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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Not with a bang but a whimper….

MoonHowler

The Opt Out Resolution, that call to arms by Corey Stewart passed the BOCS on Tuesday, not with a bang but  a whimper. What passed in a 6-2 vote, was a resolution that directs the county staff to find out how much new federal health care regulations will cost Prince William County. Both Supervisors Jenkins and Principi voted against this Resolution because they felt it was taking the staff off their regular jobs and that staff was already short.

From the News and Messenger:

With a vote of 6-2, Prince William supervisors Tuesday passed a resolution that directs staff to find out how much new federal health care regulations will cost the county.

The resolution also requires staff to report these costs to the board and to alert state and federal authorities if there’s a problem—that is, if the regulations amount to unfunded mandates that will require supervisors to raise taxes or cut essential services.

Supervisors John Jenkins, D-Neabsco, and Frank Principi, D-Woodbridge, voted against the measure after attempts to amend the document—to set up a committee to study the issue and to direct staff to research and report on tax-saving benefits of the federal health care plan—failed.

The actual resolution that passed is a watered-down version of what was originally proposed, and is in not a call to opt-out of the federal health care plan. It does not support, or even mention, the state’s lawsuit against the federal law, either. Rather, the resolution, which is available online at the county government’s website, http://www.pwcgov.org, is a directive to staff.

This Resolution is a far cry from what was originally proposed for our county by Corey Stewart, early in April at a political rally down in Stafford County. Stewart originally  said he was proposing a resolution that would direct the staff not to honor new medicaid claims that were to be ushered in January 1, 2014 as a result of HCR. By April 15, Stewart was handing out fliers at a Tea Party Tax Rally calling his proposal an Opt Out Resolution. By the time Moonhowlings.net received a copy, there was no ‘Opt Out,’ just a directive for staff to study the costs and report back to the board. Funny how that all worked out, isn’t it?

Good work, citizens of Prince William County. It looks like we avoided another Stewart Folly.  Hats off to the supervisors who voted no.  As our regular, George Harris,  has stated, he found out much of what he needed to know by making a couple phone calls.  Why can’t the county do the same thing rather than turning every issue into a circus?

Another End Run by the BOCS Yesterday

MoonHowler

How dare they!

Yesterday, during Supervisor’s time, (# 8 at 5:06) John Stirrup asked for a directive to send the AG a letter thanking him for protecting their rights because he has filed suit against the federal government.  John Jenkins apparently was the only one with stones enough to object.  The directive was voted on and passed along party lines.  There no citizen input.

Mr. Jenkins called the move political and said it should not be part of the governance of that body.  Mr. Jenkins should be commended for speaking out and both he and Mr. Principi should be praised for going on record in opposition to this incredible  outlandish show of partisanship.  The BOCS has absolutely nothing to with the HCR law that just passed. They are a local governing body.  If they want to individually write to the AG and kiss up to him, that is their business.  Do it on their own time.  They do not have the right to do it for the entire county and they do not speak for me. 

They have pulled an end run.  Those 6 Republican supervisors do not speak for me.  They do not speak for all the citizens of Prince William County.  They did not poll the citizens.  There was no warning.  Now my name goes to an attorney general whom I did not vote for praising him for wasting my money on something I disapprove of doing.

Didn’t they learn a lesson from the initial immigration resolution of July 10, 2007?   John Stirrup must have that tingle going down his leg over this one.  He seemed almost as giddy introducing the directive as he did that night we all saw him on TV at the Republican convention. 

Stirrup, Stewart. May, Nohe, Caddigan, and Covington:  You do not speak for me.  Write your own suck up letter but do not do it in MY name.

CEO Announcement Postponed

MoonHowler

Beware All Ye That Enter Here

Residents of Prince William County were told to tune in at 3:00 pm during the BOCS meeting for the long awaited announcement of our new County Executive Officer. Chairman Stewart planned on interrupting the regularly scheduled meeting for this announcement.

No announcement was made. In fact, we are now being told the announcement will be made in 2 weeks at the next BOCS Meeting scheduled for February 2. The reason given was that Supervisor John Stirrup would not be in attendance.

And the real reason is? I thought Supervisor’s absence had been announced the week before. Furthermore, why does John Stirrup have to be present for the announcement of the new CEO? The postponement was just bad business. If the Chairman said an announcement was to be made, then it should have been made. Postponing the announcement just gives rise to rumor and it steals everyone’s thunder, especially the person being hired for the position.

Someone either dropped the ball or is trying to pull something slick.  Considering some of the players, there is no telling.  Why would such an announcement be made and then retracted?

BOCS Meeting 1/19/10

MoonHowler

The highlight of the BOCS meeting tomorrow will be the announcement of the new county executive officer.  All lips are sealed as to who will lead the county.  According to the Manassas News and Messenger:

Craig Gerhart left the position months ago for a contract job with Amtrak. Assistant county executive Susan Roltsch has since filled the shoes. Following an extensive and nationwide search, and interview of a select few at Old Hickory Golf Course a few weeks ago, supervisors have found a permanent replacement.
The 3 p.m. announcement interrupts the supervisors’ regular board meeting, which includes discussion of the county’s 2010 legislative priorities and two Fire and Rescue Dept. issues – the quarterly report from the Fire and Rescue Association and whether to move to the next stage of a policy that would charge users for medical emergency transport.

Craig Gerhart announced his resignation last spring, so the county has taken its good sweet time locating a replacement. I heard a rumor that Corey himself had applied for the job but I didn’t believe it.  He did say there was no heir apparent, if that gives us any clues.

On a serious note, will the new CXO be someone from inside or will the new person be an outsider? Will the person come in and clean house or will things be status quo? Will the new CXO walk softly, carry a big stick for a while, get the lay of the land and then make changes or will there be Operation Clean Sweep down at Complex 1?  Will trumpets blare as Corey Stewart makes his announcement?  Why will the announcement be made at 3 pm?  Such ceremony.  Are we to expect a coronation to follow?   (Where is MoM when we need him!)

The good news is, this decision took less time than deciding the outcome of Silver Lake.

Update:  Corey Stewart also plans to present a resoltuion to address school over-crowding in the Linton Hall area where all schools are over capacity.  Details are from the Manassas News and Messenger:

LINTON HALL, Va.—Prince William Board of County Supervisors Chairman Corey Stewart plans to present a resolution today aimed at addressing school overcrowding in the Linton Hall area.

In an e-mail sent to Bristow residents, Stewart said he plans to ask the board today to adopt a new policy requiring three news schools be opened and sites acquired for two more before “a single new occupancy permit is issued for a house in a new rezoning” in the Linton Hall area.

“I have received many e-mails, phone calls and visits from you concerning schools in your neighborhood,“ Stewart said in the e-mail addressed to Bristow residents. “You have told me that school overcrowding, particularly in elementary schools, is a top priority… You would like to have new school sites located in the Linton Hall area, not several miles away in a different neighborhood.“

His resolution specifically calls for two new elementary schools and a new high school in the Linton Hall area to be built and opened, and sites for a third new elementary school and a new middle school in the same area be acquired before new homes are built.

Stewart said the proposed new policy “would require that school overcrowding be addressed” before any new houses come to the Linton Hall area and “would also create a strong incentive for new school sites to be located in the Linton Hall Road area.“

Is this resolution crossing over into School Board territory? While most of us agree that there should be schools for all new houses, the unholy alliance between local jurisdictions and their school boards is  somewhat difficult to understand.  Basically each school board is independent but it have no means to raise revenue.  All of its money must come from the jurisdiction.

Sesquicentennial Plans Withdrawn

MoonHowler
Part 2
Part 2

UPDATE:

Multiple sources have reported that the Virginia Civil War Events, Inc has withdrawn its request to partner with Prince William County as an events planner for the Sesquicentennial in 2011. ‘Withdrawn’ can be a temporary situation. It can simply mean ‘for now.’

The BOCS had decided to revisit the plans for the proposed Memorandum of Understanding with this group in January.

 

 

No explanation was provided via our sources. It could very well be that the harsh reality of the extremely austere budget cuts Virginia is facing signalled that there simply is no money.  Or…The organization’s chair could be revising his plans.  Stay tuned.

Previous links:

BOCS Meeting 12/8/09

Sesquicentennial Plans Presented to BOCS

Manassas Council to spend $100K on Civil War Anniversary

BOCS Meeting 12/15/09

MoonHowler
council_logo

The following  appears on the December 15 Agenda for the BOCS Meeting:  item A is detailed.  Item B is currently unavailable.

You may access the agenda at the following CLICK.  Choose current agenda.

 

 Sesquicentennial Celebration

A. RES – Transfer, Budget and Appropriate $77,353 from Non-Departmental Transient Occupancy Tax Funds to the Department of Public Works to Fund Expenses for 2010 Events and Programs to Support the 150th Sesquicentennial at County Historic Sites and to Match the Journey Through Hallowed Ground Partnership’s STEM Educational Grant Request– Thomas Bruun – Public Works Department   

 

 B. RES – Consider Proposed Memorandum of Understanding Between Prince William County and Virginia Civil War Events, Inc. – Angela Lemmon Horan – County Attorney  

 

 Note: 

Item A deals with the Prince William County Committee.  It provides for  TOT funds to be transferred to Public Works and itemizes what each amount is allocated for. 

Item B is the Creston Owen group, Virginia Civil War Events.  No mention was made of a presentation.  The information appeared to be incomplete.

Interested parties should make every attempt to watch this section of the BOCS meeting.