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Ellen Arthur will challenge Ben Cline for 24th District House of Delegates seat

By
gzitver
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0

( – promoted by lowkell)

Ellen Arthur, who is retiring after 35 years as a practicing attorney in Lexington and vicinity, will kick off her campaign for the Democratic nomination for the 24th District House of Delegates seat currently occupied by Republican Ben Cline on Thursday April 2 at 10 a.m. in front of the old courthouse in Amherst, 113 Taylor Street. She will similarly kick off her campaign that day in front of the Augusta County Courthouse in Staunton at 1 p.m. and at Hopkins Green Park in downtown Lexington at 4 p.m.  She will appear in Bath County on a date to be announced shortly.

The public is invited to all these events.

“Although I’ve never run for political office before, I am very concerned about the direction that politics have taken in Virginia, especially in the General Assembly,” Ms. Arthur said. “Too many legislators are more concerned about pleasing well-funded interests and getting reelected than they are in serving the needs of their constituents.

“I am concerned about the future of Virginia and am running for office to do my part to build a better Virginia for our children and grandchildren.

“I’m especially troubled by Delegate Cline’s strenuous opposition to the expansion of Medicaid in Virginia under the Affordable Care Act. Medicaid expansion, which is being implemented even by Republican-controlled legislatures in other states, would allow up to 400,000 working Virginians, including thousands of hard-working people in the 24th District, to obtain health insurance. Virginians currently are paying federal taxes to fund Medicaid expansion and getting nothing in return. Medicaid expansion would pay for itself. Virginians currently pays for services to people who lack health insurance from the state general fund, as do all of us in higher health care expenses. Expanding Medicaid would allow Virginia to use the federal dollars and reduce the state’s costs.

“I’m also concerned about the cozy relationship between too many of our state’s legislators and Dominion Virginia Power. Landowners in southern Augusta County face having their land taken for the construction of a natural gas pipeline by Dominion. Gas pipelines are inherently dangerous to both landowners and the environment. Building pipelines to transport fossil fuels is an investment in obsolete and dwindling energy sources. We should be using that money to create well-paying jobs harnessing other energy sources such as solar and wind power.”  

Ms. Arthur is committed to equal pay for women, raising the minimum wage to allow working families to support themselves without public assistance, and the expansion of high-speed internet to rural areas to encourage the growth of clean high-tech industries which rely on modern communications.

Ms. Arthur has worked as an attorney for the Legal Aid Society of the Roanoke Valley and has conducted a practicum course for the Washington and Lee Law School. She has, for most of her career, had a solo practice focused on family law and is legal counsel for the Rockbridge County SPCA, also serving on the organization’s board. She lives on a 13-acre farm in Rockbridge County which she maintains herself, and keeps two horses, three dogs and two cats.  She has been a resident of the 24th District for 39 years.

Ms. Arthur, 68, the daughter of a factory worker, was born in New Jersey (the oldest of six children) and graduated from Washington and Lee Law School in 1979. She has two sons and five grandchildren.

The 24th District includes Bath and Rockbridge Counties, the Cities of Buena Vista and Lexington, the southern part of Augusta County and the northern part of Amherst County.

Dominion’s Bought-And-Paid-For Supporters vs. Grassroots Atlantic Coast Pipeline Opponents

By
pontoon
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3

( – promoted by lowkell)

Free Nelson attended Thursday night’s Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) meeting in the Shenandoah Valley. The meeting was designed to hear concerns from the public regarding the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP), and to contribute input towards the Environmental impact study (EIS) FERC is required to conduct.  

What we found truly astonishing about this meeting was the lengths to which Dominion Power continues to sink in its efforts to create the appearance of support for its ill-conceived, dirty fossil fuel pipeline. Some of the tactics used by Dominion are eerily similar to a 6-year-old throwing a temper tantrum, and they’re just as unattractive.

After inviting folks who do not live in the affected areas of the proposed ACP, Dominion’s uninformed “plants” attended a pre-meeting meal supplied by Dominion. To be allowed to speak, everyone had to stand in line to receive a speaker number. Everyone, that is, except – surprise, surprise! – Dominion supporters. One Dominion supporter even tried and failed to cut into the front of the line. After a commotion, he was summarily sent to the back, grumbling all the way.

When grassroots activists arrived at Stuarts Draft High School at 5 pm, Dominion was already present and had put up its “clean energy” signs.  Friends of Augusta and Augusta County Alliance volunteers put up two large “No Pipeline” signs, dwarfing Dominion’s yard signs.  Dominion reps came out and added a dozen more yard signs. Grassroots activists continued by putting up yard signs — this time, a set of No Pipeline signs harkening back to the old “Burma Shave” signs.

Again, Dominion reps appeared with more “Clean Energy” signs, placing them so as to block the message of the Burma Shave signs. Volunteer Tom Harvey insisted Dominion move those signs from blocking our message. As both the activists and Dominion countered with signs, Mr. Harvey approached a Dominion employee stating he had 1,000 signs in his vehicle. He suggested he could put them all up or they could call a truce, which the Dominion representative readily agreed to.

A few minutes later, a Dominion representative was seen removing him from the line, and replacing him with a Dominion staffer, a place holder of sorts, who signed the “plant” up to speak while he was enjoying Dominion’s dinner. Note that grassroots activists attempted to enter the Dominion dinner, but were turned away and told it was for Dominion supporters only.

The “plants” testifying before FERC started their remarks either with the words, “I was told,” or simply repeated Dominion’s talking points verbatim from their printed propaganda. One man from West Virginia stated that his farm is leased for fracking wells, and how nicely he is treated by the gas company. We noted that he chooses not to live on that farm, however, since he now claims to be a resident of Augusta County, Virginia.

Clearly, these folks were brought in by Dominion to take time away from landowners and community members who have legitimate concerns. While not unexpected, it is a deplorable tactic used to stop, or at least discourage, those opposed to the pipeline from speaking. As occurred in Nelson Wednesday night, the Thursday FERC meeting was shut down well before all were allowed to share their concerns.

Even with the blatant attempts to tilt the meeting in Domnion’s favor, what’s amazing is that only 16 of the 64 speakers spoke in favor of the proposed ACP. We wonder if Dominion would have had any supporters at the meeting at all had they not brought their support in from other jurisdictions and paid them off by giving them a free meal.

Aneesh Chopra: “Join me in supporting Atif Qarni for State Senate”

By
lowkell
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0

From Aneesh Chopra: 

We’ve got a chance this year to change the balance of power in the Virginia Senate. 

In 2013, you supported my campaign for Lt. Governor of Virginia. While ultimately we came up short on Election Day, I’ll never forget that you stepped up to participate in our democracy. Today, I’m asking you to step up again and support my friend Atif Qarni, who is running for the Virginia Senate. 

Can you contribute to Atif’s campaign today? He’s facing a big fundraising deadline on March 31st. 

A math teacher and Marine Corps veteran, Atif is a strong candidate to fight for our values in Richmond. He lives in Manassas with his wife and their two sons. The Democratic Senator representing Atif’s district has decided to retire, and Atif is running in the June Democratic primary to replace him. 

Our democracy is at its best when folks step off the sidelines and get into the game. I know what it’s like to be in a tough primary – but I know Atif has what it takes to win. I also know that while primaries are tough, they are good for our party, and for our Commonwealth. 

I hope you’ll join with me and support Atif Qarni for Virginia Senate. Contribute today before theMarch 31st deadline. 

Atif’s family emigrated from Pakistan. He grew up here and graduated from George Washington University. He joined the Marines and served in combat in Iraq. For the past 6 years, he’s been a teacher in Prince William County public schools. He knows what it takes to win. 

A contribution from you can have a tremendous impact on this race. 

Thank you for your friendship, and for supporting candidates who will provide strong leadership for Virginia. 

Aneesh  

Virginia News Headlines: Friday Morning

By
lowkell
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3

Here are a few national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Friday, March 20.

*Obama Orders Cuts in Federal Greenhouse Gas Emissions (Every state should do this as well, ASAP!)

*Election prompts U.S. to ‘rethink’ Israel strategy

*Senate grants Obama weeks-long reprieve on Iran bill

*Steve Scalise is a disaster: A breakdown of GOP whip’s legislative shambles (The same guy who attended a white supremacist conference. Figures he’s incompetent as well as racist.)

*Beyond Happy Meals: 5 Devious Ways McDonald’s Markets to Kids (Why is marketing unhealthy crap specifically to kids legal?)

*Welcome to Global Warming’s Terrifying New Era

*Bloody Arrest Puts University of Virginia Back in the Spotlight

*Kaine, Warner troubled by Martese Johnson arrest

*Our view: Does ABC really need its own police?

*Violent arrest of black U-Va. student ignites outrage toward alcohol agency

*McAuliffe: No position on coal ash bill, despite DEQ head’s backing (“Roanoke River Basin Association Executive Director Andrew Lester said the McAuliffe administration is sending mixed messages. ‘Either you represent the state of Virginia or you don’t,’ Lester said.”)

*Craig County crowd registers clear opposition to Mountain Valley Pipeline

*Group sues Dominion over Chesapeake coal ash

*Norfolk School Board must go (“If School Board members truly want to improve Norfolk Public Schools’ reputation, they must step down. Otherwise, the City Council should fire them and draft successful business and education leaders to serve until an elected board takes over.”)

*Deaf man says jailers held him incommunicado for six weeks (“Arlington County jailers refused to get a sign language interpreter or videophone, according to a lawsuit.” WTF?)

*Morrissey Makes Move (“Relocation to Church Hill foretells political plans.”)

*Virginia Tech explores industrial hemp research under new law

*Moderate to heavy snow in the D.C. region early today, followed by rain (It’s raining here in Arlington, over 40 degrees.)

ABC police???

By
ir003436
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0

By now everyone knows of the incident in Charlottesville where a UVA student was thumped about the head and shoulders by “Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Board police officers” and left bleeding on the street.

As I recall, this is the second such incident in a year or so.  Earlier, a female UVA student came out of a convenience store with sparkling water and snacks in her hand, got into her car, and was immediately surrounded by ABC cops demanding that that she roll down the windows.  She had to start the engine to do so and when she started the car, the cops jumped on her hood, tried to break the windows with flashlights and drawn pistols, she grazed a couple of the cops when the car moved, she was charged with assault, etc., etc., etc.

And now I understand she sued and got a “six-figure settlement.”

Wonder how much the current victim will receive?

Frankly, as a VA taxpayer, I don’t want my money going into six-figure settlements because a gang of uniformed thugs who made C’s and D’s in high school feel the need to show how tough they are.

Why do we need ABC cops?  I think it would be interesting to see how much $$$ they bring into the state treasury versus how much they cost — salaries, equipment, vehicles, lawsuits . . .

I’m writing my state senator and HOD delegate asking that the ABC cops be disbanded.  Not that it will do any good — they’re both Republicans.

Video: UMW Student Presents Powerful Case for Fossil Fuel Divestment; Rector Condescends

By
lowkell
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0

Superb job by DivestUMW Representative Zakaria Kronemer. Here’s some background on what you see in the videos (part 1 here, part 2 on the “flip”).

University of Mary Washington Board of Visitors Rejects Student, Faculty, and Administration Voice

March 18th, 2015 – The University of Mary Washington’s Board of Visitors, a governor appointed university advisory board, has rejected the student’s, faculty’s, and the administration’s concerns over the university’s investments in the fossil fuel industry. The Board of Visitors has refused, without deliberation, to form a subcommittee in order to explore divestment options. DivestUMW, the central organization campaigning on the issue responded within 15 minutes to confront the Board of Visitors with a rally of over 30 students.

Zakaria Kronemer, a member of DivestUMW stated to Holly Cuellar, Rector of the Board of Visitors, “we were asking for information, we were asking you to take our voices seriously, and you flat out rejected it, and we will hold you accountable for that.”

DivestUMW has been campaigning for 2 years at the University of Mary Washington to demand a divestment from the fossil fuel industry.

Also see Part 2 of the video, on the “flip,” in which UMW Rector Holly T. Cuellar replies in an utterly inadequate, condescending, even insulting fashion to Zakaria Kronemer of DivestUMW. Kronemer’s response is right on point: “You didn’t respond to us then and you’re not responding to us now.” I’d just a link to The argument for divesting from fossil fuels is becoming overwhelming, which explains why investing in fossil fuels is so risky (e.g., Paul Fisher of the Bank of England warns, “As the world increasingly limits carbon emissions, and moves to alternative energy sources, investments in fossil fuels – a growing financial market in recent decades – may take a huge hit”), and why divesting from fossil fuels isn’t just a moral and environmental imperative, it’s also the financially imperative thing for investors (including university endowments) to do – ASAP.

P.S. By the way, I sure hope that the great work we’re seeing at UMW is going on at every other Virginia college and university. If not, why not?!?

Endorsement: Peter Fallon for Arlington County Board

By
lowkell
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0

With the announced retirements of two Arlington County Board members – Walter Tejada and Mary Hynes – and with the filing deadline for candidates just one week away, the race to succeed them is heating up. And, although a Republican-pretending-to-be-an-“Independent” won a board seat last year in two weird/unique elections, the advantage in overwhelmingly “blue” Arlington still goes to the Democratic nominee(s). Which is why the Democratic primary on June 9 could very well determine who the next two Arlington County Board members will be.

Note that this election comes at an important time for Arlington, with economic challenges we haven’t seen in many years due to sequestration, Republican “drown government in the bathtub” policies, and increased competition from surrounding jurisdictions (e.g., the District, Tysons). This election also comes after a tumultous couple years for Arlington County, with rancor and conflict the likes of which I can’t recall in the nearly 30 years that I’ve lived here. Today, after heated battles over a number of issues, first and foremost the proposed Columbia Pike streetcar project, and with a Board that soon will have just one member (Jay Fisette, elected in 1998) who’s been there more than three years, the future direction of this county is very much at stake.

In short, as Walter Tejada has asked:

Will smart,  progressive, long-term planning continue to be the hallmark of Arlington County, or is that now on life support (or worse)? Will Arlington continue to be a diverse, progressive, inclusive community or not? Can Arlington recover the credibility it’s squandered (with neighboring jurisdictions like Fairfax County, as well as with the state and federal governments) over the past year? Is Arlington going to become a “tale of two counties” geographically (north and south), economically, etc?

These are just a few of the many questions confronting Arlington at this time, and they’re not easy ones to figure out. Which is why, at this time, I believe we need to elect someone to the County Board who has deep, detailed knowledge about Arlington, as well as a demonstrated commitment to working on thorny issues over many years, and finally a strong, progressive vision of where we need to go. On all those counts, I believe that Peter Fallon is the right person for the job.

First, though, here are quotes about Peter Fallon from two people I greatly respect: Delegates Patrick Hope and Rip Sullivan.

Del. Hope: “Arlington is losing a lot of experience on the County Board this year. Peter Fallon has the planning expertise that the Board will need. He knows this community well, and that’s why I support Peter’s campaign and strongly encourage Arlington voters to give him one of their two votes for County Board this year.”

Del. Sullivan: “Peter Fallon lives and breathes Arlington. He has a record of deep commitment and significant contribution to the Arlington community. He’ll make a terrific addition to the County Board.”

I strongly agree with both of those statements, and am endorsing Peter Fallon in large part for the same reasons: Peter “lives and breathes Arlington,” having gained tremendous expertise from his many years of service on…well, you name it. For instance, Peter knows all about the intricacies of planning, zoning, and other stuff that make my eyes gloss over (heh), from his years on the Arlington County Planning Commission (from 2004 through 2013, including Chair in 2009). Peter knows transportation inside-out, with three years of service on the Arlington County Transportation Commission, plus service on the Master Transportation Plan (MTP) Plenary Group and the Long Bridge Park Master Plan and Design Advisory Task Forces, etc. Peter knows neighborhoods, as a past president of the Donaldson Run Civic Association. Peter knows long-range planning, which is desperately needed right now, having served on the Long-Range Planning Committee. I could seriously go on all day, and that’s kind of the point here: why wouldn’t we want someone with this enormous amount of expertise and experience in so many areas of Arlington County serving us on the Board?

Finally, I’d argue that although Peter has a reputation as being a bit “prickly” at times, I’ve personally found him to be highly responsive, open, and engaging in his communications with me over several years — far more so than most members of the County Board, frankly. I’ve also found him to have a great deal of doggedness, determination, dedication, and a dry/wry sense of humor that will serve him well on the Board. But again, most importantly, I’m endorsing Peter Fallon because he’s got the knowledge, experience, and expertise for this job, combined with strong Democratic and progressive values that most of us want to see in Arlington moving forward.  

Video: Rep. Don Beyer Speaks Out on the Dangers of Ocean Acidification

By
lowkell
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0

A crucially important issue: in short, if the oceans die (or are seriously damaged), we die (or are seriously damaged), in addition to it being a horrendous disaster in and of itself. Thanks to Rep. Don Beyer for speaking out on this issue, and more broadly for his advocacy regarding the need to slash anthropogenic carbon emissions (e.g., from the burning of fossil fuels).

Rubber Stamper FERC, Dominion Shills Come to Nelson County

By
pontoon
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2

( – promoted by lowkell)

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Environmental Impact Study scoping meeting was held Wednesday night in Nelson before a standing-room-only crowd in the 600-seat auditorium at Nelson County High School. FERC had “invited” several state police officers to maintain order. We welcomed them and told them we promised to behave.

After being told we could not have signs at the venue or in the meeting, we arrived to see numerous Dominion Power “Clean Energy” signs. In an effort to appear to have community support, there were two hand-painted signs, in favor of the pipeline, planted on school property. Problem is, Dominion representatives were seen putting those hand-painted signs up! Of course, Nelsonians were quick to add their “No Pipeline” signs.

Having arrived at 6:15 pm to sign up to speak for a 7 pm start time, Free Nelson was surprised to be designated as speaker number 43, and dumbfounded when FERC representatives told us they had to be out of the building by 10 pm. They handed us a form suggesting we submit our comments in writing.  We questioned why they would end the meeting at 10 pm when there would be hundreds, we believed, who would want to speak, and would be unhappy if not allowed to do so. They answered by shrugging their shoulders and asking us to move along.

Dominion and FERC tried quite ineptly to stack the deck with speakers. This attempt infuriated those with legitimate concerns about the proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline (ACP). The first 12 folks to speak were pro-pipeline and many, we believe, were Dominion Power plants. We had a pipefitter from Columbia Gas, a retired Exxon executive, another oil distributor, etc. Also, several of the early speakers lived in Richmond, Albemarle or somewhere other than Nelson.  

Saying nothing about the Environmental Impact Study, but using every second of their three minutes, these folks spewed Dominion talking points about jobs and tax revenue, and supporting property rights except if it meant we could have energy independence.  All, of course, are points which have been thoroughly debunked.

In the end, FERC allowed speakers until 10:45 and citizens spoke about legitimate concerns regarding water quality, geology, topography, safety, documented ancient flora, forest fragmentation, invasive species, and cultural and historical sites. However, only 78 of the 203 people who signed up were allowed to speak.  When FERC representative Kevin Bowman was asked about those who didn’t get to speak, he muttered something about it not being his problem!

FERC has been shown to be nothing more than a rubber stamp for the oil and gas industry. Chair Cheryl LaFluer was quoted recently stating, “These groups are active in every FERC docket… As well as in my email inbox seven days a week, in my Twitter feed, at our open meetings demanding to be heard…We’ve got a situation here.”

We’d like to share a secret with Chair LaFluer: as a governmental entity, the citizens of Nelson County expect FERC to represent their best interests, their health, safety, and welfare. As one of “these groups,” we will continue to send FERC emails, attend meetings and speak the truth. If that creates an untenable situation for FERC, they should probably rethink their position, treat people with respect, and do their jobs to objectively review projects before them.

Virginia News Headlines: Thursday Morning

By
lowkell
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7

Here are a few national and Virginia news headlines, political and otherwise, for Thursday, March 19. As for the image, I posted it because I think the sloan, “It’s us or them” sums up extremely well what the right wing is about, whether in Israel, the United States, or anywhere else in the world. In stark contrast, progressives believe we all prosper by working together.

*Tunisia promises ‘merciless war’ against terrorism

*Where do strained U.S.-Israeli relations go after Netanyahu’s victory? (Downhill is my guess.)

*Jeb Bush’s ties to fugitive go against image he promotes (“In the 1980s, Bush helped an executive bypass federal rules.”)

*Political malpractice (“The GOP holds up Loretta Lynch’s nomination.”)

*Fear and loathing in Israel(“Netanyahu’s scorched earth campaign.” Appalling as usual from the right wing.)

*Palestinians See Validation of Unilateral Statehood Effort

*Poll: Hillary Clinton still tops in 2016 (“…none of the top [Republican] candidates in this field gets within 10 points of Hillary Clinton in a series of hypothetical general election matchups.”)

*Cut their paychecks and take away their healthcare! The GOP’s insane plan to woo women in 2016 (“The GOP wants to attract women voters by putting a happy face on policies that will make their lives miserable”)

*Webb meets with Dems who want Clinton alternative (“Webb did not directly criticize Clinton on Wednesday, but he argued that voters want new faces.” No indication of that in the polls, but alrighty…)

*McAuliffe meets Prince Charles at Mount Vernon (“Governor makes sales pitch for Virginia wine during chat with Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall, Camilla Parker-Bowles.”)

*Database, apps, coordination pitched to fight campus sexual assault at Virginia universities

*Racial tensions flare at U-Va. after a black student is injured during arrest (“Gov. Terry McAuliffe has called for an investigation into the arrest, which left the 20-year-old bloodied.”)

*Reporter spends eight-month battle with Virginia Supreme Court to obtain public records

*Democrat Nevarez announces Broad Run candidacy (“Nevarez, who is making his second bid for a seat on the county’s governing body, announced his candidacy on social media earlier this week. He will square-off against Republican Ron Meyer in November.”)

*Virginia approves cleanup plan for power plant site (“Alexandria power plant leaks will be contained, cleaned up over next three years, owner says”)

*What Maureen McDonnell would have said if trials had been separate (“An unsealed affidavit suggests she would have supported her husband’s defense.”)

*Mild and dry today ahead of wintry mix of overnight rain and snow

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