May-November romance: Staunton examining options for moving local elections

Chris Graham

The Top Story by Chris Graham Dickie Bell hears the question more than you would think. “I get asked quite a bit – why don’t you have your elections in November?” the Staunton City Council member said, and he admits that he doesn’t have a ready answer. Bell is among a group of members of…

This week: Waynesboro referendum, JMU basketball, Staunton elections

Chris Graham

Winners and Losers column by Chris Graham PUSH: Waynesboro decides to hold fall capital-projects referendum I don’t know who will get the upper hand out of this one. Certainly the moderate majority on city council is thinking that it will be their side – and that a victory in November will spell doom for their…

Time to make a statement, indeed

Contributors

Op-Ed by Katy Pitcock Around Virginia, local officials are being swept into the current of trying to “fix” the national immigration situation with hardline local action. Unfortunately, it’s not the first time Virginia’s local leaders “made a statement.” The last time, the movement was called “Massive Resistance.” Then, the civil rights of African-Americans were targeted….

Is it 2007? Or 2003?

Chris Graham

Story by Chris Graham We’re facing a budget shortfall, and it’s only going to get worse. The Democratic governor is telling us so – and in short order, he’s going to tell us that we need to raise taxes to meet our core needs. The year is 2003 – or is it 2007? “When you…

Driver fees and the GOP

Chris Graham

Story by Chris Graham Conservative activist John Taylor noted with interest the story in The Daily Progress about Central Virginia Republican Del. Bill Janis coming out in support of changes to the controversial abusive-driver fees that have had GOP lawmakers on the defensive the past couple of months. “Now it’s almost a daily event that…

Hittin’ the road, jack

Chris Graham

Stop the Presses column by Chris Graham I just wrote a story this week about “The Republican Valley,” and now I’m going to write about how that’s changing. And nope, I’m not confused. Because the Valley is a-changin’, and I suppose it’s time for me to read the writin’ on the wall. How can I…

Tobacco settlement funds go to area youth program

Item by Chris Graham A grant from the Virginia Tobacco Settlement Foundation will give the Central Shenandoah Office on Youth $35,000 to administer a program with area at-risk youths. Specifically, the grant money will be used to open the Office on Youth’s Positive Action program to court-involved youths and youths who have been suspended or…