Gloucester, VA Board of Supervisors Meeting, Notes, Report Card For September, 2014

Notes for citizen comment during the Sept 2, 2014 Gloucester County Board of Supervisor meeting. (This is not an exact transcript of what was said but the notes used to make comments)

Chairman Orth, members of the Board, Ms. Garton, Mr. Wilmot

Wayne Crews

Gloucester Point District

During the July BOS meeting I told you in my opinion there are five things to do to fix the problem in the county.

1.  Supervisor Integrity.

2.  Hold Department Heads to high standards.

3.  Stop personal use of government vehicles.

4.  Be good stewards of the resources.

5.  Bring County Ordinances into compliance with Virginia Code. 

Tonight I want to talk to you about two items.

First about being good stewards of resources.  The board has no problems spending money as you just showed with the consent agenda spending about $300K of taxpayers money on lights for a new park.  I have no issues with this [funds were donated].  Who will pay for the use of these lights?

Why are we not maintaining existing facilities?  For example: at Gloucester Point Beach the fences around the sand dunes are in poor shape and look bad.  The gazebo has peeling paint and graffiti that needs to be cleaned and painted.  Not to pick on parks and Rec.  The County garage on Rt 17 across from Providence Road is in need of a coat of paint at a minimum.  The Public Utilities facility is a disgrace and does not have functioning water and sewage.  These are just a few examples of things we need to maintain before buying new and expanding.

My second item is County Ordinance.  It appears to me it is too much to expect our County Attorney and Administrator and staffs to stay current with Virginia Code.  We get notices in the newspapers in June so we know what has changed.  We have to obey these new laws when they come into effect each July.  Why is it at the Sept BOS meeting there are no changes to County Code being discussed?  Also, it appears they have no issues writing ordinances that could endanger Animal Control Officers while enforcing Ordinances that are not in compliance with Virginia Code.

How to Fix This?

Here is what you need to do:

1.  Integrity at the Board of Supervisors level.

Quit voting for things that benefit you over the county.

2.  Hold Department Heads and Supervisors to high standards and get rid of them when they break the rules.  You cannot hold lower level employees to high standards if they are not practiced at the higher levels.

3.  Fire employees on the spot if they use vehicles for personal business, except in the case of an emergency and the employee better contact the supervisors before the supervisor contacts them.  No shopping, banking, and fast food restaurants in county vehicles.  If trash is found in the vehicle from these places the employee needs to receive the same punishment.

4.  Quit wasting taxpayers money.  The Board of Supervisions and all county employees need to be good stewards of the resources.

5.  Bring County Ordinances into compliance with Virginia Code.  Mr. Wilmot can help you with this if not consider hiring a competent county attorney.

Thank you.

This is presented as notes used during the citizen comment period during the Sept 2, 2014 Gloucester County Board of Supervisors meeting and not as a transcript of the actual talk.  To get transcript please see the BOS video or County minutes.

Submitted by Wayne Crews

P.S.  It was interesting to see Mr. Chriscoe's reaction when he heard he just voted to spend money in the consent agenda as well as finding out how much of a socialist he is by his positions during the meeting.

BOS Report Card

In the July meeting I spoke during the citizen comment period and gave the BOS a list of things they need to do to make Gloucester County "The Land of the Life Worth Living."

Until they fix the items  I think they need to be graded on their progress.  So I will grade them on the five items.  Maybe the School Board needs to be graded on the same items; I would but until they get above a “F” I will not waste my time.  I will keep track so we can present your grade when your next election comes up.

If any of the board members feels the grades are not fair I will consider their appeal.

1. Integrity at the Board of Supervisors level

Quit voting  or things that benefit you over the county.

Overall

D-

D-

Aug 14

Sept

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan 15

Feb

Mar

Apr

Robert Orth

A

D-

Christopher Hutson

F

D-

Ashley Chriscoe

F

D-

Andrew James, Jr.

F

D-

Michael Winebarger

F

D-

John Meyer, Jr.

F

D-

Phillip Bazzani

F

D-

Comment:             Aug - Dr. Orth did not vote for Ernest Lane.  Absent that night.

                        Sep - Why do you think more government intrusion into our lives is better?

2. Hold Department Heads and Supervisors to high standards and get rid of them when they break the rules.  You cannot hold lower level employees to high standards if they are not practiced at the higher levels.

Aug 14

Sept

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan 15

Feb

Mar

Apr

Overall

F

F

Comment:        

Aug - Nothing has been fixed.

            Sept - Allowed department heads and supervisors to get away with not answering your questions.

3. Fire employees on the spot if they use vehicles for personal business, except in the case of an emergency and the employee better contact the supervisors before the supervisor contacts them.  No shopping, banking, and fast food restaurants in county vehicles.  If trash is found in the vehicle from these places the employee needs to receive the same punishment.

Aug 14

Sept

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan 15

Feb

Mar

Apr

Overall

F

D+

Comment:

Sept - Appears employees are not going out to eat, however, they are still finding places to go to not work, cruising the beach.  Many different vehicles, departments cruising not including those that were actually there for work.   One month does not show a fix but it is trending in the correct direction.

4.  Quit wasting taxpayers money.  The Board of Supervisions and all county employees need to be good stewards of the resources.

Overall

D-

Aug 14

Sept

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan 15

Feb

Mar

Apr

Robert Orth

A

F

Christopher Hutson

F

F

Ashley Chriscoe

F

F

Andrew James, Jr.

F

F

Michael Winebarger

F

F

John Meyer, Jr.

F

F

Phillip Bazzani

F

F

Comment:

 Aug - Dr. Orth did not vote for Aberdeen Creek.  Absent that night.

Sept Continuing to make rules that cost taxpayers money.  Government intrusion into property rights.  Taking property from land owners on Rt. 17 without compensation.  Restricting property owners us of their property.

5.  Bring County Ordinances into compliance with Virginia Code.  Mr. Wilmot can help you with this if not consider hiring a competent county attorney.

Aug 14

Sept

Oct

Nov

Dec

Jan 15

Feb

Mar

Apr

Overall

F

F-

Comment: 

Aug – Who told you voting for Ernest Lane was a good idea?

            Sept Mr. Winebarger wanting to add a leash law to a subdivision and people did not want it, but not willing to fix County ordinances.  Increasing liability to the county being sued for illegal laws.

I am a tax payer and you need to held accountable to “We the People”.

I have a voter registration card and know how to use it.

Respectfully submitted by

Wayne Crews

Gloucester Point District

P.S.  Why is it you can all ask tough questions when I come up there and speak but not when I am watching from home?

York Herald, BoS, Gloucester, VA 2014-10 

Related articles

• Gloucester, VA Board of Supervisors Meeting Video, August, 2014 With Notes
• Gloucester, VA Note To The Board of Supervisors, August, 2014
• Gloucester, VA Board of Supervisor's Meeting, Video and Notes, July, 2014
• Gloucester Board of Supervisors Sept 2, 2014 meeting Open Letter to the Citizens of Gloucester County Virginia
• Gloucester, VA Animal Control Breaking And Entering? What About "YOUR" Rights? (Part 4)

Abraham Lincoln Interprets The Constitution

English: Abraham Lincoln, the sixteenth President of the United States.(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Abraham Lincoln Interprets The US Constitution - Free e-Book from Chuck Thompson

Something we ran across and had to put it up for everyone.  An interesting short book.  It's only really about 12 pages and a quick fun read.  You can open it up to full screen by clicking the icon in the bottom right hand corner.  Free downloads are available from our slideshare site.  Enjoy.

Related articles

• Sherlock Holmes Weekend Off
• Old Lessons In Business Correspondence
• Edgar Allen Poe - The Purloined Letter
• Terry And The Pirates - Sunday Comics
• Apis Mellifica or Apis Mel, Homeopathic Remedy
• Abbott and Costello Comics No 21 Sunday Feature

What is the Real Deal About our Economy

By:  Sue Long

Do you have a problem

· when you call a tech or service department agent and can’t understand what they are saying?

· that your income is not keeping up with rising prices?

· with finding goods that have been made and packaged in America?

· although goods cost much more than in the past they are inferior in quality

and don’t last nearly as long?

The trade pact NAFTA has contributed to all of these things. Indeed, it has led to lower wages, job losses, outsourcing, and even a loss of American sovereignty. Trade pacts such as NAFTA are regional arrangements that are foreign governing bodies that take control over not just trade but also regulations that have nothing to do with trade. For example, the proposed Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) has only 5 chapters of the 29 that actually deal with trade.

Is there a precedent? The once sovereign nations in Europe joined the EU (European Union), having been sold on the premise that it would be good for their economy. History has proved otherwise. Today the EU rules supreme at the expense of the individual nation’s sovereignty and their economy is in dire condition – near collapse.

For more information, go to www.thenewamerican.com and type "trade pacts" in the search window.

We can prevent further damage to America by preventing more free trade pacts from being passed. The Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Transatlantic and Investment Partnership are on the launching pad. Our legislators are being lobbied for them now in anticipation of bringing them up for a vote at the most advantageous time – quite possibly during the upcoming lame duck session.

We need to get a commitment now from our legislators that they will vote against these pacts. You can help by contacting your legislators.

++++++++++++++++++++++

Here is a sample letter:

The TPP and TTIP agreements should be opposed because they are detrimental to our economy and would lead to the eventual economic and political integration of the United States with eleven or more Pacific Rim nations and the European Union (EU). The example of how 28 formerly independent European nations lost their national independence through a series of free trade agreements to the new supranational government, the EU, shows
how this would happen for the United States.

Will you commit to vote NO on all such free trade pacts as TPP & TTIP?

Sign it with your name and address
++++++++++++++++++++

Thank you so much for helping !


The Committee for Constitutional Government
Post Office Box 972, Gloucester, VA 23061

Related articles

• Global Research News Hour - NAFTA on Steroids, News Podcast
• Turning the Tide Against Monsanto
• The Constitution and Our Military, By Sue M Long
• Obama Can't Get Dems To Back Horrible Trade Deal
• What is happening in our Public Schools? And can happen in Home-schooling and Private Schools
• Help the UN? By Sue Long

Governor McAuliffe ‘Day to Serve’ Proclamation

, Senator from Massachusetts. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

RICHMOND, VA - Governor McAuliffe released the following proclamation to recognize September 11^th – 28^th, 2014 as a “Day to Serve” in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

 By virtue of the authority vested by the Constitution of Virginia in the Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, there is hereby officially recognized:

DAY TO SERVE

WHEREAS, Virginians are encouraged to make an intentional and united effort to be of service to their communities; and

WHEREAS, the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, approved by Congress and enacted into law on April 21, 2009, designated September 11 to be observed as an annual “National Day of Service and Remembrance”; and

WHEREAS, “Day to Serve” is an annual event that transcends political and religious differences to unite people of all faiths, races, cultures, beliefs, and backgrounds with a shared goal of helping those in need; and

WHEREAS,  between September 11–28, 2014, Virginians are encouraged to make a concerted effort to feed the hungry, clean up neighborhoods, and improve communities by recognizing and participating in “Day to Serve” activities; and

WHEREAS, the Corporation for National and Community Service is celebrating the 20 year anniversary of AmeriCorps through a “Year of Service” that will culminate on September 12, 2014, when all new AmeriCorps members will begin their service; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Office on Volunteerism and Community Service will host its annual Volunteerism and Service Conference on September 11–12, 2014; and 

WHEREAS, on September 11, 2014, numerous service projects throughout Richmond will kick-off Virginia’s “Day to Serve” activities; and

WHEREAS, all citizens, faith groups, businesses, and community organizations are invited to support and participate in efforts to collect food, plant trees, clean up neighborhoods and parks, and address critical needs in their own backyards;

NOW THEREFORE, I, Terence R. McAuliffe, do hereby recognize each day duringSeptember 11–28, 2014, as a DAY TO SERVE in our COMMONWEALTH OF VIRGINIA, and I call this observance to the attention of all our citizens.

Related articles

• Governor McAuliffe Announces June as Business Appreciation Month
• Governor McAuliffe Announces Recipients of the 2014 Governor's Volunteerism and Community Service Awards
• Governor McAuliffe Announces Administration Appointments (People Keep Leaving)
• Governor McAuliffe, Dominion Resources and AGL Resources Announce Economic Benefits of Atlantic Coast Pipeline to Virginia
• Virginia Leaders Tout Economic Benefits of Proposed Atlantic Coast Pipeline
• Governor McAuliffe Taps Richmond Chef Lee Gregory to Represent Virginia at Great American Seafood Cook-off