HEARD ON THE STREET

It appears the city intends to have a serious conversation about city employee salaries. We haven’t yet established who called for it, the Mayor or the City Manager. We haven’t yet established who is in charge at city hall but someone in the high place decided a consultant must be hired to assist in determining the fair salary for each city employee. Any of us on the outside might arbitrarily say salaries are already too high, as a city recent department chart seemed to indicate, even without showing additional benefits. There has been some chatter in town about the large salary gap between Fire Chief and the next lower position. Obviously no consultant recommended that. And there must be other instances of unfairness. So if there is to be a meeting of all employees for a salary discussion it must surely mean there are going to be adjustments, and then 10% cuts at all levels to bring the city into the reality of the nations economic condition.

Or if the city is out of the blue going to spend millions for finer quarters they might consider cuts in salaries and benefits as a “use tax” charged against employees. We doubt there would be many employees resign because of that…not much hiring going on anywhere. Of course there is always the oft-used Brown theory, “If we are short of means raise the means." Most economists reject raising taxes in a depression but who has said there are economists at city hall? Maybe it is time for a Suffolk Tea Party if there are any conservatives and/or Republicans in this politically overly quiet city. It’s time for some “noise,” even if it is confined to rearranging the chairs on the Council.  

OOPS

A reporter for the SNH dared to refer to a city retreat as unfair, perhaps inferring that it should be labeled less than “open and transparent.” If the public can attend, even with mouths shut, it is relatively open. If interested private citizens could attend and speak the city might benefit from their insight. At any rate we agree with the SNH, a paper that rarely tackles controversial subjects with an opinion piece, or looks too deeply into city affairs. The SNH pricked the skin of the Mayor with an opinion, not a charge. 

It is similar to a School Superintendent meeting individually with school board members prior to a regular board meeting. If private citizens were “invited” then we would allow that a meeting is open. There is little doubt that more can be accomplished quickly if behind closed doors but rightness of any decision is limited   to participant’s experience.         

AN ORDINARY DAY IN THE LIFE OF THE QUEEN

For only the second time in my adult life, I am not ashamed of my country. I want to thank the hard working American people for paying $242,000 plus additional expenses for my vacation in Spain. My daughter Sasha, several long-time family friends, my personal staff and various guests had a wonderful time. Honestly, you just haven't lived until you have stayed in a $2,500 per night suite at a 5-Star luxury hotel. We only booked 70 rooms for our friends, staff and family. Thank you also for the use of Air Force 2 and the 70 Secret Service personnel who tagged along to be sure we were safe and cared for at all times.

Air Force 2 only used 47,500 gallons of jet fuel for this trip and carbon emissions were a mere 1,031 tons of CO2. It costs only $11,500 per hour to operate Air Force 2 and each additional plane for the other members of our party group. These are only rough estimates, but they are close (who's counting?). That's quite a carbon footprint as my good friend Al Gore would say, so we must ask the American citizens to drive smaller, more fuel-efficient cars and drive less too, so we can lessen our combined carbon footprint.

I know times are hard and millions of you are struggling to put food on the table and trying to make ends meet. I do appreciate your sacrifice and do hope you find work soon. I was really exhausted after Barack took our family on a luxury vacation in Maine a few weeks ago. I just had to get away for a few days. Will write more from Martha's Vineyard where we will spend our sixth vacation this year with more of our family and friends.

Cordially,

Queen, M. Obama

Teachers Matter

A culture of success is an important attribute of a high-achieving district.  This means there is a rigorous curriculum for students to learn and high-quality teachers to facilitate that learning.

Team member George Mears shared a recent article, A Teacher Quality Manifesto, that speaks to this culture.  Written by Deborah Kenny (CEO, Harlem Village Academies), the article points out the importance of setting the stage for success for teachers.

http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB10001424052748703440604575496281030445268-lMyQjAxMTAwMDIwMjEyNDIyWj.html

After reading the article, come back and share your thoughts.  What do you think?  Do we have a culture of success throughout our school district? 

NEW CITY HALL IS A DONE DEAL

They know where it will be, how much it will cost, exactly what they want in it, and the City Mothers were seen in a fabric shop picking out curtain material. It will require at least $37,500,000 dollars, probably ours, and a way to pay for it will magically appear after the Finance Director realizes Council is serious about this. Best estimates for repairs  is about 17 million.We have not heard what will happen to Old City Hall. It could be  retrofitted and made suitable for future city departments necessary for additional paper work as Obama’s Social System grows.  You can’t just stop government but it could be disastrous to allow employees and taxpayers to continue treading those weakening floors; what to do in the meantime, limit the weight of personnel? One thing  to consider is purchasing an abandoned JfCom building in North Suffolk where they really wanted to be until Gates closed the gate on that rapidly expanding empire.  You  will be proud of your new City on  Washington Street, soon the place to be. Think about it...new Social Services  Center, new Police  precinct, the coming Fairgrounds Apartments, and now a new City Hall with a guaranteed  one stop shop for small business entrepreneurs. Are you for repairing the building or building a new one?

TRAFFIC WORRIES WHOA CREATION OF SOUTH SUFFOLK

“Supporters of a plan to build a massive residential and commercial development near downtown say it would create a much-needed economic engine in the southern part of the city. Naysayers against the Four Farms project say it would clog already congested roadways, tax the city's infrastructure and flood the real estate market with surplus housing. After a 90-minute public hearing Tuesday, the city's Planning Commission decided it needs more time to study the project and voted to postpone action on it for 60 days.” So it was reported in the Pilot.

It sounded good, seemed just what South Suffolk needs, and the developer’s offer was fair, way ahead of many offers in the past that PC and Council Okayed. The fact that Whitney Saunders, he's a fine chap, spoke for the deal sealed it for me. But opponents of the Four Farms project erected a Red traffic light saying it would clog already congested roadways, tax the city's infrastructure(sewer and water) and flood the real estate market with surplus housing. Can you imagine little things like that preventing a new city emerging called South Suffolk?
Jeff Sheler (757) 222-5563,

IS FORMER INDIAN LAND STILL INDIAN LAND

Some think not, some think yes, some don’t care. A real life Indian Village located in Lone Star Lakes could be a unique genuine tourist draw and would not require even one full time employee. As it is today the traffic count would not excite anyone; perhaps dedicated fishermen, deer hunters, model airplane flyers, and those curious enough to drive through it. It would not cause traffic problems; we do survive the Pow Wow and there could easily be a second entrance on Kings Highway, the one where there used to be a bridge.  Our mixed race City Council is finally ready to do something, after many years, and the Indian Council led by Chief Bass, is eager the build teepees. What is your attitude, not that Council cares what you think. If they did the village would have been completed years ago. So it is with progress

Is it stupid to keep doing the same thing and expecting a different result?

The founding fathers devised a plan to encourage regular citizens to rule our land by and for the people. They feared the "ruling elite" which only served the interests of themselves first and the king or queen next. There was little if any room left for the interests of the people and that is why the revolution worked.

Unfortunately, this wise and well planned effort of our founders has been circumvented by the new ruling class, which hangs onto power and their seats for a lifetime. There are even some examples of the governing elite becoming a family business, handed down from father to son for generations in some cities, states and even the nation.

This is not how it was meant to be. It is time to get back to the checks and balances of electing the common folk, not the “ruling elite”. No one should serve more than two terms, nor be allowed too much power in our system. Some might claim that the people are just electing well qualified people, but that claim does not ring true as we have seen in how our entire country is being run into the ground. The claim of too many of these long serving "elitists" is that the people are just picking the best qualified. Well, we all know that is not the case. Voters just lazily ignore thinking about what should be done, or even accept some level of obligation to keep "their councilman, congressman, or whomever" in office, because they either do not vote or just pull levers like a robot...

We are now at a real crossroads, where being a lazy voter is no longer tolerable. Our county, state, and community can no longer just allow the "ruling elite" to keep their seats as usual. We must understand and act upon the plan of the founding fathers and vote for your neighbor or business associate for office, rather than the same old folks making the same old mistakes. They have proven that they will rule in their own interests and have a long standing vested interest to do so.

I respectfully implore my fellow citizens to ask themselves before they support any candidate: Why are you voting for this person who has failed to deliver on so many promises? Why vote for the same person if you believe as most of us do that our country, state and community is on the wrong path? Why not vote for hope and install a new face with fresh ideas and at least some new solutions? Do you really owe it to that incumbent your vote, when so many issues have gone wrong or plans failed, or worse? I say the answer is NO!

Please consider this seriously as you vote in this election cycle. Is it really proper to maintain the status-quo? Is it in our collective interest to assume that those who have lead for year, are really going to get a new answer if they have another term? It would seem that answer is clearly, NO! I will vote for only fresh ideas and new faces at each election that I can exercise my right to vote in and ask that you do the same. Make our country, state and community stronger by infusing it with new leadership and hope for the future... I see no reason to believe that making the same mistake, by voting in incumbents again and again, will somehow result in a new solution. Do you?

Roger A. Leonard
Suffolk...

THIS WILL WAKE YOU UP AND SCARE HELL OUT OF YOU

It  is very important that you read the top, newest, article in Bob's Corner. And have no doubts that it is true. It is just to your right on this page and down a bit. It used to be your country but you are slowly but surely losing  it.  

DOES OUR AIRPORT HAVE A FUTURE

Packed house at Council Chambers, both for and against Suffolk participating in assisting the airport on 58 improve its facilities. We leave  that 58 airport unnamed due to the senstivity; let's just say that our Council members are also split. Some regard our own airport more worthy of dollar influx than 58 and fail to see why we should be interested in helping 58 when you can't get a tire repaired at our own Peasnut Fest landing field..  It is interesting that Bennet, Brown, and Milteer seem most reluctant but failed to nail the reasons to the wall. Council did agree to have City Mothers tidy up loose strings that should have been done years ago. Those who invested in 58 have made great strides in the short time they've owned it but no big jets land yet. CenterPoint is still viable, though just simmering on a back burner, but could eventually give our airport additional business with corporate jets.

I find it humorous that most Council meetings pull in a live audience comparable to the number of tourists that find a reason to visit Suffolk, but when tall and handsome attorney Saunders "trys a case" at crumbling city hall he fills the  room. Actually the Council chamber would suffice for debates between candidates for that high office, that statement  based on the number of voters in  off-year elections. 

ANDY DAMIANI KICKS OFF ELECTION

You can’t get the facts needed for making a wise choice in 30 minutes but at least Round Table Talk will show you the faces of Council Candidates. And you will hear their voices that can tell you much about a person’s ability and education. Just judging from a photo in the SNH it is tempting to call the winners. And why not? J.B. Varney should bust up the perception of impropriety of the combo Gardy, Johnson, and Johnson. Brown will convince Newsome and everyone else that despite accomplishing almost nothing in 16 years he can’t be beat even though Newsome could use the extra money. It will be close between popular Mike Duman and Caroline Martin. “IS” favors Duman because he is a proven businessman with critical decision-making experience. As for Parr and Copeland it could be a race race. Paar may not be that popular in the white community and the black part of our population may work hard to get out the vote. Four blacks on Council could make life in Suffolk very interesting.

ANOTHER COMMENT THAT DESERVES TO BECOME A POST

The local  NAACP recognizes that violence is a local problem. But a comment by an anonymous writer to "IS" said this:   I understand that this is a national problem...a cultural problem...a (attach another vague general term) problem. However, on the smaller scale, what is the Suffolk problem? It is a problem of generations of families raised on government assistance. Go visit any SRHA property and see the truth. The standards are lax and not enforced. This results in a generational attitude of entitlement and a complete lack of accountability. What is the motivation to finish high school, go to college, or get married before having children when the government will essentially pay you NOT to? You want to know how to fix the problem in Suffolk? 1. Close the projects. All of them. Take a note from Virginia Beach - tear them down and don't rebuild. (This means ending the Fairgrounds Project - which, if completed, is going to be the death knell for downtown Suffolk.) 2. Enforce code violations across the board - and follow through. This means citations (followed by actual collection – (see Hobson), seizing properties and demolishing unsafe structures. If you can't maintain your property to a degree that it is safe, then you lose it. I think that the above two suggestions would dramatically change the flavor of Suffolk. But just for fun... 3. Attach drug test requirements to all government programs. Attach criminal record requirements to all government programs. (Read: if you're a convicted felon, you don't get a check.) How can anyone reasonably argue against these things?  ANONYMOUS

PLAY THE SALARY GAME HERE

Your brain, like mine, needs exercise.  On this page find link to Virginian Pilot.  Click on it and bring up that newspaper. Click on Salaries of Suffolk Employees. You will see number of ees, average salary of any department, total salary paid.  Now click on any department and see salary of department head. Now use your searching skills to find salaries of City Manager and City  Spokeslady.  If you find both give yourself a star.  Your are then ready to determine price of benefit package. If you are shocked at any employee total cost let us know.