I’m Surrounded By Idiots

New Caroline BOS motto: “We don’t need no stinkin’ openness in government!”

Also considered: “There’s nothing wrong with planning budget cuts behind closed doors!”

The first one never gets old, by the way.

At the January 8, 2008 Board of Supervisors meeting several subcommittees were created by Floyd Thomas to handle certain issues (2008-01-08 BOS Minutes):

3. APPOINTMENTS

Chairman Thomas stated that he wanted to take the Chairman’s prerogative and make some appointments of his own. He said that the School Board Superintendent, Chairman of the Board and the County Administrator meet on a regular basis and he would like to create some subcommittees, one being on education. Chairman Thomas asked Supervisor Popowicz to be a part of a utilities subcommittee where he could meet with Mr. Ramsay on a regular basis. He asked Supervisor Rozell to serve on a sub-committee for public safety, Fire and Rescue, and the Sheriff. Chairman Thomas asked that Supervisor Acors be in charge of a Finance subcommittee. He asked Supervisor Sili to be in charge of and serve as Chair of the education subcommittee.

Chairman Thomas said that these subcommittees will cover five major areas [the minutes don’t specifically mention the Economic Development Subcommittee but I believe Floyd Thomas was heading it up -ed.] of the County in a little more detail from a Board perspective and hopefully be able to report to each other on a regular basis.

Why the excessive use of underlining and bolding? The Virginia Freedom of Information Act, § 2.2-3707(C), requires the following [emphasis mine]:

Every public body shall give notice of the date, time, and location of its meetings by placing the notice in a prominent public location at which notices are regularly posted and in the office of the clerk of the public body, or in the case of a public body that has no clerk, in the office of the chief administrator.

§ 2.2-3701 defines a “public body” as the following [emphasis mine]:

“Public body” means any legislative body, authority, board, bureau, commission, district or agency of the Commonwealth or of any political subdivision of the Commonwealth, including cities, towns and counties, municipal councils, governing bodies of counties, school boards and planning commissions; boards of visitors of public institutions of higher education; and other organizations, corporations or agencies in the Commonwealth supported wholly or principally by public funds. It shall include […] (ii) any committee, subcommittee, or other entity however designated, of the public body created to perform delegated functions of the public body or to advise the public body. It shall not exclude any such committee, subcommittee or entity because it has private sector or citizen members.

Are we all clear that these (sub)committees are in fact (sub)committees, and are considered a “public body” under the Virginia Freedom of Information Act? Yes? Good, let’s continue.

When I first contacted Percy Ashcraft asking when said subcommittees meet I received the following response:

At this time, no formal meetings have been called by any of the supervisors, but instead they have been briefed by department heads informally. Administratively, I have committees for all of these departments that supervisors have attended from time to time. And Mr. Thomas and I meet regularly with the superintendent and chairman of the school board to discuss education matters.

Oh, really? Then explain the Board Summary (the minutes for this meeting haven’t been approved [or posted] yet) for the April 8, 2008 meeting (link):

The Board authorized Supervisor Acors to work with Mr. Ashcraft and Financial Advisor Courtney Rogers at the Finance Committee meeting on April 15th on possible areas to make the necessary budget cuts to compensate for the difference in the tax rate.

After I quoted that portion to Ashcraft, he stated the following:

These are not subcommittees they are overseeing as no members have been appointed to any committee. I have turned the matter over to our County Attorney for him to render an opinion and direct the Board from this point forward.

So, I guess it’s alright for the Finance Committee to meet behind closed doors and plan budget cuts. Comforting…

Again, after pointing out that Mr. Thomas appointed a member to each of the committees, he stated the following:

I appreciate you providing the background and again I am having our County Attorney review this. The term “subcommittee” is what needs to be defined here. As I stated earlier, we have not formally appointed subcommittees which would include members of staff and possibly the public. If it is the desire of the Board to formalize this process, they can certainly do that. But at this point in time, it is not set up that way.

Uh-huh.

“[A]ny committee, subcommittee, or other entity however designated, of the public body created to perform delegated functions of the public body or to advise the public body” is a public body. These bodies clearly meet the definition of a “public body” purseant to § 2.2-3701 but the county refuses to disclose when these bodies meet and what they discuss during the meetings.

The Free Lance–Star offers free editing assistance to I’m Surrounded By Idiots.

The following comment was left on my post “It’s official: Stafford County is ran by morons.“:

Interested reader Says:

Speaking of morons, I think you mean “run by.”

Tis true, I stand corrected.

However, check out the IP used to leave the comment:

63.169.19.222

63.169.19.222 goes back to “Free Lance-Star” (service provided by SPRINTLINK).

That’s pretty funny coming from someone at an organization that issued the following correction for the story on which my post was based:

The task force studying illegal immigration in Stafford County said in its report that it recognized the need to provide emergency medical care to persons in need, regardless of immigration status. The report also said it should provide those public health and preventive medical services that ensure the general health of the population, including immunizations, outbreak investigations, TB investigation and case management, STD/HIV clinical services, communicable disease management and treatment, and other public health services as required by federal or state law. A story yesterday incorrectly reported the recommendations of the task force dealing with these medical services.

Among other (recent) editorial blunders made by The Free Lance–Star:

Inability to properly map out the location of a triple murder/one suicide. (May 7, 2008)
Falsely stating that Tasers require a concealed handgun permit and falsely stating that a concealed handgun permit would allow someone to carry a concealed Taser (no permit is required). They refused to issue a correction even after I repeatedly sent e-mails to their staff regarding the issue. (April 12, 2008)
Acting as the sympathetic mouthpiece for a convicted terrorist while calling him an “activist”. (March 25, 2008)
Falsely accusing a former Lake of the Woods assistant manager of incompetence and having a relationship that was “too close” with a contractor (and all they could say is “Oops, my bad”). (March 22, 2008)
Incorrectly stating that all of the 99th House of Delegates District is part of the 28th Senate District when it isn’t. No correction. (February 21, 2008)
Inability to distinguish who Albert Pollard is: Using a picture of Richard Stuart (his former opponent) and convicted spy Jonathan Pollard instead of a picture of Albert Pollard. (February 20, 2008)
Numerous errors were reported regarding the legal battle between Patricia Mancini and Price Jett Jr. over a Stafford County School Board seat. Only a partial correction was issued. (December 28, 2007)

It’s official: Stafford County is ran by morons.

The Free Lance–Star:

A group studying illegal immigration in Stafford County suggests Stafford seek the right to sanction businesses that hire undocumented workers, and to deny illegal immigrants a public education and emergency medical services.

My Lord, where to being?

A) Wow, that’s compassionate.

B) So, will this be the county’s response to someone having a heart attack?: “Let’s see, you’re not illegal, so get in this wheelchair and we’ll admit you.” Or: “Let’s see, you’re an illegal, go out in the street and die. Next!”

C) Last I checked Stafford County doesn’t run a hospital. Yes, MediCorp is planning on building one in Stafford County, but the county won’t be running it (thank God). MediCorp would laugh these people out of the building if the county came with this proposal.

D) Since the only “emergency medical services” the county provides would be EMTs/Paramedics, are they going to be ordered to play 20 questions (in addition to the work they have to do) and find out if someone is an illegal?: “Yo necesito tu papeles.” (I need your papers.) If the person is an illegal, are they going to deny them transport to a hospital and kick them out of the ambulance?

E) See A.

[…]

The report does not quantify the financial and social impact of illegal immigration in Stafford.

[…]

The report concluded that “Although we cannot quantify that impact, anecdotal evidence, as well as common sense, would dictate that it exists.”

Of course, we have no evidence to support what we’re saying, but it’s true. Trust us, we’re the government.

Scharpenberg said it’s unclear how many employers hire illegal immigrants but that “there’s a lot of winking and nodding in Stafford businesses.”

Another one of those “we have no evidence, but it happens; trust us” comments.

That’s evidence (no pun intended) of crack governing.

May 7, 2008 Caroline County news roundup

The Free Lance–Star:

Four winners in the Bowling Green Town Council election–Daniel Webb, Glenn McDearmon, Jason Satterwhite and Otis Wright–will be the first to serve four-year terms on the body.

That’s because winning candidates with the four highest vote totals for the council will serve four-year, rather than two-year terms after yesterday’s election.

[…]

The remaining three winners, Mark Mallin, Bobby Ketterman and Eric Hinson will serve two-year terms.

The Free Lance–Star:

For the second time since 2004, candidates in yesterday’s Port Royal election tied for a seat on the Town Council.

Caroline County Registrar Danette Moen said write-in candidates Richard Cope and Oliver Fortune both received 18 votes to win the seventh seat. Only six candidates were on the ballot.

Moen said the tie will be broken at the Clerk of the Court’s Office today or tomorrow when one name is “drawn out of a hat.”

Funeral arrangemnts for Mildred Loving (The Free Lance–Star):

Mildred D. Loving, 68, of Milford died at her residence Friday, May 2, 2008.

Survivors include a son, Sidney Jeter of Tappahannock; a daughter, Peggy Fortune of Milford; eight grandchildren; 11 great-grand-children; and two brothers, Douglas Jeter of Milford and Lewis Jeter of Clinton, Md. She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard Loving, and a son, Donald Loving.

A funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 10, at Caroline County Community Center, 17202 Richmond Turnpike, Bowling Green, with the Rev. William Gibson, pastor, officiating. Burial will follow in St. Stephens Baptist Church cemetery, Central Point.

The body may be viewed from noon to 8 p.m. Friday, May 9, at Cedell Brooks Funeral Home, Port Royal, and one hour prior to the service Saturday at the center.

Online guest book available at brooksfuneralhome.com.

Caroline County election results in.

Bowling Green:

Mayor:

David W. Storke 177 100% *

*Will serve a four-year term.

Town Council:

Eric V. Hinson 117 10.55% †
Bobby J. Ketterman, Sr. 122 11.00% †
Mark S. Mallin 138 12.44% †
E. Glenn McDearmon 160 14.42% *
Randal O. Robillard 92 8.29%
Jason E. Satterwhite 158 14.24% *
Daniel C. Webb 161 14.51% *
Otis Lee Wright 158 14.24% *
Write-in 3 0.27%

*Will serve a four-year term.
†Will serve a two-year term.

Port Royal:

Town Council:

Mark E. Hampton 16 8.55%
Bill E. Henderson 13.36%
Nancy L. Long 14.97%
Della F. Mills 18 9.62%
Rosie E. Upshaw 32 17.11%
William A. Wick, Jr. 31 16.57%
Write-in 37 19.78 %

There were only six people running for seven seats so whoever received enough write-in votes will get a seat.

Fredericksburg election results in.

Mayor:

Debby L. Girvan 1,089 36.08%
Thomas J. Tomzak 1,915 63.45%
Write-in 14 0.46%

6 of 6 precincts in.

City Council:

Kerry P. Devine 1,896 38.98%
Mary Katherine Greenlaw 2,025 41.64%
B-J R. Huff 910 18.71%
Write-in 32 0.65%

6 of 6 precincts in.

School Board:

Jarvis E. Bailey 1,901 51.67%
Michael J. Gillenwater 1,735 47.15%
Write-in 43 1.16%

6 of 6 precincts in.

Still waiting on the results from Caroline County.

The Free Lance–Star profiles Keith Hummel.

The Free Lance–Star:

A Westmoreland County doctor plans to challenge Rep. Rob Wittman for the 1st District congressional seat.

Dr. Keith Hummel, an emergency-room physician, hopes to win the Democratic nomination to run against Republican Wittman for the seat in November’s election. No others have filed as candidates.

Wittman won the seat just last December in a special election, held after Rep. Jo Ann Davis died of breast cancer. The 1st District extends from Fauquier County to York County.

Hummel, 57, who also runs a vineyard and winery, has never run for political office. He said he’s running now because his own populist viewpoint isn’t being represented.

“I’m running because I have a concern that we are losing our representative form of government. It is my perception that a lot of people in Congress, their ear is held by the lobbyists,” Hummel said. “We need someone who is not a professional politician for the 1st Congressional District, who will listen to the people, who will put the interests of the people and the nation ahead of the interests of the lobbyists.”

Hummel thinks this is the year for a self-described populist to do well because the presidential election campaign has galvanized many people who have felt disenfranchised, and Hummel says they’re the kind of people to whom his populism appeals.

The late Jason Mooney to be honored by Governor Kaine.

NBC4:

Gov. Timothy Kaine will speak at a service to memorialize fallen Virginia police officers.

The annual Virginia Law Enforcement Officers’ Memorial Service will take place at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday on the South Portico of the Virginia Capitol.

The ceremony will honor three Virginia law enforcement officers: Campbell County Deputy Sheriff Jason Saunders and Stafford County Deputy Sheriff Jason Mooney, both of whom died in crashes last year.

Chesapeake Detective Jarrod Shivers was fatally wounded in January while serving a narcotics search warrant.

Last year’s ceremony honored 10 officers.

“Senseless act of violence” story of the day.

AP via Richmond Times-Dispatch:

Stafford County authorities are investigating the fatal shootings of a man, a woman, and two small children at a mobile home park a few miles north of Fredericksburg.

Stafford County Administrator Anthony Romanello says one of the children was about 3 years old and the other was about 18 months old.

The shootings happened last night on Walt Way, just west of U.S. 1.

County sheriff’s office spokesman Bill Kennedy says authorities investigating a report of a domestic disturbance found the victims shortly before 10 p.m.

The shooting victims have not been identified, and officials have given no motive for the shootings.

UPDATE: WTOP Radio:

A heavily armed man shot his girlfriend and his two children in a mobile home before killing himself, Stafford County Sheriff Charles Jett tells WTOP.

The victims are identified as Latasha Nicole Thomas, 23; her 2 1/2-year-old daughter Nicole Aaron Jackson; and her son, 1 1/2-year-old Aaron Neptune Jackson.

Jett identified the shooter as Aaron Poseidon Jackson, 24.

May 6, 2008 Caroline County news roundup

The Free Lance–Star:

A Ruther Glen man was charged with rape and sodomy last week after his daughter, a Caroline High School student, reported that she had been abused by her father.

The 42-year-old man, who is not being named to protect the identity of the victim, was arrested April 28 after an employee at the high school told Deputy G.W. Honeycutt, the school’s resource officer, about the reported abuse, said Miles Turner of the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office.

[…]

Her father is charged with rape and two counts of sodomy, as well as misdemeanor contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

The Free Lance–Star:

Beverly L. Gage, 53, of Woodford died Sunday, May 4, 2008, at her home.

She was the widow of Donald Gage and had been active in fire and rescue for the last 15 years as an EMT and dispatcher.

Survivors include her daughters, Peggy, Dona and Jayme Gage of Caroline County and Kathryn Gage of Hampton; her stepson, Donald Gage Jr. of Maine; four sisters, Jacqueline Sites and Kathy Whitaker of Springfield, Barbara Kelley of Arlington and Karen Fox of Boston; her brother, Mark Giles of Ruther Glen; and five grandchildren.

Mrs. Gage will be cremated. Her family will receive friends at Storke Funeral Home, Bowling Green, Thursday, May 8, from 6 to 9 p.m.

Sign register book online at storkefuneralhome.com.