Governor Bob McDonnell Announces “This Commonwealth of Opportunity” Statewide Tour

English: Governor of Virginia at CPAC in . (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Will Travel Virginia from Bristol to Machipongo to Fairfax

***Tour Highlights Virginia’s Successes During McDonnell Administration***

RICHMOND- Governor Bob McDonnell will embark this Friday on a week-long “This Commonwealth of Opportunity” tour of Virginia. The tour, which begins in Salem and concludes in Leesburg, will highlight Virginia’s successes over the past three and a half years including a falling unemployment rate, rebounding shellfish industry, transportation breakthroughs, open space conservation achievements, increased agricultural exports, and educational innovations to benefit Virginia’s students, teachers and parents. The tour will take the governor, and members of the cabinet, from Virginia’s highest bridge in Buchanan County in the mountains of Southwest Virginia to a vineyard located between the Chesapeake Bay and Atlantic Ocean on the Eastern Shore. Along the way the tour will be stopping everywhere from Civil War battlefields to growing research universities to 21st century technology companies.

            Speaking about the upcoming tour, Governor McDonnell noted, “This is a Commonwealth of Opportunity. Over the past three and a half years, through bipartisan cooperation, Virginia has taken tremendous steps forward. Our unemployment rate has fallen from 7.3% to 5.5% and is the lowest in the Southeast, and far below the national average. Since the beginning of our administration, Virginia has added 172,600 net new jobs. Agricultural exports have reached record highs. At the same time we’ve posted four straight revenue surpluses, more than doubled the state’s Rainy Day Fund, and dramatically reduced the future unfunded liabilities in our pension system. State workers have received their first pay raise in 6 years. We broke a nearly three-decade long standstill on transportation funding to put in place a bold new plan that will pump nearly $6 billion in new revenue into roads and rail around the state over the next five years. We’ve made college more affordable and accessible for Virginia students, and added thousands of new slots for in-state students at our colleges and universities. And our K-12 system is stronger than ever with the implementation of new reforms and policies that will ensure all students get the world-class educations they deserve. In short, the last three and a half years have witnessed significant progress being made in addressing the challenges facing our citizens in their daily lives. Virginia has more jobs; Virginians have more opportunities. I look forward to traveling the state in the days ahead to see some of these successes first-hand, and to learn more about what we can continue to do in Richmond to improve the lives of all Virginians.” 

            A full tour schedule is listed below.

Governor Bob McDonnell’s “This Commonwealth of Opportunity” Statewide Tour

August 9^th – August 15^th

Friday, August 9, 2013

Salem - 1:00 PM

Governor McDonnell Announces Strategic Compensation Grant Recipients

Andrew Lewis Middle School Library

616 South College Avenue

Salem

Roanoke – 2:45 PM

Governor McDonnell Joins Transit Leaders for Announcement about Amtrak Service to Roanoke

Pedestrian Walkway between the Roanoke Convention Center and Hotel Roanoke

710 Williamson Road

Roanoke

Bristol – 5:00 PM

Governor McDonnell Visits the Birthplace of Country Music Museum

520 Cumberland St‎

Bristol

Saturday, August 10, 2013

Bristol – 11:00 AM

Governor McDonnell Tours Wire Tough

14570 Industrial Park Road, Suite C

Bristol

Breaks – 2:30 PM

Governor McDonnell Takes Part in U.S. Route 460 Connector Phase I Project Briefing

Phase I Project Site (off Route 80 adjacent to Breaks Interstate Park)

627 Commission Circle

Breaks

Galax – 5:45 PM

Governor McDonnell attends Old Fiddler's Convention “Poor Man's Supper”

Felt's Park

601 S. Main Street

Galax

Sunday, August 11, 2013

Blackstone –2:30 PM

Governor McDonnell Visits Virginia National Guard Units at Fort Pickett and Tours Facilities

Fort Pickett

Blackstone

Monday, August 12, 2013

Lynchburg –10:00 AM

Governor McDonnell Participates in Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Governor’s STEM Academy

Central Virginia Community College—AREVA Technology Center

3506 Wards Road

Lynchburg

Release: https://www.governor.virginia.gov/news/viewRelease.cfm?id=1472

Lynchburg – 11:30 AM

Governor McDonnell Takes Part in Odd Fellows Road Interchange Project Briefing

VDOT Training Center—Ramey Memorial Auditorium

4303 Campbell Avenue (Rt. 501)

Lynchburg

Release: http://www.governor.virginia.gov/news/viewRelease.cfm?id=1907

Danville –2:15 PM

Governor McDonnell Tours Precision Machining Center at Danville Community College

Danville Community College—Charles R. Hawkins Engineering & Industrial Technologies Building

Boswell Street

Danville

Ringgold - 3:30 PM

Governor McDonnell Participates in Groundbreaking Ceremony for Dan River Plants, LLC

Dan River Industrial Park

2311 Cane Creek Parkway

Ringgold

Release: http://www.governor.virginia.gov/news/viewRelease.cfm?id=1891 

Martinsville – 5:30 PM

Governor McDonnell Hosts Cook Out for State Employees

Virginia Museum of Natural History—Great Hall

21 Starling Avenue

Martinsville

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

Virginia Beach - 10:30 AM

Governor McDonnell Visits Sugar Plum Bakery

1353 Laskin Road

Virginia Beach

Portsmouth – 1:00 PM

Governor McDonnell Participates in Conversation about Virginia’s New Restoration of Rights Policy

Tidewater Community College—Portsmouth Campus Building A

120 Campus Drive

Portsmouth

Release: https://www.governor.virginia.gov/news/viewRelease.cfm?id=1895

Chesapeake – 2:30 PM

Governor McDonnell Makes Major Economic Development Announcement

*Details to be announced closer to event.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Machipongo – 9:00 AM

Governor McDonnell Tours Chatham Vineyards and Winery

9232 Chatham Road

Machipongo

Weems – 11:00 AM
Governor McDonnell Tours Kellum Seafood’s Oyster Harvesting, Shucking and Packing Facility

Kellum Seafood

96 Shipyard Lane

Weems

Fredericksburg – 2:15 PM

Governor McDonnell Tours Intuit and Meets with Employees

110 Juliad Court

Fredericksburg

Woodbridge - 4:15 PM

Governor McDonnell Participates in Roundtable Discussion on Veteran Issues

VFW 1503 Dale City

14631 Minnieville Road

Woodbridge

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Alexandria – 9:30 AM

Governor McDonnell Participates in Roundtable on K-12 Education Reform

*Details to be announced closer to event.

Fairfax – 11:00 AM

Governor McDonnell Discusses Higher Education Policy Reform and the Path Forward

George Mason University

4400 University Drive

Fairfax

Leesburg – 12:30 PM

Governor McDonnell Makes Major Civil War Battleground Preservation Announcement

Ball's Bluff State Park

Leesburg

Governor McDonnell Announces $93.5 Million Investment in Roanoke

English: The state seal of Virginia. Српски / Srpski: Застава америчке савезне државе Вирџиније. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

~Ardagh Group to establish metal packaging manufacturing plant and create 96 new jobs ~

-Project represents largest single manufacturing investment in Roanoke County history-

Virginia beats out 6 states for project

RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that Ardagh Group, a global manufacturer of containers for the food and beverage industry, will invest $93.5 million to establish a metal packaging manufacturing operation in a 525,000-square-foot facility in Roanoke County. Earlier this year Ardagh signed a long-term supply agreement with a major customer, ConAgra, requiring the company to add capacity in the eastern United States. Virginia successfully competed against Kentucky, North Carolina, Maryland, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and Tennessee for the project, which will create 96 new jobs.

            Speaking about today’s announcement, Governor McDonnell said, “This tremendous project represents the largest single manufacturing investment in Roanoke County history and is a major win for Virginia against six competing states. The new manufacturing plant is Ardagh Group’s first operation in the Commonwealth, and will allow the company to easily serve contracts with its expanding global customer base. We thank Ardagh for its significant investment and creation of nearly 100 jobs, and are confident in its future success in Virginia.”

            “An investment of this magnitude and 96 new jobs is outstanding economic news for Roanoke County, the surrounding region and Virginia,” said Jim Cheng, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade. “Ardagh Group was able to purchase a high-quality, existing facility that met its needs and will be a showcase to its worldwide customers. In this competitive market we are proud that global companies like Ardagh continue to recognize the benefits of a Virginia location.”

            Ardagh Group is a Luxembourg-based global leader in metal and glass packaging solutions for the world’s leading food, beverage and consumer brands. The company has more than 100 facilities and 18,000 employees in 25 countries producing 26.6 billion containers a year. U.S. metal packaging operations are based in Carnegie, Pa. In addition to Roanoke, the company has facilities in Bloomsburg, Pa., Weirton, W.Va., Conklin, N.Y., and Terminal Island, Calif.         

            “Our expansion into Roanoke County was the result of evaluating a variety of qualifications, including, but not limited to, the proximity to our major customer, favorable business tax structure, skilled labor and reasonable cost of living for our employees, as well as logistical advantages,” said James Willich, CEO, Ardagh Metal Packaging USA Inc. “We’re pleased that Roanoke County emerged to be the clear choice.”

            The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Roanoke County and the Roanoke Regional Partnership to secure the project for Virginia. Governor McDonnell approved a $750,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Roanoke County with the project. The company qualifies for rail access funding from the Virginia Department of Rail and Public Transportation. Through its Virginia Jobs Investment Program, the Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide funding and services to support the company’s recruitment and training activities.

            “Roanoke County welcomes a global manufacturing brand to Roanoke County,” said Michael Altizer, chairman of the Roanoke County Board of Supervisors. “This represents the largest single manufacturing investment in Roanoke County’s history, and we anticipate even greater long-term investments from the company and its suppliers.  We’re delighted that Ardagh has the confidence to invest in our region and we look forward to assisting them in this transition.”

Gunsmoke - Chester's Mail Order Bride, Classic TV

Classic TV for Wednesday is Gunsmoke.  This episode comes from season one and is titled, Chester's Mail Order Bride.  Step back in time and relax after working hard.  Take a trip in our time machine to years ago.  Come back for more classic TV, movies, radio, books and comics right here on GVLN.

Gunsmoke (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

VEAL WITH TUNNY - Recipe of the day

Sliced veal with fresh chanterelle in cream sauce (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Take two pounds of meat without bones, remove the fat and tendons, then lard it with two anchovies. These must be washed and boned and cut lengthwise, after put into the water one quarter of an onion larded with clover, one leaf of laurel, celery, carrot and parsley. Salt the water generously and don't put the veal in until it is boiling. When the veal is cooked, untie, dry it and keep it for two or three days in the following sauce in quantity sufficient to cover it.

Grind ¼ pound tunny fish preserved in olive oil and two anchovies, crush them well with the blade of a knife and rub through a sieve adding good olive oil in abundance little by little, and squeeze in one whole lemon, so that the sauce should remain liquid. Finally mix in some capers soaked in vinegar.

Serve the veal cold, in thin slices, with the sauce.

The stock of the veal can be rubbed through a sieve and used for risotto.

Make something extraordinary tonight.

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Soul - The Alchemist - Free MP3 Song of the day

Royalty-free music for professional licensing

This is Soul with the song, "The Alchemist" from their album, Soul.  The band is from Grenoble, France.  The song is a nice pop rock tune.  Sung in english.  Check it out.  If you like it, download a free copy.  You can not beat the price.

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Gloucester, VA Middle School Bond Issues

Gloucester, VA New School Bonds Issue - August, 2013" target="_blank">Gloucester, VA New School Bonds Issue - August, 2013 from Chuck Thompson

Above comes from the county's own records on the approval of the Bond during last night's meeting, Tuesday, August 6th, 2013.  There are a lot of questions here including where is the full 12 million dollars received from the insurance company for the old Page Middle school.  We are going to be looking at this document very very closely over the next few weeks and also pulling other county documents to see what is really going on here as there just seems to be a serious wall of voodoo cooking up some major concerns.  

  This is for a combination of maintenance work that needs to be done on local schools as well as construction of the monument to stupidity known as the new Page Middle school.  To be built in the middle of wetlands without proper a proper foundation and closer to flood zones without checking concerns about the new issues of the sea level rising.  Questions were brought up why we are committing to a 20 year bond for items that will not last 20 years and will be outdated well before the bond's payments are finished.

  Also, concerns about where county money has gone that could have funded the maintenance instead of borrowing and committing everyone in the county to higher taxes.  And this is only one little area.  Stay tuned.

Click on the icon at the bottom of the container of the document to enlarge the document for better reading.  

Board of Supervisor's Meeting Video August, 2013 - Gloucester, VA

Gloucester County, Virginia Board of Supervisor's meeting video from August 6th, 2013.  Meeting started at 7:00 PM.  Here is what you missed if you did not see it live.  We will be picking all of this apart for the rest of this month.  If they take the video down, we will post the video on YouTube as we already have a copy of it.  There are a lot of serious issues here folks.  This is also where you get to see how the Board has just raised your taxes more than you can imagine.  From the people who bring you county waste on a grand scale, watch more of it here.

Carl (Chuck) Shipley, Animal Control Retirement Questioned

The first question we have is did the county throw Carl Shipley under the bus?  Documents on the county website state that they are publicly honoring him.  Yet we watched the entire meeting last night and do not remember seeing the county honoring this guy.  In fact, we question his retirement as an actual retirement or was this forced on him?  See post below for more information on this.

Gloucester, VA Supporting Document" target="_blank">Carl Shipley Retirement, Gloucester, VA Supporting Document from Chuck Thompson

We found the above document and another one which will be posted below here, showing how the county is honoring his retirement.  Yet, when we watched the meeting last night, we did not hear this announcement or see Carl actually being honored.  So we have posted the video above.  When we tried using the county's video section search, nothing came up at all.

Carl Shipley Retirement, Gloucester, VA Supporting Document from Chuck Thompson

The above was not read during the meeting.  There are a number of us who watched this meeting while it happened and not one of us saw the above ever stated.  So where did this come from?  We keep telling you, there is a lot of very strange stuff going on here in this county.  This might be minor on the one hand but when you look at the bigger picture, all of these little things keep adding up and we are seeing much bigger issues that need to be exposed.

  Again, we question if Carl was forced into retirement.  See post below about the Animal Control job opening.  Carl can now concentrate on his business.  Chuck's Carpet Cleaning.  He's going to go suck carpets full time now?  http://www.chuckscarpetcleaning.com/Pages/default.aspx  Link to his company website.  Rug sucking at it's finest?  Well now that just sucks for Carl Shipley.  He can always inquire with us for free advertising.  We'll be happy to show everyone his background that we have collected here.  If the video above does not work, then it's the fine coding from the county IT department.  We will be posting a copy of the video on YouTube to make sure that everyone can see it.

 

Gloucester, VA - Senior Animal Control Officer Opening - Jobs

Animal Control Officer Openings, Gloucester, Virginia from Chuck Thompson

Gloucester County has an opening for a Senior Animal Control Officer.  All the details are above.  It turns out that Carl Shipley, head of Animal Control is retiring after 22 years.  Or is he being forced out for making the Board of Supervisors look bad a few weeks ago when we showed that the Gloucester Animal control laws were not in compliance with what the Board of Supervisors had passed and approved back in February of 2013, in order to get into compliance with state laws.  We covered this extensively a few weeks ago showing all the documents and exactly where the county was out of compliance.

Gloucester county animal control ordinances as of july, 19th, 2013. from Chuck Thompson

This document shows all the animal control ordinances as they appeared on Gloucester, VA's website a few weeks ago.  3-15 is out of state compliance as well as what the Board of Supervisor's had authorized for compliance in February of 2013.  Since then , that section of the site has been locked out from public view and you are now taken to municode to view the ordinances as they are within compliance of state code.

Virginia Animal Control ammendments 1 2013" target="_blank">Gloucester County Virginia Animal Control ammendments 1 2013 from Chuck Thompson

Here is the original information from the Board of Supervisors on what they passed back in February.  By the way, we were the ones who argued the original  ordinance violations to begin with.

So why is the job open?  Because Carl (Chuck) Shipley is retiring.

Carl Shipley Retirement, Gloucester, VA Supporting Document from Chuck Thompson

There is a question that we have if the county has forced this on him as he may have been the one who altered the information on the county website?  There is a lot of issues surrounding the entire Animal Control department that we have documented on this site as well as here,   https://sites.google.com/site/gloucestervanews/

Link also above in our pages bar.  So we believe the question to be very fair.

Incompetent applications are more than likely welcome based on the history of the department.  Abusive applications will likely be favored?  Click on the bottom right hand corner of each container to see the documents in an enlarged view.  Does anyone really want this job?

Seal of Gloucester County, Virginia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

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