September, 2008 | I'm Surrounded By Idiots

So, what’s that $18,000,000 “technology center” at Culpeper doing?

From The Free Lance–Fish Wrap:

Germanna Community College may lose state funding if it can’t come up with its share for a third building at its Fredericksburg-area campus.

Last year, Gov. Tim Kaine presented a bond package that included $23.3 million for the building at the Massaponax site.

But before construction can start, the college needs to raise $2.6 million locally. Fundraising has barely begun.

Well, folks, instead of building the Daniel “Technology Center” (DTC) at Culpeper, you could have used the money to build Phase III at Fredericksburg (FAC III) years ago.

But, instead of expanding a campus that’s located close to the population hubs of the area (Spotsylvania and Stafford Counties and the city of Fredericksburg), they decided to build a new campus in Culpeper.

Right now, there’s talk of moving the nursing program that is currently located at the Locust Grove campus (LGC) to FAC III when it’s complete. That would work well because of the new hospital that is being built by HCA at Massaponax.

Right now, the Daniel “Technology Center” in Culpeper — a 40,000 square foot building — is only hosting 30 classes worth a total of 90 credit hours. That’s 444.44 square feet per credit hour.

Meanwhile, Phase II of the Fredericksburg Area Campus (FAC II) — also a 40,000 square foot building — is hosting 160 classes worth a total of 514 credit hours. That’s 77.82 square feet per credit hour.

And if the campus in Culpeper is supposed to be a “technology center”, it ain’t doing a very good job of it. This semester, there are only two IT classes being taught at DTC worth six credit hours, and both of those classes are a basic Microsoft Windows and Office competency class (ITE-115).

Meanwhile, FAC II is hosting 32 IT classes worth 100 credit hours, including 22 Windows/Office competency classes, one computer science class, a computer-aided design (CAD) class, three database-related classes, three computer networking-related classes (including the first part of the curriculum that allows for Cisco Certified Network Associate certification), and two computer programming classes.

More than one instructor that I’ve talked to at Germanna has stated that it’s impossible to get instructors to drive out to Culpeper, and when they do schedule classes out there, they only have two or three people sign up.

Real good use of $18,000,000, eh?

The college might also have money to build buildings if they didn’t send their staff on vacations trips to India.

I guess it was one of those patented “working vacations” that Supervisor Wayne Acors and (former) Supervisor Calvin Taylor were talking about when they went to Hawaii to learn about rural roads (snort).

One regular donor to the college stated that he was seriously considering not donating any more to the college after the trip to India fiasco.

The college also needs to find a source of money to expand the parking lot at FAC, especially since their current parking capacity can’t handle the number of students they have now! Who knows how bad the situation is going to be after they add another building to the mix?

RIP: School Board member Bill Anderson passes away. UPDATED: Short obit. UPDATEDx2: Full obit.

Floyd Thomas announced his passing at tonight’s Board of Supervisors meeting.

Will update when I know more.

UPDATE, 09/10/2008 12:49 a.m.: His obit from The Free Lance–Star:

William A. Anderson, 71, of Ladysmith died Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008, at his home. Arrangements are incomplete at Storke Funeral Home, Bowling Green.

UPDATE, 09/11/2008 3:24 a.m.: A full obit from The Free Lance–Star:

William A. “Bill” Anderson, 71, of Ladysmith died Tuesday, Sept. 9, 2008, at his home.

Born in Richmond, he had retired in 2000 as a vocational teacher at Hermitage Technical Center. He was a master marine and auto technician and he was awarded “Teacher of the Year” while at Hermitage.

In his younger years, he was a champion water skier and had recently begun his second term as Madison representative to the Caroline School Board. He also was a member of Grace Community Church in Caroline.

Survivors include his wife, Sue Anderson; three children, Sharon Anderson of Richmond, Mary Lynn Anderson of Stafford County and Bill Walker of Fauquier County; a stepdaughter, Carol Sloper and her husband, John, of Ocean Isle Beach, N.C.; a stepson, Gene Mongole and his wife, Kimberly, of Arnold, Md.; a sister, Betty Phillips of Arkansas; a brother, Roy Anderson of Alexandria; 11 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his stepdaughter, Linda Mongole. He also leaves his dog, Suzie Q.

A funeral will be held at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 12, at Caroline Community Service Center, 17202 Richmond Turnpike, Bowling Green, with the Rev. Cash Beveridge officiating.

The family will receive friends at the center following the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Grace Community Church, 10536 Gallant Fox Way, Ruther Glen, Va. 22546.

Weekly News Media Briefs – Week Ending September 6, 2008

From the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office:

On August 26, 2008, Deputy C. S. Wooldridge stopped a vehicle for a traffic infraction. Upon further investigation the driver gave false information to avoid prosecution. Terrance S. Mosley, 43, of Ruther Glen was charged with identity theft, driving with no license (4^th offense), and possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. He was wanted on a capias from Stafford County, along with a probation violation from Hanover County. He was held on a $3000 secure bond and the trial date is pending at the time of this report.

On August 31, 2008, Deputy T.P. Connolly observed Donnie L. Poindexter, 46, of Ruther Glen standing in the roadway in the Ruther Glen area. After investigating, Poindexter was charged with Being Drunk in Public. He was released on his own recognizance and a court date of October 1, 2008 was set.

On September 2, 2008, Deputy J.K. Miller responded to Bowling Green for a domestic dispute. After investigating, Carol R. Queen, Jr., 48, of Bowling Green was charged with being Drunk in Public. He was released on his own recognizance and a court date of October 17, 2008 was set.

On September 3, 2008, Deputy P. E. Ford responded to a Milford address for a report of a domestic assault. Upon further investigation, William G. Zuidema III, 23, of Milford was charged with Domestic Assault. He was held without bond and a court date of September 4, 2008 was set.

On September 3, 2008, Deputy C. A. Heywood responded to the Family Dollar store in Ladysmith in reference to a shoplifting call. Petitions for a male, 15, of Ruther Glen are being sought at this time.

On September 4, 2008, Deputy T. P. Connolly responded to the Cedon Market area of Woodford in reference to a complaint. Upon investigating, Timmy Joe Sargent, 49, of Ruther Glen was arrested for Drunk in Public. A court date of October 1, 2008 was set.

On September 4, 2008, Deputy F. L. Brennan responded to a Ruther Glen address for a report of a domestic assault. Upon further investigation, Edwin E. Esturiene, 45, of Ruther Glen was charged with Felony Domestic Assault and Batter of a Family Member. He was held on a $2500 secure bond and a court date of September 9, 2008 was set.

On September 5, 2008, Investigator B. L. Fedder obtained warrants for Burglary, Grand Larceny, and two counts of Contributing to the Delinquency of a Minor on Brendan Conley, 18, of Milford. The break in occurred in the nighttime of a Ruther Glen address. Petitions for two 15 year old juveniles, one female and one male who reside in the Ruther Glen area are being obtained. Conley is held without bond. A court date of September 10, 2008 was set.

On September 5, 2008, Deputy C. M. Garnett responded to a Sparta address in reference to an unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and stolen checks. Upon investigating, Allen R. Mundie, 19, of Sparta was charged with 4 counts of forgery, 4 counts of uttering, and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle. He was issued a $2500 secure bond and a court date of September 9, 2008 was set.

On September 6, 2008, Deputy B. N. Doucet stopped a vehicle driven by Jessica A. Kovalenko, 21, of Chester, VA for a traffic infraction. Upon further investigation, Kovalenko was charged with the traffic infraction and Driving Under the Influence. She was held on a $1500 bond and a court date of September 17, 2008 was set.

Caroline County Sheriff’s Office Wrap Up

According to Sheriff Tony Lippa, Caroline Deputies made 5 drug arrests, 3 DUI arrests, 12 domestic violence arrests, and 55 other criminal arrests during the past week. The deputies served 193 civil papers, issued 130 traffic summonses, handled 12 motor vehicle crashes, responded to 34 alarm calls, and dealt with 9 juvenile offenders. The Sheriff’s Office Communications Center dispatched 627 calls for service and handled 1,903 telephone inquiries. The CCSO also logged 35 calls assisting outside agencies and had 239 self-initiated calls.

Now that the tropical storm has passed…

For those that have power and access to the internets [sic], enjoy some music (Vertical Horizon – “Everything You Want”):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nt0bKL0rJZM

This is the piece of trash that will be replacing Jay Leno next year?

At Breitbart: NBC’s Conan O’Brien Tells Crude Joke About Palin’s Daughter

For those that don’t want to waste their bandwidth — or their IQ points watching the video — here’s the transcript:

Conan O’Brien: During [Sarah Palin’s] speech [at the Republican National Convention] — I don’t know if you saw this — Sarah Palin spoke proudly about being a hockey mom.

That’s what she said…yeah, yeah.

It’s unknown what positions her kids play, but one of ’em isn’t very good at protecting the crease.

[Scattered jeers and applauses.]

Okay, then…that joke’s going to follow me around for awhile.

What the …?: Hanna to hit Ireland/Scotland at Tropical Storm strength?

That’s what the track from the National Hurricane Center says.

Yesterday, the track was heading directly to the Irish coast.

Now it’s supposed to head a little bit north of Ireland to Scotland.

Luck of the Irish, eh?

A couple years ago, the remnants of a hurricane made it to Ireland and Britain but it was barely at tropical depression strength (wind speeds of less than 39 mph).

Hanna, however, is expected to be at tropical storm strength (wind speeds between 39 mph to 73 mph) went it gets near Ireland.

UPDATE, Sept. 6, 5:30 a.m.: The 5 a.m. update to the track now shows the tropical storm completely missing both Ireland and Scotland.

UPDATE, Sept. 6, 5:30 p.m.: The new 5 p.m. track shows the tropical storm heading towards the Faroe Islands at tropical storm strength.

For those ignorant of European geography, those are the Danish controlled islands between Scotland and Iceland.

Two Search Warrants Executed in Ruther Glen Area

From the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office:

According to Sheriff A. A. “Tony” Lippa, the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office Investigations Division assisted Stafford County Sheriff’s Office with the execution of a search warrant of a Ruther Glen address. Elvis Usual, Jr 28, of Ruther Glen was charged on a warrant from Stafford County for Aggravated Malicious Wounding.

In another non related incident, the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office Investigators and Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) were deployed to assist the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) agents with the execution of a Federal Search Warrant early this morning. “Since this is an ongoing Federal Investigation, no further information will be released from this office. Further inquiries should be directed to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Richmond, VA at 804-819-5400” Sheriff Lippa stated.

So, what did I think of the premieres of Prison Break and The Shield?

Meh.

That’s right, meh.

What’s there to say about Prison Break?

One character was killed (James Whistler), one character appeared to be killed in the first hour yet was shown to be in a secret prison in the second hour (Gretchen Morgan).

Oh yeah, they also brought back a character (Sara Tancredi) who was killed off last season and whom producers said was really dead and wasn’t going to come back. Tancedi was, of course, killed off following a contract dispute between FOX and her portrayer Sarah Wayne Callies, whom had just had her first child.

Good one producers; way to screw with your viewers.

Not to mention, I saw this coming when I saw the episode where Tancredi was originally killed off.

And then there’s the plot holes.

How the heck does a trained driver for “The Company” not notice that there is a Toyota SUV following him around everywhere he goes?

How do the dozen or so security guards at this guy’s property not notice the two morons in the same SUV sitting across the street watching the house for hours on end?

Hell, “The Company” is supposed to be so powerful and wealthy; but damn, do they have trouble finding competent people to work for them!

The Shield‘s premiere was pretty much the same as usual. Mind you, that is the standard operating procedure for season premieres for The Shield (season one being the exception to the rule).

The season usually starts kinda slow and builds until there’s something really dramatic at the end of the season (e.g., Money Train heist at the end of season two, the Strike Team breaking up at the end of season three, Lem’s death at the end of season five, etc.)

However, what’s the common definition of insanity? “Doing the same thing over-and-over again and expecting different results”?

Apparently no one ever told this to Vic Mackey.

This time he’s trying to turn the Armenian Mob against the Mexican Mob.

How many times has he tried to turn one gang against another, and all hell has broken loose?

And why did the producers have to bring that annoying bum Billings back? He’s probably the most annoying and worst character on the show. Let Dutch fly solo or pair him up with Danny (no pun intended).

Oh yeah, and get rid of Tina. She’s as annoying as Billings.

A good cause: National Suit Drive

Weekly News Media Briefs – Week Ending August 30, 2008

From the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office:

On August 24, 2008, Deputy C.A. Heywood was on patrol in the Ruther Glen area when he encountered Christopher T. Sams, 21, of Mechanicsville, Lauren L. Ashley, 20, of Quinton, and Jessica N. Marshburn, 20, of Glen Allen. Upon further investigation, all three individuals were charged with trespassing and Marshburn was also charged with Underage Consumption of Alcohol. All three individuals were released on a summons and a court date of October 1, 2008 was set.

On August 24, 2008, Deputy C.A. Heywood was on patrol in the Ruther Glen area when he encountered Samuel G. Smith, II, 20, of Mechanicsville, Kayla L. Cagwin, 21, of Richmond, and Heather A. Snow, 20, of Richmond. Upon further investigation, all three individuals were charged with trespassing and were released on a summons. A court date of October 1, 2008 was set.

On August 24, 2008, Deputy T.P. Connolly was on patrol in the Ruther Glen area when he encountered Michael L. Shifflett, 28, of Richmond, Tiffany L. Blot, 23, of Ashland, and Christopher R. Hunnewell, 22, of Richmond. Upon further investigation, all three individuals were charged with trespassing and were released on a summons. A court date of October 1, 2008 was set.

On August 25, 2008, Deputy C.A. Heywood was on patrol in the Ruther Glen area when he encountered Quincy L. Anderson, 34, of Woodford and Angelic M. Gallop, 26, of Washington, D.C. Upon further investigation, both individuals were charged with trespassing and were released on a summons. A court date of October 1, 2008 was set.

On August 27, 2008, Sgt. J.W. McCarty responded to Bowling Green for a report of a domestic assault. After further investigation, Robert R. Waller, 52, of Bowling Green was charged with Domestic Assault. He was held on a $1,000 secured bond and a court date of August 29, 2008 was set.

On August 28, 2008, Deputy J.S. Perry responded to Bowling Green for a report of a Bad Check, which had occurred in the past. Upon investigating, Tanya R. Bentley, 25, of Rappahannock Academy was charged with Felony Bad Check. She was released on a $2,500 unsecured bond and a court date of September 10, 2008 was set.

On August 29, 2008, Sgt. R.L. Hixson stopped Victor Lewis, 48, of Plains, NY, for a traffic violation. Upon further investigation, Lewis was charged with Drive on a Suspended CDL-2^nd offense, Fail to Obey a Highway Sign and Possession of Cocaine. He was held on a $5,000 secured bond and a court date of September 5, 2008 was set.

On August 30, 2008, Deputy C.M. Hall was on patrol in Ruther Glen when he encountered Robert W. Wise, 63, of Manassas. After further investigation, Wise was charged with Possession of Marijuana. He was released on a summons and a court date of October 3, 2008 was set.

Caroline County Sheriff’s Office Wrap Up

According to Sheriff Tony Lippa, Caroline Deputies made 8 drug arrests, 1 DUI arrests, 11 domestic violence arrests, and 83 other criminal arrests during the past week. The deputies served 240 civil papers, issued 236 traffic summonses, handled 12 motor vehicle crashes, responded to 42 alarm calls, and dealt with 42 juvenile offenders. The Sheriff’s Office Communications Center dispatched 627 calls for service and handled 2,048 telephone inquiries. The CCSO also logged 35 calls assisting outside agencies and had 289 self-initiated calls.