Stimulus monies to help pay for solar panels

AFP

An $80 million grant from the federal stimulus will fund improvements to wastewater-treatment plants across the Commonwealth, including here in the Valley. Augusta County will get $364,964 to go toward the installation of solar panels at wastewater-treatment plant pump stations across the county, according to the office of Gov. Tim Kaine, who on Tuesday accepted…

Wagner picks up VEA endorsement

AFP

Democratic lieutenant-governor nominee Jody Wagner was endorsed by the Virginia Education Association at an event in Richmond on Monday. Speaking to a group of educators attending a roundtable event led by Wagner, Dr. Kitty J. Boitnott, chair of the VEA Fund for Children and Public Education, cited Wagner’s long-standing commitment to public education, saying “We…

Kaine touts green building

AFP

Gov. Timothy M. Kaine on Monday toured the renovated, environmentally friendly Virginia Association of Counties headquarters where he highlighted the benefits of green construction and green roofs. The VaCo headquarters on Main Street in Richmond was built in 1866 and recently was completely renovated using LEED standards.

Don’t call it a comeback

Chris Graham

“Which one of your candidates is the one that fired his campaign manager?” I happened to be standing at the Staunton-Augusta Democratic Party booth at the Augusta County Fair last week when that question was directed at a volunteer. The reference was to a report from University of Virginia politics professor Larry Sabato from earlier…

Nurses tout Deeds campaign

Chris Graham

Sen. Creigh Deeds, the Democratic nominee for governor, announced the formation of Nurses for Deeds on Thursday in Portsmouth. Sen. Deeds, Sen. Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth) and retired nurse Anne Rawley spoke about the challenges that face the health care system in Virginia, and the significant differences between Deeds and his opponent on choice and women’s…

Valley Dem campaigns could feel heat from Deeds stratagem

Chris Graham

So I’m discussing with the campaign manger for a local Democratic House of Delegates candidate the new push from the Creigh Deeds campaign that has the Deeds camp talking up Republican Bob McDonnell’s social-conservative advocacy and ties to controversial televangelist Pat Robertson one afternoon this week, and I’m relating how much I think the move…