Thursday, December 18, 2014

DUI - What To Do If Stopped For DUI




We do not fully agree with this guy, but his initial advice is good.  Now let's look at some other areas as well.




Now there are some supposed gimmicks to beating a breathalyzer, one being peanut butter and another being vinegar and the last one being put a penny in your mouth.  These do not beat a blood test.  Now are blood tests legal?  Well, even though you may be told they are, chances are pretty good they are not.  Blood tests can be used legally against government employees, government contracting employees and citizens.  They are not legal against the people however.

  I would not want to bet on taking a breathalyzer using any of the above methods and would not take that test anyway for the obvious stated reasons.  Best way to avoid a DUI is not drink and drive in the first place.  Innocent people will get into trouble here though and this is why we are putting up this information as well as the fact that people do need to know your rights.  With the holidays being in full blast, police stops are far more frequent and what we consider illegal road blocks by policing agencies, more people will have their rights violated.

  No one has ever been able to show that the police have a right to create random road blocks and question any person who comes toward them.  They have the guns however, so you must exercise your rights with caution.  Know what you can do and keep yourself safe as well as them.

Don't Talk To Police: Know Your Rights





Straight from Virginia Beach, you have to love these folks.  This is a law university professor speaking to his students and has a special investigator with him, giving equal time, and they both agree, never talk to the cops.  Plead the 5th at all times no matter what the circumstances.  Why?  Anything you say can be twisted and used against you.  You are never required at any time to testify against yourself which also includes giving your name or ID to the police, even during a traffic stop.

  Now we know this is going to anger law enforcement, but it goes to show, we do have rights and even Judges are now agreeing with this information.

  It is not our intention to give law enforcement a headache, these folks are out there doing a very tough job.  Many of these folks would risk their lives to try and save yours.  That deserves a lot of respect.  I do not envy anyone in law enforcement these days as they are being taught that the people are the enemy and how to prey on the people, taking away the rights of the people.

  Don't fight with them.  Don't give away your rights either.  Try to keep the conversation as calm as possible for both your safety and theirs.  They are only trying to do their job, but their training is pitted against you.  It isn't their fault.
They are playing Judge Dredd and they are holding court with you on the spot, but that is what they are told they must do.  So you must know your rights and how to handle the situation.   Should you get arrested, we will cover that in later segments on this site.  We will show you how to fight back there as well.

Governor McAuliffe Announces New Work Readiness Modules Offered Through SkillsOnline

~ Modules to help workers get training to succeed in 21st century Virginia economy~ 

Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today the public launch of the new work readiness modules offered through SkillsOnline at a meeting hosted by the Peninsula Council for Workforce Development. Working with subject matter experts, WHRO is using instructional and online course development expertise to create the first five of 21 work readiness courses identified by the University of Virginia’s Weldon Cooper Center for Public Service as those needed by employees for career entry and advancement.  They include: (1) Applied Mathematics, (2) Reading for Information, (3) Locating Information, (4) Internet Use and Safety-Digital Citizenship, and (5) Understanding Health, Wellness and Safety.  These courses will be available through SkillsOnline and other venues free of charge by spring of 2015. These modules are partially funded by grants from the Hampton Roads’ Community Foundation and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting through the American Graduate program. Additional funding is being sought from foundations and other private sources to produce the remaining courses and collateral materials.

Speaking about today’s announcement, Governor McAuliffe said, “Workforce development is a key component for creating a new Virginia economy.  The work readiness modules are an example of the public-private partnership that is increasing access for Virginians to workforce training, will help employers put more Virginians to work, and will provide no-cost resources for educators and local government training providers.”

WHRO intends to make these career readiness modules freely available to every Workforce Investment Board, social services agency, K-12 school, community college, and employer in the Commonwealth to use in an instructor-led blended learning environment. Additionally, course content will be distributed through eMediaVa(SM), which WHRO operates through a contract with the Virginia Department of Education and serves more than 145,000 Virginia teachers in public, private and home schools across the state.

“Talent development is critical for catalyzing economic growth in the Commonwealth,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Maurice Jones.  “WHRO’s career readiness modules are an important tool for students of all ages to get access to the skills they need to succeed in careers of the 21st century.”

In partnership with four southeastern Virginia community colleges, including Thomas Nelson Community College, Paul D. Camp Community College, Eastern Shore Community College and Rappahannock Community College, the work readiness modules will be offered primarily through the new SkillsOnline portal created by WHRO. SkillsOnline is WHRO’s new professional development and workforce training portal that offers nearly 3,500 courses that are affordably priced in 19 different industry categories. 

“WHRO Public Media is experienced in creating engaging online learning courses currently used by pre-K to grade 12 teachers and students across Virginia for free, funded by the Virginia Department of Education,” said Bert Schmidt, President and CEO of WHRO. “We are a non-profit organization owned by the 19 school divisions of southeastern Virginia and use our broadcast and production facilities to create engaging modules which capture and hold the attention of today’s online media savvy students.”

Governor McAuliffe’s Statement on Board of Health Regulatory Action Vote

RICHMOND - Governor Terry McAuliffe released the following statement today after the Virginia Board of Health voted to adopt a Notice of Intended Regulatory Action to review regulations on Virginia women’s health clinics:

“I would like to commend the Board of Health for adopting the Notice of Intended Regulatory Action, which will begin the review process of the 2013 regulations on women's health clinics across Virginia. These clinics provide essential preventive care and cancer screenings to many women and families and unfortunately were facing closure due to onerous regulations that were the result of politics being inserted into the regulatory process.

“In May, I asked my Commissioner of Health, Dr. Marissa Levine, to evaluate the 2013 regulations with the primary goals of ensuring that all Virginians have access to the quality healthcare they need and deserve and protecting women's rights to make their own healthcare decisions.

Dr. Levine in October informed me that the existing regulations should in fact be amended to be aligned more accurately with medical practices, and today the Board of Health agreed with her recommendation. I am encouraged that the Board of Health has adopted this action and that the health and welfare of all Virginians will continue to be the Commonwealth's top concern.”

Governor McAuliffe Announces New Virginia Economy Bioscience Initiative

~ Kicks off roundtable on commercialization of university bioscience research with special guest, MIT Professor Robert Langer ~

RICHMOND – Governor Terry McAuliffe today announced a Virginia Bioscience Initiative, kicking off the effort with a public and private sector roundtable discussion on the commercialization of university bioscience research at the State Capitol.  University representatives and bio industry leaders joined the Governor, members of his administration and renowned Massachusetts Institute of Technology Professor Dr. Robert S. Langer for this discussion.
Speaking at today’s announcement, Governor McAuliffe stated, “The bioscience industry in Virginia is strong, and can be even stronger with this focused initiative.  Our charge today is to use the Commonwealth’s extensive assets, including our excellent research universities and world class businesses, to catalyze the growth of this strategic sector and the new Virginia economy.”
Governor McAuliffe’s initiative will be a collaborative, multi-year effort involving several secretariats, state agencies, higher education, private sector research enterprises and businesses throughout the Commonwealth.  Today’s announcement is the first step in this journey to build strategic momentum in this critical sector.  Initial focus areas include elevating the profile of the Virginia bioscience industry, enhancing incentives for bioscience businesses, leveraging existing assets into new opportunities, assuring an outstanding bioscience workforce, and promoting commercialization of university research.
The Governor’s Bioscience Initiative will focus on six core goals:
1.                 Elevate the profile of the industry within and outside the state, communicate the state’s focused commitment, and challenge the industry to reach its potential.

2.                 Expand on strategies that support entrepreneurship, innovation, collaboration, and business development, and prioritize funding of commercialization programs.

3.                 Capitalize on our strengths to leverage extramural funding, launch new businesses, recruit investment, and create high paying jobs by focusing on areas of competitive research and industry advantage and creating synergies with Virginia’s world class IT sector through big data.

4.                 Establish a Virginia Ag Bio Initiative with a Virginia Ag Bio Advisory Committee to harness and grow industries that utilize bioscience for producing food and fuel.

5.                 Identify workforce development initiatives that align with Virginia bioscience industry needs.

6.                 Lead the nation in the ease of commercializing translational research from public universities and getting innovation to the patient’s bedside faster.
Virginia enjoys a diverse and highly educated, technical workforce, a strong private investment community, strong research universities, an entrepreneurial and business friendly environment, and proximity to both the nation’s capital and key resources, all of which will allow the bioscience industry in the Commonwealth to become a leading pillar of the new Virginia economy.  Further, fifty percent of all research done by Virginia universities is in the biosciences. Virginia has tremendous resources in its research universities, including extraordinary research which can spark and sustain bioscience economic activity, but the interface between universities and industries will garner more attention and improvement from this statewide effort.   
Professor Langer, who serves as the distinguished David H. Koch Institute Professor at MIT, said today, “I applaud Governor McAuliffe for recognizing the importance of the bioscience field to the economic future of Virginia.  Many researchers, entrepreneurs and policy makers have worked hard to put Virginia in the strong position it is in today.  Innovative and important research is being conducted and commercialized all over the state and the potential is there for Virginia to become even more of a leader in this industry.”
According to a 2014 Battelle Bio study, Virginia’s biotechnology industry is thriving, with more than 26,500 industry jobs that spanned 1,451 business establishments in 2012.  The same study shows Virginia enjoyed double-digit employment gains from 2007 – 2012 in the agricultural feedstock and chemicals subsector, which involves industries that utilize biochemistry and biotechnology for producing everything from food to fuel.  Building on these strengths with cutting edge research at our universities, including land-grant universities and the statewide agricultural extension network, presents an opportunity for Virginia to continue growth in this sector.  Therefore, part of today’s announcement also includes the commencement of a Virginia Agriculture Biotechnology Initiative.

(So now the governor is raiding the universities in an effort to take away human resources for the gain of others?  Isn't that nice.)

Governor McAuliffe appoints Senator Mary Margaret Whipple to the Virginia Board of Health

Richmond – Today Governor McAuliffe appointed former Senator Mary Margaret Whipple to the Virginia Board of Health. Senator Whipple is currently employed as the Regional Director for Community and Member Outreach for the Virginia Hospital and Healthcare Association. Senator Whipple will fill the seat vacated by Eric Deaton, who resigned his seat on the board in order to take a position outside of Virginia.

Senator Mary Margaret Whipple, Virginia Board Health

Mary Margaret Whipple represented the 31st District in the Virginia State Senate from 1996 until her retirement in 2012. She chaired the Senate Rules Committee and, as Chair of the Senate Democratic Caucus, was the first woman ever to hold a leadership position in the Virginia General Assembly. In the Senate she served on several standing committees, including the Finance committee, as well as legislative commissions including the Virginia Housing Commission. While in the Senate, she was both a member and chair of the National Conference of State Legislatures’ Committee on the Environment. As a member of the Arlington County Board (1983–1995), she worked on transportation issues and served on the WMATA Board of Directors. A former instructor at Northern Virginia Community College, Mrs. Whipple was appointed to the Arlington County School Board in 1976, and was Chair in 1978. She is currently President of the Alliance for Housing Solutions; vice chair of the Virginia Women’s Monument Commission and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Arlington Community Foundation.

Governor McAuliffe Announces 25 New Jobs in Warren County


~ Nature’s Touch Frozen Foods to invest $1.8 million in first Virginia operation ~

RICHMOND - Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today that Canada-based Nature’s Touch Frozen Foods will invest $1.8 million to establish its first Virginia operation in Warren County. The company, which established its first U.S. entity in Vermont in 2009, imports the highest quality of fruits and vegetables and assembles and distributes them across the U.S. The project will create 25 new jobs.

Speaking about today’s announcement, Governor McAuliffe said, “Attracting new businesses to Virginia is essential to building a new Virginia economy, and we are thrilled to add Nature’s Touch Frozen Foods to the roster of more than 750 internationally-based companies that call the Commonwealth home. With close proximity to the Virginia Inland Port, Warren County offers ideal logistics to this company expanding its footprint in the U.S. market and distributing its project across the nation. Global companies continue to choose Virginia for our world-class business environment, high-quality workforce and transportation infrastructure, and we will continue to leverage our outstanding assets.”

“Today we welcome another international company to Virginia,” said Maurice Jones, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade. “Nature’s Touch Frozen Foods is a well-established, growing company that will continue to expand in the U.S. in order to serve increasing demand for its high-quality product in the marketplace. We look forward to the company’s success in Warren County.”

Nature’s Touch was founded in 2004 with a vision to change the way consumers looked at frozen fruit. The company packed its first order from a small rented room in a warehouse in 2005, and, in less than 10 years, has won the private label frozen fruit accounts of all major grocery chains in Canada. The goal of Nature’s Touch is to provide the highest quality frozen fruit and vegetables at a competitive price and give consumers a consistent quality experience.

“The choice of Virginia was made easy for Nature's Touch Frozen Foods,” said Theo Prokos, Director, Nature's Touch Frozen Foods. “The welcome and cooperation of the Virginia Economic Development Partnership to identify potential locations and promote the benefits of Virginia, coupled with the efforts of Front Royal and the Warren County Economic Development Authority, helped us find Interchange Port Services. The combination of close proximity to a sea port and easy access to major highways was tough to beat. In our case, the state authorities ensured that Virginia was the Best State for Business.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Warren County, the Warren County Economic Development Authority (EDA), and the Interchange of Front Royal to secure the project for Virginia. The company is eligible to participate in the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development.Funding and services to support the company’s employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.

“The EDA is pleased to have Nature’s Touch become part of our business community,” said Patricia S. Wines, Warren County EDA Chairman. “We value each business that chooses Warren County as their place of business as we know they have many options to choose from, and we look forward to their success in our community.”

(Please note:  The governor is doing everything he can to make sure small business has no chance in his new Virginia economy and he is pulling every trick he can to make sure this is the case.)



Governor McAuliffe Signs Executive Order Protecting Virginia’s Coastal Resources

Today Governor Terry McAuliffe signed an Executive Order continuing the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program, a network of Virginia state agencies and local governments designed to protect the natural and economic assets located within Virginia’s coastal regions.

“From protecting the wildlife and fisheries of the Chesapeake Bay to meeting the threat of sea level rise, Virginia has a responsibility to protect our coastal areas and the vital natural and economic resources they offer,” said Governor McAuliffe. “The Coastal Zone Management Program is a critical framework for our Commonwealth’s stewardship of these important assets, and I intend to give it the full support of my administration.”

U.S. Representative Robert Wittman continued, “For over 25 years Virginia’s Coastal Zone Management Program has helped coordinate the Commonwealth’s efforts to protect  and restore coastal communities and natural resources. Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay, wetlands, and beaches are national treasures; these efforts to enhance coastal communities and ecosystems benefit us all.”

Below is the full text of the executive order:

NUMBER THIRTY FIVE (2014)

CONTINUATION OF THE VIRGINIA
COASTAL ZONE MANAGEMENT PROGRAM

Importance of the Initiative
           
            The Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program's (“Program”) mission is to create more vital and sustainable coastal communities and ecosystems. The Department of Environmental Quality will serve as the lead agency for this networked program and will be responsible for allocation and assignment of all federal funds received for the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program Implementation Grant.

            By virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor under Article V of the Constitution of Virginia and under the laws of the Commonwealth, including but not limited to Sections 2.2-103 and 2.2-104 of the Code of Virginia, and subject to my continuing and ultimate authority and responsibility to act in such matters, I hereby continue the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program.

POLICY GOALS

            State agencies having responsibility for the Commonwealth's coastal resources shall promote the Coastal Zone Management Program consistent with the following goals:

Coastal and Ocean Resource Protection

            Goal 1: To protect and restore coastal and ocean resources, habitats, and species of the Commonwealth. These include, but are not limited to, wetlands, subaqueous lands and vegetation, beaches, sand dune systems, barrier islands, underwater or maritime cultural resources, riparian forested buffers, and endangered or threatened species.

            Goal 2: To restore and maintain the quality of all coastal and ocean waters for human and ecosystem health through protection from adverse effects of excess nutrients, toxics, pathogens, and sedimentation.

            Goal 3: To protect air quality.

            Goal 4: To reduce or prevent losses of coastal habitat, life, and property caused by shoreline erosion, storms, relative sea level rise, and other coastal hazards in a manner that balances environmental and economic considerations.

Coastal and Ocean Resource Sustainable Use

            Goal 5: To provide for sustainable wild fisheries and aquaculture.

            Goal 6: To promote sustainable ecotourism and to increase and improve public access to coastal waters and shorefront lands compatible with resource protection goals.

            Goal 7: To promote renewable energy production and provide for appropriate extraction of energy and mineral resources consistent with proper environmental practices.

Coastal and Ocean Management Coordination

            Goal 8: To ensure sustainable development on coastal lands and support access for water-dependent development through effective coordination of governmental planning processes.

            Goal 9: To avoid and minimize coastal and ocean resource use conflicts through research, planning, and a forum for coordination and facilitation among local, regional, state, and federal government agencies, interest groups, and citizens.

            Goal 10: To promote informed decision-making by maximizing the availability of up-to-date educational information, technical advice, and scientific data including the use of new tools such as marine spatial planning.

IMPLEMENTATION AND ENFORCEMENT

            The following agencies, in cooperation with local governments, as appropriate, shall have primary responsibility for implementing the enforceable policies of Virginia's Coastal Zone Management Program as approved by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration:

Responsible Agency and Enforceable Policies

Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
Point source water pollution management and nontidal wetlands management
Air pollution
Nonpoint source pollution management
Coastal lands management

Marine Resources Commission (MRC)
            Primary sand dunes management
            Tidal wetlands management
            Subaqueous lands management
            Fisheries management (shared with DGIF)


Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (DGIF)
Fisheries management (shared with MRC)

Department of Health
Shoreline sanitation

The following agencies are responsible for assisting with the program:

Department of Conservation & Recreation
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Department of Forestry
Department of Historic Resources
Department of Mines, Minerals & Energy
Department of Transportation
Virginia Economic Development Partnership
Virginia Institute of Marine Science
Virginia Department of Emergency Management

            In addition, other agencies that conduct activities that may affect coastal resources shall conduct such activities in a manner consistent with and supportive of Virginia's Coastal Zone Management Program. For purposes of this Program, the Coastal Area shall mean Tidewater Virginia as defined in Section 28.2-100 of the Code of Virginia, inclusive of all tidal waters out to the three nautical mile Territorial Sea Boundary.

            The Director of the Department of Environmental Quality shall monitor all state actions that affect coastal resources. When, in the judgment of the DEQ Director, a state agency, regulatory board, or commission is about to act in a manner that appears to be inconsistent with the Program or has established a pattern of actions that appears to be inconsistent with the Program, the Director shall discuss the situation with the head of such agency, board, or commission to determine if a consistency problem exists.

            If, after discussion, the head of such agency, board, or commission and the Director of DEQ are in disagreement about the existence of a consistency problem, the Director will inform the Secretary of Natural Resources of the disagreement. The Secretary shall then determine if a state interagency consistency problem exists.

            If the head of such agency, board, or commission and the Director of DEQ agree that a consistency problem exists, they shall attempt to resolve the problem. If they cannot resolve the problem, the Director shall advise the Secretary that an unresolved interagency consistency problem exists.

            Upon notification of the existence of an unresolved consistency problem, the Secretary shall review the problem, determine how it should best be resolved, and affect such resolution within the Secretariat of Natural Resources or consult with other Cabinet Secretaries to resolve a consistency problem with agencies, boards, or commissions not within the Secretariat of Natural Resources. If unable to resolve the problem, the Secretary shall report to the Governor and recommend appropriate action. The Governor shall have the ultimate responsibility for resolving any interagency consistency problem that cannot be resolved by the Secretary of Natural Resources.

            Any person having authority to resolve consistency problems under the terms of this Executive Order shall resolve those problems in a manner that furthers the goals and objectives of the Program as set forth above and in accordance with existing state law, regulations, and administrative procedures.

Effective Date of the Executive Order

            This Executive Order rescinds Executive Order No. 18 (2010), issued by Governor Robert F. McDonnell. This Executive Order shall be effective upon its signing and shall remain in full force and effect until June 30, 2018, unless amended or rescinded by further executive order.

            Given under my hand and under the Seal of the Commonwealth of Virginia on this 2nd day of December, 2014.





____________________________________________
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Terence R. McAuliffe, Governor







Attest:

____________________________________
           Secretary of the Commonwealth


(Please note:  This only applies to government entities and those who contract with the government.  Not one area of this applies to the people or to any businesses, unless they contract with the government.  With that said, who cares?)