The Man in the Arena ... thank you, Bill Bolling

   

The Man in the Arena

The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotion, spends himself in a worthy cause; who at best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who have never tasted victory or defeat.

Theodore Roosevelt

(American President, 1901-09)

 

See also Day at the Capitol with Lt. Governor Bill Bolling ... the portrait unveiling

See also A farewell evening with Lieutenant Governor Bill and Jean Ann Bolling
 

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell

Day at the Capitol with Lt. Governor Bill Bolling ... the portrait unveiling

Mrs. Jean Ann Bolling and Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling

It was a special day in the Virginia State Capitol as family, friends, and colleagues gathered Friday, January 10, 2014, in the State Senate chamber to honor out-going Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling and his years of service to the citizens of the Commonwealth. His official portrait that will now hang on the walls of the chamber was unveiled to applause from those on the chamber floor and above in the packed gallery.

Long-time Bolling staffers -- Ibbie Hedrick, Matt Wells, Denise Burch -- were on hand taking pictures and watching their boss on his last full day in office after eight years as one of the most hard-working, productive, and respected lieutenant governors in Virginia history.

Governor Bob McDonnell was on hand to honor his friend and colleague. Bob and Bill ... they shared the same birthday, and were friends working together for Virginians for more than 20 years. They made an amazing team and brought Virginia Republicans back in 2009 with a winning sweep of the Top 3. That advantage disappeared in 2013 when the GOP lost the Top 3 to Democrats along with both U.S. Senate seats.

Many familiar faces watched from the gallery.

 

Artist Stephen Craighead with his photo of the LG.

Before the unveiling.

Dr. Kurt Michael and Dr. Judi Lynch.

Senator Walter Stosch was MCing the event.

"Doing the Bolling!" The crossed arms was a story in itself from the LG ... at the reception afterward, many "did the Bolling" beside the official portrait. Trixie, Judi, Angela, Kurt.

The LG and Adam Tolbert from Smythe County.

The LG and Trixie Averill. 

The LG and Marie Quinn with the Chesterfield GOP.

Scheduler Denise Burch and Jean Ann Bolling.

The LG and Angela Kelly-Wiecek, Chickahominy District supervisor in Hanover County. Bill Bolling represented the citizens of the Chickahominy District when he first started in politics in the 1990s.

Bill and Kurt

Trixie and long-time friend Randy Marcus who was Bolling Chief of Staff.

Trixie Averill, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, Dr. Kurt Michael, Lt. Gov. John Hager
 

THE ONLY TWO GOP "SWEEP" lieutenant governors in the last 45 years:

1997 -- Lt Gov John H Hager (with Gov. Jim Gilmore and AG Mark Earley).

2009 -- Lt Gov Bill Bolling (with Gov. Bob McDonnell and AG Ken Cuccinelli).

Senator Walter Stosch, Trixie, Randy, Marie

Randy, Marie, Dolores Switzer

The LG and the baby ... this photo was too adorable not to post.

Many thanks to Bill and Jean Ann for including us in their last day in office and the official portrait unveiling. It was fun to see so many familiar faces, catch up with friends, and spend time in the General Assembly visiting a number of legislative offices. It's always exciting in Richmond during session. Best wishes for the next chapter in the Bollings' journey ... thank you for your service to the citizens of Virginia for 22 years ... the door is always open.

See also A farewell evening with Lieutenant Governor Bill and Jean Ann Bolling

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell & Kurt Michael
January 10, 2014
Many thanks to Kurt for helping with the Nikon while I used the iPhone

A farewell evening with Lt. Gov. Bill and Jean Ann Bolling

Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling and his wife, Jean Ann.

Hilton Hotel, Richmond, Virginia

January 9, 2014

Angela Kelly-Wiecek, Hanover County supervisor who holds the Chickahominy District seat that Bill Bolling once represented, talked with Jean Ann Bolling before Thursday's dinner at the Hilton Hotel in Richmond's Short Pump area. The room filled with invited guests who laughed and remembered campaigns and events over the years.

Bill Bolling thanked his wife, his family, his staff, and his many friends who have been there throughout the years. Then he launched into a story about Kristi Way during the 2005 campaign: "We were heading to a fundraiser at Kurt Michael's home...." Ah, yes ... very well remember that fundraiser in Fishersville.

Fellow blogger Brian Schoeneman drove from NoVa to join the 100 guests. He was seated at the lieutenant governor's table along with Linwood Cobb, Kurt Michael, Judi Lynch, and me ... excellent dinner conversationalist on a variety of subjects.

That's not chicken. LOL.

The conversation was entertaining and interesting all night at our table. The Lieutenant Governor, Dr. Judi Lynch, Dr. Kurt Michael....

Always an entertaining speaker, the LG had everyone in the room in stitches telling stories about campaigns, staff members, and events ... and thanked them for their help throughout the years. His Bloggers Days, the pewter Christmas ornaments, remarks at the Republican Advance, handing out his Patrick Henry awards, speaking at numerous events in Commonwealth throughout the years including SWAC Breakfast, and many other contributions will make him remembered as one of the most active lieutenant governors in Virginia history.

Saying this isn't the end, he concluded his remarks with, "Let the games begin!"

Returning to the podium before dessert, the LG was tossing tee shirts to waiting hands at tables causing laughter and cheers.

That shirt went to the outstretched hands of Judi Lynch seated at table number one. Go, Judi!

When he announced there were only two Bolling golf hats left, there was a race by Lynn Martin and Trixie Averill to the table in the back of the room to retrieve the caps, a sight that cracked up the room.

Ibbie Hedrick (seated at table) was with the George W. Bush administration before joining up with the Bill Bolling office as deputy chief of staff and spokeswoman. She worked alongside Denise Burch who was director of constituent services and scheduling, and chief of staff Randy Marcus.

I love food photos.

Staffers, volunteers, friends, colleagues.

The evening provided an opportunity for everyone to break bread together. Thank you to Lieutenant Governor and Mrs. Bolling for the hospitality and fellowship. One chapter closes ... another opens.

As a thank you to Bill Bolling, I printed the "Man in the Arena" remarks by Theodore Roosevelt on card stock with a watermark in the background of a photo I took of the Virginia State Capitol at the 2011 Bill Bolling Bloggers Day, framed it, and passed it along at dinner with my appreciation for his service as "the man in the arena" the past 22 years. Thank you, Bill and Jean Ann Bolling....

See also Day at the Capitol with Lt. Governor Bill Bolling ... the portrait unveiling

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
January 10, 2014

Dinner with Lt. Governor Bill and Jean Ann Bolling

Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling and his wife, Jean Ann.

Hilton Hotel, Richmond

January 9, 2014

More photos to come....

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell
January 9, 2014

Keep your powder dry, Bill Bolling

 Lieutenant Governor Bill and Jean Ann Bolling in Staunton -- August 2013.

He's been lieutenant governor of the Commonwealth for the past eight years, and served in the State Senate for ten years before that. Bill Bolling has been a dedicated servant to the people of Virginia and, in another ten days, he will step out of the spotlight. For a little while. As the old saying goes, keep your powder dry, Lieutenant Governor.

Reporter Jim Nolen with the Richmond Times-Dispatch did a nice profile article about the LG, catching up with him on the banks of the Rose River where he was enjoying one of his favorite pastimes -- fly fishing. Taking in the solace that many of us find in the Old Dominion, his joy of the outdoors was reflected in what Nolen wrote:

Within five minutes, and without any fanfare, Bolling reels in two impressive rainbow trout. He admires each of them for a moment, before gently unhooking them and returning them to the cold water.

“It’s become my getaway spot — a place that I can go and get away from everything,” Bolling said of the Rose River, in Madison County below Old Rag Mountain. “The time I spend there is therapeutic. It helps me clear my head, and the trout never talk back or disagree with me!”

After the past two years of turmoil in state politics that saw Bolling squeezed out by a Republican Party that left him, not the other way around, this LG has earned some time off. Hopefully, it won't be for long since his conservative leadership is needed now more than ever after every statewide office has flipped to the Democrats, as noted by reporter Shawn Day at the Virginian Pilot.

Through the mud-slinging, accusations, and betrayals, Bolling's humor has stayed intact even if at times it has frayed a bit. The down-to-earth LG whose values match those of most conservatives believes in governing in a more pragmatic, reach-across-the-aisle manner than that of the flame throwers. The November elections proved one thing: people didn't necessarily want a flame thrower in the Top Spot. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Governor Bolling continues to hold the respect of business leaders and grassroots supporters throughout the Commonwealth which again leads to these four words of advice: Keep your powder dry.

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell
August 2013

News Leader: 'Bill Bolling's good ideas'

Jean Ann Bolling, Dr. Kurt Michael, Lt. Governor Bill Bolling
Overlooking downtown Staunton, Virginia / August 17, 2013

Yesterday the Virginian-Pilot applauded Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling's ideas presented by his Virginia Mainstream Project PAC. Today, the Staunton News Leader agreed:

Monday, as the federal government stumbled toward shutdown and Virginia’s lamentable gubernatorial campaign dragged toward November, we received a much-needed reminder that some elected officials are still serious about governing.

Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, the man who would be our next governor had Republicans had the sense to nominate him, released some excellent government reform proposals.

The Pilot noted the LG is not up for reelection, commenting:

In each case, Bolling's propositions settle right in the mainstream of Virginia politics. They are proposals that serve voters rather than political parties. They are neither obviously Democratic ideas nor clearly Republican.

They are, quite simply, legislative initiatives that should be - and no doubt would be - welcomed by the vast middle of the commonwealth's voters.

Unfortunately for all those voters, the man who proposed them will soon be out of state government, a victim of the same forces that kept those legislative ideas in a desk until Monday.

The Roanoke Times opined, Imagine: ideas, not ick. The first paragraph probably echoes what many are thinking in these final weeks of the 2013 Virginia gubernatorial race:

Another week. Another palm slap to the forehead. Another “Gee, we could have had Bill Bolling” moment for Virginia voters.

For those who will point fingers and again accuse of sour grapes (I'd like to see how they would handle how many in the Republican Party have been treated by the current crop), the editorial continued:

Cynics will say that Bolling found his moral high ground only after losing the GOP gubernatorial nomination to Cuccinelli. While we wish the lieutenant governor had shown more verve in his response to partisan machinations that thrust him aside in favor of his flashier opponent, it would be unfair to suggest Bolling’s motives are so shallow. He has a genuine heart for good government, as demonstrated by his long-time support for bipartisan redistricting reform despite its unpopularity within his own party.

Read all the proposals presented by the LG's Virginia Mainstream Project.

Photo by Lynn R. Mitchell

Staunton weekend lunch with the Bollings

Virginia's Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling and wife Jean Ann at Staunton's Depot Grille over the weekend.

The Lieutenant Governor and Dr. Kurt Michael at the historic downtown Staunton train station. 

 Jean Ann and Bill Bolling on the railroad bridge behind the Depot Grille Restaurant with a commanding view of downtown Staunton.

Jean Ann Bolling, Kurt Michael, Bill Bolling

 Sears Hill observation deck overlooking the train station and downtown Staunton.

 Heading up Sears Hill to look over the city from the observation deck.

 Walking the downtown streets of Staunton on a beautiful day with temps in the mid-70s.

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
August 17, 2013