Not a tea party county: don’t go on the cheap

MoonHowler
CHEAP CHEAP CHEAP!!!!

Tuesday brings another board of county supervisors meeting and more red meat for the blogosphere.   The red meat lately has come from the supervisors budget time.

Remember last spring when Corey Stewart pretty much told us that if we were going to attract business we were going to have to have services that people wanted?  He actually mouthed the words that taxes might go up.  All that has been forsaken it appears and he is now back to Tea Party Mentality.

The problem with Tea Party Mentality is that Prince William County isn’t a poor county.  We are the 9th richest county in the nation and have the second largest school system in the state.  Our school system is suffering.  Teachers aren’t getting raises and the per pupil classroom ratio is the highest in the state.  There are rumblings now to “adjust” the amount of money given to the schools.  Currently the school system receives 56.75% of the revenue.  I certainly don’t think anyone intends to give the schools any more money.  That would be a first.  There are also rumblings about the BOCS having more input into the School Board budget.  I do not believe this is legal. If it is, it shouldn’t be.  Why have a school board then?

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BOCS: I don’t want my money back

MoonHowler

 **UPDATE**  The Sheriff indicates there will probably not be a vote on conflict of interest.  I guess its ok to ignore the people.  More indelible horse manure will stick to more boots. 

**UPDATE 2**  Sheriff thinks there will be a second but it will get voted down. 

Click to here to get to the agenda

Today is the much awaited BOCS meeting where carry over funds are decided and where Pete Candland’s Conflict of Interest Resolution is supposed to be codified.  County attorney Horan, many think at the direction of Chairman Corey Stewart, has advised that his Resolution would violate the law.  Many citizens are crying FOUL over this suggestion.

Conflict of interest discussions have dominated the county landscape ever since Supervisor Wally Covington  attempted to slide $100k to Rainbow riding where his wife served in a leadership capacity until very recently.  Even though Covington pulled back his request after the blogosphere went wild over his audacity, it was like he had stepped in indelible horse manure and he simply has not been able to get it off his boots.  The horsey stuff has also wafted over to the other supervisors and it has been behind most of the discussion about conflict of interest.

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Prince William Franken-County: Waste Behind the scenes in County govt.

MoonHowler

 

 

People in Prince William County government report that if Prince William County were an actual business, it would have gone bankrupt because of pure inefficiency and refusal to modernize. That sure paints a different picture than El Jefe the chairman paints.

Corey Stewart tried to tell us, in his recent letter to the editor in the News & Messenger, that Prince William County ranks above all others; so much so that the federal government ought to follow our model.  Why is he crowing, blowing and bragging? He wants the supposed county accomplishments on his personal resume for his bid for Lt. Governor. Corey wants us to believe that our taxes haven’t risen and that government is acting responsibly, all while forking over tax payer money to his power broker buds heading up pet projects.  In turn, his war chests are filled.  Deepthroat tells another story.

Corey tries to sell the taxpayers a bill of goods based on tooth fairy money and spending. He tells us rubes what he thinks we want to hear. In the first place, if you lower the tax rate and raise the real estate assessment, you haven’t lowered taxes. Money talks and we know what walks.

We all know what bulls do!

 

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County Fuster Clucks

MoonHowler
The Hammer of Stewart

The natives seem to be restless down at McCoart Building if one holds one’s ear to the ground and reads the blogs.

Although it does not seem like much is going on in Prince William County, actually, a great deal is happening, mostly behind the scenes.  Maybe what isn’t happening is even more telling.

The Sheriff apparently has a bounty on his head (and other parts) and has had what is more politely described as a change of venue in the eyes of the county chair….at least according to the Sheriff of …Not-tingham.   He has accused the chairman of having one outrageous temper tantrum over his mere existence.

Meanwhile, a little birdie has dropped a little roll of paper on my front porch telling of another temper tantrum directed at a rather high ranking employee.  Does anyone have confirmation of such a thing happening?  It was done in the public arena or semi-public.  How many tantrums can one person have?  I want a front row seat for this Tuesday’s BOCS meeting.

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Corey apologizes to Mr. Bergman

MoonHowler

Corey should have and did apologize to Mr. Bergman for last week’s snit fit.  I still don’t know what Mr. Bergman did wrong.

Corey also directed his anger at anonymous cowardly bloggers.  Oooops!  I expect he means some of that diatribe at  me.  Let’s discuss that before moving on. First off, I have never attacked anyone’s family.  I have not and I will not.  Anyone who knows me or knows this blog knows that does not happen.  I will challenge a supervisor over his/her  behavior as a supervisor or policy but I leave family out of it.  Hell, we don’t even allow county employees to be attacked.  They can’t fight back.

Corey, email me and I will gladly tell you my name.  It isn’t a secret. I just chose not to put it on the Internet.  I have children who are adults and who work in town.  I don’t want my big mouth to have anything to do with their success or failure.  If you don’t know who I am, you might be about the only person in town.  Use [email protected]

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Is it Time to Drop the Invocation before the BOCS Meetings?

MoonHowler

Richmond Times Dispatch:

HENRICO, Va. —

The Henrico County Board of Supervisors has dropped the traditional prayer before its meetings.

At a June 12 meeting, the board took up the appeal of an approved plan of development for a mosque on Hungary Road. With dozens of Muslims in the packed meeting room, the Rev. Tommy Knighten, associate pastor for children and families at Staples Mill Road Baptist Church, delivered the invocation, closing with “in Christ’s name I pray.”

The next day, County Manager Virgil R. Hazelett received an email saying that such a prayer “at a government meeting that is set to determine the fate of a Muslim religious center serves no other purpose than to create an atmosphere of hostility.”

County Attorney Joseph P. Rapisarda Jr. declined to release the name of the email’s author.

The email went on to say, “It would sadden me greatly if I were to learn that Henrico County viewed me as less important due to my lack of membership in the ‘right’ group” and asked the board to stop having prayers at its meetings.

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Peeking in to Sherwood Forest

MoonHowler

Last week I stipulated that we weren’t going to be hanging out on Sherwood Forest, mainly because I was uncomfortable with some unverified accusations.  I know of too many disgruntled employees out there who want to take a shot here, there and everywhere at supervisors and the upper ranking management.  That is not to say that I can’t read and file away information, however.

The Sheriff seems right on about Rainbow Riding.  He says it is a fine charity but that we shouldn’t have to pay for it. He also alludes to a little too much family being involved.  I can handle that and I agree.  I have done much of this research myself so I am not uncomfortable with much of his findings.  Most of it is a matter of public record.  The taxpayers of Prince William County should not be footing the bill for Rainbow Riding.  Period.  The services are a luxury, not a necessity.  Wounded Warriors have other resources.  Perhaps military funds could help out there rather than the taxpayers.

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That Rascally Sheriff (of Nottingham)

MoonHowler

The new kid in town, the Sheriff of Nottingham, is no longer such a newbie.  He seems well entrenched.  I find myself getting up each morning to see what he has in store for us.  Yes.  He is entertaining and I think he is probably what every local government needs.

The board of county supervisors is a body very used to scratching the backs of each other.  They will stab but when it comes to deal cutting, you can pretty much count on cooperation…to a fault.  Then there are the pay backs.  This one and that one will contribute to campaigns.  Corey always has something going so he is probably  has the most expertise at this shell game.

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Supervisor Candland fights back

MoonHowler

A thirteen page letter has been provided to the Washington Post, from Pete Candland to County Attorney Horan basically outlining a list of grievances about the way business was conducted June 5, 2012.

You have to read it in its entirety.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-state-of-nova/post/prince-william-discretionary-funds-issue-erupts-into-battle-between-supervisors/2012/06/08/gJQAwfaEOV_blog.html

His letter demonstrates the terrible governance and the outright hypocrisy of some of our supervisors.

I remain outraged over the fact that the citizens of Prince William County were not given a chance  to review, discuss or provide input over the very laws and ordinances of our own county.   It is infuriating that our supervisors would vote on any amendments to someone’s resolution that they hadn’t talked about as a group or checked for unintended consequences.

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The Discretionary Funds Aftermath

MoonHowler

Far more interesting than the original fight over discretionary funds is the aftermath.  There is lots of Monday morning quarterbacking going on and lots of insider conspiracy theory trip trap being cited.

Several things really bother me.  The first is that I think that some on the BOCS now see a colleague as being all tumbled in to what was being said on the blogs.  I don’t think that Mr. Candland was part of the blog gossip.  I hope I am right.   I think he learned to avoid that like the plague.  Additionally, it seems that Mr. Candland’s reform efforts really weren’t finger pointing but seeking correction where correction was needed.  I say that as one who didn’t even like his entire resolution.  However, it was a start–a place to begin discussion.  Unfortunately, the  BOCS felt it was a place to end discussion, so we now have perfectly ridiculous rules that don’t address any of the problems.

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Captain Flip Flop, this is your life Corey Stewart!

MoonHowler

Jeremy Borden  of the Washington Post traced the wind blown political career of Supervisor Corey Stewart over the past 9 years, on the eve of his announcement to run for Virginia Lt. Governor.  In his article entitled, Stewart’s changing stance on development in Prince William, Borden shows a candidate who goes where he thinks he will get to votes.  Stewart certainly showed his stripes today as he planned to  announce his candidacy from Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center in Woodbridge.  According to Borden, at the Washington Post:

Stonebridge, Stewart says, is emblematic of a new way forward for economic development in Prince William, an issue that was the focus of his reelection campaign last year.

Stewart started out as a politician with a strong desire to stop sprawl and to protect the environment.  He had many folks, both Democrat and Republican on his side for that reason.  This flip flop has caused many of his former supporters to become disenchanted with his political career.

But some former supporters say Stewart has lost his way on development issues.

No longer, critics say, is he seen as someone who would force developers to pay their fair share and help temper the feverish pace of home construction that has overwhelmed roads and schools.

“His campaign account shows he is now beholden to the development community,” said Jeanine Lawson, a former Stewart campaign volunteer. “It’s a disappointment because I thought he was principled on the issue.”

The project’s developers, District-based Roadside Development, contributed $10,000 to Stewart’s campaign account in the past couple of years, according to the Virginia Public Access Project, or VPAP, which tracks money in politics.

In recent years, Stewart has greatly increased his totals from real estate and construction interests, according to VPAP. From that sector, Stewart raised $308,782 in 2010 and 2011, compared with $134,901 from 2003 through 2009.

Back in the old days, Stewart  prided himself on not taking developer money.  That was then and this is now.  The most cursory glance at VPAP tells the story.  Cory Stewart is running on developer money.  He even says:

“Some of that comes with the maturity of being in office and having to govern,” he said of his shift on development issues. “When you become chairman, you get a broader perspective. You understand . . . ‘We cannot provide for increased prosperity and increased job growth without promoting and helping businesses to grow.’ ”

Stewart says that in a free market, developers have a lot of latitude: “The only way is to work with [developers] and cut deals with them.” [emphasis mine]

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Rainbow Riding, Hand in the Tax Payers Cookie Jar AGAIN!?

Elena

Here we are again, less than 6 months later, having a deja vu moment.  Allow me to recap recent financial events regarding Rainbow Riding and tax payer dollars.

Back in November Moonhowlings wrote about 100 grand of discretionary money from Supervisor Covington being directed to Rainbow Riding.  Mr. Covington ended up pulling that money, but apparently, plan B was even more expansive.

The proposed FY 13  budget includes $32,477 for this community partnership; Rainbow Riding Center  has requested an additional $178,398 in the form of a one-time capital  investment for FY 13.

Have I mentioned yet that Silver Lake has a Master Plan that has YET to be funded?  Yes, Silver Lake, the land upon which Rainbow Riding has a 35 year FREE lease, has yet to have any real county dollars directed towards capital improvements.

Here are a few of the items on the Master Plan, adopted by the county, that are still not done, in fact, those project have not even begun.

1)Picnic Pavilion

2)Playground

3)Outdoor Classroom

4)Community Garden Area

Why, you may be asking, are these minimal improvements being ignored while the county even entertains the suggestion of giving away $200 grand of our taxpayer money to an organization that only services less than 100 children?

Did you know there is not ONE quality public playground in western Prince William County.  I take my kids to a park in Fauquier County!   That is simply disgraceful in my opinion.

Lets not forget the Eastern end of the county and their critical needs.

The Chinn Public Library and Community Center are woefully over crowded and in need of serious renovations to accomodate the thousands of adults and children that use those facility’s.  There was suppose to be a Park Bond that was intended for those improvements but it was redirected, to where, I am not sure.

Park and Community Centers serve everyone in the community and I firmly believe, until we can ensure those facilities are fully funded, our tax payer dollars, in such large sums, should not be directed to small non profits.

When I spoke at citizens time a couple of weeks ago, a man from Fairfax County, yes, you read that correctly, Fairfax County, shared that his children use the Rainbow Riding facility, and that he hoped the Board would approve the additional funding for the facility.  Does anyone here have an issue with a resident from another county asking us to put our limited resources for a facility that draws people from other counties?

Rainbow Riding has a great funding resource and if the Board would like to put their personal money towards Rainbow Riding, or help, on their own time, plan a fundraiser, I support that fully. However, to give ONE non profit such a large sum of money, is unconscionable and an insult to the all the other worthy non profits in this county who would welcome even a smidgen of what Rainbow Riding has recieved from the County coffers..

My hope is that the BOCS will reject this improper use of county funds and we begin to move towards a more holitistic approach to the needs of all county residents regarding our Park services.

Addendum:  It appeaars that Rainbow Riding is sitting on a ton of money,  according to their federal 990 form.  To download, click here.

PWC Board of Supervisors for Sale to Highest Bidder

--NatashaHottie21--

Guest Post by Not Surprised

Disclaimer: The content of the guest contribution is the opinion of the guest and does not necessarily represent the opinion of the management of Moonhowlings.com.

 

The “News and Messenger” reported Tuesday that Prince William County Board of Supervisors Chairman Corey Stewart and another unnamed supervisor are “concerned” about a ruling of the Zoning Administrator.

 According to the N&M article, the Army has awarded a contract to the firm Spectrum, which is constructing a facility in an office park near Dumfries to provide healthcare services for members of the military and their families. Healthcare services for our men and women in uniform and their families, and additional facilities to serve the needs of the new military families relocating to Eastern Prince William County because of BRAC sounds like a good idea, doesn’t it? Not to everyone.

 A competing firm with facilities already located in the area, CRAssociates (CRA), is objecting on the basis that Spectrum will have a dispensary in its facility, which CRA characterizes as a retail pharmacy. Retail pharmacies are prohibited in the proffers for the office park where Spectrum is constructing its facility. The County Zoning Administrator has already ruled that Spectrum’s dispensary will be an allowed ancillary use at its facility and will not be a retail pharmacy, along the lines of a Rite-Aid or CVS. Thus, the facility Spectrum is constructing and plans to open next summer complies with County zoning and proffers for the area.

 So why are Chairman Stewart and another unnamed supervisor “concerned” about the Zoning Administrator’s ruling and going to bat for CRA?

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Tom Jackman: Should PWC supervisors have discretionary funds?

MoonHowler

Tom Jackman of the Washington Post has written an excellent piece on the use of discretionary funds here in Prince William County, entitled:  Should Prince William Board have ‘discretionary funds?’.  If you haven’t yet read it you really should.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/the-state-of-nova/post/should-prince-william-board-have-discretionary-funds/2011/12/20/gIQAVb0YCP_blog.html

Jackman hit all the highlights and also stated that Prince William County is the only jurisdiction in the area to allow supervisors such unfettered use of taxpayer money.  Residents have been grousing and grumbling about this practice for years. However, that grousing and grumbling became a primal scream when folks discovered that Brentsville Supervisor Wally Covington wanted to ‘give’  his wife’s favorite charity, Rainbow Therapeutic Riding, $100,000 in discretionary funds.

Oddly enough, this item appeared on the agenda, with no fanfare of course, right before the Thanksgiving holiday.  How convenient.  Perhaps he thought no one would be looking.  To his dismay, lots of “William Watchers” were watching.  This blog posted the account late Thanksgiving night.  Our better side said not to do this story on Thanksgiving Day.   After that, the blogosphere lit up  Northern Virginia lights.  That is a huge amount of money, going to a charity that only has 60 or so recipients.  Rainbow Riding is not in his district and it already gets $33,000 from the general fund.

Now citizens are clamoring for the use of discretionary funds to come to a screeching halt. The Committee of 100 will examine the practice at its February meeting.   The use absolutely should be discontinued.  Now is the time to take a closer look at how other jurisdictions handle money left over from general office expenses.  There is simply too much discrepancy in business as usual in Prince William County.

Corey may wish it would go away, but this time I think the residents will have the final say.  Stay tuned.  Elena will be doing a follow up.

PS Corey….remember those invitations to the October 16, 2007  Citizens’ Time?  What fund did those come out of?  Could it have been your ….discretionary funds? [best Church Lady voice]

 

What’s the job of a blog?

MoonHowler

Since Moonhowlings began questioning how county money was being spent, it seems that the question has come up about the place of blogs in communicating county affairs.  Have we overstepped our boundaries as citizens of Prince William County?  We say resoundingly, NO! 

Understandably, print newspapers are struggling  and often face the wrath of their readers.  How many times does a story evoke the “I am going to cancel my subscription” because of this or that story or editorial?   Even though most of a newspaper’s day to day funding comes from advertising, it does no good to advertise if there are no readers.

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