Amherst County Democratic Committee Meeting
Tuesday March 8th, 2011 7pm
and
President OBAMA
Monroe Virginia News
Extend Their Inviaion to YOUThe Committee will meet at the Madison Heights Library, Tuesday March 8th, 2011 at 7pm. Everyone is invited and will be welcome.
The Cold, Dangerous Travel Days of Winter are Over and on March 8th (the second tuesday of the month) Regular Monthly Meetings will resume.
Tuesday March 8th 2011 at 7pm
Madison Heights Library
in the River James Shopping Center.
The Cold, Dangerous Travel Days of Winter are Over and on March 8th (the second tuesday of the month) Regular Monthly Meetings will resume.
Tuesday March 8th 2011 at 7pm
Madison Heights Library
in the River James Shopping Center.
If you’re interested in joining us as a member, The Amherst County Democratic Committee is always looking for devoted Democrats who are interested and willing to help our Democratic candidates get elected.
As a Committee Member, your primary responsibility will be to help endorsed candidates win with your vote and your support.
Attending monthly meetings to discuss strategy, and receive updates from candidates and elected officials. If you can't come every month but can attend occasionally, thats OK we want you.
At campaign time you could Volunteer to place yard signs, work phone banks, and help with mailings.
Helping with fundraising efforts is good if you are comfortable doing it. Working as a greeter and representative at local festivals (Apple, Garlic) and handing out campaign literature and answering questions is fun if you like it.
Or Doing Anything You Are Comfortable With. Nothing, if thats your comfort level. We Want You and We Need You.
Attend monthly or just the occassional meeting. Come as you are. Pick Your Own Level of Participation. We Want YOU
Make no mistake about it. We are Democrats. In Amherst County we are the underdogs and we must work harder. Your ideas and help will be appreciated.
With your help, Democrats will have a stronger future here in Amherst County.
If you're interested in the Amherst County Democrats and know any of the Precinct Reps listed, please discuss it with them. If you know where the Madison Heights Library just below the Lowes Store and the old Kroger Store, then you can find us.
We meet at the Central Virginia Community College, Amherst Branch which is next to the Food Lion. We meet at 7pm on
the second tuesday of every month. If this ever changes check the Amherst County Democratic News for up to date info. Note the change of meeting location for this meeting to the Madison Heights Library.
You are invited to attend the monthly meeting. We will happily welcome you on board.
Madison Heights Virginia News
Regular Monthly Meetings Starting Tuesday March 8th, 2011The folks listed below are Precinct Reps.
101 - Wright Shop - Magnolia Braxton, Jessie Booker
102 - New Glasgow - Ned Kable, OPEN
103 - Coolwell - OPEN
201 - Court House - Mary Anne Hostetler, Alix Ingber, OPEN
202 - Temperance - Marvin Gilbert
301 - Monroe - OPEN
302 - Elon - Marita Taylor, Mary Truitt, Chuck Tanner
303 - Plsnt View - Curtis Johnson
401 - Amelon - Robert Perry, Jason Fleshman, OPEN
402 - Lonco - Francis Wayne
501 - Madison Hts - Jeff Price, Dan Hughes, Allen Freeman
OFFICERS:
Chair: Dave Burford
Vice Chair / Treasurer: Skipper Fitts
Information Officer: Alix Ingber
Amelon Virginia News
If you are reading this, Thank You from ACVDN
See You Every Month Starting in March
Amherst supervisors: Board meeting violated FOIA
The Amherst County Board of Supervisors violated the Freedom of Information Act by holding a meeting Monday that was not advertised, or posted, during which they interviewed candidates to fill a vacant board seat, officials said Tuesday.
“We had board interviews yesterday,” said the board chairwoman, Claudia Tucker. “It came to my attention this morning that we did not give notice.”
The Monday meeting was held to interview candidates for the post of former District 4 Supervisor Ray Vandall (Madison Heights), who quit effective Dec. 31. The interim supervisor would serve until the Nov. 8 general election.
The four candidates are: David Pugh Jr., a former pro football player; Jacob Swinton, of the Old Dominion Job Corps; Juanita Roberson, a 32-year data processing industry veteran; and former Supervisor Richard Harper.
Lee Lintecum, the county administrator, said Tuesday that the Monday night interviews occurred as a continuation of a previous meeting in January and that the county did not advertise or post a notice of the meeting.
“Should we have?” Tucker asked.
“Yes,” Lintecum responded.
“It was a mistake, and as chairman, I take responsibility for it,” Tucker said, apologizing to the public and to the four candidates.
She asked other board members if the meeting should be held again.
“I’m not so sure the citizens were treated fairly,” said District 1 Supervisor Don Kidd (Amherst).
“A violation has occurred here,” said Ellen Bowyer, the county attorney. “I think you should have another meeting.”
“It’s unfortunate that it happened, but we need to make it right,” Kidd said.
Board members decided to have another meeting to talk with the candidates at 6 p.m. Feb. 7 and to advertise the meeting and to post notices before the end of the board’s meeting Tuesday.
“FOIA is what democracy is based on, it’s not anything we’re taking lightly, here,” Tucker said. Kidd also asked that Lintecum send an apology to the state FOIA Council.
The board must act quickly because it has 45 days after Vandall’s resignation to fill the post, or it could be filled by a Circuit Court judge. The 45-day deadline is Feb. 14.
Lets look at some background.
The sudden resignation in May 2010 of former Board of Supervisors Chairman Chris Adams surprised residents, as did the unforeseen resignation of Supervisor Ray Vandall (Dec 2010). Both cited personal reasons.
These regsinations broke up the trio referred to as the 3 Stoogies leaving Donnie Kidd as the most senior board member. The Trio was responsible for terminating the old county administrator Rodney Taylor and the coumty attorney Vaden Hunt.
The hiring of a new administrator last year, Lee Lintecum, a seasoned manager, and county attorney Ellen Bowyer came at a
time when board members focused on civility as well as watching how they spend every penny (other than the extra money required to hire the new administrator). And now for personal reasons
the Trio is no more.
Earlier The District 3 position in the Amherst County Board of Supervisors was filled by Robert Curd after Chris Adams resigned. Mr. Curd, a hard core republican, will fill the remainder of former board chairman Chris Adams’ term, which is set to expire in November 2011. He was unanimously appointed by the board in June to fill the District 3 seat until an election could be held. So in November the District 1 , 3 and 4 seats will be on the ballot.
UPDATE on Supervisors
The Amherst County Board of Supervisors unanimously picked an interim supervisor Monday night, Juanita Roberson, to fill the District 4 seat (Madison Heights) until the Nov. 8 general election.
She was one of four candidates for the seat, which was vacated by Ray Vandall as of Dec. 31.
“I am hopeful that the skills that I have and the experiences I have can be beneficial in addressing some of the issues the county is facing,” Roberson said. “I’m a budget person.”
Roberson was selected on the supervisors’ first vote. She was to be sworn in Tuesday.
The three candidates who appeared for interviews Monday night indicated they would run in November. Besides Roberson, David W. Pugh Jr. and Richard Harper, a former supervisor, said they would run in November. A fourth candidate, Jacob Swinton, could not attend the Monday meeting.
The vote followed a Jan. 31 meeting that was not advertised or posted, which the board decided violated the state Freedom of Information Act. Board members decided to hold the meeting again to give the public a chance to listen or comment.
“Openness and transparency in government is one of the things I ran on,” Tucker said. The board now will have checks in the system to prevent a similar occurrence, Tucker said.
The board had to move quickly to choose an interim supervisor because it had 45 days after Vandall’s resignation to fill it. Otherwise, a Circuit Court judge could have made the decision.
James River Virginia News
To: Amherst County Democrats from The Virginia Sheriffs' Institute
Right now, the Virginia Sheriffs' Institute (VSA) is urging state lawmakers to pass several key bills now pending in the Virginia General Assembly that would dramatically improve the ability of our state's law enforcement officers to perform their jobs and enhance the safety and security of our communities.
Legislators will not act unless they know constituents like you strongly support these proposals. That's why I urge you to call your Virginia state legislators and ask them to pass the following proposed measures:
SB870 would provide for the establishment of a Blue Alert Program to be administered by the Department of State Police when a suspect for a crime involving the death or serious injury of a law enforcement officer has not been apprehended and is a serious threat to the public or when a law enforcement officer is missing while in the line of duty under suspicious circumstances.
HB1434 creates a new category for synthetic marijuana as a series of controlled substances; punishment for possession and distribution of synthetic marijuana is largely in accord with the provisions for actual marijuana.
SB1227 allows Sheriffs who operate correctional facilities to use an electronic visitation system or electronic messaging system.
As you know, VSA is your advocate in the Virginia General Assembly fighting for tough laws that will keep you and your family safe. So to ensure we have the resources we need to continue this critical effort to promote the public safety interests of your community, please consider making a contribution to VSA today.
And if you have any specific questions or concerns, as always, please contact us by calling 804-225-7152 or email vsavsi@virginiasheriffs.org.
Thank you once again for your continued strong support.
Sincerely,
John W. Jones
Executive Director
The Virginia Sheriffs’ Institute (VSA) gives a voice to Virginia Sheriffs and Deputies. Working on many levels and in cooperation with the various segments of the criminal justice system and state government, VSA guarantees unfailing representation for sheriffs and deputies throughout the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Rocky Hill Virginia News
Sheriff L.J. Ayers III
ACVDN Salutes Sheriff L.J. Ayers III, one of Amherst Counties own. Locally folks call him Jimmy and know he embodies INTEGRITY, COURAGE, COMPASSION, AND PROFESSIONALISM.
Jimmy was sworn in as Sheriff on January 1st, 1996. Sheriff Ayers has built his administration with a strong emphasis on integrity and community service. He has shown over the years that he holds his deputies to the same standards as he holds himself to.
Demonstrating his strong commitment to the citizens of Amherst County, Sheriff Ayers has implemented several programs to address community issues and concerns. In 1999 using grant money he instituted the School Resource Officer (SRO) program in the High School. Since then this program has grown to include an SRO in each of the two middle schools and the alternative school. In 1997, by the creation of the Crime Prevention Unit, Sheriff Ayers has offered the citizens of Amherst tips on how not to become a victim and how to make their homes and businesses crime resistant.
In 2000, Sheriff Ayers saw a burgeoning need to supplement the volunteer rescue squad system and help in its preservation. The Sheriff's Office applied to the Office of Emergency Medical Services and was granted a license to operate as a non-transport
Emergency Medical Services agency. The first law enforcement agency in Virginia to do so. This program has been credited with saving numerous lives.
A native of Amherst County, Sheriff Ayers has dedicated his life to making it a safer and better place for all to live. Joining the Sheriff's Office in 1985 he started as a corrections officer in the "old jail"'. Over the next ten years he worked his way up to Field Operations Sergeant, deciding in 1995 to run for Sheriff.
Republicans Attempt Repeal of Health Care
A Republican drive to repeal the year-old health care law ended in party-line defeat in the Senate on Wednesday, leaving the Supreme Court to render a final, unpredictable verdict on an issue steeped in political and constitutional controversy. The vote was 47-51.
Moments earlier, the Senate had agreed to make one relatively minor change in the law, voting to strip out a paperwork requirement for businesses.
President Barack Obama, who has vowed to veto any total repeal of his signature legislative accomplishment, has said he would accept the change. It does not directly affect health care.
Republicans conceded in advance their attempt at total repeal would fall short. But they also said they had accomplished an objective of forcing rank and file Democrats to take a position on an issue that reverberated in the 2010 campaign and may play a role in 2012.
Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said the vote marked an opportunity for Democrats who voted for the bill last year "to listen to those who have desperately been trying to get your attention."
"To say, yes, maybe my vote for this bill was a mistake, and that we can do better," McConnell said.
Democrats worked to minimize any political repercussions, a concern for a party already acutely aware it must defend 23
seats – and its shrunken Senate majority – in the 2012 elections.
Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said the Republican repeal movement would "take away a child's right to get health insurance and instead give insurance companies the right to use asthma or diabetes as an excuse to take away that care."
"It would kick kids off their parents' health insurance," Reid said. "It would take away seniors' rights to a free wellness check."
Democrats also countered with the proposed repeal of the law's requirement that businesses, charities, and state and local governments file income tax forms every time they purchase $600 or more in goods.
It was approved 81-17, after Republicans pointed out it had originally been their idea.
Across the street from the Capitol, Democrats convened a Judiciary Committee hearing to solicit testimony on the constitutionality of the law they passed and Obama signed months ago.
"Many who argue the Affordable Care Act is unconstitutional are the same people who condemn judicial activism," said Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., who presided. "They are pushing the Supreme Court to strike down this law because they could not defeat it in Congress."
Republicans were scathing in response.
"The sensible process would have been to have . held a hearing on the law's constitutionality before the bill passed, not after," said Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa. "Like Alice in Wonderland, sentence first, verdict afterward."
Two federal judges have ruled the law is unconstitutional, partially or in its entirety, citing a requirement for individuals to purchase coverage and pay a penalty in taxes if they fail to do so. Two other judges have upheld the law.
The controversy has yet to reach the Supreme Court, but it is widely expected to, and Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., announced he would file legislation urging the justices to act quickly.
The maneuvering occurred around a law as ambitious as any in recent years, and as controversial. According to the Congressional Budget Office, it would expand coverage to tens of millions who lack it, crack down on insurance industry abuses and cut federal budget deficits. At its core, the bill would require most Americans to purchase insurance, a so-called individual mandate that has become one of the principal points of opposition among Republicans and the tea party activists who propelled them to gains last fall.
The bill's critics argue the law gave government too large a role in the health care system, will harm Medicare and raises taxes and fees that will burden the economy. They also sharply dispute the CBO estimate that deficits will fall once the bill takes effect, arguing that the forecasts rest on spending cuts to Medicare and other programs that will not materialize.
Either way, the day's events shaped up as the latest maneuvering in a struggle that has spanned more than two years.
Republicans said a proposal by Sen. Debbie Stabenow, D-Mich., to eliminate the reporting requirement to the Internal Revenue Service was legislative pilferage, noting that Sen. Mike Johanns, R-Neb., filed a bill to that effect last year.
The measure calls for $44 billion in spending cuts to offset the revenue loss from the change, but unlike Johanns' earlier measure, Stabenow's specifies that none of the funds can come from Social Security.
Under federal law, Social Security benefits are generally guaranteed. As a result, the provision Stabenow advanced
assures merely that no administrative costs can be cut at the agency.
No similar protection was included for the agency that oversees Medicare.
The House approved legislation repealing the health care law last month on a party-line vote, ignoring a veto threat from Obama and Reid's blunt statement the bill would never see the light of day in the Senate. McConnell responded quickly that he would look for an opportunity to force a vote.
All 47 Republicans voted to repeal the law, but no Democrat joined them.
At a news conference shortly after the vote, Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, the chairman of the party's campaign committee, said the vote marked the "first steps in a long road that will culminate in 2012 whereby we will expose the flaws and the weaknesses in this legislation."
The law that passed a year ago had the support of 58 Democrats and two independents aligned with them. All 40 Republicans voted against it.
Democratic ranks have been thinned since then, and their current majority is 53-47.
Of those 53 seats, 23 are on the ballot in 2012, including several that Republicans are targeting. One on the list, Sen. Ben Nelson of Nebraska, said in advance he would oppose the Republican repeal proposal.
"There are a lot of good parts in the bill and some that I will work to improve," Nelson told reporters in his home state. "The repealers already have health care. But they're ready, willing and eager to take it away from hundreds of thousands of Nebraskans."
ACVDN Botom Line. Now that Republicans have tried a repeal vote maby they can settle down and start working on Jobs-Jobs-Jobs and quit wasting time.
There will be health care of some kind for all Americans and that is good. That Republicans are always tearing down and destroying things is sick. Now is the time to go to work on solving the problems of the country. The Supreme Court will resolve the health care bill. I hope the lesson has been learned, elect enough Republicans and the system freezes. Elect a few more and the system falls apart. Republicans are the enemy within. Republicans will destroy the USA and its high time someone said it out loud.
ReplyDeleteThe board of supervisors is kicking up their heels again but a least this time they aren't terminating county employees. The old supervisors are dropping like flies and as soon as Donnie Kidd bites the dust there will be a clean sweep of the old problems.
ReplyDelete