Mason Neck State Park Named One of ‘America’s Favorite Parks’

Mason Neck (Photo credit: vastateparksstaff)

Governor and First Lady McAuliffe join Virginia park-goers to celebrate the park’s rec

ognition and kick off statewide outdoor challenge made possible by a $50,000 grant from Coca-Cola

Lorton, VA, May 21, 2014 – Governor Terry McAuliffe and First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe joined Virginia park-goers to celebrate Mason Neck State Park’s designation as one of “America’s Favorite Parks” as part of the Coca-Cola Company’s America Is Your Park campaign. The Governor and First Lady also launched a new outdoor challenge at Mason Neck to encourage visitors to enjoy their stay at the park and get active at the same time. Coca-Cola awarded Mason Neck the second-place prize, a $50,000 recreation grant which will be used for the challenge that was launched today.

“Virginia’s state parks are a tremendous economic asset for the Commonwealth and a great resource for Virginians who want to get outdoors and get active this summer. On behalf of the Commonwealth of Virginia, I want to thank Coca-Cola for supporting our parks and encouraging people to get active outdoors,” said Governor McAuliffe. “Our thanks also go to those who voted for Mason Neck and particularly the Friends of Mason Neck State Park who organized a vigorous and successful get-out-the vote campaign.”

Mason Neck earned more than 278,000 votes through the support of park-goers who helped the park finish second in Coca-Cola’s America Is Your Park campaign by logging their daily fitness activities and rallying the local community to support the park.  The first-place winner was Veteran’s Memorial Park in Moore, Okla., which the city is rebuilding after the park was devastated by a tornado that hit the town last year.

“Through the Coca-Cola America Is Your Park campaign, our goal was to inspire people across the country to rediscover the joy of being active outdoors at their favorite park,” said Brendan Walshe, East Region Sales Operations Vice President, Coca-Cola Refreshments. “To continue encouraging Virginians to get active, Coca-Cola is partnering with Virginia State Parks to launch their Outdoor Challenge.”

Mason Neck developed interactive displays that educate park guests about ways to be active at the park and the health advantages of recreating outdoors. Challenge participants also will be able to track the calories they burn and other health benefits they accrue as they get active at the park.

The Outdoor Challenge is designed for all ages, providing activities geared for kids, teens, adults and seniors.  The challenges are also divided into easy, moderate and difficult categories. 

“Visiting our Virginia State Parks can be a fun and rewarding part of maintaining active, healthy lifestyles,” said Virginia First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe. “I particularly like that this challenge can be tailored to family members of all ages.”

Mason Neck is the first state park to launch the Outdoor Challenge.  Virginia State Parks plans to roll out the challenge at every state park across the Commonwealth.

Joe Elton, Deputy Director for Operations for the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation continued, “In the modern age, we have all become dependent on electronic devices. We’re now using that same technology to educate, entertain and inspire people about our natural and cultural treasures and showcase the fun, health and well being benefits of outdoor recreation. We’re really fighting fire, with fire.”

The Virginia State Park system is managed by DCR.

The recreational grant from Coca-Cola is just a first step in the development of the statewide outdoor challenge. The Virginia Association for Parks, a statewide nonprofit organization that supports state and national parks in Virginia, is undertaking a fundraising effort for visitor center displays across the state. For more information on the campaign go to www.virginiaparks.org.

Governor McAuliffe Kicks Off Unprecedented National Traffic-Safety Campaign

“Drive to Save Lives” initiative to safeguard Virginia’s highways during Summer tourism and travel season

Richmond, VA – Governor Terry McAuliffe today joined more than 100 state and local law enforcement, and traffic-safety advocates at the State Capitol to officially kick off the Memorial Day and summer traffic and tourism season. The morning’s press event is one of four being held statewide Tuesday to introduce the Commonwealth to Drive to Save Lives, the nation’s first-ever traffic-safety campaign of this magnitude. The nationwide initiative is two-fold: to reduce traffic deaths by 15 percent in 2014 across the country and within the Commonwealth; and to improve officer safety on our highways.

The Drive to Save Lives campaign is a united effort by state police and highway patrol leaders, police chiefs and sheriffs to reduce highway crashes and fatalities. More than 33,000 deaths occur each year on our nation’s roadways. Highway fatalities rank as one of the top 12 causes of death in the United States and it is the leading cause of death among teens.

“Virginia is proud to join this nationwide traffic-safety program as a way of making our highways as safe as possible,” said Governor McAuliffe. “The Commonwealth is averaging about 30 fewer traffic deaths this year in comparison to last year. But even one death is one too many, which is why the active participation of all motorists living, working and visiting Virginia is so invaluable to the campaign’s life-saving success.”

In 2013, Virginia reported 741 deaths resulting from traffic crashes. To achieve the campaign’s 15 percent reduction in traffic fatalities in 2014, there must be 111 fewer crashes and deaths on Virginia’s highways.

“Never before has the nation’s state police and highway patrol agencies teamed up for such a comprehensive enforcement initiative,” said Col. W. Steven Flaherty, Virginia State Police Superintendent. “The goal to save 111 lives on Virginia’s highways is an ambitious, but necessary one. We are simply asking the public to drive to save lives, not take them.”

In order to decrease highway fatalities in Virginia, state troopers, police officers and deputy sheriffs are leading a sustained effort over the course of the year that is data driven; focuses on the use of seat-belts and speeding; and targets impaired and distracted driving. The campaign also includes enforcement actions against the unsafe driving behaviors of the operators of large trucks and buses.

“Law enforcement officers across the Commonwealth work every day to change the high-risk behaviors of motorists that lead to crashes,” said City of Charlottesville Chief Tim Longo, current president of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police Board of Directors. “Hopefully uniting with our state and local counterparts through education and awareness, partnerships, and high-visibility traffic enforcement, we can have an even greater and positive impact on the motoring public.”

“Most traffic crashes, injuries, and deaths are preventable when drivers and passengers buckle up, drive the speed limit, don’t drive distracted, and never drink and drive," said City of Bristol, Va., Sheriff Jack Weisenburger, current president of the Virginia Sheriff’s Association Board of Directors. " This is a message we’ve heard time and time again, but is still worth repeating. Now we’re just asking drivers and passengers to put them into action.”

Governor McAuliffe also today unveiled a new public service announcement promoting Virginia’s “Move Over” law, which can be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/user/vspvideos.  (Posted Below).

In Virginia, the law requires drivers to change to another travel lane or, when not able to, to cautiously pass vehicles equipped with blue, red or amber lights and stopped on the side of the road.The Virginia General Assembly this past session also passed Senate Joint Resolution No. 102, which designates June as “Move Over Awareness Month” in the Commonwealth (http://lis.virginia.gov/cgi-bin/legp604.exe?141+ful+SJ102ER).

“Reducing the number of traffic crashes isn’t the only reason for this nationwide campaign,” said Governor McAuliffe. “We also have a shared responsibility to help protect the lives of public safety professionals across the Commonwealth. Virginia’s local and state law enforcement will be doing their job to make your summer travels as safe as possible. In return, do yours. Move over for them. Drive to save lives. Let’s finish 2014 with fewer crashes, fewer public safety professionals injured or killed on the job, and hopefully, 111 lives saved in Virginia.”

Gloucester, VA Public Servants or Public Greed Gratification? The Test

Gloucester County Government

Open Letter to the Citizens of Gloucester County Virginia

“For the Common Good. “

What was the motivation for you to go into public service?

The Virginia Constitution was written for us to limit the government intrusion into our lives.  Have you ever read the Constitution of the United States?  How about the Constitution of Virginia?

The Virginia Constitution: Article II - Section 7 - Oath or affirmation

“All officers elected or appointed under or pursuant to this Constitution shall, before they enter on the performance of their public duties, severally take and subscribe the following oath or affirmation:

‘I do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support the Constitution of the United States, and the Constitution of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and that I will faithfully and impartially discharge all the duties incumbent upon me as ________________, according to the best of my ability (so help me God).’"

To all of our elected county officials what was your motivation?  Was it for the public good or for personal gain?  Were you looking to game the system to get special treatment to help your business or possible personal gain?  Maybe you want your child to get special treatment in school?  Maybe you want special treatment for permits or inspections?  We can watch your actions and see who is in there for personal gain.  Maybe you want to serve the public and make everyone’s lives a little better?  We can watch your actions and see who is there for the public good also.

What is a public servant an elected or hired person that works for local, state, or federal government.  Servants by definition do not get rich performing their duties.

A person going into public service is there to serve the public.  If your motivation is to get rich go into private service.  There are two main reasons to go into public service: to serve the public and to avoid risk. Neither reason is bad.  Looking for a safe job, minimum layoffs, benefits that take care of your family’s basic needs and the ability to contribute to the good of society?  If you want to get rich you need to go into private service working for yourself or a company that will pay you for what you are worth to them.  Think of public service like a bank account – you will never get rich off of the interest that is paid but you can keep you head above water.  Private Service is like the stock market – you can get rich you also can get poor there are no guarantees.

During the budget process 100 people got up and said they wanted more money.  It is time for you to get out of public service and go into private service.  The public service will be much better without you.  How much of the general public supported your request for raises?  I think all 6 people not associated with the schools said no to raises your services do not justify raises during these tough economic times.

I am not a lawyer and cannot give legal advice.  Our founding fathers used common sense and Christian scripture when establishing our founding documents. 

“For the Common Good. “

Sincerely,

Alexander James Jay

P.S.  "It is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth -- and listen to the song of that syren, till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those, who having eyes, see not, and having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it might cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it." --Patrick Henry, speech in the Virginia Convention, 1775

 

"He that would make his own liberty secure, must guard even his enemy from oppression; for if he violates this duty, he establishes a precedent that will reach to himself." --Thomas Paine, Dissertation on First Principles of Government, 1791

Our Notes:  It's not hard to create a test to show which ones pass the public servants designation and which ones pass the personal greed and gain designation test.  But maybe with a little magic, Ted can wave his left hand and it might all go away.   You can always dream now can't you?

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Gloucester, VA Response To Brian McGovern Concerning School Board

Brian McGovern recited the following at the last School Board meeting.  After Mr. McGovern's opinion you will find my response.

 

Local Government is Cause for Concern

Recent actions by the Gloucester Board of Supervisors regarding public education in the county are a cause of concern on a number of levels.

In the recent budget hearing, more than 100 citizens attended with many requesting that the board of supervisors increase its financial support for public education in an effort to maintain high quality schools. Most advocated fully funding the school board’s budget request. Most recognized the effects of underfunding public education in Gloucester : A reduced school calendar; neglect of capital improvement needs; deteriorating and outdated textbooks; an exodus of highly-qualified teachers and staff who can no longer afford to support families on annual salaries $10,000 below the national average. One teacher, who happens to hold a master’s degree, reported that his family is eligible for WIC benefits.

Conversely, fewer than a half dozen citizens spoke advocating no increase in school funding. That’s right, 100:6. Those in attendance that night witnessed this lopsided ratio, and noted that the vast majority demanded that those who control the purse strings appropriately fund public education in Gloucester . As this community is now aware, this vast majority was ignored by the board of supervisors when it came time to vote on the budget.

There are some who have argued that there would be more funding had Gloucester simply replaced a 1953 school with a 1953 school on a dangerous stretch of a four-lane highway. They will no doubt continue to lecture those who disagree with them. This was not an issue raised by those who asked for appropriate funding for schools this year. The majority of Gloucester citizens simply want good schools.

The BOS has also given itself license to attempt to make administrative decisions for the school board. In addition to ignoring the will of the citizenry, the BOS also voted unanimously to earmark excess funds for bonuses for “selected” school staff.

The board of supervisors is charged with simply providing “lump sum” funding for the school board. This latest move is tantamount to “line item” funding and is an inappropriate role for the board of supervisors, if not an abuse of power. It is interesting that the BOS now seems to be interested in helping education support staff after one member suggested outsourcing the same support staff, many of whom have dedicated years or decades to the school system.

Instead of these political shenanigans, what the county board should have done was to listen to the collective voice of the majority and fully fund the budget request of the school board, which would have provided modest increases for all school staff, not just those inappropriately selected by the board of supervisors.

The school board asked for funding for a 3 percent increase for support staff as well as a 2 percent increase for teachers. The role of the board of supervisors is to provide funding for schools, not to decide who gets an increase or bonus, and who does not. The board of supervisors should do its job and leave it to the school board to oversee the operations of the school system. This author does not speak for the school board, but on behalf of the interests of public education in Gloucester County and the men and women who provide services to more than 5,000 children and teens on a daily basis.

Brian McGovern, President

Gloucester Education Association

_________________________________________________________________

 

I am writing in response to Mr. McGovern’s opinion titled; “Local Government is Cause for Concern”.

 

It is understood that numerous citizens attended a recent budget hearing and requested the Board of Supervisors (BOS) to fully fund Mr. Kiser’s and the School Board’s (SB) proposed budget.  The BOS and SB were directed by the people, through the results of the last election, to rein-in spending throughout all departments.  The citizens of Gloucester have demonstrated their desires to have good stewards controlling the money and an effective, efficient and equal public education system.  The BOS is charged with overseeing all of the County’s financial resources and the Code of Virginia allows them to either provide lump sum funding or categorical funding to the school system.  If the mentality of the School Board does not change soon, the method of funding could very well change.  The school system is not a sacred cow or privileged special interest group without financial boundaries.

 

Replacing Page with a 1953 school was not considered.  Many citizens and supervisors requested that Page be repaired because insurance proceeds would have covered most of the construction costs; developed athletic fields, utilities infrastructure connections and VDOT school zone safety requirements were already established; Page would have re-opened in 18 to 24 months; busing and modular space for the displaced would have cost half of what it is now.  The financial path Mr. Kiser and the SB created and chose to follow has now resulted in belt tightening in more areas than just the school system. 

 

Let’s not forget that along with tornado damage to Page the SB was also faced with closing T.C. Walker, obtaining school admin space and the issue of pay increases.  Now we learn through the budget process that the community is in need of large recreation spaces like the auditorium and regulation size gym that Mr. Kiser and the SB tore down.  A few months before the tornado, tens of thousands of dollars was spent to determine the cost of converting Page into an Administration and Operations Center.  This conversion could have been accomplished through the post tornado repair process for 4 to 5 million dollars.  T.C. Walker could have been refurbished into the new Page for 8 to 10 million dollars.  At least 8 million dollars of the 15 million would have come from insurance proceeds leaving only 7 for the County to pay.  Now it will cost well over 30 million with the County paying it all except 8 million.  Mr. Kiser and the SB do not seem to realize credit is not free money.  They also fail to realize the citizen’s pockets are only so deep. 

 

Mr. McGovern said, “Most recognized the effects of under funding public education in Gloucester: A reduced school calendar; neglect of capital improvement needs; deteriorating and outdated textbooks; an exodus of highly-qualified teachers and staff”.  In reality, Mr. Kiser and the SB have failed to properly prioritize updating textbooks, infrastructure maintenance and capital improvements. Under funding is not the cause, mismanagement is.  If there is an exodus of teachers and staff it certainly will not be the BOS fault. 

 

We the people have decided enough is enough and intend to bring about some serious changes.  I encourage Mr. McGovern to get his facts straight before rendering any more opinions and to join the rest of the citizens in attempting to re-focus the SB and school administration on providing an effective, efficient and equal public education program.

 

Kenneth E. Hogge, Sr.

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Bitcoin 101 - What is Bitcoin? - A Beginning Video for Bitcoin New Comers

The bitcoin logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Having trouble understanding Bitcoin as a beginner? Well, even Bitcoin's anonymous developer, Satoshi Nakamoto, commented on how difficult it is to explain Bitcoin to a beginner.

But we've been teaching Bitcoin for over a year now and we're starting to figure it out. This video is the result of a talk we did at Harvard University in April 2014 for Bitcoin beginners. Many of them mentioned that this talk helped them to finally understood the basic idea and we hope it works for you too. Even better, it is a story, covering the failures and difficulties of creating a digital currency, so for non-techies it is more accessible as well.

Our Notes:

A new video but an old story for people on this site.  The news of Bitcoin continues to grow and more people are becoming very interested in all of the potentials behind this digital currency, and all for good reason, so we take those new to the trend back to the very beginning.
 

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EBay Asks Users to Change Password After Breach

Image via CrunchBase

E-commerce site eBay is asking users to change their password after a cyberattack compromised a database containing encrypted passwords. (May 21).

From AP news.  

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Levi's CEO Says Don't Wash Your Denim

 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Denim aficionados claim you should never wash your jeans, instead freeze them once a month..  ABC News.

Our Notes:  Now here is one way to go green.  Stop washing your cloths altogether.  If you do not have to wash your jeans, why should you have to wash any other cloths?  Don't play in the dirt and stay away from anything greasy or grimy.  If your cloths smell, blame it on top fashion experts.  In fact, it will probably become fashionable to not wash cloths or yourself as part of going green here in the future.  If you can offend a skunk with your own body odor, then you have hit the peak of fashion.

  I think we will stick to the orange philosophy and keep showering as if water were plentiful everywhere.  Wait, it is.  Now go wash your smelly jeans.

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Teen Faces Life Sentence for Pot Brownies

Jacob Lavoro, 19, has been charged with a first-degree felony and faces 5 years to life in prison.  ABC News.

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