limited, so don't waste it ... Have the courage to follow your heart and intuition," Jobs says) and Hillary Clinton (Hillary has kept moving forward through scandal and defeat ... “We must stop thinking of the individual and start thinking about what is best for society,” she says).
Glenn Beck is a Fighter; his radio program second-in-command Stu is a Thinker.
Check out Glenn's interview with Ben Sherwood, author of the book The Survivor's Guide.
Rush opines at Wall Street Journal on fairness doctrine
Mr. President, Keep the Airwaves Free: As a former law professor, surely you understand the Bill of Rights.
Let the race begin ... Bob McDonnel for Governor!
Attorney General Bob McDonnell officially steps down today from his job as Virginia's top cop to run as the Republican candidate for Governor of the Commonwealth.
Many are noting his excellent public service:
Cross-posted at SixtyFour81.com
Many are noting his excellent public service:
Richmond- As Attorney General Bob McDonnell officially steps down today as the 44th Attorney General of the Commonwealth of Virginia, a number of prominent state and national leaders who have worked with him over the past three years issued statements in recognition of his service.Bob McDonnell for Governor 2009.
William (Bill) H. Leighty, Former Chief of Staff to Governor Mark Warner and Governor Tim Kaine ..."It has been a distinct pleasure to have served at a time that Bob McDonnell was Attorney General. As a career state employee, I have worked with a number of Attorneys General. General McDonnell distinguished himself in his treatment of the professionals at the Attorney General’s Office and with his attention to the improvement of management efficiencies in the operation of the office.”Congressman Eric Cantor ..."For three years Bob has run the Commonwealth's law firm with intelligence, efficiency and skill. He has been a partner in Richmond that our Congressional delegation could always depend upon for honest legal analysis. Bob McDonnell has served Virginia's citizens well as our Attorney General."Major League Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr. ...“I appreciate Bob McDonnell’s leadership in working with me and the Cal Ripken Sr., Foundation to bring our ‘Badges for Baseball’ program to young people throughout Virginia. Badges for Baseball, which brings together law enforcement mentors and coaches with young people at Boys & Girls Clubs, is entering its third year in the Commonwealth, and Bob and his staff at the Attorney General’s Office have been wonderful partners. Bob has not only been instrumental in the success of Badges for Baseball in Virginia, he has been a strong advocate for the program on a national level. He has spoken with fellow Attorneys General about the value of the program that combines baseball and the ‘Ripken Way’ with life lessons about character, responsibility and sportsmanship. I thank Bob McDonnell for his public service to the Commonwealth of Virginia and his unwavering interest in providing children with the tools to make good choices in life.”City of Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney Michael Herring ...“We often talk about the goal of bipartisan collaboration on important public safety issues, such as gangs. As Attorney General, Bob McDonnell actually did it by partnering with us in the City of Richmond.”Steve Rosenthal, Former Attorney General of Virginia ...“The Office of the Attorney General is the Commonwealth's law firm. The Office is consulted on nearly every significant issue facing Virginia, and it is relied upon to provide accurate and timely legal advice and direction. Bob has ensured this has been the case during his time in Office, and his leadership has greatly benefited the government and the people of Virginia. Bob was an effective Attorney General and he will be missed.”Chuck Rosenberg, Former United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia ...“Bob was a great partner, a great leader, and a great friend to law enforcement throughout Virginia.”Leslie Van Horn, Executive Director, Federation of Virginia Food Banks ...“Thousands of Virginians have benefited from the leadership and vision of Attorney General Bob McDonnell as chair of the statewide Legal Food Frenzy – a campaign involving law firms through the state. This campaign has provided over 2 million pounds of food and grocery products in its first two years to the seven Food Banks in the Virginia/DC area and as a result, has put food on the table of many individuals in need. Attorney General McDonnell has been a strong advocate on behalf of Food Banks throughout the state and we are extremely grateful for the support and leadership of Attorney General Bob McDonnell and his staff.”Chuck Curran, Chief Counsel, AOL ...“Bob McDonnell has been an innovator in cybercrime investigation and prosecution. He was one of the first Attorneys General in the country to work closely with the tech community to help combat many of the challenges facing the Internet. As a result, General McDonnell’s programs have done a great deal to protect children online, promote general computer safety and stop the proliferation of spam. It has been a pleasure to work with him.”
Cross-posted at SixtyFour81.com
Augusta tax revolt tea party shaping up for March 11
It's shaping up to be a tax revolt tea party in Augusta County on March 11.
Local property owners, burdened under what many consider to be outrageously increased real estate assessments at a time of economic depression ... at a time when hundreds of jobs have been lost in our area ... are preparing to voice their objections at the Board of Supervisors meeting on March 11 at 7 pm at the Government Center in Verona.
Call it an Augusta County Tea Party. (Read an eye witness account from one of the Sons of Liberty who participated in the 1773 Boston Tea Party.)
Thursday saw a shot across the bow as CNBC business reporter Rick Santelli stood on the floor of the Chicago Board of Trade and told viewers in an animated voice, "I'll tell you what, if you read our Founding Fathers, people like Benjamin Franklin and Jefferson, what we're doing in this country now is making them roll over in their graves." He went on to say he was going to lead a Chicago Tea Party.
DJ McGuire at the Right-Wing Liberal has a solution to the Augusta County tax situation:
Board of Supervisors meeting ... March 11 at 7 pm ... Government Center in Verona. Spread the word and come out to send a message to our supervisors.
The Augusta Tea Party. See you there!
Local property owners, burdened under what many consider to be outrageously increased real estate assessments at a time of economic depression ... at a time when hundreds of jobs have been lost in our area ... are preparing to voice their objections at the Board of Supervisors meeting on March 11 at 7 pm at the Government Center in Verona.
Call it an Augusta County Tea Party. (Read an eye witness account from one of the Sons of Liberty who participated in the 1773 Boston Tea Party.)
Thursday saw a shot across the bow as CNBC business reporter Rick Santelli stood on the floor of the Chicago Board of Trade and told viewers in an animated voice, "I'll tell you what, if you read our Founding Fathers, people like Benjamin Franklin and Jefferson, what we're doing in this country now is making them roll over in their graves." He went on to say he was going to lead a Chicago Tea Party.
DJ McGuire at the Right-Wing Liberal has a solution to the Augusta County tax situation:
The best solution for the county is to admit to the mistake, start the assessment from scratch, take its lumps (which in this case would be only $40,000 in lost alcohol revenue from Richmond), and move to an annual or a biennial assessment cycle from here on out. Otherwise, several property owners in Augusta will be stuck with an already outdated assessment until early 2013. It would be comical if it wasn’t so tragic.Is anyone listening to the little guy? Are government officials so caught up in their bubble that they have lost touch with their constituents ... their employers?
Board of Supervisors meeting ... March 11 at 7 pm ... Government Center in Verona. Spread the word and come out to send a message to our supervisors.
The Augusta Tea Party. See you there!
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Santelli video: "Are you listening, President Obama?"
Rush played it on his radio program Thursday. If you missed it, you've got to see the video.
Rick Santelli with CNBC issued a rallying cry on the floor of the Chicago Board of Trade:
It's time for an Augusta Tea Party to protest higher taxes.
Here is an excerpt of the transcript of Rick Santelli's spirited words this morning:
Other blogs have more on this ...
- Free Republic
- NewsBusters
- Below the Beltway: Santelli leads a revolt at the CBOT
- Terdium Quids: And the looters trembled
- Sun Versus Wind: This is America!
- Yankee Philip: It is a moral hazard
- Virginia Virtucon: The revolution will be You Tubed ...
Rick Santelli with CNBC issued a rallying cry on the floor of the Chicago Board of Trade:
"Are you listening, President Obama? ... What we are doing in this country will make Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin roll over in their graves. ... It's time for another tea party!"Listen and be inspired ... and remember this is going on right here in Augusta County as residents protest their outrageously high real estate assessments at a time of financial depression and job losses.
It's time for an Augusta Tea Party to protest higher taxes.
Here is an excerpt of the transcript of Rick Santelli's spirited words this morning:
Rick Santelli, on trading floor: "... Mr. Ross has nailed it. You know, the government is promoting bad behavior, because we certainly don't want to put stimulus forth, and give people a whopping eight or ten dollars in their check, and think that they ought to save it.More can be found at Anne Leary's Backyard Conservative.
"And in terms of modifications, I'll tell you what, I have an idea. You know the new administration's big on computers and technology. How about this, (Mr.) President and new administration -- Why don't you put up a web site to have people vote on the Internet as a referendum to see if we really want to subsidize the losers' mortgages, or would we like to, at least, buy cars and buy houses in foreclosure and give them to people who might have a chance to actually prosper down the road, and reward people that could carry the water, instead of drinking the water."
Trader sitting near by: "What a novel idea! What? Who thought of that!"
[traders in the pit start clapping and cheering]
Joe Kernen, in studio: "Rick, they're like putty in your hands. Did you hear --"
Santelli: "No they're not, Joe. They're not like putty in our hands! This is America!"
[turns around to address pit traders]
"How many of you people want to pay for your neighbors' mortgage that has an extra bathroom and can't pay their bills? Raise their hand."
[traders boo; Santelli turns around to face CNBC camera]
"President Obama, are you listening?"
Trader (sitting nearby, goes over to Santelli's mike): "How about we all stop paying our mortgage? It's a moral hazard."
...
Santelli: "... Cuba used to have mansions and a relatively decent economy. They moved from the individual to the collective. Now they're driving '54 Chevys, maybe the last great car to come out of Detroit.
...
We're thinking of having a Chicago Tea Party in July. All you capitalists that want to show up to Lake Michigan, I'm going to start organizing."
...
Listen, all I know is that there's only about 5% of the floor population here right now, and I talk loud enough they can all hear me. So if you want to ask them anything, let me know. These guys are pretty straightforward, and my guess is, a pretty good statistical cross section of America, the silent majority."
Quick: "Not so silent majority today."
Ross: "Rick I congratulate you on your new incarnation as a revolutionary leader."
Santelli: "Somebody needs one. I'll tell you what, if you read our Founding Fathers, people like Benjamin Franklin and Jefferson, what we're doing in this country now is making them roll over in their graves."
Other blogs have more on this ...
- Free Republic
- NewsBusters
- Below the Beltway: Santelli leads a revolt at the CBOT
- Terdium Quids: And the looters trembled
- Sun Versus Wind: This is America!
- Yankee Philip: It is a moral hazard
- Virginia Virtucon: The revolution will be You Tubed ...
Augusta attorney files writs against county officials
Frustrated with stonewalling from the Augusta County Government Center in finding answers to questions about the recent real estate assessments, Churchville attorney Francis Chester filed writs of mandamus with the Augusta County Circuit Court on Wednesday.
The sheep farmer and attorney, wearing a wool cap and sweater, filed on behalf of 250 county property owners. The Waynesboro News Virginian has the full story.
Click here for more News Virginian links related to this issue.
NBC 29 video here.
The sheep farmer and attorney, wearing a wool cap and sweater, filed on behalf of 250 county property owners. The Waynesboro News Virginian has the full story.
Click here for more News Virginian links related to this issue.
NBC 29 video here.
Housing starts lowest since 1959
Housing starts are the lowest since 1959:
U.S. housing starts dropped in January to the lowest level since records began in 1959, data showed yesterday, as builders shelved construction plans to try to clear a glut of unsold houses caused by a slump in demand.
...
Further darkening the picture for an economy mired in a 13-month old downturn, U. S. industrial production shrank more than expected in January, while the amount of manufacturing capacity being tapped hit its lowest level on record.
"The reports tell us that the recession is deepening and the risk of deflation is growing. We continue to see this adverse feedback between the housing market and the weakening economy," said Sal Guatieri, an economist at BMO Capital Markets in Toronto.
Virginia gubernatorial analysis from Real Clear Politics
Virginia attorney Sean Trende analyzes the 2009 Virginia gubernatorial race from both the Republican and Democrat side in Real Clear Politics. Sent by a fellow SWACer, the article offers an interesting look into the four candidates and the two political parties.
H/T DS
H/T DS
Augusta assessment appeal ... round 3
An Augusta County resident has been going through the real estate assessment appeal and relates what happened in Round Three.
Meanwhile, another resident had a review yesterday at the Government Center and reportedly received shrugged shoulders when he asked how all the lots in his neighborhood could be assessed for the same price. No matter the size, no matter whether it had a view of the mountains or a view of the back of someone's house, the assessed value was the same.
Tuesday afternoon the parking lot at the Government Center was packed with cars of people inside waiting for their appeals.
Meanwhile, another resident had a review yesterday at the Government Center and reportedly received shrugged shoulders when he asked how all the lots in his neighborhood could be assessed for the same price. No matter the size, no matter whether it had a view of the mountains or a view of the back of someone's house, the assessed value was the same.
Tuesday afternoon the parking lot at the Government Center was packed with cars of people inside waiting for their appeals.
"Tax payers & folks in Augusta County aren't stupid"
As frustration mounts ... as tempers flare ... an Augusta County resident put into words what many already knew. In an interview by WHSV TV-3 on Tuesday:
Email with questions or if you want to be added to the email list with updates about this issue.
Augusta County resident David Fisher is heading to the Augusta County Government Center to complain, because his property value has gone up 113 percent.Petitions that are being circulated in the county will be turned into the Board of Supervisors at their meeting on Wednesday, March 11, at 7 pm at the Government Center in Verona. All are being encouraged to attend. If anyone wants to address the board, that will be the opportunity to do so.
"Tax payers and folks in Augusta County aren't stupid," says Fisher.
...
As the controversy moves forward, Fisher is still fighting for what he believes his property is worth.
"There's going to be a public outcry here in the county and many of the folks in charge are going to lose their job," says Fisher.
Email with questions or if you want to be added to the email list with updates about this issue.
Black ice causes 3 morning wrecks in Augusta
With temperatures hovering in the 30s and on-and-off snow flurries under dark clouds, black ice formed on roadways this morning causing three accidents in the western Augusta County town of Churchville.
WHSV TV-3 has all the details.
Highland County to the west as well as the West Virginia counties of Pendleton and Grant are under winter storm watches today with up to 7" of snow expected. While no accumulation is predicted for Augusta County, windy conditions, snow flurries, and overcast skies have made it a cold morning.
Stayed tuned to WHSV TV-3 for updates on the wrecks and weather.
WHSV TV-3 has all the details.
Highland County to the west as well as the West Virginia counties of Pendleton and Grant are under winter storm watches today with up to 7" of snow expected. While no accumulation is predicted for Augusta County, windy conditions, snow flurries, and overcast skies have made it a cold morning.
Stayed tuned to WHSV TV-3 for updates on the wrecks and weather.
Augusta: Battle of words heats up over real estate assessments
There are questions about the latest claim that Augusta County's real estate sales are doing just fine by selling above the appraised values.
David Hickey, who owns Blue Ridge Mass Appraisal, the company at the eye of the storm of appraisals in Bath, Gloucester, and Augusta counties, held a press conference Tuesday afternoon to announce he had figures showing January's real estate sales, saying the majority of them were higher than assessmentments.
Not so fast.
Others question those figures for a variety of reasons. As reported by the NV:
David Hickey, who owns Blue Ridge Mass Appraisal, the company at the eye of the storm of appraisals in Bath, Gloucester, and Augusta counties, held a press conference Tuesday afternoon to announce he had figures showing January's real estate sales, saying the majority of them were higher than assessmentments.
Not so fast.
Others question those figures for a variety of reasons. As reported by the NV:
[Augusta County Supervisor Tracy] Pyles said he is still awaiting complete information from Blue Ridge regarding the methods it used in the reassessment. The supervisor said he did not put a lot of stock in the January sales.Even local realtor Kevin Lacey was not impressed.
“It’s 33 sales out of 38,000 pieces of property,’’ Pyles said.
Pyles said his effort relates to values all across Augusta County and the biggest issue is with land.
Augusta County Realtor Kevin Lacey said the assessments on land are also a major problem for his business.A comment was left by "newsreader1" on the News Virginian's website questioning the findings of Blue Ridge Mass Appraisal's January sales figures:
He said a 28-acre piece of property he owns is assessed at $216,000 but can’t be sold even for the list price of $169,900.
“The assessment should be based on market value. If I can’t sell a piece of property for $169,900, how can you say it’s worth $216,000?’’ Lacey said.
I researched Augusta County residential sales from 1/1/09 to 1/31/09 which Hickey states all sold for over the new assessments. In fact there were 19 residential sales - of which 3 were foreclosures, 5 sold under the assessments, 3 sold near assessments, 2 were not assessed at 100% complete as they were under construction at the time of the assessment, 1 included personal property, 1 was remodeled, 1 is questionable as I believe the seller worked at Blue Ridge and 3 did sell over the assessments. You have to research more than just sales prices and assessments to reach your conclusions such as the homes that were not complete or the selling of furniture, etc. (Hickey was using Jan. 2009 to say his companys values were good - in fact Jan. 2009 has nothing to do with the assessments but my research shows Mr. Hickey is wrong again and did not complete his homework)In school he would have gotten an “F” or incomplete on this assignment. Residents please do your homework or contact someone who has the means to do so before you take this.WHSV TV-3 interviewed local attorney Francis Chester who is threatening to sue the county if they do not roll back assessments to the 2005 values. Responding to comments by David Hickey:
However, on the other side of the table, Attorney Francis Chester, who is behind the recent petition to the board of supervisors, says he doesn't buy the 26 home sales.When told of Mr. Chester's remarks, Mr. Hickey resorted to name-calling:
"You know anybody can come along out of the blue and say, 'Oh, I love this place! I'll even give you $10,000 more!' That's the way we judge properties? That's not the way we judge properties," exclaims Chester.
"He's a fool and he doesn't know what he's talking about," adds Hickey.Yesterday's news reported building starts were the lowest since 1959:
"The reports tell us that the recession is deepening and the risk of deflation is growing. We continue to see this adverse feedback between the housing market and the weakening economy," said Sal Guatieri, an economist at BMO Capital Markets in Toronto.With hundreds of lost jobs in the SWAC area and property owners who are being pinched to the point where they cannot take anymore, a tax revolt may be on the horizon for Augusta County and the nation. To paraphrase a movie ... they are mad as hell and aren't going to take it anymore.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Facebook does about-face
Facebook does an about-face on Terms of Service after uproar from users and threat of lawsuit. Caroline McCarthy gives the latest.
Background to what led to this about-face at Facebook.
Background to what led to this about-face at Facebook.
DJ McGuire announces candidacy for Spotsylvania BOS
After dealing with his own property tax issues in Spotsylvania County in the past, and after watching the Board of Supervisors raise taxes on an annual basis, a well-known blogger in the Virginia blogosphere has decided to throw his hat in the ring as a candidate.
DJ McGuire of the Right-Wing Liberal blog made his decision official on Tuesday. He has quite an impressive resume:
Learn more about DJ's issues here. Go here if you would like to contribute to his campaign.
It's time Republicans once again become the Party of less government and less spending, of lower taxes and free enterprise. It's time we got back to the tenets of the Republican Creed including:
DJ McGuire for Supervisor. It's time.
DJ McGuire of the Right-Wing Liberal blog made his decision official on Tuesday. He has quite an impressive resume:
D.J. McGuire is a married father of three. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the College of William and Mary, and a Master’s Degree in Economics from Georgetown University. A cost estimator for nearly ten years, Mr. McGuire has worked with several clients (all agencies in the Department of Defense) to help hold down cost to the taxpayer and ensure accurate estimating.DJ has mentioned his grandfather during comments on my blog about the current real estate assessment battle in Augusta County. His grandfather was a staunch anti-tax conservative Democrat, a fact not lost on him as he hears the only Augusta BOS member, a Democrat, lead the fight for the little guy.
D.J. was also an Adjunct Professor in Economics at Germanna Community College (2007-8), where he enjoyed sharing his experience and his knowledge with the next generation of Americans.
D.J.’s grandfather, Michael McGuire, was President of the Elizabeth, NJ, City Council, and was an ardent defender of the taxpayer during the dozen years he served as City Councilman. It is that respect for the taxpayer that D.J. will bring to the Spotsylvania Board of Supervisors.
Learn more about DJ's issues here. Go here if you would like to contribute to his campaign.
It's time Republicans once again become the Party of less government and less spending, of lower taxes and free enterprise. It's time we got back to the tenets of the Republican Creed including:
That fiscal responsibility and budgetary restraints must be exercised at all levels of government."ALL LEVELS OF GOVERNMENT" ... that means at the local level, too.
DJ McGuire for Supervisor. It's time.
Family Leadership
"Our leaders must remember that education doesn't begin with some isolated bureaucrat in Washington. It doesn't even begin with state or local officials. Education begins in the home, where it is a parental right and responsibility." - Ronald Reagan, 1982
"Work and family are at the center of our lives, the foundation of our dignity as a free people." - Ronald Reagan, 1980
"When the liberals say 'family,' they mean 'Big Brother in Washington.' When we say 'family,' we mean 'honor thy father and mother.' " - Ronald Reagan, 1988
"All great change in America begins at the dinner table." - Ronald Reagan, 1989
"Work and family are at the center of our lives, the foundation of our dignity as a free people." - Ronald Reagan, 1980
"When the liberals say 'family,' they mean 'Big Brother in Washington.' When we say 'family,' we mean 'honor thy father and mother.' " - Ronald Reagan, 1988
"All great change in America begins at the dinner table." - Ronald Reagan, 1989
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Augusta: "Attorney threatening legal action regarding petitions, assessment worksheets"
Augusta Free Press reporter Chris Graham followed Churchville attorney Francis Chester into the Augusta Government Center Tuesday afternoon. See video.
Two letters containing writs of mandamus were delivered ... one to county attorney Pat Coffield and the other to Commissioner of the Revenue Jean Shrewsbury:
Two letters containing writs of mandamus were delivered ... one to county attorney Pat Coffield and the other to Commissioner of the Revenue Jean Shrewsbury:
Both letters, to Coffield and Shrewsbury, demanded immediate action, with Chester telling both that he would file petitions in Augusta County Circuit Court on Wednesday if appropriate steps aren’t taken to address the issues raised.Read all of "Attorney threatening legal action regarding petitions, assessment worksheets."
NV: "National property tax revolt predicted"
There's a tax revolt in Augusta County, Virginia.
It began when real estate assessments were mailed to residents the end of January 2009. Some farms and property were assessed at double and triple their previous values. Others went up 50% and more even though the average was supposed to be 28%.
Many questioned even a 28% increase at a time when the housing market had plunged and hundreds of local jobs were being lost. Many felt no one was listening ... others felt they were being patronized.
A national tax revolt? I can believe it. We're seeing it play out locally.
Today's Waynesboro News Virginian has an article by reporter Bob Stuart who writes in "National property rax revolt predicted: New York's 'modern Nostradamus' predicts collapse of economy:"
Background links to News Virginian articles and information here.
It began when real estate assessments were mailed to residents the end of January 2009. Some farms and property were assessed at double and triple their previous values. Others went up 50% and more even though the average was supposed to be 28%.
Many questioned even a 28% increase at a time when the housing market had plunged and hundreds of local jobs were being lost. Many felt no one was listening ... others felt they were being patronized.
A national tax revolt? I can believe it. We're seeing it play out locally.
Today's Waynesboro News Virginian has an article by reporter Bob Stuart who writes in "National property rax revolt predicted: New York's 'modern Nostradamus' predicts collapse of economy:"
The Great Depression? That was a tropical depression compared to the hurricane about to blow through the American economy, says Gerald Celente, the acerbic Bronx-born prophet who has been called the modern Nostradamus.Who is this man?
The “political athiest” who runs the New York-based Trends Research Institute says 2009 is trending sharply downward, as in through the floor.
Celente predicts that the national economy will collapse this year and people will revolt over school and property taxes – uh oh – all leading to what he calls the Greatest Depression.
Before dismissing him, consider Celente’s record: He correctly predicted the 1987 stock market crash, the fall of the Soviet Union and the current recession, among other things. Those calls have won him acclaim from a wide range of mainstream sources, from The Wall Street Journal to CNN.Tying the national story with the local tax revolt, Mr. Stuart talked with Churchville lawyer Francis Chester who is behind petitions currently being circulated to Augusta County citizens calling on the Board of Supervisors to roll back property values to the 2005 level. He also talked with Supervisor Nancy Sorrells and Supervisor Wendell Coleman who still say the "process" needs to play itself out. Read the entire article here.
Background links to News Virginian articles and information here.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)