Governor McAuliffe Announces 348 New Jobs in Arlington County

What you will want to note while reading the article below, written by one of the Governor's staff writers, is that we the people, or you the taxpayer, is paying a company over one million dollars to downsize and relocate everything here in Virginia.  Virginia may gain some jobs, over 300 according to the article below, but at a cost to all of us and again, the company is downsizing which is played off as meaning nothing.  So what that others around the nation loose their jobs.  We are gaining some new jobs for folks here in Virginia.  Well, that isn't exactly stated.  It's only suggested.  The company is more likely to move their best people to the new office here in Virginia.

And again, we see nothing about any of those jobs paying a living wage.  A living wage in an area such as Northern Virginia is higher than most other areas due to the cost of living there.  So, about $55,000.00 a year for a single person would be appropriate for a living wage in that area.  It's just outside of the DC belt.  $55 thousand might still be way to low.  I have not checked prices there in the past few years.

  So we have some very serious corporate welfare going on here and no signs of any decent return for all of that corporate welfare.  Just another raid on the people at the people's expense.  So here is their article.

~ Grant Thornton LLP to invest $15.75 million to consolidate operations and expand in Northern Virginia ~

RICHMOND – Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today that Grant Thornton LLP, a leading U.S. professional-services firm, will invest $15.75 million to consolidate offices and grow its presence across the Northern Virginia region. Virginia successfully competed against Washington, D.C. for the project, which will retain 994 jobs and create 348 new jobs.

“Retaining Grant Thornton in Virginia is a big win for the Commonwealth, as we continue to make Virginia the best place in the country for business and workforce development,”said Governor McAuliffe. “The firm’s consolidation is a great testament to the business advantages of Arlington County and we are excited to announce that this project is, not only retaining nearly 1,000 jobs in Virginia, but also creating 348 additional jobs. I am pleased with our success and will continue to work with industry leaders to ensure the new Virginia economy is innovative, diverse, and competitive in the global marketplace.”

“I am thrilled we were able to help Grant Thornton find a new, state-of-the-art home in Arlington County that can meet the company’s growing needs as it consolidates locations and expands in the region,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Maurice Jones. “Grant Thornton will continue to benefit from the Commonwealth’s superior workforce and Northern Virginia’s best in class business environment, and I congratulate the company on this exciting new chapter.”

“This move reinforces Grant Thornton’s commitment to Virginia and Arlington County,”said Jamie Fowler, Grant Thornton’s Atlantic Coast managing partner. “We’ll be combining our area offices to create a more efficient footprint, but also the ‘workplace of the future,’ a concept developed with input from Grant Thornton employees. The ‘workplace of the future’ equips and engages our people to leverage technology and design to do their jobs smarter, faster and better. More importantly, it allows them to feel connected no matter where they work.”

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Arlington County to secure the project for Virginia. Governor McAuliffe approved a $1 million grant from the Commonwealth’s Opportunity Fund to assist the County with the project. The company will also be eligible to receive a Major Business Facility Job Tax Credit. Funding and services to support the company’s employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program. 

“Grant Thornton is a well-established company with clients around the globe, and we could not be happier to welcome them to Arlington," said Libby Garvey, Chair of the Arlington County Board. "The company's expansion in Arlington County will bring significant job growth here, and we are confident Grant Thornton will find the workforce, resources and support it needs to ensure its success."

"This is another win for Arlington County and Governor McAuliffe," said Delegate Rip Sullivan. "Grant Thornton's decision to consolidate its Northern Virginia offices in Arlington will bring hundreds of talented workers—and taxpayers—to the County. Today is a great day for our Arlington community and for Grant Thornton."
"Grant Thornton has made a wise choice selecting Arlington County as the place to expand its Atlantic coast operations,” said Senator Barbara Favola. “Arlington County and the entire Northern Virginia region offer a highly educated and technologically savvy workforce, coupled with first-class school systems and research institutions. Clearly, Virginia's investments in human capital are yielding positive results every day. We welcome Grant Thornton to the region."

About Grant Thornton LLP

Founded in Chicago in 1924, Grant Thornton LLP (Grant Thornton) is the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd, one of the world’s leading organizations of independent audit, tax and advisory firms. In the United States, Grant Thornton has revenue in excess of $1.45 billion and operates 59 offices with more than 550 partners and 7,000 employees. Grant Thornton works with a broad range of dynamic publicly and privately held companies, government agencies, financial institutions, and civic and religious organizations.

“Grant Thornton” refers to Grant Thornton LLP, the U.S. member firm of Grant Thornton International Ltd (GTIL). GTIL and the member firms are not a worldwide partnership. Services are delivered by the member firms. GTIL and its member firms are not agents of, and do not obligate, one another and are not liable for one another’s acts or omissions. Please seegrantthornton.com for further details.

Governor McAuliffe Statement on Maurice Jones’ Selection as Next CEO of Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)

Governor Terry McAuliffe released the following statement congratulating Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Maurice Jones on his selection as the Chief Executive Officer of the Local Initiatives Support Corporation, an organization that works with low-income communities to create new opportunities for businesses and residents to thrive:

“Secretary Jones took on one of the toughest jobs in my Cabinet, and he has served our citizens well in the face of significant challenges from federal budget cuts and the threat of sequestration. He has been a strong partner as we worked together to build a new Virginia economy that is diverse and capable of withstanding future fiscal and political headwinds, and I will miss his thoughtful and strategic approach to economic development and workforce policy.

“Virginia is a much more significant competitor in the global economy today because of the progress we’ve made in strengthening our business climate, investing in infrastructure, providing incentives for emerging industry sectors and entrepreneurs, and transforming our workforce system. The breadth of those accomplishments is a reflection of the broad experience and knowledge base that Secretary Jones brought to this job from both the public and private sectors. While replacing his expertise and impact as a member of my cabinet will be a difficult task, this new opportunity will allow Secretary Jones to continue his career of public service by raising up struggling communities and helping residents build better lives for themselves. I thank Maurice for his outstanding service to our Commonwealth and wish him well as he begins this next chapter.”  

Vice President Joe Biden sent this message to people : Assault weapons and high-capacity magazines should be banned from civilian ownership

Today, Vice President Joe Biden sent this message to people who, in the wake of the tragic attack in Orlando, signed a We the People petition calling on the government to ban AR-15-type assault weapons from civilian ownership. As he says below, "The President and I agree with you. Assault weapons and high-capacity magazines should be banned from civilian ownership."

This creep has no use for the US Constitution despite what he may say.  He cares nothing about the rights of the people and only wants centralized government where the nanny state tells you what to do and how to think and will persecute you at the drop of a dime just to milk you for money.  He actually believes you are nothing better than a slave to the government and have no say in your own government.  He is part of the problem, not part of the solution.  But here is the rest of his very sick rant.

Over the past few years, we've watched as new horrific shootings have replaced previous ones as the deadliest in our nation's history.

We've waged campaign after campaign to turn our grief into action — each time thinking maybe, just maybe, this will be the one that breaks through. This will be the one that gets through to Congress, which must ultimately act. We've used phrases like Now is the Time. Stop Gun Violence. Enough is Enough.

Folks, enough has been enough for a long time.

You know that. On Monday, in the wake of this latest, deadliest, mass shooting, you started this petition. You worked together, calling on your government to ban AR-15-type weapons from civilian ownership. In the days following, we have seen members of the United States Senate take and hold the floor, refusing to back down, refusing to concede that we might need to wait for an even bigger national tragedy to finally make some changes.

To the creator and signers of this petition, I want to say this as plainly and clearly as possible: The President and I agree with you. Assault weapons and high-capacity magazines should be banned from civilian ownership.

When a lone gunman walked into a Century movie theater in Aurora, Colorado, he carried a Smith & Wesson M&P 15 -- a variation of the AR-15 rifle -- modified to hold as many as 100 bullets. He used it to kill 12 people and injure 70.

And when a lone gunman walked into a classroom at Umpqua Community College in Roseburg, Oregon, he carried a version of the AR-15. He used it -- and several handguns -- to kill 10 of his fellow students and injure nine.

And when a lone gunman walked into Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, he carried a Bushmaster XM 15 -- another version of the AR-15 -- and multiple high-capacity magazines. He used it to kill 20 innocent children and six educators with 154 bullets in five minutes.

A single person killed that many people in just a few minutes. Not in a war zone. Here in America -- in a classroom.

These weapons have been used to commit horrific acts. They've been called "the perfect killing machines." They fire bullets at incredible speed that rip through bodies and cause devastating carnage, and can accommodate high-capacity magazines that allow them to effectively shoot up to 45 rounds per minute. We've seen their tragic results play out in our death tolls and in the thousands left wounded, struggling to recover.

As we learned this week from the family of the gun’s inventor, he himself did not intend that this gun be used by civilians, only by our soldiers in combat -- giving them an advantage over the AK-47. He didn’t own one himself. Here is what his family said:

"We think he would have been horrified and sickened as anyone, if not more, by these events."

Right now, these weapons are on the shelves in gun shops around the country, completely legal for civilians to purchase. They can be purchased in a matter of mere minutes. That should not be so.

Here's a start: We should renew the assault weapons ban that Congress passed in 1994 — but which expired ten years later. That ban, which covered 19 specific assault-style weapons, was included in a comprehensive crime bill that folded together three pieces of legislation. I remember it well. I was Chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee at the time. I wrote much of the bill and led it through Congress — with the help of many others, especially Senator Feinstein on the assault weapons ban. I argued strongly in favor of banning these weapons. What's more, 46 House Republicans voted for that ban in 1994. Forty-six.

So what happened to that bill? To use a somewhat wonkish legislative term, it was "sunsetted." That means that this bill came with an expiration date: Ten years after its passage, it would need to be renewed. Under President Bush and a Republican Congress, the bill lapsed. And it hasn't been renewed since.

But renewing the ban on assault weapons isn’t the only thing Congress should do to help prevent the tragedy of gun violence around the country.

It could require that every buyer go through a background check before getting a gun -- to make sure dangerous weapons don’t end up in the hands of criminals or other people who have long been prohibited from possessing them. It could prevent people who are suspected of having terrorist ties and can’t get on a plane from buying weapons of war -- that’s just common sense. It could ensure that domestic abusers can’t go to the store to buy a gun -- filling the kinds of gaps in the law that leave too many innocent victims dead. It could end the freeze on gun violence research, so our public health experts can collect data and facts that would inform strategies to deal with this epidemic. And it could give law enforcement officials the tools and resources the President requested in his budget proposal -- so they can take dangerous criminals off the street and enforce our gun laws. Our Administration has done what it can. So have many cities, counties, and states.

Now it’s up to Congress to do its job.

They'll have a good opportunity this Monday, when the Senate is set to vote on a number of different gun safety measures -- votes that came about after that 15-hour filibuster, during which a series of Democratic senators refused to cede the floor. The measures they will vote on would address the fact that anyone on a terrorist watch list can still legally purchase guns and explosives. They will address the current background check requirements for prospective gun buyers.




I encourage you to pay attention to Monday's votes. Make yourselves aware. Use your voice. Make yourselves impossible to ignore.

Because you’re not alone in recognizing the need to act -- to take steps, consistent with the Second Amendment -- that will keep our children and communities safe. Here's who else agrees with you: The Department of Justice. Dozens of United States Senators. Faith leaders, law enforcement officials, and responsible businesses. Public health experts. And the vast majority of the American people, including the vast majority of gun owners in the country.

If taking commonsense steps to reduce gun violence had the potential to save even one life, it would be worth doing. But it has the potential to save far more than that.

You know that. And that is why you spoke up. That matters. But the fact is that we have three separate but equal branches of a government for a reason.

And so, to speak directly to those members of Congress who, in the wake of this most recent, most horrific killing of our citizens, might be considering stepping up and getting this done once and for all, I'd like to remind you that this will not stop on its own. It will not stop. In the three and a half years since Newtown, there have been at least 1,002 mass shootings in this country. At least 1,135 people killed, and 3,953 wounded. That includes 49 killed and 53 wounded in Orlando.

You know in your heart that this is the right thing to do. You know that by stepping up, your action has the potential to create a domino effect. Have the courage to do it.

We have done it before. We can do it again.

He gave his twisted opinion, now I am going to give mine.  What happened in Orlando was tragic, not question.  But it was in no way a terrorist attack as the media is telling you to believe it was.  If it had been a terrorist attack, the targets would have been high ranking government officials.  That is how real terrorism works.  Terrorists do not go around killing innocent people to prove their point.  They target government officials and let them know how truly vulnerable they are.  So the world isn't seeing actual terrorism in any way, just setups being called terrorism.  The ends justify the means for these sick jokers in government and the media.  You are free to believe anything you want, but in the end, if you do not head the warnings, you will be very sorry.  That is my opinion on these matters.

The Governor's Weekly Top 5 - It's not what they say, it's what they don't say

Since the beginning of the McAuliffe administration, 707 economic development deals have been closed in Virginia with more than $11.24 billion in capital investment, which is more than any previous governor in the first 28 months in office. Governor McAuliffe is focused on growing the #NewVAEconomy and continuing our historic economic success.

The Governor’s Top 5

1. Governor McAuliffe announces unemployment drops to 3.8% as GDP rises 1.4%

TAKE AWAYS:

·         What are the details of this announcement?

·         “The continued decline in Virginia’s unemployment rate, combined with our most significant increase in state gross domestic product since 2010, is a testament to the success we are having growing and diversifying our Commonwealth’s economy. Despite the ongoing headwinds generated by sequestration and federal defense cuts, Virginia’s economic growth is creating new opportunity and a quality of life for families across the Commonwealth.” - Governor Terry McAuliffe

PRESS:

o   The Press Release from the U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of Economic Affairs

2. Governor McAuliffe announces historic SMART  SCALE transportation process that uses objective data to prioritize projects

TAKE AWAYS:

·         What are the details of this announcement?

·         “Virginia is the first state in the country to use an outcome-based prioritization process to select transportation projects. My team and I were proud to work with a bipartisan coalition from the General Assembly and localities and regional bodies across the state to develop reforms that make the absolute best use of taxpayer dollars by investing in the right transportation projects. No longer are we allowing politics and wish lists to determine what gets built. This process is critical to moving people, jobs, and commerce, all of which is essential to building the new Virginia economy.” – Governor Terry McAuliffe

PRESS:

o   McAuliffe praises “Smart Scale” transportation overhaul before “historic” vote Tuesday – The Virginian-Pilot

o   State transportation board to vote on $14.4 billion plan – The Richmond Times-Dispatch

o   Waynesboro gets huge state transportation funds – the Staunton News Leader

o   State transportation panel to vote on Charlottesville streetscape projects – The Charlottesville Tomorrow

o   New state transportation program approved, paving way for Rappahannock River Crossing– The Free Lance-Star

3. First Lady and Governor McAuliffe launch food crop donation initiative to aid food banks through tax credits

TAKE AWAYS:

·         What are the details of this announcement?

·         “The First Lady and I are working hard to reduce hunger in the Commonwealth by creating pathways to nutritious food for all Virginians. This new budget allows for $250,000 to be issued in tax credits annually for farmers who participate in the program. This is an opportunity for our farmers to help provide healthy, Virginia-grown food to the hungry in their communities, while also receiving a valuable tax incentive. Through these newly created partnerships with local non-profit organizations like Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, we will provide greater access to healthy food for our most under-served citizens.” - Governor Terry McAuliffe

PRESS:

o   McAuliffe visits Valley, signs bill boosting food banks, farmers – The News Virginian

o   Virginia farmers get new tax breaks for food bank donations – WVIR Charlottesville (NBC)

o   McAuliffe signs food crop donation tax credit bill – The Danville Register & Bee

4. Governor McAuliffe signs ABLE Act at Richmond Special Olympics to financially assist individuals and families with special needs

TAKE AWAYS:

• DETAILS – Governor McAuliffe ceremonially signed the ABLE Act at the opening ceremonies of the Richmond Special Olympics this past week. This legislation creates 529 savings accounts for individuals and their families with special needs in Virginia. These account are designed to help save for college free of means testing at the state level. Governor McAuliffe was joined by Delegate Eileen Filler-Corn, the patron of the original bill (HB 1103), which commanded bipartisan support during the 2016 General Assembly session.

·         “Tonight, we recognize the incredible contributions these extraordinary people make in Virginia. I am pleased to join Delegate Filler-Corn to sign ABLE, a financial tool that will help individuals with special needs and their families succeed … We are committed to helping all Virginians achieve their dreams and realize their full potentials.” - Governor Terry McAuliffe

PRESS:

o   Burke and Springfield: Saving ABLE Savings Accounts – The Connection

o   Special Olympics summers games kick off at UR – WRIC Richmond (ABC)

5. Governor McAuliffe launches “Who’s Your Driver” campaign to deter drunk driving in Virginia

TAKEAWAYS:

• DETAILS – Governor McAuliffe launched the “Who’s Your Driver” campaign at the Richmond International Speedway this week with the Virginia State Police. This initiative is aimed to increase public awareness of drunk driving issues and deter Virginians from driving drunk through the use of a designated, sober driver. The program will micro-target millennial men, who are statistically more likely to get behind the wheel while intoxicated. The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles Highway Safety Office and DRIVE SMART Virginia also partnered with the program.

·         “Keeping Virginians safe is a top priority of my administration and deterring drunk driving through ‘Who’s Your Driver’ is a big step forward to lower traffic accident and fatalities. We will continue to emphasize the importance of a designated driver and this program’s success is attributed to the partnership and collaboration of the Virginia State Police, the DMV’s Highway Safety Office, the Richmond International Speedway, and DRIVE SMART.” – Governor Terry McAuliffe

PRESS:

o   Governor McAuliffe announces grant to accelerate apprenticeship program – AlexandriaNews

o   Virginia receives grant to accelerate apprenticeship program – WVIR Charlottesville

o   McAuliffe announces grant for apprenticeship programs – Charlottesville Newsplex (CBS)

o   ‘Who’s your driver?’ campaign aims to curb drunk driving – WRIC Richmond (ABC)

In Case You Missed It

·         Gov. McAuliffe celebrates state parks’ 80^th birthday at Westmoreland State Park – The Free Lance-Star

·         32 new jobs coming to Henry County with feed production operation facility – Danville Register & Bee

·         Turning potential into participation key after restoration of ex-felons’ voting rights by Jamal Watson – DiverseEducation

·         McAuliffe signs bill to prevent sexual and domestic violence – WVIR Charlottesville (NBC)

·         Governor, state legislators visit Fort Pickett – The Virginia National Guard

Now here is what they are not telling you and also, how to read between the lines:

What they are not telling you is how much debt they are saddling the state and or federal government with.  Many new corporations have in fact moved into Virginia, but at a tremendous cost to all Virginian's.  Read what they are saying above.  All the government grants or better put, corporate welfare, that has been given out to get companies here.  Now let's look at that even deeper.  How many of those companies are paying a living wage to it's employees?  Maybe all of them but only to the folk's at the very top of the company in Virginia.  But did those same companies hire management from within the state of Virginia or did these corporations just move their own people from somewhere else?  So what we are really seeing is a huge influx of very poor paying jobs which translates into more people moving onto the welfare rolls increasing the burden for higher taxes to cover these extra expenditures.  It's a really neat trick if you are not paying attention to what is really going on.  And look at all of the socialists lining up to write such rosy articles to tell you how great socialism is.  It's a sinking ship and we are all under water now and it's only getting worse.

Governor McAuliffe Announces Virginia’s Unemployment Rate Hits Lowest Since May 2008

~ Commonwealth’s Annual Gross Domestic Product Grew at Highest Rate Since 2010 ~

RICHMOND - Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today that Virginia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined by 0.1 percent in May and is now at 3.8 percent—the lowest rate since the May 2008 rate of 3.8 percent. Virginia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate remains below the national rate, which fell 0.3 percentage points in May to 4.7 percent. 

In May, Virginia’s seasonally adjusted nonfarm employment was 3,902,400 jobs. Virginia’s over-the-year employment growth of 1.8 percent surpassed the national growth rate, which was 1.7 percent. For the eighth consecutive month, over-the-year growth in the Commonwealth has surpassed the national growth rate.

Virginia was tied for the lowest seasonally adjusted unemployment rate among the Southeast states and had the fourth best rate among the states east of the Mississippi.

Compared to last month, the May seasonally unadjusted private sector average weekly earnings for Virginia were higher by $15.99. Compared to last May, the seasonallyunadjusted average weekly earnings grew by $38.77, or 4.2 percent, to $954.45.

“The continued decline in Virginia’s unemployment rate, combined with our most significant increase in state gross domestic product since 2010, is a testament to the success we are having growing and diversifying our Commonwealth’s economy,” said Governor McAuliffe. “Despite the ongoing headwinds generated by sequestration and federal defense cuts, Virginia’s economic growth is creating new opportunity and a quality of life for families across the Commonwealth. We have more work to do, but there is no question that Virginia is headed in the right direction economically.”

“Virginia’s job growth continues to accelerate at an impressive pace,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Maurice Jones.  “The private sector, in particular, is adding jobs in almost every industry.  Now is the time for us to continue to make strategic investments in talent, infrastructure and education that will ensure that this season of robust growth endures.”

From May 2015 to May 2016, Virginia’s seasonally adjusted total nonfarm employment increased by 67,900 jobs. Over-the-year employment growth has been positive for the past 26 months. The private sector recorded an employment gain of 66,200 jobs, while the public sector recorded an employment gain of 1,700 jobs. Compared to a year ago, on a seasonally adjusted basis, eight of the eleven major industry divisions experienced employment gains.

Governor McAuliffe also announced that according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), Virginia’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth rate for fourth quarter 2015 was 2.4 percent, and was more than 40 percent larger than the nationwide rate of 1.7 percent growth.  This is the third consecutive quarter of strong GDP growth and gives Virginia the highest year over year improvement in GDP growth in the southeast United States.  Virginia’s 1.4 percent increase in annual GDP growth is the Commonwealth’s highest since 2010. Growth in Virginia’s GDP exceeded the nation for: Nondurable Goods Manufacturing, Professional and Technical Services, Management of Companies, and in Administrative and Support Services.

For a greater statistical breakdown visit the Virginia Employment Commission’s website atwww.vec.virginia.gov.  

The BEA’s press release can be found at: http://www.bea.gov/newsreleases/regional/gdp_state/qgsp_newsrelease.htm

Now here is the real problem.  None of this growth has created any real significance for Virginian's.  Most all of these jobs pay below a living wage which means that Virginia is being saddled with higher debts covering more people for food stamps also known as SNAP benefits, more government supplied low level health care and insurance and other social programs which in turn is further enslaving the people of the state.   What is truly needed is less government, less corporations and more small businesses of all types.  Drive real competition and get rid of the monopolies.  

Accident With Fatality On 17 North and Providence, Gloucester, VA

An accident with a fatality occurred about 8:00 PM on December 15th, 2015 on route 17 north and Providence Road in Gloucester.  As we understand the situation having talked to several witnesses, a vehicle broke down around the Gloucester County garage on 17 and was blocking traffic to some extent.  A young man and woman stopped to help move the broken down vehicle off the highway and over to a safe area.  The vehicle that was broken down as identified by witnesses is a red car that appears to be a Honda Civic.

The vehicle that was broken down is pictured above.  As we understand what happened is that a man who helped move the vehicle to safety started running across the highway again and was struck by an oncoming pickup truck as it was explained to us.  Below is a slideshow of pictures.  This tide up traffic both North bound and South bound for hours making it very difficult for people to get to their destinations.

I was assaulted by two firefighters in front of a witness while getting these photos which is a Virginia violation, Virginia Code 18.2-57(a).  Two men from one of the firefighters crew came up to two of us who were standing off to the side of the road, in no way interfering with the duties of any of the emergency workers.  A first amendment violation, an attempted suppression of news, and a Federal Violation 42 USC 1983, Civil Rights violation against me.  They threatened to take my property, told me that they did not want me to take any pictures and told me that I had to go back home, wherever that was.  I feared violence from these two men.

Above is a picture of the two men in question before they approached me in front of a witness.  The picture is lousy and it is not easy to identify these two men.  I can not identify them and have no idea who they are.

This above picture is a better view of one of the two men who assaulted me just as he and his partner walked over to me.  As you can see from the picture, I was on the side of the road and no where near the accident and in no way could be interfering with them doing their job.  I was the only one told to leave the area.  The witness next to me was not asked to leave and was not harassed or assaulted.

This should not be viewed as a negative against the brave firefighters here in Gloucester County.  We have the utmost respect for the hard work these folks do.  It is a shame that two have stepped outside of the scope of their duties to try and bully and assault me for no apparent reason.

  We have a short video clip showing the accident scene.  We do not have the name of the victim and even if we did, could not publish it until released by the Sheriff's office.

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Yorktown Beach Flooding: October 3rd, 2015

On Saturday, October 3rd, 2015 we went out and hit the beaches of Gloucester Point and Yorktown, Virginia to take a number of pictures to show the flooding or, shall we say sea level rise, hitting our shores.  Above is a slideshow of various areas around the Yorktown River Walk area and include street flooding during the high tide.  When we first went over to the area, there was some standing water in the road but as the tide came in so did a lot of water that caused some issues for the various vehicles that decided to tempt their luck and drive through the waters on the road.  You can see what we are talking about at towards the end of the slideshow.  We also played around with some of our camera features which is why some of the pictures seem off color compared to the majority.

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Gloucester Point Beach Flooding: October Hurricane 2015

Over the weekend, October 3rd and 4th, 2015, the road going down to the Gloucester Point Beach has been closed to traffic.  Boats were also restricted and could not use the public access points.  There was considerable flooding all along the beach and parking areas as well as the main road.  At one point during high tide, the main road itself was under water.  It resided very quickly as the tide went out but nevertheless it was pretty much a mess.  We have taken a number of photos both here at the Gloucester Point Beach as well as at Yorktown showing how high the waters came up.

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