Lucente and Williams, the NV, Little Grill

Chris Graham

Winners and Losers column by Chris Graham [email protected] WINNERS: Frank Lucente and Tim Williams join bond parade I’m calling them winners here not related to the politics of the issues involving bonds for a new West End fire station and improvements to the city library and the city stormwater system, because frankly my view on…

Paper should share in blame for referendum snafu

Chris Graham

Column by Chris Graham [email protected] Kudos to The News Virginian for keeping Waynesboro city government accountable on the issue of the snafued-up Nov. 6 bond referendum. But … What about the paper’s own accountability in the mess involving the legal ad that was supposed to be published in the NV 10 days prior to the…

Plenty of good seats still available for Gator Bowl

Chris Graham

Story by Chris Graham [email protected] A loud cheer erupted before last week’s Virginia-Syracuse basketball game when the public-address announcer made mention of UVa.’s upcoming appearance in the Gator Bowl. Maybe fans were looking forward to seeing it on TV. “A school’s ability to sell out its ticket allotment factors into the selection process for future…

Bond foes in Waynesboro pledge to affirm will of voters on disputed referendum

Chris Graham

Story by Chris Graham [email protected] Waynesboro taxpayers won’t have to foot the bill for a lawsuit or a second referendum to resolve a legal snafu involving a recent popular vote affirming three capital-improvements projects. “I really think we’re making a mistake, but I always thought if I ever got in this dilemma, I would go…

The need for a comprehensive energy policy

Chris Graham

Column by Bob Goodlatte Energy is vital to every sector of the U.S. economy, including homes, small businesses and industries. Energy powers computers, appliances, technology and the Internet and fuels transportation and farming processes. When energy supplies are tight, families and businesses are severely impacted by the resulting increase in energy costs.

Vick gets 23 months

Chris Graham

Story by Chris Graham [email protected] A federal judge has sentenced former Newport News high-school football star and Virginia Tech football star Michael Vick to 23 months in prison for his role in the operations a dogfighting operation in Surry County. Prosecutors had recommended a sentence on the low end of an 18- to 24-month time frame…

Valley Republicans hope party getting back on message

Chris Graham

Story by Chris Graham [email protected] The new Senate GOP leadership team looks … different … than the one that was in place this time last year. Conservative Lynchburg Sen. Stephen Newman is the new caucus chair, replacing moderate Glen Allen Sen. Walter Stosch, who barely survived a party-nomination challenge from the right wing in June…