Month: February 2008

February 4, 2008 – Board of Supervisors/School Board joint meeting roundup

  1. Call to Order
  2. Invocation
  3. Timetable for Opening of Lewis & Clark Elementary School

The Free Lance-Star: Caroline school may open soon

  1. Discussion of K-5 School Concept

The K-5 school concept would have kindergarten through fifth grade in one building as opposed to have a separate primary and elementary school. According to studies that have been conducted it is more effective for students to be in one school for kindergarten through fifth grade (according to the study the students lose up to three months getting used to a new school and personnel). There was discussion on breaking up the students going to Bowling Green Primary and Elementary Schools and changing each of the schools into a K-5 school.

  1. Composite Index Discussion

Due to the composite index increasing (meaning the state claims the county can better fund schools this year than last year), the county will receive $1,000,000.00 less this year than last year. The composite index currently states that Caroline County is better able to fund their schools than Spotsylvania or Stafford Counties.

Since I’m lazy, here’s an email I wrote to someone on the composite index with a detailed analysis:

I wasn’t sure what numbers you had for the composite index at the Board of Supervisors-School Board meeting but I found the following stuff a couple weeks ago, from the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE):

http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/Finance/Budget/composite.html

Specifically, there is one file that has the numbers (true values of real estate, the local adjusted gross income, the local taxable retail sales, student population, and county population) that the VDOE uses for each school division:

http://www.doe.virginia.gov/VDOE/Finance/Budget/2008-2010CompositeIndex-Template.xls

A couple of things I noticed:

Just looking at that, for some reason the state seems to think that Caroline County has more property value compared to county/student population than Spotsylvania County for some reason.

Also, the county’s population seems to be lower than it should be. According to Bureau of Census figures given to the FBI in 2005 for the FBI’s Uniform Crime Report, the county’s population was 23,390. According to a story Ellen Biltz did (Region’s crime rate up, bucks the trend) the county’s population grew by 10% in 2006. 23,390 * 1.10 = 25,729. However, the composite index’s information says the county’s population is only 25,109. That’s only a 7.3% change. You could probably safely say all of those estimates are low considering Caroline County was named the 10th fastest growing county in the United States in 2005 and one of the fastest growing in Virginia in 2006. Director Fuzy put the county’s population at around 27,000 in a recent news story (Electronic alerts coming).

Furthermore, the composite index’s information states that the county only has a student population of 3,911. However, according to another report from the VDOE (at https://p1pe.doe.virginia.gov/reportcard/report.do?division=17&schoolName=All) the 2007-2008 student population for Caroline County Public Schools is 4,171 students (not sure why they say the student population went down from 2006-2007 to 2007-2008 in that report either).

Using the 25,729/4,171 population for the county and student population resulted in the composite index dropping to 0.3631, just below Stafford County’s. Using the 27,000/4,171 population figures the composite index drops to 0.3573.

Also, there are/were several bills that would affect the composite index going through the General Assembly but a couple of them have died already:

http://www.richmondsunlight.com/search/?q=composite+index

Anyway, back to the agenda:

  1. Proposed Fiscal Year 2008/09 School Budget

Actually, it was a non proposed preliminary (or some such) budget. The highlights included a 6% increase in teacher salaries and an operating budget of $39,300,000. However, Chairman Thomas said that that budget more than likely wasn’t feasible based on the state cutting over $1,000,000 due to the composite index.

  1. Next New School Discussion

They did not discuss where the school would be, only how they would pay for it. Chairman Thomas said the county was almost at the maximum amount of borrowing that their financial advisor had suggested in guidelines.

The only solution that was put forth was a bond referendum on the November 2008 ballot that would also include an increase in real estate taxes to pay back the bonds.

UPDATE: Reminder: The next School Board meeting is February 11, 2007.

The next Board of Supervisors meeting is February 12, 2007. Another reminder: Public comments for the Ladysmith Sub Area Plan will be allowed at the February 12th meeting.

Good to know the maturity in the House of Delegates hasn’t increased

From Anita Kumar’s blog at The WaPo: U.S. House Members Stop by Virginia House:

Even the introductions are partisan in the House of Delegates.

Del. Lacey E. Putney, an Independent from Bedford who caucuses with Republicans, introduced two visiting members of Virginia’s congressional delegation, Republican Reps. Thelma Drake and Robert J. Wittman.

A third member, Democrat Rep. James P. Moran Jr. was sitting close by but was not recognized until House Minority Leader Ward L. Armstrong (D-Henry) stood up to introduce him.

Say what you will about James “Jim” Moran (and if you can say it, I’ve said it) but at least have some damn respect for the office!

Do Republicans not know the definition of “political suicide”? First, you boo youth visitors to the General Assembly, and now this? Did you learn nothing from “macaca”?

Can you at the very least show some damn maturity?

Wait, with John Hager running the Republican Party of Virginia, I’m not sure why I’m expecting so much.

Weekly News Media Briefs – Week Ending February 2, 2008

From the Caroline County Sheriff’s Office: Weekly News Media Briefs – Week Ending February 2, 2008:

On January 23, 2008, Deputy P. E. Ford, III responded to a reported disorderly person in Carmel Church. After investigating, Donnie L. Poindexter, 44, of Ruther Glen was charged with being drunk in public. He was released on his own recognizance and a court date of March 5, 2008 was set.

On January 26, 2008, Deputy C. S. Wooldridge responded to a fight call in Woodford. After investigating, Ryan E. Harrie, 29, of Ruther Glen was charged with malicious wounding and possession of a controlled substance. He was ordered held without bond and an arraignment date of February 1, 2008 was set.

On January 26, 2008, Deputy S. Mullane was on foot patrol at a business in Carmel Church. His canine alerted to a vehicle in the parking lot. After investigating, Charles C. Rowe, 29, of Knoxville, TN was charged with possession of marijuana and possession of a controlled substance. He was ordered held on a $2500 bond and a court date of February 1, 2008 was set.

On January 27, 2008, Deputy G. J. Hamilton responded to a domestic in Ruther Glen. After investigating, Gregory A. Hulo, 36, of Ruther Glen was charged with abduction, domestic assault, trespassing and damaging a telephone to prevent another from seeking aid. He was ordered held without bond and an arraignment date of January 29, 2008 was set.

On January 27, 2008, Deputy F. L. Brennan responded to an incident in Ruther Glen. After investigating, Kevin R. Lewis, 30, of Ruther Glen was charged with assault. He was released on his own recognizance and an arraignment date of February 2, 2008 was set.

On January 28, 2008, Deputy G. J. Hamilton stopped a vehicle for a traffic infraction. After investigating, Stacey J. St. Julien, 38, of Woodford was charged with an outstanding felony warrant from Spotsylvania and with carrying a concealed weapon. He was released on his own recognizance and a court date of March 5, 2008 was set.

On January 28, 2008, Deputy G. J. Hamilton stopped a vehicle fro a traffic infraction. After investigating, Terrance S. Mosley, 42, of Ruther Glen was charged with driving on a suspended driver’s license – 4th offense. He was ordered held without bond and an arraignment date of February 1, 2008 was set.

On January 29, 2008, Deputy C. S. Wooldridge was notified of a potential fraud. After investigating, Clyde E. Lindsey, 67, of Woodford was charged with felony bad check. He was released on his own recognizance and an arraignment date of February 1, 2008 was set.

On January 30, 2008, Deputy C. S. Wooldridge stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation. After investigating, Wesley P. Brown, II, 44, of Ruther Glen was charged with possession of marijuana 2nd offense and driving on a suspended drivers license – 3rd offense. He was ordered held under a $1000 bond and an arraignment date of February 8, 2008 was set.

February 1, 2008 Deputy D. W. Mundie stopped a vehicle for a traffic infraction. After investigating, Ronnie Thaxton, 37, of Upper Marlboro, MD was charged with D.U. I. and Refusal to Submit to a Chemical Test. He was held on a $2500 secure bond, and a preliminary date of trial is set for February 6, 2008.

On February 2, 2008, Deputy C. S. Wooldridge stopped a vehicle for a traffic violation. After investigating, Brian L. Wilson, 30, of Ruther Glen was detained on a Fail to Appear Warrant out of Spotsylvania. It was also determined that he was driving on a Suspended License.

On February 2, 2008, Deputy G. J. Hamilton responded to a disturbance call in Ruther Glen. Upon investigating, Gregory Brown, 37, of Ruther Glen, was charged with destruction of property and being drunk in public. A preliminary date of February 6, 2008 has been set.

Caroline County Sheriff’s Office’ Wrap Up

According to Sheriff Tony Lippa, Caroline Deputies made 4 drug arrests, 7 domestic violence arrests, 4 D.U.I arrests and 59 other criminal arrests during the past week. The deputies served 212 civil papers, issued 161 traffic summonses, handled 11 motor vehicle crashes, responded to 28 alarm calls, and dealt with 8 juvenile offenders. The Sheriff’s Office Communications Center dispatched 514 calls for service and handled 1,735 telephone inquiries. The CCSO also logged 22 calls assisting outside agencies and had 190 self initiated calls.

No, no, no, no!

From NBC 12: Senate considers bill barring early setting of execution dates:

The General Assembly is considering legislation that would bar the state from setting an execution date for people convicted of the death penalty until the U.S. Supreme Court rules on any appeals on the merits of their cases.

A law that took effect in 1995 allowed execution dates to be set before an inmate’s appeals were exhausted. The idea behind the legislation was to shorten an appeals process that frustrated prosecutors and the families of murder victims.

The state Attorney General’s office says it opposes the legislation.

“The idea behind the legislation”? It does exactly what’s it’s supposed to do!

Yeah, sure, people like John Allen Muhammad and Paul Warner Powell deserve more time. Anyone remember the Briley Brothers back in the 1980s? Maybe they should have been allowed to sit on death row for a couple more years so they could try to escape again?

I guess we should let them sit on death row for 26 years like Stanley Tookie Williams.

This would be bill SB395 introduced by John Edwards (not that John Edwards!) (D-21) for those that are curious. The bill passed the Senate of Virginia’s Committee for Courts of Justice, 6-5.

Interestingly enough, Creigh Deeds who is running for the Democratic nomination for Governor in 2009 voted against this bill in committee. Of course, that might have something to do with the demographics of his district (25th Senate of Virginia District): While he does represent the very liberal city of Charlottesville, he also represents rural areas that aren’t so liberal such as Bath and Buckingham counties (judging from the 2004 Presidential election results and the 2006 gay marriage constitutional amendment).

Either way, it could be a point of contention between Deeds and Brian Moran (46th House of Delegates District) who is also running for the Democratic nomination for Governor. I can imagine the attack ads and talking points in my head right now…

Anyway, complete breakdown of the committee vote:

YEAS–Marsh, Saslaw, Howell, Lucas, Edwards, Puller–6.

NAYS–Stolle, Quayle, Reynolds, Obenshain, Deeds–5.

Why was this POS released on bail?

Richmond Times-Dispatch: Man whose truck hit trooper is arrested again:

An Abingdon man who was charged with drunken driving after his pickup struck a state trooper Friday night in Smyth County was arrested again yesterday morning, on charges of intoxication in public and possession of drugs, state police said.

Barry Dean Marshall II was a passenger in a car that was pulled over at 2:17 a.m. by a Chilhowie police officer.

[…]

The officer saw the vehicle along northbound Interstate 81 at the 36-mile marker, according to the arrest warrant. Chilhowie is a Smyth County town about 30 miles northeast of Bristol.

Chilhowie police arrested Traci Tashona Peake, 21, on a charge of driving under the influence.

As part of the same incident, Smyth deputies assisting in the stop arrested Marshall, 32. He was charged with public intoxication and possession of drugs with the intent to manufacture or sell, according to the arrest warrant.

Marshall had been charged Friday night with driving under the influence after a pickup he was driving struck trooper K.S. Chapman on I-81, a few miles from where Marshall was arrested yesterday, Conroy said.

Chapman, who has been with the state police for five years, was listed Saturday in critical condition at Bristol Regional Medical Center. State police and hospital officials declined yesterday to release an update on his condition.

Conroy said Chapman’s family requested that his medical record remain private but he said he believes Chapman’s condition has not worsened.

Requesting volunteers…

Richmond Times-Dispatch: Delegate wants police to monitor Sex Workers’ Art Show:

Del. Brenda L. Pogge, R-Williamsburg, has requested that law enforcement officers witness the Sex Workers’ Art Show tomorrow night at the College of William and Mary to determine whether the show violates state obscenity laws.

[…]

The state obscenity law Pogge cited, however, provides an exemption for universities. Pogge acknowledged the exemption but said she still wanted authorities to look into the case.

“Of course, it’s not against the law, but look into it anyway”…

Efficient use of police resources…

[…]

Supporters of the show, which is being funded through student fees, private donations and ticket sales, say it uses sexually charged performances while shining a light on the work and motivation of people working in the multibillion-dollar sex industry. Opponents consider it lewd, a promotion of pornography and an inappropriate use of student fees.

I’m sure there will be no lack of volunteers for this assignment…

More on Dominion’s new power line through Upper Caroline

The Free Lance-Star: Power company asks for new line:

This month Dominion Virginia Power will submit an application to the State Corporation Commission for approval to build a new transmission line in Caroline County.

A 250-foot right of way already exists for this new line from the Ladysmith Combustion Turbine site along Interstate 95 to the Bear Island-Fredericksburg line in Caroline County near Stonewall Jackson Road.

[…]

The Ladysmith-Possum Point line already exists in the right of way. The new line would enable Dominion to further provide for customers as population growth continues to increase rapidly in the state.

[…]

A Dominion open house at Upper Caroline Volunteer Fire Department Thursday night fielded questions and concerns from residents. Neddenien said the open house is one step in a lengthy process to get the line built.

If the SCC approves the new 230,000-volt line within the next year, construction would begin in Nov. 2009. The line would cover a distance of five miles and must be in service by May 2010 in order to meet forecasted growth and demand for electricity in the area.

[…]

Mike Finchum, director of planning in Caroline County, said that the county has planned for 11,000 plots of houses to be developed in the next 25 years. These plots are within housing subdivisions such as Ladysmith Village and Haymount.

“We don’t want to grow as fast as Spotsy or Stafford,” said Finchum.

How about you guys do some planning and figure out how 10,760 people living in Haymount are going to get around on the little ol’ two-lane “historical byway” of Route 17?

For details, visit dom.com and click on the power line projects link to the right.

Direct linkage: Ladysmith Combustion Turbine 230kV Line