2009.02.28
Discuss Saturday's short takes
Short takes
Quick views on some of the week's news.
Bedford school board's bizarre vote
The Bedford County School Board went into executive session Thursday night to discuss the hiring of a new superintendent. Fair enough. The state Freedom of Information Act allows -- but does not require -- private meetings to discuss personnel matters. After deliberating for more than an hour, the board returned to public session and voted to hire a candidate -- without naming the candidate. This is bizarre and completely unacceptable. While the law allows discussion of personnel matters in private, any board action resulting from such discussion must be made in public. As Megan Rhyne, executive director of the Virginia Coalition for Open Government said, "It seems to defeat the purpose of voting on something in open session under FOIA requirements if you are not going to fully disclose what you are voting on."
Read more.
Green homeowners hung out to dry
One of the biggest energy hogs in most homes is the electric dryer. But some homeowners associations ban the use of any clotheslines, however discrete. A bill to prohibit such outright bans in Virginia was defeated in the House of Delegates. One delegate predicted that if the bill passed, Northern Virginia homeowners would complain, "This looks like a West Virginia subdivision."
Read more.
No state reptile for Virginia
Among the more pressing matters concerning the General Assembly this session was the naming of a state reptile. Alas, that vital business was left undone. The House of Delegates rejected a bill to name the eastern box turtle as the state reptile.
Read more.
Virginia supports troops' families -- if the feds pay
The General Assembly passed a bill extending unemployment benefits to the spouses of military personnel who quit their jobs because their spouses are transferred. "If you really think about it, it's not a voluntary move for the spouse if their husband or wife is ordered to relocate," said Del. Mamie Locke, D-Hampton.
Read more.
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A war between VA and WVA! Now that should stimulate both states' economies. . . .
Comment by Ed H — February 28, 2009 @ 2:36 pm
It's simple, don't live in neighborhoods with HOA's. They are quasi-governmental groups that usually have militant leaders who love nothing more than telling everyone else how to live.
Comment by Other John — February 28, 2009 @ 2:59 pm
I agree OJ; Unfortunately sometimes easier said than done. I would love to *not* live in northern Virginia, but that's where the jobs were....
Fortunately our HOA is one of the better ones. Still self-managed, and the people running it (so far) are pretty good. I got on board as well just to see who was running, and to get involved a bit.
Our HOA allows temporary use of clotheslines for drying of clothes. I think they must be temporary (not permanently installed).
Comment by Ed S. — February 28, 2009 @ 4:21 pm
"Take it from an old fool" as they say, one who has smelled the dusty fragrance of line dryed clothes and put the hard line dryed clothes on baby's tender skin and wondered if the sanitation of line dried underclothes could be the equivalent of high temperature machine dryed clothes there are good reasons to prefer machine drying. That said, where do we get the cheap electrical energy required to provide the quality of life humans need if they want to live abundantly? Should we live abundantly? Should we go forth and dominate the earth and multiply abundantly? Why else were we created with brains to discover the technology to multiply our power within the universe? Please believe me, these are the good old days and they will get even better if we do make the right choices. Sanitation, education, nuclear energy, homeowners and charter bank protection, fuel cell cars, mag-lev trains, etc.
Comment by Fern Hankins — February 28, 2009 @ 7:40 pm
That's good to hear that your HOA isn;t one of those awful ones I keep hearing about. Despite the abundance of jobs in NoVA, I will never live there is I can help it. Most of my work is based there, but thankfully I can work in Blacksburg on projects in Fairfax County without having to live there too. I'll gladly earn less to live down here and stay out of the metro mix. After growing up in Hampton Roads and also living near Detroit, I'm not too fond of big-city living anymore. I like my quarter acre just down the road from cow fields.
Comment by Other John — February 28, 2009 @ 11:12 pm
I wonder how our ancestors lived before the days of super-high sanitation and clothes driers.
In an editorial I am about to write later this week, the Scott Editorial Board is going to tell you how this nonsense about over-sanitation and anti-bacterial soap and living is causing a new generation of antibiotic resistant illnesses.
Comment by scott — February 28, 2009 @ 11:22 pm
scott,
Our ancestors were the lucky ones. Most of their brothers and sisters died from disease.
Looking forward to your editorial.
Comment by Ed H — March 1, 2009 @ 7:48 am
The Bedford County school board changed the way that they provide information to the public a few years ago. Now, they report by using something called "Board Docs." When I try to read about school board meetings, often NOTHING is posted there! Other times, things are reported so vaguely, you never know who took what position on what, etc.
Bedford County PAYS to use Board Docs and it is SUPPOSED to provide more info. in an easier format. In fact, the opposite is true!
Used to be anyone could just go to the web site and open the typed document...now you have to click, and click and work hard to find anything. Often, you have NO IDEA what happened. It makes one wonder if the secrecy is sloppy management...or... intentional?
Even though the citizens in Bedford were invited to meet with the CONSULTANTS hired to seek the Superintendent candidates and give their input at public meetings, I do not think the public ever had the opportunity to speak to BOARD MEMBERS about their preferences. Was it ever on an agenda?
Why was a board member ABSENT on the day of the county's biggest vote? Unbelievable! I live in that district and feel betrayed because of no representation!
In regard to the meeting on Thursday, Talbot Huff also said he had zero confidence on the Chairman. I hope more is unearthed about that! There are laws about how a board is SUPPOSED to operate.
Comment by not surprised — March 1, 2009 @ 8:14 am
Scott...
I think our ancestors made it just fine. We're here aren't we? I guess that's about the best proof you can have.
I still remember sleeping on line-dryed bed linens as a child. I don't think they've managed yet to come up with a fragrance that will match that smell on a pillowcase. I do remember (with a bit of humor) the day my Mom was laundering my Dad's dress white Navy uniforms. A flock of birds that had just enjoyed a hefty meal of polk berries came over...and well, you can guess the rest.
Those we some good days.
Comment by Will — March 1, 2009 @ 9:57 am
Will,
Does purple polka dot conform to Navy standards?
OJ,
Keep living the good life. I'm outta here as soon as I can be. Having a few more jobs around is nice, but I miss the more relaxed attitude of "back home". Friendlier people, room to walk, slower pace...
Comment by Ed S. — March 1, 2009 @ 2:24 pm