Iris certainly are blooming early this year. I had three regular blue iris standing at attention on Easter morning.
The political season seems to be at a fevered pitch around Manassas. We don’t cover Manassas politics as a rule because we are county folks. Feel free to make your comments here. If you see our friend Steve, buy him a beer or a cup of coffee. He is probably running on overtime and fumes from now until their elections in May.
Budget news can go here too if we aren’t paying attention since both the City and County are in full budget mode. Too many special interest groups have their hands out. We can only focus on a couple. Right now, we are watching the War Museum and Rainbow Riding since they want particularly large chunks out of the public coffers.
Looks like the county is looking for citizen input regarding the Land Use Public Hearing process. Got this email today. Please, take the time to give your opinion. I wonder if they will actually consider what the citizens have to say. hmmm Time will tell. It’s a broken system.
Email below from the county webmaster email.
Message flagged Wednesday, April 11, 2012 11:48 AMIn an effort to improve the process on how the citizens are notified of Land Use Public Hearings, please take a minute to take the survey below:
http://www.pwcgov.org/PublicHearingSurvey
Thank you so much for your help.
Process Action Team for Land-Use Public Hearing Notification
The budget “market up” for the City of Manassas is tonight. Once it’s passed, there is nothing left to do but approve it in a regular council meeting.Tonight is open to the public.
This yeat’s council and school board elections are shaping up to be very entertaining. Three R’s(convention nominees), one independant and one D. Election is May 1.
I wish Gainesville District Supervisor Peter Candland had attended the Board of County Supervisor’s meeting when they were discussing the tax rate. He could have learned something. He said he wasn’t going to be a no show, but yesterday afternoon and last night he was a “No Show”, empty chair.
@Watching
I guess its hard to teach an old dog new tricks, isn’t it?
Ivan, in your count of the City Council election, you left off the write-in campaign for Mrs. Bass…pink signs are popping up in Manassas encouraging folks to do so.
As for the City proposed Budget, no, not quite done. Tonight is Markup and the Council presents their version of the Budget on Monday April 16th; followed by the Public Hearing on Monday April 23rd. Then one last work session on April 25th to clear any item from the Public Hearing for which the Council wants to take in consideration. Won’t be till May 14th they read the ordinances for the first time, then followed the next week by the second reading. Ain’t out of the woods yet…and tonight’s Markup may be a long session based on the list items.
Soooo, snow showers tonight…..81 degrees by Monday.
Ray, thanks for the reminder about Mrs. Bass. This will certainly have the potential to muddy the electoral waters.
You’re right the budget ain’t quite done yet, but there is a really a very small possibility that any major changes will take place after tonight. All major items will be approved or disapproved tonight and only minor changes will be made(at least according to one council member).
Perhaps we are now speaking of that old adage having to do with unintended consequences….
Some times the best laid plans due tend to go off the rails.
Train wrecking looking for a place to happen?
Train definitely might be jumping a few rails….I noticed over at Insidenova a letter asking for people to do the write-in:
http://www2.insidenova.com/news/2012/apr/11/letter-editor-write-sheryl-bass-manassas-city-coun-ar-1834341/
What I find disappointing is no formal statement from Mrs. Bass saying to people she stands with the Republican Party and asks all to support the three approved Party Canditates; and please stop the movement. That aside – this is gonna be one fun game to watch come May 1st!
Ivan, one minor change as reported by Doug Brown over at this blog: the Manassas Ballet got an additional $1,000 for a total of $18,000 (same funding level as FY 2012). The Ballet had asked for $20,000. Link below is to Doug’s blog and shows how the vote went:
http://manassasopenforum.wordpress.com/2012/04/11/manassas-city-council-tutu-funny/#respond
Let’s discuss the real reason the deck is stacked against Wolfe.
Could it be a certain vote that didn’t go along with the certain church’s wants and social agenda? Just asking.
TYPO! TYPO! first sentence should read “his blog”….not “this blog” 🙁
Ray, it is my understanding that Mrs. Bass has stated that she supports the nominees of the Republican convention. Of course, she has not done anything to my knowledge to discourage the current write-in campaign.
Aditionally, to your point, the council restored all funding for “cultural” groups at least to thsupport these same groups at previous levels. This is, of course, good news for those who enjoy the Ballet, Manassas Symphony, Manassas Chorale, Prince William Little Theatre ande same level as those in the previous year. Also, I’m told that PWC plans to continue to others.
Make that I am told that PWC plans to continue to support these group at the same level as in the past. The city decided to handle the request from “cultural” groups by using a committee comprised of two council members(Randolph and Way) and with some small changes approved funding to the same levels as last year. Boy it’s late and my brain is not working as it should.
And in the meantime, excellent groups like VPSART Crow get a measly $6,000.
Emma, Vpstart Crow did not make a request for funding from the City. Perhaps it was an oversight on their part, but no paperwork was filed before the cutoff date.
So if you don’t ask for money, you have no one to blame but yourself if you don’t get it? Is that what you are saying, Ivan?
Ivan, do you have the figures on how much those groups you named are getting and a brief summation of how that amount is arrived at? (I know, bad grammar.)
Here is the breakdown:
Cultural Enrichment
St Patrick’s Day Parade $2,500
Center for the Arts $35,000
Manassas Ballet Theatre $18,000
Christmas Parade $3,500
NOVA/Manassas Symphony $2,500
Prince Wm. Little Theatre $1,500
Manassas Community Chorale $1,500
This was the same level as last year. It is pretty much in line with the amounts that have been given historically. The total amount for “Cultural Enrichment” is $66,000. The total amount for “Health and Welfare” (Red Cross Habitat for Humanity etc. is $79,000 bringing the City’s total contributions to non-profits to $145,000.
Generally, the amount given is based on the size(operating budget) of the organization.
Additionally, the Hylton Center made a last minute request for a $35,000 donation. Because it was so late in the process, the request was not considered. It seems, from the letter from Hylton, they they are running a $500,000 deficit out there. The reason they site is cost over runs for the actual construction of the building. It appears that the “partnership” pledge from the State, County and City didn’t cover the total cost of building the center. You county tax payers better look out. I’m sure the Hylton folks have their eyes on your pocket books.
Don’t get me started on the Hylton Center, Ivan. Just don’t get me started.
Where are the Hyltons, the family that has made millions off of this county? why don’t they pony up and have a nice big juicy tax write off?
I find it strange that all this concern over who gets what when and where started up at election time. Anyone else think that is funny?
There is also a lot of cross pollentation between city and county. Some of it is all a red herring.
Ivan, what is the breakdown for the Center for the Arts? What all does that involve?
Ivan, my understanding too is a restoration in 2013 budget to the 2012 levels. Although, in looking at the Mark Up List, I have to say the Committee Members did a nice job of evaluation and increasing some entities and lowering others to work within the limited dollars. Of course, the final say is with the full Council. Not bad though for the first year of the Committee Work.
Moon, not so much the Hylton Family as is the GMU Business Model for that Center. The estimate of the number of people who would attend cultural events was higher than reality…maybe in part due to the “Great Recession” and maybe in part to underestimating the number of people who actually take in the various venues offered.
I also think it is not so much election time as just the continued economy drag on people’s checkbooks plus increasing mandates, etc etc etc driving relook at tax rates. Cuts were made starting around FY2007 and FY2008 that now have been found to needing to be restored (i.e. Police). Of course, the issues around discretionary funds sort of opened the flood gate in my mind.
Aw come on Ray, you know what I am talking about. re Wolfe. If word creeps over to the county, then it is a hardly a secret that Mr. Wolf is a target. Let’s leave the ballet out of it for a few minutes and just think about the city Coucil. Ah ha!!! I am not going to say too much before an election. However, afterwards, it will be Katie bar the door.
Back to the Hyltons….i would be inclined to be kinder if the center had a different name, speaking of flood gates.
Ray, I generally agree that the committee did a reasonable job given that this is a new program. However, if you look at the numbers that were originally recommended, some organizations got more than they requested and one(Vpstart Crow) didn’t request funding and were given money anyway. John Way had a very awkward explanation for this.
Moon, the Center for the Arts has an operating budget of over $500,000. They offer children and adult classes(painting, photograpy, dance), achildrens theatre(Pied Piper theatre), an audult theatre group(Rooftop Productions) and summer camps for kids.
Moon, the Center also receives funding from the County Arts Council because their programs are open to all City and county residents. Also, some of their Pied Piper shows are held at Garfield HS. They, as of now, don’t have any affiliation with the Hylton Center other than offering several theatre summer camps.
What is Vpstart Crow?
Is there a formula for how arts funding is divvied up?
Vpstart Crowd is the theatre group that used to perform in the Cramer Center in Old Town. They do Shakespear plays set in different time periods.
The money is basically divvied up by the size(operating budget) of the organization. Most of the funding levels are about the same as they have been for a number of years so their request amounts reflect that.
@Lafayette
More public information is positive.
Stock split announced. Google announced yesterday after the close of business. 2:1
The Iron Lady
Streep was brilliant as always but I hated the film. It was depressing and difficult to follow.
Where is Rick Bentley?
I give it a thumbs down. Its probably brilliant…but it passed me by.
Hate to be a downer, but last night on the news they stated that MS-13 now has a chapter in Manassas. Ah, the spread of diversity. Back in the day gangs were made in America, but now they have green cards.
Now, now.. They’re just tryin to provide a better life for themselves and their little machete-wielding families! We should put aside our Xenophobic intolerance ad provide them with free health care (machete wounds require a lot of stitches, you know).
Actually, for my open-borders friends with daughters, I’m curious…do you advise them to get “jumped-in”? Or “sexed-in”?
Well Slow, I guess it’s a matter of womens’ choice, but then I don’t want to get into any of that choice-no choice argument stuff.
@Second Alamo
I don’t think this is a new thing.
– Friday the 13th on Wall Street. More of a wild roller coaster ride.
– The Washington Nationals are 5-2 (on top of the NL West) – the best start
for a Washington major league baseball team sine 1951.
– Old Dogs learn new tricks dept. Campaign yard signs no longer require
a disclaimer at the bottom (“Authorized by the Candidate”). The Va. SBE
eliminated the requirement last August.
Agreed. I left my two cents. For what it may be worth. The current process is not working and gives little notice for those that may be interested in an item on agenda.
Here is how the left addresses women’s issues:
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-2129490/Got-quickie-aborsh-Comedienne-Sarah-Silverman-supports-pro-choice-debate-tweeting-abortion-photos.html
Can you see how some might feel that liberal women are not qualified to handle this stuff on their own?
Don’t be an ass. 1 person is not entitled to speak for everyone any more than Rick Perry speaks for all conservatives.
Sarah Silverman is a comedienne known for coarseness and, in my opinion, poor judgement on what is tasteful and what crosses over the line.
Why would you come here and intentionally try to insult Elena and me with this crap?
I didn’t tweet anything! Just pointing out what we see.
Today’s allergy levels for MANASSAS, VA:
Monday – 11.7/High
Today’s predominant pollen:
Maple, Oak and Ash.
http://pewresearch.org/politicalquiz/quiz/
Another quiz – this one should be easy for you.
http://www.roanoke.com/editorials/wb/307506
An observation on the national results of the test.
There were a couple of questions on that quiz with no correct answer offered for selection. Which party is for reduced government? Uhhh, neither of those two!
The movie, The Iron Lady, was horribly disappointing. Has anyone else seen it?
I hated it. Has anyone else seen it?
Did anyone attend Peter Candland’s Town Hall on the budget last night?
No, but I wonder if he announced the personnel changes in his office.
Not a leopardskin in sight last night.
Discovery went right over Sudley. go Discovery. It might make another appearance. You can hear it coming.
Today’s allergy levels:
Tuesday – 11.8/High
Today’s predominant pollen:
Maple, Oak and Ash.
12 is maximum.
@Corey’s Accountant
Some leopards no longer have skin in the game. Our slips have all turned to pink.
Where the hell was this lady speaking at Citizens Time 5 years ago? Just your mouth and your crocodile tears down. Really, just now seeing the documentary on the immigration debate in PW. This lady has had to have been in a cave.
@Moon-howler
I some pix from good ole Lafayette. checkout my FB wall.
^shut your mouth…
Wait for it, here comes the waffling by Corey, he’s about to leave Pete hanging out to dry.