Gloucester VA Links and News

Thursday, November 7, 2013

Gloucester, VA Schools, Petty Cash Funds, (Part 6 of 10)

Armand A. Fusco, Ed.D.

About the Yankee Institute for Public Policy

The Yankee Institute for Public Policy, Inc. is a nonpartisan educational and research organization
founded more than two decades ago. Today, the Yankee Institute’s mission is to “promote
economic opportunity through lower taxes and new ideas for better government in Connecticut.”

Question 6: Petty Cash Funds:

Who has control of each petty cash fund, in what amounts, and how are the

funds monitored?

Background: Such cash funds are usually distributed to managers,

administrators, and sometimes teachers to take care of incidental expenses.

Because they are cash funds, it is easy to misuse and misappropriate the

dollars.

Proposed Solution: Receipts must be submitted with an explanation

when replacement dollars are requested. It is up to the finance officer to

monitor the petty cash funds. A monthly accounting should also be submitted

to the superintendent, and board chairman or board finance committee.

Send this information to the school board and demand answers. It's the only way to ensure your money is not being wasted.

Anti Federalist Papers No. 26 – The Use Of Coercion By The New Government (Part 1)

"A FARMER AND PLANTER" had his work printed in The Maryland Journal, and Baltimore Advertiser, April 1, 1788.

The time is nearly at hand, when you are called upon to render up that glorious liberty you obtained, by resisting the tyranny and oppression of George the Third, King of England, and his ministers. The first Monday in April is the day appointed by our assembly, for you to meet and choose delegates in each county, to take into consideration the new Federal Government, and either adopt or refuse it. Let me entreat you, my fellows, to consider well what you are about. Read the said constitution, and consider it well before you act. I have done so, and can find that we are to receive but little good, and a great deal of evil. Aristocracy, or government in the hands of a very few nobles, or RICH MEN, is therein concealed in the most artful wrote plan that ever was formed to entrap a free people. The contrivers of it have so completely entrapped you, and laid their plans so sure and secretly, that they have only left you to do one of two things - that is either to receive or refuse it. And in order to bring you into their snare, you may daily read new pieces published in the newspapers, in favor of this new government; and should a writer dare to publish any piece against it, he is immediately abused and vilified.

Look round you and observe well the RICH MEN, who are to be your only rulers, lords and masters in future! Are they not all for it? Yes! Ought not this to put you on your guard? Does not riches beget power, and power, oppression and tyranny?

I am told that four of the richest men in Ann-Arundel County [Maryland], have offered themselves candidates to serve in the convention, who are all in favor of the new Federal Government. Let me beg of you to reflect a moment on the danger you run. If you choose these men, or others like them, they certainly will do everything in their power to adopt the new government. Should they succeed, your liberty is gone forever; and you will then be nothing better than a strong ass crouching down between two burdens. The new form of government gives Congress liberty at any time, by their laws, to alter the state laws, and the time, places and manner of holding elections for representatives. By this clause they may command, by their laws, the people of Maryland to go to Georgia, and the people of Georgia to go to Boston, to choose their representatives. Congress, or our future lords and masters, are to have power to lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts, and excises. Excise is a new thing in America, and few country farmers and planters know the meaning of it. But it is not so in Old England, where I have seen the effects of it, and felt the smart. It is there a duty, or tax, laid upon almost every necessary of life and convenience, and a great number of other articles. The excise on salt in the year 1762, to the best of my recollection, in England, was 4s. sterling per bushel, for all that was made use of in families; and the price of salt per bushel about 6s. sterling, and the excise 4s. 6d. on every gallon of rum made use of. If a private family make their own soap, candles, beer, cider, etc. , they pay an excise duty on them. And if they neglect calling in an excise officer at the time of making these things, they are liable to grievous fines and forfeitures, besides a long train of evils and inconveniences attending this detestable excise - to enumerate particularly would fill a volume. The excise officers have power to enter your houses at all times, by night or day, and if you refuse them entrance, they can, under pretense of searching for exciseable goods, that the duty has not been paid on, break open your doors, chests, trunks, desks, boxes, and rummage your houses from bottom to top. Nay, they often search the clothes, petticoats and pockets of ladies or gentlemen (particularly when they are coming from on board an East-India ship), and if they find any the least article that you cannot prove the duty to be paid on, seize it and carry it away with them; who are the very scum and refuse of mankind, who value not their oaths, and will break them for a shilling. This is their true character in England, and I speak from experience, for I have had the opportunity of putting their virtue to the test, and saw two of them break their oath for one guinea, and a third for one shilling's worth of punch. What do you think of a law to let loose such a set of vile officers among you! Do you expect the Congress excise-officers will be any better - if God, in his anger, should think it proper to punish us for our ignorance, and sins of ingratitude to him, after carrying us through the late war, and giving us liberty, and now so tamely to give it up by adopting this aristocratical government?

Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several states which may be included within this union according to their respective numbers. This seems to imply, that we shall be taxed by the poll again, which is contrary to our Bill of Rights. But it is possible that the rich men, who are the great land holders, will tax us in this manner, which will exempt them from paying assessments on their great bodies of land in the old and new parts of the United States; many of them having but few taxable by the poll. Our great Lords and Masters are to lay taxes, raise and support armies, provide a navy, and may appropriate money for two years, call forth the militia to execute their laws, suppress insurrections, and the President is to have the command of the militia. Now, my countrymen, I would ask you, why are all these things directed and put into their power? Why, I conceive, they are to keep you in a good humor; and if you should, at any time, think you are imposed upon by Congress and your great Lords and Masters, and refuse or delay to pay your taxes, or do anything that they shall think proper to order you to do, they can, and I have not a doubt but they will, send the militia of Pennsylvania, Boston, or any other state or place, to cut your throats, ravage and destroy your plantations, drive away your cattle and horses, abuse your wives, kill your infants, and ravish your daughters, and live in free quarters, until you get into a good humor, and pay all that they may think proper to ask of you, and you become good and faithful servants and slaves. (1) Such things have been done, and I have no doubt will be done again, if you consent to the adoption of this new Federal Government. You labored under many hardships while the British tyrannized over you! You fought, conquered and gained your liberty - then keep it, I pray you, as a precious jewel. Trust it not out of your own hands; be assured, if you do, you will never more regain it. The train is laid, the match is on fire, and they only wait for yourselves to put it to the train, to blow up all your liberty and commonwealth governments, and introduce aristocracy and monarchy, and despotism will follow of course in a few years. Four-years President will be in time a King for life; and after him, his son, or he that has the greatest power among them, will be King also. View your danger, and find out good men to represent you in convention - men of your own profession and station in life; men who will not adopt this destructive and diabolical form of a federal government. There are many among you that will not be led by the nose by rich men, and would scorn a bribe. Rich men can live easy under any government, be it ever so tyrannical. They come in for a great share of the tyranny, because they are the ministers of tyrants, and always engross the places of honor and profit, while the greater part of the common people are led by the nose, and played about by these very men, for the destruction of themselves and their class. Be wise, be virtuous, and catch the precious moment as it passes, to refuse this newfangled federal government, and extricate yourselves and posterity from tyranny, oppression, aristocratical or monarchical government. . . .

A FARMER AND PLANTER

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Statement of Governor Bob McDonnell on Election of Terry McAuliffe as Virginia’s Next Governor

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

RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell issued the following statement tonight regarding the election of Terry McAuliffe as the 72nd governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia.

“I want to congratulate Terry McAuliffe on his election as the next governor of Virginia. There is no higher honor than serving in the same office once held by Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson. Virginia is a Commonwealth of tremendous history and opportunity; this is the place where America began. The privilege of serving as governor carries with it immense responsibility, and I know Terry McAuliffe will act in the best interests of the more than 8 million people who call Virginia home.

“Elections are long, tough, hard-fought affairs. But they have an end date. For the 2013 campaign, that date is today. Now, the signs, stickers and ads must be put away. In their place must come comity, cooperation and a commitment to working together, across party lines, to continue to improve the quality of life of all Virginians. That’s what we’ve tried to do over the last four years.

“Virginia has been named “America’s Best State for Business.” Our unemployment rate is the lowest in the Southeast, and the third-lowest east of the Mississippi River. Our colleges are more affordable and accessible. Our state pension system has been fixed. Our K-12 system is innovative and productive. Our transportation system finally has the long-term, sustainable funding and reforms it has long needed. We’ve posted four-straight budget surpluses, held the line on general fund spending and our Rainy Day Fund will soon grow to over $1 billion. This is the direct result of bipartisan cooperation in the service of making life better for the people of Virginia and getting results. I’m confident that Governor-elect McAuliffe will continue this great progress.

“Four years ago the people of Virginia honored me with their votes and this office. I can never thank my fellow Virginians enough for the trust they placed in me. Immediately after winning, then-Governor Tim Kaine reached out personally and offered the full assistance of his administration in our transition. The Kaine administration could not have been more helpful in the two months that followed. They made the transition as seamless and smooth as it possibly could have been. Now, we look forward to doing the same for Governor-elect McAuliffe and his team. I have already spoken to the Governor-elect and let him know that we are ready to assist with the transition and prepared to offer all the help his team will need as they prepare to lead our great Commonwealth forward for the next four years.

“Election nights are emotional times. For the winner there is the thrill of victory, combined with the recognition that the hard work preceding this moment is but a prelude to the tremendous effort yet to come. For those who fall short, there is the sadness of seeing such exertion, passion and time not produce the hoped-for result. With that in mind, I wish my friend Ken Cuccinelli the very best as he moves forward from tonight. I hope Ken will continue to stay involved in the public life of our state, and I thank him for serving our administration well as attorney general, and giving his all to public service and the campaign. I also congratulate Mr. Sarvis for running, with limited resources, a good and strong campaign.

“Again I congratulate Governor-elect McAuliffe, and I pledge to work in partnership over the next two months to ensure a smooth transition of power that is in keeping with the grand history of our beloved Commonwealth, and that best prepares the Governor-elect and his team for their public service over the next four years.”

Democrats Fixed Virginia's Governor's Race? Check This Out

McAuliffe speaking at Frying Pan Park in Herndon, VA. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Meredith Jessup

A major Democratic Party benefactor and Obama campaign bundler helped pay for professional petition circulators responsible for getting Virginia Libertarian gubernatorial candidate Robert C. Sarvis on the ballot — a move that could split conservative votes in a tight race.

Campaign finance records show the Libertarian Booster PAC has made the largest independent contribution to Sarvis’ campaign, helping to pay for professional petition circulators who collected signatures necessary to get Sarvis’ name on Tuesday’s statewide ballot.

Austin, Texas, software billionaire Joe Liemandt is the Libertarian Booster PAC’s major benefactor. He’s also a top bundler for President Barack Obama. This revelation comes as Virginia voters head to the polls Tuesday in an election where some observers say the third-party gubernatorial candidate could be a spoiler for Republican Ken Cuccinelli.

A spokesman for Sarvis provided no direct answers late Monday when TheBlaze asked about Liemandt’s Democrat ties and whether Sarvis had been recruited to split conservative votes as a way to aid Democrat Terry McAuliffe.

“We’re coordinating Sarvis interviews with Richmond, Norfolk and Charlottesville TV news teams to reach Virginia voters – our first priority – on Election Eve,” John Vaught LaBeaume, Sarvis communications director and strategist, responded in an email to TheBlaze.

According to Virginia election filings posted by the Virginia Public Access Project, Liemandt contributed $150,000 of the Texas-based Libertarian Booster PAC’s $229,000 revenue. The Libertarian Booster PAC reported providing $11,454 to pay for signature collection, yard signs and campaign materials for Sarvis and another $4,690 for four Libertarian candidates running for the Virginia state legislature.

LIEMANDT’S DEMOCRATIC TIES

In March 2012, ABC News reported Liemandt was among three dozen of the Obama campaign’s largest bundlers invited to a state dinner honoring British Prime Minister David Cameron. ABC News reported the invited bundlers, who also included Vogue editor Anna Wintour and Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, were responsible for at least $10.7 million of the $250 million the campaign had collected to that point.

Liemandt and his wife Andra have also been contributors to the Libertarian National Committee, but their largess has been mostly focused on the Democratic Party.

In March ’12, ABC News says Liemandt was among 3 dozen Obama bundlers invited to a state dinner.

Donations linked to Liemandt’s company, Trilogy, also has split its political giving between libertarian third-party efforts and liberal Democrats. During the 2012 election cycle, Trilogy poured $100,000 into another libertarian group — Libertarian Action Super PAC — while simultaneously making generous contributions to the Democratic National Committee ($92,400), the Democratic Party of Ohio ($12,453) and Barack Obama ($10,000), as well as more than $25,000 for Democrat Party organizations in Florida, Wisconsin, Iowa, Nevada and New Hampshire.

The Liemandts have some other friends in common with the Obamas. The couple and some friends flew to New York to have dinner with Berkshire Hathaway billionaire Warren Buffet in October 2011.

On Sunday, the Danville Register & Bee, a Virginia newspaper owned by Berkshire Hathaway, announced that, for the first time in its history, it would back a Libertarian for public office. Itendorsed Sarvis, a political neophyte, saying he “offers a real alternative this year, a break from the two-party paradigm that has not served us well.”

SIGNATURE FIGHT

According to campaign finance reports, the Libertarian Booster PAC focused the vast majority of its spending on getting Sarvis on the ballot, paying for people to circulate the petitions to collect nominating petitions for Sarvis.

News reports indicate the Sarvis campaign turned in 18,000 signatures, well above the 10,000 necessary to get his name on the statewide ballot.

But that didn’t come without a court fight. Virginia election law says people circulating nominating petitions for a third-party candidate must be legal state residents. Court records show Darryl Bonner, a Pennsylvania resident who has been hired to circulate petitions in other states’ elections, joined with the Libertarian Party of Virginia to argue that rule violated the First Amendment right to petition.

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals struck down the Virginia residency requirement last spring in an action where the American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia represented the Libertarian Party and Bonner. The State of Virginia indicated in October it would appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court.

SARVIS’ POSITIONS QUESTIONED

Some political observers have questioned Sarvis’ libertarian chops, pointing to some decidedly un-libertarian views on issues ranging from the economy and tax cuts to climate change. Conservative radio host Glenn Beck touched on Sarvis’ policy positions during his broadcast Monday morning, urging Virginia voters to educate themselves before heading the polls Tuesday.

“Terry McAuliffe looks like he may win in Virginia, if conservatives don’t come out in droves. If you don’t do everything you need to do,” Beck said. McAuliffe’s Republican opponent, Cuccinelli, gained favorability with Virginia conservatives as attorney general after leading the state’s legal charge against Obamacare, but a victory in Tuesday’s election is anything but certain.

“And so the first litigator against it you would think would be a shoo-in but, no, not necessarily,” Beck added. “And here’s why: Because you got this libertarian who has taken nine points off, but he’s not really a libertarian … Do not be fooled… Libertarians, if you indeed are voting for this guy, you need to know who he is, at least what he’s saying because he doesn’t sound like any libertarian I have ever met.”

In addition, it was Cuccinelli and not Sarvis who won the endorsement of former congressman and noted libertarian Ron Paul and his son, Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul — two conservatives who share Beck’s concerns.

DEMOCRATIC PLOY?

So why should a Texan with such extensive ties to big-government Democrats pour money into a Virginia libertarian gubernatorial campaign that has virtually no chance to win?

The Center for Public Integrity offers insight on the power and strategy of PACs: “Super PACs are allowed to collect unlimited contributions from individuals, unions and corporations to produce political advertisements that are not coordinated with any candidate,” it says. “They were made possible in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Citizens United decision.”

CPI illustrated the potential impact of strategic third-party candidates in the 2012 presidential race. Republican-turned-Libertarian Gary Johnson could potentially peel away some Republican votes in a tight Obama-Romney race. And Virgil Goode, nominated by the conservative Constitution Party in Virginia could have been a key to hurting Romney enough in that swing state to give its electoral votes to Obama.

With a divide between the Republican Establishment in Washington and its conservative grassroots base widening, could strategically leveraging a third-party be Democrats’ ace in the hole?

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2013/11/05/revealed-obama-campaign-bundler-helping-fund-libertarian-in-tight-va-gubernatorial-race/ Link back to The Blaze website where this story originated.

Virginia State Parks to Offer a Weekend of Special Activities and Free Parking on Veterans Day

English: *Belle Isle State Park Lancaster County (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell announced today that Virginia State Parks will waive parking fees in honor of Veterans Day on November 11, 2013. Additionally, all 36 state parks, which are managed by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, will offer special programming during the holiday weekend.

“Veterans Day is a time to reflect on the heroic sacrifices of the women and men of our armed services,” Governor McDonnell said. “I encourage all Virginians to take time this year to thank one of the more than 840,000 veterans who call Virginia home. These initiatives at our beautiful state parks are another small way by which we can express our gratitude and honor their service to our Commonwealth and our nation.”

Over the holiday weekend, Virginia State Parks will also present special nature and history programs, flag retirement ceremonies, and other events to honor veterans and their families.

Sailor’s Creek Battlefield Historical State Park in Rice will feature a luminary program November 9. The program begins with a flag retirement ceremony and includes a living history walk with costumed interpreters along a luminary-lined trail. On Veterans Day the park will offer ranger-led tours of the Hillsman House, which served as a Federal field hospital during the evening of April 6, 1865.

Westmoreland State Park in Montross will host a Veterans Appreciation event on November 11. Attendees can write thank you notes to deployed troops and are invited to bring non-perishable items for care packages to accompany the thank you notes. Douthat State Park in Millboro will also offer an opportunity to write thank you notes to service men and women abroad. Belle Isle State Park in Lancaster, First Landing State Park in Virginia Beach, Powhatan State Park in Powhatan, and Shenandoah River State Park in Bentonville will be collecting and/or making care packages for service members on November 11.

On November 11, Wilderness Road State Park in Ewing will offer “Heroes of American History” a tribute to veterans featuring historical flags from the Revolutionary War to today’s Old Glory as well as costumed interpreters representing service men and women through history.

High Bridge Trail State Park in Farmville will host a reception for veterans and their families at the Farmville Train Station on November 11. Shuttles will run from the train station to High Bridge for the opportunity to visit the bridge and enjoy a special Civil War history program.

For a complete list of programs and dates please visithttp://1.usa.gov/17mlcaD.

For a longer visit to a Virginia State Parks cabin or campsite, the weekday fall getaway cabin discount runs through November 14 and provides a 25 percent discount for Sunday through Thursday nights, with the special code FALL25. Reservations can be made by calling 800-933-7275 or online at www.virginiastateparks.gov.

We would like to thank all of our veterans and active duty military for their service to our country as well. Thank you one and all.

Governor McDonnell Announces Milestone in Prisoner Re-entry Support Program

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

2,000 ID Cards Issued through DMV and DOC Partnership to Help Offenders Prepare for Release

RICHMOND - Governor Bob McDonnell announced today a milestone in a partnership between the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and the Virginia Department of Corrections (DOC) that supports the administration’s ongoing work to improve the prisoner re-entry system in the Commonwealth. Through the outreach program called “DMV Connect” more than 2,000 identification cards have now been processed for offenders preparing for release. Virginia now has the second lowest recidivism rate in the country at 23.4%.

Through DMV Connect, correctional facilities, and jails identify individuals slated for release within a few months and facilitate collection of the needed personal documents and DMV applications for Virginia ID cards. DMV employees carry inside the facility a customized case that contains a laptop, camera, and other equipment needed to complete transactions. Only requiring electricity and an Internet connection, the teams securely process real-time transactions. The new ID card is mailed from a secure central location to the facility.

Governor McDonnell praised the DMV Connect program saying, “One of the main reasons former offenders find themselves back in jail is because it can be difficult to re-enter mainstream life after incarceration. Identification is necessary to secure jobs, open bank accounts, enter public buildings, obtain benefits, and rent or own a home. By allowing these individuals to leave a facility with a credential in hand, the state is helping place them on the right track for a positive future.”

The DMV Connect program first launched in March of 2012 at the Deep Meadow Correctional Center in Powhatan County. DMV Connect visits a dozen state facilities on a monthly basis and is now processing credentials for offenders preparing for release in about half of Virginia’s 49 correctional facilities. By the end of the year, DMV Connect employees will have visited all state correctional centers to test connectivity with future plans to process credentials in those locations. DMV Connect is also present in one federal facility and serves a number of Sheriff’s Offices and regional jails.

Due the success of DMV Connect, in the future, this program will expand to offer services at additional locations to reach more Virginians.

Yorktown Victory Center Remodeling Updates, Part 1

The Yorktown Victory Center has been under a remodeling for some time now, however, their doors have remained open to the public and the experience is just as grand as it has always been. We took some time this week to explore the facility and take a number of pictures and meet with some of the staff as well as the reenactors to get a better picture of what is going on. Though they have a large wall up surrounding the new construction site, giving the appearance that maybe they are closed, the living museum experience has not suffered in the least by the new construction.

The staff at the facility were great and very helpful. While we walked around the the colonial American farm section of the living museum, one of the staff members was cooking some incredible meals that both looked and smelled very delicious.

Meals are made in period fashion to give visitors a real world idea of what life was once like for our forefathers and foremothers for that matter.

The entire farm section of the living museum is incredibly recreated in very rich detail and includes tobacco farming common during the era.

The details recreated in a typical family farmhouse are amazing. The dinner table all set for the family to sit down and eat once the food is ready.

Details in every area of daily life are not spared. Even the laundry area was set up to give visitors and idea of what a typical day consisted of during the period.

Even the socks were hung out to dry along with other laundry. Obviously someone earlier in the day had spent time doing the daily load.

There was so much to see and do here alone that this area itself is well worth the visit. If you have not been to the Yorktown Victory Center in awhile, it's time for a return trip. If you have never been and you have even the slightest bit of interest in history, then this is a must for your list. If you are a photographer, then this is a dream place to shoot.

Below is a PDF that shows what is under construction and what we can all expect in the future. The plans are very exciting.

New Yorktown Museum Highlights Flyer 10 2013 from Chuck Thompson

To view the PDF in full screen mode, please left click the icon at the far bottom right hand side of the Slideshare container. To exit full screen mode, just hit the escape key on your keyboard. This is part one in our series on the Yorktown Victory Center.

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Thursday, November 7, 2013

Gloucester, VA Schools, Petty Cash Funds, (Part 6 of 10)

Anti Federalist Papers No. 26 – The Use Of Coercion By The New Government (Part 1)

Wednesday, November 6, 2013

Statement of Governor Bob McDonnell on Election of Terry McAuliffe as Virginia’s Next Governor