Category: Caroline County

Lee Anne Washington (R) is either completely ignorant, or an outright liar; take your pick.

From Lee Anne Washington’s letter to The Free Lance-Star:

I know Virginians cannot tolerate illegal aliens receiving in-state college tuition, driver’s licenses, welfare, and state benefits. I pledge cooperation with federal immigration authorities. Remove these incentives for illegal aliens, and they’ll stop coming.

[…]

Like Rob Wittman, I’ll base my policy decisions on scientific evidence, not emotion and questionable anecdotes.

Repeat after me: ILLEGAL ALIENS DO NOT RECEIVE IN-STATE TUITION.

My proof?

From the Richmond Times-Dispatch: Bill to bar illegals at colleges advances:

All state public colleges and universities — even those with policies that do not prohibit enrolling undocumented students — charge out-of-state tuition to those students in accordance with state and federal law.

RT-D: Immigration bills advance:

Some schools say they do not admit undocumented students but do not verify legal residency status if the student claims to be a U.S. citizen on the application and pays out-of-state tuition.

RT-D: Education restrictions advance:

The [illegal] students may attend public K-12 schools and currently can attend several state colleges as long as they pay out-of-state tuition, which can be double or nearly triple the cost of in-state tuition.

RT-D: Colleges’ admittance of illegals opposed:

Undocumented students pay out-of-state tuition, which can be double and nearly triple the cost of in-state tuition.

[…]

As with other state schools, students would have to supply documentation of legal residence to be considered for in-state tuition or any kind of state or federal aid.

And finally, check out the hoops that you have to jump through to get in-state tuition (p. 3).

Second, repeat after me: ILLEGAL ALIENS DO NOT RECEIVE DRIVER’S LICENSES.

From the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles: Acceptable Documents:

To apply for a driver’s license, learner’s permit, commercial driver’s license (CDL), or CDL instruction permit you must bring two identification documents, one proof of legal presence, one proof of Virginia residency, and proof of your complete social security number (if you have been issued one). Anyone applying for a CDL or CDL instruction permit is required to provide a social security number. To apply for a photo identification (ID) card you must bring two identification documents, one proof of legal presence and one proof of Virginia residency.

[…]

All documents will be subject to verification, which may delay the issuance of your license, learner’s permit or photo identification card.

As for welfare benefits, from The Washington Post: Illegal Immigrants in Md. and Va. Out-Earn U.S. Peers, Study Says:

Randy Capps, a researcher at the nonpartisan Urban Institute who studies welfare use by immigrants and their children, said illegal immigrant families appear to be largely limiting themselves to programs such as subsidized school lunches and Medicaid. Regarding the program most commonly associated with welfare — cash assistance to needy families — fewer than 1 percent of illegal-immigrant households nationwide and in Maryland and Virginia use the benefit, compared with 3 percent of native households in Virginia, 5 percent of native households in Maryland and 5 percent nationwide.

It is completely reprehensible and unbecoming of anyone running for elected office to be so completely ignorant (or to lie) about the laws that they will be making.

She claims that she will “base [her] policy decisions on scientific evidence, not emotion and questionable anecdotes”, instead she decides to not tell the truth to people in the 99th District.

It’s not often that a candidate makes me vote against them, but Lee Anne Washington has just succeeded in accomplishing that.

Weekly News Media Briefs – Week Ending February 9, 2008

From the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office: Weekly News Media Briefs – Week Ending February 9, 2008:

On February 2, 2008, Deputy C. S. Wooldridge made a traffic stop.  Upon investigating, Janice E. Harden, 52, of Richmond City was arrested on an outstanding warrant from Chesterfield, and subsequently learned that she was in violation of parole back in Houston Co. GA.  She is being held without bond.  A February 29, 2008 trial date has been set.  Upon further investigation, Tracy Dean Atkins, 42, of Richmond City was found in possession of marijuana.  A trial date of February 29, 2008 was set.

On February 3, 2008, a checking detail was conducted at Rt. 301 and New Market Lane.  At which time Sgt. S. L. Cary detected an odor associated with marijuana coming from a vehicle.  Upon further investigation, Stephen M. Daigneault, 21, of Ayden, NC was charged with possession of marijuana.  A March 5, 2008 trial date has been set.

On February 3, 2008, Deputy D. W. Mundie stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation, after investigating, Lauren N. Hefele, 26, of Ruther Glen was charged with Driving under the influence.  A $1500 bond was set by the magistrate.

On February 5, 2008, Deputy T. P. Connolly while on patrol drove up on a vehicle that was in the ditch.  Upon investigating, Arthur E. Goodall, 69, of Doswell, was charged with Driving Under the Influence.  A February 13, 2008 court date has been set.

On February 5, 2008, Deputy C. M. Polliard, stopped a vehicle for speeding 73/55 mph zone.  Upon further investigation, Michael Thomas Stephens, 58, of Caret, VA was arrested for Driving Under the Influence.  He was held with out bond, an a trial date of March 28, 2008 was set.

On February 7, 2008, Deputy W. D. Lipscomb, stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation. Upon further investigation, the driver, Burton Morris, 29, of Doswell was charged with possession of marijuana.  A March 21, 2008 court date was set.

On February 8, 2008, Deputy D. W. Mundie, stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation.  Upon further investigation, Romeo S. Patterson, 31, of Ruther Glen was charged with driving on a suspended license, possession of marijuana, and operating a vehicle with an expired state inspection sticker.  Trial has been set for March 5, 2008.

On February 8, 2008, Deputy F. L. Brennan was called to investigate a vandalism call.  Upon further investigation, Taiyana O. Samuels, 18, of Fredericksburg was arrested on a Felony-Embezzlement Warrant from Spotsylvania County.  A trial date of February 19, 2008 has been set in Spotsylvania.

Caroline County Sheriff’s Office Wrap Up

According to Sheriff Tony Lippa, Caroline Deputies made 7 drug arrests, 5 domestic violence arrests, 2 D.U.I arrests and 48 other criminal arrests during the past week.  The deputies served 243 civil papers, issued 243 traffic summonses, handled 6 motor vehicle crashes, responded to 28 alarm calls, and dealt with 3 juvenile offenders.  The Sheriff’s Office Communications Center dispatched 528 calls for service and handled 937 telephone inquiries.  The CCSO also logged 17 calls assisting outside agencies and had 285 self initiated calls.

Benefit for Yvonne Reedal at Port Royal Volunteer Fire Department raises $4,207.35

The benefit tonight at the Port Royal Volunteer Fire Department (PRVFD) for Yvonne Reedal, who is battling cancer, raised $4,207.35. In addition to the fish fry dinner, there was an auction and a raffle, along with additional donations from citizens.

Caroline County Sheriff Tony Lippa, Vice Chairman and Bowling Green District Supervisor Jeff Sili, Reedy Church Supervisor D. M. “Maxie” Rozell, and County Administrator Percy Ashcraft were in attendance. Also in attendance were Lt. Col. Michael Hall, Major C. Scott Moser, along with other members of the Sheriff’s Office.

Members of the Bowling Green Volunteer Fire Department, the Frog Level Volunteer Fire Department, and the Upper Caroline Volunteer Fire Department provided coverage for the Port Royal area so members of the PRVFD could hold and attend the benefit.

A special thanks to those that attended and to those that provided coverage.

Anyone wishing to donate may do so to the Yvonne Reedal Relief Fund at any Union Bank & Trust location.

Important fire risk message from Caroline County Fire and Rescue

Code Red! Code Red! Defcon Death!

Yeah, I know, not something to joke about; anyway:

The National Weather Service In Wakefield Has Issued A Red Flag Fire Risk Warning for Caroline County… Which Is In Effect From 9 AM To 9 PM EST Sunday, Feb 10, 2008.

THE CAROLINE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF FIRE AND RESCUE REQUESTS CITIZENS NOT TO BURN OUTDOOR BRUSH AND DEBRIS ON SUNDAY.

A Red Flag Warning Means That Critical Fire Weather Conditions Are Either Occurring Now… Or Will Shortly. A Combination Of Strong Winds… Low Relative Humidity… And Mild Temperatures Will Create Explosive Fire Growth Potential.

A Strong Cold Front Will Approach From The West Tonight… And Cross The Mid Atlantic Region On Sunday. A Very Dry Airmass Will Follow… With Relative Humidities Dropping To Between 15 And 30 Percent By Sunday Afternoon Across Central And Southeast Virginia… And Northeast North Carolina. The Very Dry Conditions Will Be Combined With Sustained Winds Of 25 To 35 Mph… With Higher Gusts. Fire Management Officials Should Stay Alert For Potential Hazards Sunday.

Sent by Mark Garnett to All users (e-mail accounts) through Caroline Alert
… powered by the Roam Secure Alert Network

[…]

Tell a friend/co-worker about Caroline Alert! Forward this message to them and have them register for this free service at www.carolinealert.com

Caroline County’s news roundup.

The Free Lance–Star: Neglected horses land Caroline man in jail

The Richmond Times-Dispatch: Bank heists jump in Richmond area:

Caroline County has had a few bank robberies over the years but none in the past couple. The sheriff’s office conducts classes on banking security and has made strides to strengthen its ties with the county’s six banks, said Lt. Col. C. Scott Moser.

“We have a great rapport with the people at the bank,” Moser said. “They know just about every one of the customers that come in, so if they see somebody that’s out of place or not the normal customer, they’ll call us. That’s an advantage to a smaller community.”

Uh…I’m not sure if they have quoted Lt. Col. Michael Hall or Major Scott Moser there. At least they didn’t make a reference to a non-existent “Lt. Col. Michael Timm” like The FL–S did.

Anyway, the Richmond Times-Dispatch: Security varies at City Hall, board rooms:

Here’s a look at security in selected locations across the region:

[…]

Caroline: The board can ask for deputies but rarely does. There are no metal detectors.

Good job there leaving out the fact that Lt. Col. Michael Hall usually attends all the Board of Superviors meetings…

And a non-answer to a question I asked the other day: the Richmond Times-Dispatch: Paying for growth:

Most Richmond and Tri-Cities localities use proffers to raise revenue for infrastructure. Legislation sponsored by Sen. John Watkins, R-Powhatan, would end the proffer system in favor of limited impact fees. Maximum

Localityproffer SB 768

[…]

Caroline $17,632 No stance

Of course, why should the county government take a stance on how the affects of future development will be paid for?

Guess they’re too busy thinking about that $2,400,000 visitors center that was paid for by proffers that should have been used for schools, roads, and public safety.

Fire Weather Watch for Caroline County

The National Weather Service reports a Fire Weather Watch for Caroline County:

Description:

…FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY MORNING THROUGH SUNDAY EVENING… A STRONG COLD FRONT WILL APPROACH FROM THE WEST SATURDAY NIGHT…AND CROSS THE MID ATLANTIC REGION ON SUNDAY. A VERY DRY AIRMASS WILL FOLLOW…WITH RELATIVE HUMIDITIES DROPPING TO BETWEEN 15 AND 30 PERCENT BY SUNDAY AFTERNOON ACROSS CENTRAL AND SOUTHEAST VIRGINIA…AND NORTHEAST NORTH CAROLINA. THE VERY DRY CONDITIONS WILL BE COMBINED WITH SUSTAINED WINDS OF 20 TO 30 MPH…WITH HIGHER GUSTS. FIRE MANAGEMENT OFFICIALS SHOULD STAY ALERT FOR POTENTIAL HAZARDS SUNDAY. A FIRE WEATHER WATCH MEANS THAT CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE FORECAST TO OCCUR. LISTEN FOR LATER FORECASTS AND POSSIBLE RED FLAG WARNINGS.

[…]

Sent by Exchange Information to Severe Weather 24/7 for Caroline (e-mail accounts, pagers, cell phones) through Caroline Alert
… powered by the Roam Secure Alert Network

[…]

Tell a friend/co-worker about Caroline Alert! Forward this message to them and have them register for this free service at www.carolinealert.com

This puts the "idiots" in I’m Surrounded By Idiots.

The Free Lance-Star: Caroline seeking to boost tourism:

Caroline County expects more than 200,000 tourists will stop by annually once its visitor center opens at Carmel Church this August.

Based on what study?

They’re saying that 547.9 people a day are going to go to the visitors center!

They’re saying that eight times the county’s population will go every year!

How many of these people are just going to go in, go to the bathroom, and leave? How much money is that going to cost? This is going to drive customers away from McDonald’s and Burger King which actually bring money into the county!

So Caroline administrations are preparing by taking applications for the county’s first full-time tourism manager, a position that will probably be filled this month.

“By starting now, they can help get that space in working order so when the public comes they can have a wonderful experience,” said Gary Wilson, Caroline’s economic development director.

Caroline currently has a tourism director, who also manages the county’s tourism Web site. So far, about 65 people have applied for the additional manager position, which will pay between $36,145 and $54,468, plus benefits.

Whoever is hired will not only manage the $2.4 million, 5,000-square-foot center just off Interstate 95, but also help promote such attractions as the State Fair, which opens next year at The Meadow, birthplace of Triple Crown winner Secretariat.

Remember this when the county says they have to borrow money and raise your taxes to pay for a school! They had plenty of money for the visitors center!

There’s some serious money per square footage too:

Visitors Center: $2,400,000 / 5,000 square feet = $480 per square foot

Ladysmith Elementary School: $19,800,000 / 100,000 square feet = $198 per square foot

County Administration Building: $3,700,000 / 18,150 square feet = $204 per square foot

Of course, the county administration building will only hold 20 full-time personnel.

“The State Fair is not just two weeks a year, which is what most people think,” Watson said. “It will be doing fun things all the time.”

Uh…I’m going to assume that’s supposed to be “Wilson”; but I demand a correction nevertheless! :)

Really, what are the State Fair grounds going to do when the Fair isn’t going?

Hasn’t Fredericksburg resorted to subsidizing the Expo Center in Fredericksburg?

Other Caroline County attractions include the 40,000-square-foot Virginia Sports Center, a popular venue for youth sports tournaments; Pendleton and Mattaponi Springs golf courses; and the historic town of Bowling Green, which is near where Lincoln assassin John Wilkes Booth was killed.

What about the Four Winds Club’s Public Golf Course? It always seems that Port Royal is forgotten about (heck, Calvin Taylor took credit for Pendleton and Mattaponi Springs as the first golf courses in the county when Four Winds has been here for decades!).

What historic tourism events are there in Bowling Green? I can’t think of any. The Old Mansion is a bed and breakfast and isn’t open to the public.

The only historic site that I can think of is the Jackson Shrine (hey, isn’t that in the Port Royal district, too?).

There’s the Lyceum that hasn’t been restored in Port Royal too. There’s the two surviving chimneys of Dorothy Roy’s home. None of the historic structures in Port Royal are open to the public that I’m aware. All the old homes are currently occupied.

Uh…John Wilkes Booth was killed a heck of a lot closer to Port Royal than Bowling Green. Too bad the visitors center is on the other side of the county! Besides, all there is to see where Booth was killed is a sign by the road…

Looks like the visitors center was built in the wrong part of the county!

Wilson said there’s no way to predict the economic impact the new tourism manager and visitor center will have, but he expects the county will see an uptick in meals- and lodging-tax revenues. They’ll also make it easier to recruit new tourist attractions, as well as other businesses, since his office will move from Bowling Green to the center.

“Of course not, we can’t predict how much money this will waste.” Or as Jeff Sili has said, “[t]he Visitor Center does not have to be just a fancy office for Wilson and a way to move county employees out of our county seat to further undermine the business climate”.

I guess Gary Wilson needs a pretty nice office to spend time editing Wikipedia.

“I-95 is like a river with money rolling through it,” he said. “We need to be able to dip into that river and bring that money into the county. We’ve never had an opportunity to do that before.”

Eric Cantor (R-7th CD) has a challenger.

Fred2Blue: Hartke Running Against Cantor in the 7th

Raising Kaine: We Have a Candidate Against Eric Cantor

Analysis: Anita Hartke is going to have a hard time in a run against Eric Cantor. The 7th Congressional District went 61.05% for Bush in 2004, 56.71% for Allen in 2006, and 56.59% for the Constitutional Amendment banning gay marriage.

She’s going to have to do more than “galvanize Democrats early through an energetic campaign” if she hopes to win.