Governor’s Commission of Integrity and Public Confidence to Convene. (Not much left)

Governor Terry McAuliffe’s Commission on Integrity and Public Confidence in State Government will convene its second meeting at 9:30 a.m. on Friday, November 14 in Senate Room 3 in the Capitol of Virginia.

Commission members will complete their work on proposals for strengthening rules for the ethical conduct of state officials. Governor McAuliffe has asked for interim recommendations byDecember 1 on ethics oversight and enforcement, limits on gifts and loans, rules on conflicts of interest, disclosure requirements and post-public service restrictions. The commission also will continue its discussion on redistricting reforms.

Former U.S. Representative Rick Boucher and former Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling, co-chairmen of the commission, encouraged Virginians to submit their comments and ideas for the panel’s consideration. The commission is seeking public input on its website, governor.virginia.gov/integrity-commission and via email sent to integrity@governor.virginia.gov.

A public forum on November 6 at the University of Virginia School of Law attracted speakers from Norfolk, Roanoke and Loudoun County as well as participants from Charlottesville and the surrounding region.

The Commission was established on September 25 by Executive Order 28, which instructed the 10 members to provide interim recommendations to the Governor by December 1, 2014 with the goal of pursuing legislation during the Virginia General Assembly’s 2015 session.

The other members of the commission are former Delegate Viola Baskerville, Chairman of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Sharon Bulova, former President of the University of Virginia John T. Casteen III, President of Hampden-Sydney College Christopher Howard, Vice President for Advancement at George Washington’s Mount Vernon Susan A. Magill, attorney and former Assistant Attorney General Courtney M. Malveaux, former Delegate Joe T. May and former President and CEO of BB&T Scott & Stringfellow, Inc. John Sherman, Jr.

From a recent state legal document:

"Americans are not ruled by monarchies and dynasties, nor owe allegiance to a self-appointed few.  We are governed by ourselves.  We are a representative democracy, which entitles us to liberty, equality, free speech, a free press, protection of private property, privacy, and other inalienable rights.  American self-government began in Virginia, and it continues to thrive at the Capital today."

Now the question is, does anyone actually see the above statement in play in this state under governor Terry McAuliffe's direction?  What we have seen are extreme abuse of power by this governor in our opinion.  This guy has refused to uphold the state constitution and it looks like he is selling out every facet of the state to the highest bidders at every level and even using your tax dollars to fund massive corporate welfare programs all the while destroying small businesses.  

He is also working hard, in our opinion, at destroying property rights and personal liberties.  So do we see any integrity or have any confidence?  No!

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Governor McAuliffe Creates Contingency Fund for Virginia Ebola Response

Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today that he has created a contingency fund of up to $2 million to help address specific public health and safety risks associated with the exposure to or threat of exposure to Ebola. 

“There have been no confirmed cases of Ebola in Virginia, but my administration continues to prepare so that we can respond quickly to this public health threat if it reaches our state,” said Governor McAuliffe. “This $2 million contingency fund will help state and local agencies cover costs in the event of a confirmed case, and allow responders to focus more on protecting Virginia families than on covering costs in the event of an emergency.”

The Governor is using the authority given to him in the Appropriation Act to grant supplemental funding for state agencies where a delay in action will produce a threat to life, safety, health or property. (Section 4-3.01 a.2.c. of Chapter 2 of the 2014 Special Session 1).

These funds will be used to reimburse state agencies for extraordinary expenditures related to specific incidents and actions taken by agencies related to exposure to Ebola, and/or the threat of the spread of Ebola into the general population.  This includes, but is not limited to, expenses associated with monitoring citizens exposed to Ebola, direct patient care, and transportation.   This funding is not intended to reimburse agencies for routine or ongoing program expenses associated with the agency mission.  These funds will not be used to supplant other eligible sources of fund including federal or private insurance funds.

Approval of requests for reimbursement of expenditures from this funding will undergo several levels of review by the responsible cabinet secretary and the Department of Planning and Budget to verify costs and justification. Final approval of disbursements will be made by the Governor on a case by case basis.

(You first have to buy into the fear that Ebola may even be a threat.  Well that's what you are supposed to believe because that is what everyone is telling you.  So you must buy this and own it as truth.  Now we can take your tax dollars and use that against you to take more of your freedoms.  Thank you for your participation.)

First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe Unveils New Ornament at the Executive Mansion

RICHMOND, VA – First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe, along with leaders of the Virginia Capitol Foundation, unveiled this year’s Official Capitol Square Ornament at the Executive Mansion. 

The third ornament in the series features Virginia’s Executive Mansion.  The Official Capitol Square ornament program, established in 2012, celebrates the landmarks of Capitol Square and raises funds to support their preservation and interpretation.  The first two ornaments, from 2012 and 2013, feature the Virginia State Capitol and the Bell Tower, respectively. Proceeds from the ornaments, priced at $23.50 each, benefit the Virginia Capitol Foundation, the nonprofit organization supporting the Capitol, Capitol Square, and Executive Mansion.

All three ornaments are available for sale online at VirginiaCapitol.gov, by phone at (804) 786-1010, and in the Capitol.  The Executive Mansion ornament, along with the Capitol and Bell Tower ornaments, will also be sold at the Museum Stores of Richmond Holiday Shoppers Fair at the Library of Virginia Friday, November 7; 9:30 a.m. - 8:30 p.m., & Saturday, November 8, 2014; 9:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. in the Virginia Historical Society booth.

The Executive Mansion was chosen as the subject of the third ornament in the series because of the importance of the building and its prominence on Capitol Square.  The Virginia Executive Mansion has served as home, office, and center of official entertaining for governors and their families since 1813.  Located on Capitol Square, the Mansion is the oldest governor’s residence in the 50 states still serving its original purpose.  The Mansion is both a Virginia Landmark and a National Historic Landmark.

“It is wonderful that the Virginia Capitol Foundation has chosen to feature the Executive Mansion for this year’s holiday ornament,” said First Lady Dorothy McAuliffe. “This beautiful, historic home is a treasure for all of Virginia.”

Alexander Parris designed the Mansion in the Federal style, an architectural style influenced by English architecture but uniquely American.  The front rooms on the first floor retain their original woodwork, plaster cornices, and ornamental ceiling detail.  An extensive renovation in 1906 by architect Duncan Lee added a large oval dining room.  In 2002, a major restoration of the Mansion was completed under the supervision of Roxanne Gilmore, wife of Governor James Gilmore, which returned historic interiors to their original Federal style. 

Several garden spaces surround the Mansion, the most prominent of which is the Gillette Garden, designed in 1954 by noted Richmond landscape architect Charles Gillette.  The Garden Club of Virginia restored the Gillette Garden in 1999, utilizing archival information including Gillette’s own plans and records. 

To the south of the Mansion stand several outbuildings, including a two-story structure housing the original 19th century kitchen and slave quarters.  Plans are underway to recreate and interpret the 19th century kitchen to share the stories of the individuals who worked there, including enslaved persons. 

Distinguished visitors to the Mansion include Sir Winston Churchill, President Theodore Roosevelt, Charles Lindbergh, Margaret Thatcher, Sidney Poitier, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, Queen Elizabeth II, and Steven Spielberg, just to name a few.

The Virginia Capitol Foundation is the nonprofit advocate for the Capitol, Capitol Square, and Executive Mansion. It enhances the educational, cultural, and economic potential of Capitol Square’s historic treasures through program development, community engagement, and fundraising.

The Virginia Capitol Foundation Board of Trustees:  Officers – Ric A. Arenstein, Chairman;

Wendy Church Sydnor, Vice Chairman; The Honorable Susan Clarke Schaar, Secretary; Diana J. Beran, Treasurer.  Trustees: The Honorable Sandra D. Bowen, Susan Allen, Samuel W. Daniel, Janet T. Geldzahler, Adrienne G. Hines, Joseph W. Montgomery, The Honorable Brian Moran, The Honorable G. Paul Nardo, Anita O. Poston, The Honorable Nancy Rodrigues, S. Buford Scott, Charles H. Seilheimer, Jr., The Honorable John Charles Thomas

For information about the Virginia Capitol Foundation and the Virginia State Capitol including visitor services, go to www.VirginiaCapitol.gov. 

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FEINSTEINS WIN U.S.P.S. SALES. Conflict of Interest In Capital Hill Costing Us All?

Dianne Feinstein, member of the United States Senate. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The US has entered into a contract with a real estate firm to sell 56 buildings that currently house U.S. Post Offices.

The government has decided it no longer needs these buildings, most of which are located on prime land in towns and cities across the country.

The sale of these properties will fetch about $19 billion!

A regular real estate commission will be paid to the company that was given the exclusive listing for handling the sales. That company is CRI and it belongs to a man named Richard Blum.

Richard Blum is the husband of Senator Dianne Feinstein!

(Most voters and many of the government people who approved the deal have not made the connection between the two because they have different last names).

Senator Feinstein and her husband stand to make a fortune, estimated at between $950 million and $1.1 billion!! from these transactions.

His company is the sole real estate agent on the sale!

CRI will be making a minimum of 2% and as much as 6% commission on each and every sale. All of the properties that are being sold are all fully paid for. They were purchased with U.S. taxpayers dollars.

The U.S.P.S. is allowed free and clear, tax exempt use. The only cost to keep them open is the cost to actually keep the doors open and the heat and lights on. The United States Postal Service doesn't even have to pay county property taxes on these subject properties. QUESTION? Would you put your house in foreclosure just because you couldn't afford to pay the electric bill?

Well, the folks in Washington have given the Post Office the OK to do it! Worse yet, most of the net proceeds of the sales will go back to the U.S.P.S, an organization that is so poorly managed that they have lost $117 billion dollars in the past 10 years!

No one in the mainstream media is even raising an eyebrow over the conflict of interest and on the possibility of corruption on the sale of billions of dollars worth of public assets.

How does a U.S. Senator from San Francisco manage to get away with organizing and lobbying such a sweet deal? Has our government become so elitist that they have no fear of oversight?

It's no mere coincidence that these two public service crooks have different last names; a feeble attempt at avoiding transparency in these type of transactions.

http://www.snopes.com/politics/business/blum.asp

http://www.truthorfiction.com/rumors/b/Blum-Post-Office-Sale-061013.htm#.VGxAq_nF-Sq

(Destroying America as fast as possibly can be done.  Enemies of "We The People"!)

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Governor McAuliffe Announces 93 New Jobs in Montgomery County

~ Wolverine Advanced Materials to invest $10.6 million to expand operation~

RICHMOND - Governor Terry McAuliffe announced that Wolverine Advanced Materials (Wolverine) will invest $10.625 million to expand its specialty rubber coated materials manufacturing operation in Montgomery County. The company produces high-performance materials used in automotive and industrial noise reduction for brake and sealing applications. Virginia successfully competed against China, Florida and Illinois for the project, which will create 93 new jobs.

Speaking about the announcement, Governor McAuliffe said, “I am thrilled to announce Wolverine’s significant investment in Montgomery County today.  The company will add manufacturing capacity to reach its key growth markets in China and India, using the Port of Virginia as a gateway for its exports.  Increasing export volumes and creating advanced manufacturing jobs are key components of building a new Virginia economy. This project will benefit not only Montgomery County, but the Port and the Commonwealth as a whole.”

“Montgomery County has been home to Wolverine Advanced Materials’ Virginia facilities for 40 years,” said Maurice Jones, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade. “In the face of global competition, the company’s choice to grow its manufacturing operations in the Commonwealth speaks volumes about the benefits of our business environment, workforce and global access to markets.” 

Wolverine Advanced Materials is a leading developer, manufacturer and supplier to global friction and OEM manufacturers such as Daimler, BMW, GM, Chrysler, Ford and other high-quality clients that demand high-performance materials. The company’s core competency is in performance-critical, specialty elastomer-coated metals that offer damping and seal-ability solutions in the Automotive Brake, NVH, and Sealing industries. Extensive industry knowledge and innovative materials have made Wolverine a desired and trusted global supplier for over 80 years. Wolverine has offices in Virginia, Florida, Michigan, Germany, Japan, China, Brazil, and India. Principally owned by Wynnchurch Capital Partners, Wolverine employs approximately 600 people worldwide, with global headquarters in Dearborn, Michigan. 

“With our rich company history in Virginia, Wolverine is excited about expanding our manufacturing operations in Montgomery County,” said Grant Beard, Chairman, CEO, and President of Wolverine. “This investment will help Wolverine grow its global business while simultaneously benefiting Montgomery County through our expanded workforce.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Montgomery County and the New River Valley Economic Development Alliance to secure the project for Virginia. Governor McAuliffe approved a $250,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Montgomery County with the project. The company will receive benefits from the Port of Virginia Economic and Infrastructure Development Grant Program. Funding and services to support the company’s employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.

“This is a banner day for the Town of Blacksburg,” said Mayor Ron Rordam. “For many years Wolverine has been a powerhouse manufacturer of automotive goods in our community and a provider of quality jobs. We’re excited about the prospect of 93 new positions that will benefit the workforce in Blacksburg and the greater New River Valley and congratulate Wolverine on this tremendous investment in business expansion.”

“We congratulate Wolverine on its decision to expand in Montgomery County where the company has had operations since 1974,” said Montgomery County Board of Supervisors Chair Bill Brown. “The addition of advanced manufacturing positions with an average salary above Montgomery County’s prevailing wages is great news for our local economy.”

“Auto parts continue to be a top commodity moving through The Port of Virginia and the health of the port and auto industry is important to the economic well-being of the nation and the Commonwealth because of jobs,” said John F. Reinhart, CEO and Executive Director of the Virginia Port Authority. “The recent growth in the automotive sector proves that this industry has an excellent business partner in Virginia and this port. We are proud to be Wolverine’s gateway to international trade as the company increases exports while creating new jobs and economic investment in Montgomery County.”

(We continue to give away your hard earned tax dollars in a corporate welfare program just like this because we can and it's fun!)

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Governor McAuliffe Announces 225 New Jobs in Henrico County

~ McKesson Medical-Surgical to invest more than $10 million to expand divisional headquarters operation~

RICHMOND - Governor Terry McAuliffe announced that McKesson Medical-Surgical, Inc., an affiliate of McKesson Corporation, a leading healthcare services and information technology company, will invest more than $10 million in capital expense to expand its divisional headquarters operation in Henrico County, creating 225 new jobs. The company will relocate its headquarters facility to 168,500 square feet of the Deep Run III building, which was recently purchased and renovated by Markel|Eagle Partners.

Speaking about the announcement, Governor McAuliffe said, “McKesson Corporation’s expansion is great news for the people of Henrico County and our Commonwealth as a whole as we work to grow and diversify Virginia’s economy. Henrico County has been home to the company’s Medical-Surgical business unit for many years, and McKesson Medical-Surgical is an important employer, paying highly competitive salaries to nearly 600 staff in the region. Virginia’s high quality workforce and world class business environment played a key role in helping McKesson expand, and we are going to continue to leverage those outstanding assets to bring more companies like them here to the Commonwealth.”

“The success and growth of Virginia’s existing businesses are key to sustainable economic vitality in the Commonwealth,” said Maurice Jones, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade.“Virginia values its partnership with McKesson Corporation, and McKesson Medical-Surgical has been a significant corporate citizen in Henrico County since 1998. We are proud that the company continues to excel in the marketplace, and celebrate this expansion of its divisional headquarters that brings new jobs and capital investment.”

McKesson Medical-Surgical Inc., headquartered in Henrico County, is an affiliate of the McKesson Corporation. McKesson Corporation, currently ranked 15^th on the FORTUNE 500, is a healthcare services and information technology company dedicated to making the business of healthcare run better. McKesson works with payers, hospitals, physicians’ offices, pharmacies, pharmaceutical companies and others across the spectrum of care to build healthier organizations that deliver better care to patients in every setting. McKesson Medical-Surgical helps its customers improve their financial, operational, and clinical performance with solutions that include pharmaceutical and medical-surgical supply management, healthcare information technology, and business and clinical services.

“This new, state-of-the-art headquarters will create a collaborative workspace that helps us attract and retain the top talent we need to grow our business and better serve our customers as we work to improve healthcare in the U.S.,” said Stanton McComb, president, McKesson Medical-Surgical. “McKesson Medical-Surgical is proud to be a Top-50 employer in Richmond and I look forward to McKesson’s continued investment in Virginia.”

Since acquiring the property in 2011, Markel|Eagle Partners has completed a multi-million dollar renovation that transformed Deep Run III into one of the premier suburban office buildings in the market.

“McKesson Medical-Surgical’s selection of Deep Run III as the home of their divisional headquarters operation is a great win for all involved,” said J.B. Gurley, a principal with Markel|Eagle. “We have worked very hard to reposition Deep Run III so when we were selected by such a fine company it was a great day for our firm.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with the Henrico County Economic Development Authority and the Greater Richmond Partnership to secure the project for Virginia.Governor McAuliffe approved a $500,000 grant from the Governor’s Opportunity Fund to assist Henrico County with the project. Funding and services to support the company’s employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program.

“McKesson’s Medical-Surgical Division has been one of Henrico County’s major employers for as long as I can remember,” said Henrico Board of Supervisors Chairman Patricia S. O’Bannon. “We are pleased with their decision to lease 168,500 square feet of office space in the Deep Run III Building as their new corporate headquarters, and are particularly excited about their plans to add 225 new jobs there over the next few years.” O’Bannon added, “Winning a project of this magnitude takes a team approach, and we appreciate the efforts of the VEDP, the Greater Richmond Partnership, and our local team of the EDA and administration.”

(Giving away your hard earned tax dollars to corporations like this because we can!)

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Governor McAuliffe Announces $300,000 Local Innovation Grant

~ Funding to assist regional collaborative effort with small business development programs ~ 

RICHMOND – Governor Terry McAuliffe announced $300,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Local Innovation funding through Mecklenburg County for the Virginia’s Growth Alliance, which is a regional collaboration made up of 10 counties and one city in the Southern Virginia region. The grant will be used to develop several new programs for youth, new businesses and established businesses throughout the region to spur small business development and create jobs.

“Helping the Commonwealth’s existing and future business owners find ways to succeed is an important piece of building a new Virginia economy,” said Governor McAuliffe. “Programs like the Community Development Block Grant invest in the success of our communities and encourage business growth throughout Southern Virginia.”

This project will offer several different educational, mentoring and monetary programs including a pilot youth educational program involving both online and classroom education, a six-week “digital high touch” course for new entrepreneurs, a startup principles program for existing businesses, a microenterprise lending program funding business start-up or expansion, and a Peer2Peer XChange mentoring program to help develop network for new business owners.

The Virginia Growth Alliance is comprised of Mecklenburg County, Amelia County, Brunswick County, Buckingham County, Charlotte County, Cumberland County, Greensville County, Lunenburg County, Nottoway County, Prince Edward County and the City of Emporia.

“Entrepreneurial development is an indispensable component of economic growth and community development,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Maurice Jones. “We look forward to seeing the creativity and release of the entrepreneurial spirit throughout this region, and we hope this is a launch pad for these communities and businesses.”

Since 1982, the federally-funded CDBG program has been administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), and Virginia receives up to $17 million annually for this program. The CDBG program is a flexible tool for community improvement in Virginia and can address a wide range of needs, from infrastructure for new or expanding industries, new or improved water and sewer systems in rural areas, rehabilitation of housing in declining neighborhoods, revitalization of commercial districts, support to small businesses and support of facilities for a variety of needed critical community services.  Only eligible units of local government may apply for funding.

2014 CDBG Local Innovation Program:

Locality	Project Name	CDBG Award
Mecklenburg County Project area to also include: Amelia County, Brunswick County, Buckingham County, Charlotte County, Cumberland County, Greensville County, Lunenburg County, Nottoway County, Prince Edward County and the City of Emporia	VGA Small Business/Microenterprise Assistance Program	$300,000

(Giving millions to corporations and pennies to small business start ups that mean nothing to them.  But hey, at least it makes for great PR!)

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