I attended the Gainesville District Townhall meeting and here’s a quick update.
- Transportation projects include the widening of 15, widening of 66 and the Linton Hall Corridor Project are all on track to be completed either early or on-time. And let me just say, I stand in awe of these transportation engineers who are able to squeeze a lane out of nothing. Unfortunately, new project funding is in doubt because of current economic conditions and funding issues related to the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority and Bob Marshall’s lawsuit where the Virginia Supreme Court ruled the collection of the funds unconstitutional.
- There was literature available concerning the Journey thru Hallowed Ground designation.
- Transmission Lines have been approved by the Virginia State Corporation Commission conditional on West Virginia and Pennsylvania. West Virginia has given the go ahead while Pennsylvania has not. Also, there’s this interesting article in today’s Washington Post about Maryland regulators requesting electric utilities to draft conservation plans.
- USDOT representative reports federal highway funding legislation runs out at the end of September 09 and will need an overhaul.
- Stirrup again refuses to answer question about his membership in ‘Help Save Manassas’ instead decides to call me an ‘illegal alien apologist.’ Okay, if you think McCain and Reagan were apologists then so be it.But I did seem to learn who’s Stirrup’s spin meister is – Mr. Murphy. By the way, you were not his first choice for the job, greater men with more integrity declined this position. Better get back to crunching those numbers since ER visits have not decreased.
We are all losers when it comes to John “the Weasel” Srirrup’s failed leadership, if you can even call it that since he takes all his policy and word choice advice from Greg Letiecq.
The real question for Stirrup should be, “when will you admit you led us astray?” If he won’t acknowledge the irreversible economic and quality of live damage his subservience to Greg Letiecq has caused this county, we will have to find an elected official who will. You can’t begin to fix a problem until you come to terms with the facts on what the problem is and what caused it.
Weasel John Stirrip has been in a hate and ignorance bubble for two years now. For the sake of our county, I’m glad Alanna popped it!
Hi Mackie, no offense but Stirrup was discussing the issues, Alanna went off topic not Stirrup. I’m not defending what he did but if I’m not mistaken he was answering questions about the issues the meeting was intended for.
RickyB,
Don’t you mean “may God have mercy on Greg and his members’ souls”?
Are you born again since last week or something? I thought you disavowed God.
hello,
Why is Alanna’s question any less important than any other question asked.
–He said he’d not withdrawn himself from any civic organizations, at least she wasn’t called names at the venue.–
LOL! There’s a good non-answer, yeah? Thanks for the clarification Chris. Since I’m someone who asks questions whenever I feel I can get them in, I understand Alanna’s asking even when people think it might not be an appropriate time. I like your idea of a letter to the editor.
Mom, your examples are interesting, and I don’t think any of what you describe is acceptable. What we are talking about here is the way the BOCS does business across the board (no pun intended), and that way is less than transparent, less than democratic, less than fiscally and socially responsible, and less than productive for the county. We are looking at parallel situations.
Finally, going off topic isn’t a crime (I say in Alanna’s and my own defense hee hee)!
What should I make for dinner?
“God bless” is just a figure of speech
PAP,
I called it a “reply”, and never accused it of being an answer. 😉
I’m very vocal myself, and ask questions when I can too.
And THAT is why we get ourselves into trouble sometimes, yes? You are probably better than I am, however.
I admit I need to know when to shut up. That skill has always seemed to elude me somehow….
A town hall meeting should have a loose agenda and time for those in the audience to ask questions about the topics not covered or about seperate issues.
To say that Alanna was off topic really means that there is no place this question could be asked. That should not be the case.
One question is not the hi jacking of an evening forum. It is my understanding that Stirrup’s last town hall meeting had about a half hour of discussion and questions about periodicals being left in driveways. YAWN. Glad I didn’t have to endure that one!
Rick
Thanks for the clarification. I just wanted to make sure bvbl hadn’t converted you, that’s all.
–periodicals being left in driveways—
OMG! LMAO!
Rick, be careful. A professor was recently chastised for hanging the Nietzsche quote “God is dead” on his office door. Heathens, academics, philosophers and non-conformists are not faring well lately.
–ketchup was designated as a vegetable–
But a tomato is a fruit! Why is that? My kids keep asking me. I can’t answer their question.
Mom,
Since I don’t have the same “priviledge” of knowing your true identity, I can’t really comment on your assessement of disappointment in me. Why is this issue different, well, I don’t think it takes much explanation really. When was the last time you had thousands of people turn out to citizen time to talk about a “resolution” ? Hmmm, I can’t think of one. When was the last time you had a coalition of religous leaders come together and urge a Chairman to consider the tone and ramifications of such a resolution? When was the last time you had County leader use his bully pulpit to catapult himself onto the national stage, not caring that a hate organziation was using us like lab rats? When was the last time you had supervisor “ambush” his fellow supervisors with a resolution that was ill concieved, ill researched, and ill informed, and then allowed a blogger to take charge of your county? How is this different than land use abuses, because this one promotes hate of a entire segment of our population, and as much as I LOVE the Rural Crescent, and as much as I fight for conservation, THIS abuse was simply out of bounds to my sense of common decency. No Mom, I won’t be surprised by the abuse that will be reaped upon my county by greedy developers and unscrupulous supervisors, but I can only fight so many fights. Mom, since you seem to know so much, why don’t you lead the fight to help citizens protect these valuable resources in this county. I look forward to your leadership.
Damn you, MH!
“The confusion about ‘fruit’ and ‘vegetable’ arises because of the differences in usage between scientists and cooks. Scientifically speaking, a tomato is definitely a fruit. True fruits are developed from the ovary in the base of the flower, and contain the seeds of the plant (though cultivated forms may be seedless). Blueberries, raspberries, and oranges are true fruits, and so are many kinds of nut. Some plants have a soft part which supports the seeds and is also called a ‘fruit’, though it is not developed from the ovary: the strawberry is an example. As far as cooking is concerned, some things which are strictly fruits may be called ‘vegetables’ because they are used in savoury rather than sweet cooking. The tomato, though technically a fruit, is often used as a vegetable, and a bean pod is also technically a fruit. The term ‘vegetable’ is more generally used of other edible parts of plants, such as cabbage leaves, celery stalks, and potato tubers, which are not strictly the fruit of the plant from which they come. Occasionally the term ‘fruit’ may be used to refer to a part of a plant which is not a fruit, but which is used in sweet cooking: rhubarb, for example. So a tomato is the fruit of the tomato plant, but can be used as a vegetable in cooking.”
http://www.askoxford.com/asktheexperts/faq/aboutother/tomato
(Sorry Elena. I promise to get back on track. Rough week.)
Elena,
Sorry about the earlier tone, the divisiness of the issue has had a negative impact on far more than the initial resolution, collateral damage that has cost me more time and effort than I care to think about.
With regard to ill conceived, ill researched, and ill informed resolutions, bills, initiatives, regulations, etc. largely ramrodded by some manner of special interest, been there, done that, doing it again and likely will start on a new one tomorrow. Kind of goes with working in DC, just another days work, thus I don’t generally take the issues or the personalities personally and prefer to focus on the end game.
This abuse was no more out of line than many other abuses, it simply pulled harder on the sensibilities and heartstrings of some than most other issues, most other issues that generally go unnoticed by the public at large.
With regard to fighting to protect the county’s valuable resources, I’m already neck-deep in it, but as I noted earlier, with most of the attention focused on immigration few are watching the rest of the store. Perhaps the current LUAC controversy will wake a few people up and engender some righteous public outcry. That having been said, don’t look for me to lead the fight, I work better alone and solely responsible for my own actions. Since I don’t play nice or fair, it tends to limit collateral damage.
Hi Jorge Pollo, where and when did I say that Alanna’s question wasn’t as important as the others? You must be referring to someone else I suppose.
Good news and off topic. The dow just finished up 577 points. We all needed that.
Hi, yourself hello. You didn’t say her question was less important. I think I had your post and someone else intertwined. I do think all questions should be answered, though. I would never think a constituents’ question was not deserving of an answer, on or off topic. Please, pardon the confusion.
MOM, I existentially understand your last paragraph.
——
In general–
The immigration issue did hi-jack the major workings of the county as well as divert election issues where Republicans were not expected to do too well. On the other hand, some of what the anti-immigration folks wanted to accomplish was not the runaway train they thought they had. I would say that the Immigration Resolution got fairly diluted when all was said and done, regardless of who wants to admit what.
Some of our supervisors are still traveling all around the country giving out false, misleading information to other localities. They need to stop doing that. They need to either shut up about it or be honest about what has really transpired here.
One can go through the video posted right here on this blog right this minute and find several lies coming out of Mr. Stirrup’s mouth. Not knowing is no longer an excuse.
When they stop lying and spreading false information, then perhaps we might stop asking critical questions about their associations with others. That’s just the way politics works.
Perhaps we should have a regular feature called “Stirrup’s Quarterly Disgraceful Public Outburst at a Constituent.”
ShellyB,
lol. Sounds like a potential sit-com.
Did John have any news about Silver Lake Park? The park authority said they would open it this spring but I haven’t heard anything and I’m wondering if this will really happen.
So I hear from the top that there is “grim” news about the budget in Prince William County Schools….does anybody have any clue about what is on the chopping block? Was that work session public?
“I just wanted to make sure bvbl hadn’t converted you, that’s all.”
heh, no.
Alanna shouldn’t have to write a letter to the MJM/Potomac News, or whatever it’s called now. Nor should she have to ask her question of John Stirrup at a public forum. Don’t get me wrong, she certainly has that right, but it shouldn’t be solely her responsibility.
Our local newspapers have failed miserably in their investigatory and oversight roles. The MJM certainly has heard the rumors about Stirrup’s association with HSM, about GL’s relationship with Corey Stewart, about HSM’s association with FAIR, and FAIR’s role in drafting the “Rule of Law” [oh, how I hate that name] Resolution.
And yet the only discussion about these concerns has been here.
Any up and coming reporter worth his or her salt should be chomping at the bit to get to the bottom of this story. Could have added a nice little investigative series to the resume. Why hasn’t that happened? Your guess is as good as mine. Given Media General’s penchant for FOIA requests, one wonders why that hasn’t happened as it regards this, one of the most important and controversial issues the county has faced. The WaPo Prince William Weekly, which typically schools the MJM in local coverage, has also dropped the ball.
Well folks, I was the one who coined the phrase “illegal alien apologist” over on BVBL in the early days of this debate as a far more polite alternative to the other descriptions being offered to those who fell on the side of the illegal aliens. Now that’s being called name-calling. Given that those on that side of the debate were more often than not calling those who disagreed with them racist, I’d say that the phrase “illegal alien apologist” considerably takes the high rode. Nothing like making an issue of a non-issue just to stir up tempers. We are still in the third grade here, although a third grader might actually come back with that “sticks and stones” adage.
Now, DiversityGal has actually tried to ask an adult question…anybody have an answer?
Excuse me, it should be “road,” not rode. I must start proofreading.
can someone tell the definition of an “illegal alien apologist “?
Casual, our local journalists don’t get paid enough for oversight. I would think an elected official mixed up with hate groups would be above their pay grade. Their job is to quote Corey Stewart and leave it at that.
AW, the “apologist” term has been all over the country stemming from anti-immigrant groups older than our PWC discussion.
Casual, why not write to Ms. Chumley and ask her to do a story since she is following costs and fibs pretty closely?
http://www.insidenova.com/isn/news/local/article/supervisors_agree_to_eat_cheaper/24494/
–I would think an elected official mixed up with hate groups would be above their pay grade.–
And you know damn well Stewart, Stirrup, GL, Duecaster and CLAN would be threatening lawsuit. The paper probably wouldn’t want to take that chance. This is where citizen reporters really do have the upper hand.
Pat, an “illegal alien apologist” is apparently someone who apologizes for illegal aliens’ behavior implying that the “apologist” agrees with illegal immigration. The word has taken on other connotations such as “traitor.”
Posting As Pinko, 13. November 2008, 18:26
Oh, I’m quite sure that’s true Pinko…to my knowledge, I was the first to use it locally, so why don’t you scourge me for starting the “name-calling.” Geesh…
It’s not a nice name, but you aren’t a member of the BOCS. Turn the tables: I wonder how Stirrup would take it if he asked Gov. Kaine a question and Kaine didn’t answer anything except to call Stirrup KLAN member.
The fact that you could use that as a legitimate comparison says more about you than you know.
I’m with AWCcheney on this one PAP, I don’t think the two compare at all.
Regardless of who coined the term, illegal alien apologist is a derogatory expression and has no place in the public forum. Calling a constituent by that name is inexcusable. It avoids the answering the question. ‘No comment’ would have been far more acceptable.
I don’t believe discussion of borish behavior is childish. We aren’t talking about 2 neighbors or 2 colleagues here. We are discussing how an elected official speaks to one of his constituents. Given the sensitive nature of this issue here in Prince William County, those remarks were a real deal breaker, in my opinion.
I always thought the term apologist was meant as sympathizing. Our immigration system is BROKEN and it reminds me of this song…..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGPUuPHdHQg
BUT the people that are recognizing that it is broke either want to throw apologist as something good or bad. The point ( and I am not good at making them for other people to understand, LOL) is that the FOCUS is not in the right place. It ‘s the pointing of fingers and saying, ‘oh yeah, I know I am but what are you?’ Whatever you say to me bounces of of me and sticks to you like glue”
or something along those lines and not dealing with the issue= 😉 LOL, just my 2 cents
RD
The immigration system is broke, both sides agree to that.I guess the term apologist (sympathizing) comes into play when you realize it is ALREADY to LATE and can not go back to the rule of law but recognize that it CANNOT continue but a workable solution the jackasses that let it happen.
Martha-
Regarding your comment at 1442pm: Get your facts straight. The Board of County Supervisors voted to SUPPORT the NVTA tax package. Incidentally that vote took place on July 10, the same date as the first big immigration vote. But then again, the facts have never been that important to you.
That so Moon-howler…and accusing everyone on the other side of being a racist and/or hate-monger isn’t? That’s what many of your friends have been doing for quite some time now, and I’m getting a little tired of it. There is NOTHING inherently derogatory in the term illegal alien apologist (reread inon, 13. November 2008, 8:20). It’s more a matter of what you want to read into it, twisting its meaning, such as defining illegal immigrants as merely migrants or immigrants…they are not the same thing! Semantics is one of the things which has raised the temperature on this debate to the point where far too many on both sides have become intractable. If there is no desire to resolve the issue, it’s discussions such as this which will lead to exactly that.
First, I’m not Martha either and the vote to which you refer is not the one I am referring to. I am pointing to the instructions with regard to initializing the taxes which came well prior to the vote on accepting them. I guess they figured everybody forgot their initial stance was in opposition to the new taxes. It is you who needs to get the facts straight.
And I should like to further point out that calling people who would really like to see the problems regarding illegal immigration equitably resolved are NEVER going to be receptive to being called anti-immigrant…which is another term which is bandied about with abandon! When you accuse people of perpetuating anger surrounding an issue which will take intelligence, reason, and compromise to resolve…look in the mirror.
Who says mom is female?
“when you realize it is ALREADY to LATE and can not go back to the rule of law but recognize that it CANNOT continue but a workable solution”
To CLARIFY:
Apologist to sympathize that ( the jackasses have let it happen by NOT securing our borders for decades)
And that you cannot go back and use the term RULE of LAW ( I am SICK of it too because it had become a freakin’ MOCKERY of our country and RESPECT to the law) I can only imagine if I were a criminal or get pulled over for speeding, the excuse I would have of,asking the judge/police when do you pick and choose the law to enforce, etc. ( and it is NOT their fault and they are NOT the ones who should be asked BUT that IS where the ATTITUDE of Americais and it is counter productive that will eventually lead EVERYONE into being monitored/Big brother type crap.
–I don’t think the two compare at all.–
I am merely pointing out the absurdity of it, not some truth in comparison. Stirrup’s response was BIZARRE when you think about it. It demonstrates he has something to fear in answering questions and has to resort to using BVBL terminology to…..do what I don’t know. It certainly didn’t save him in this case.
There are civilized discussions going on at the study circles. Now, for those of you looking for serious discussions you might want to consider the next series of study circles in early part of 2009.
I wish they didn’t require being there six Saturdays in a row! That’s a lot of time. It’s totally worth it, but it’s a hard commitment for most people to make.
PAP,
The next series might be in the evenings. There were many interested in the evenings. For this first go around, I think Saturdays were ok, because we’d gotten used to it. I hate mornings and would much prefer evenings. I will keep all updated on the next series, as I’m sure Marie & CindyB will too.
Hi PAP, thanks for the clarification, I’m glad to see that you don’t equate both terms. I do agree with you that the response was bizarre, he could have handled it in many different ways. At the same time I don’t see how “illegal alien apologist”, which by the way means one who defends illegal aliens, is as bad as some here make it out to be.
Name calling… sure, but like AWCheney pointed out, how is it different than calling someone “anti-immigrant”. If someone is truly offended by it I think that they first need to look in the mirror. If you have ever called someone anti-immigrant for being for tough illegal immigration policy then hey, don’t cry foul when someone returns the favor.