RECENT COMMENTS
WCLM moves into print with The Heart and Soul of the City
The folks at WCLM RADIO 1450AM have launched The Heart and Soul of the City, a new monthly print publication. The October 2009 (PDF) and November 2009 (PDF) issues are chock full of local detail and politics, including the current races in the 7th District and House of Delegates:
It’s been rumored that Senator Henry Marsh wants Cynthia Newbille on City Council, Delores McQuinn in House of Delegates and if he can land the job as Attorney for Richmond School Board then he will push for Delores McQuinn to take his seat in the Senate and Newbille to move up to Mcquinn seat in House of Delegates . What a plan…
The publisher Preston Brown, owner and president of owner of WCLM, is also the brother of House of Delegates candidate Henry Otis Brown who is both endorsed by and given much coverage in the new publication. Let’s hope that WCLM can keep up their unique on-the-ground reporting after the election cycle is over…
Does that mean that Marsh would give up his Senate seat? Or is this a joke?
Ms. Newbille, is a seat on city council only a stepping stone for you? It would be nice to have your response to such a claim before the coming election.
Note Style Weekly’s article about Marsh’s application to the school board:
http://styleweekly.com/ME2/dirmod.asp?sid=9B6FFC446FF7486981EA3C0C3CCE4943&nm=Articles%2FNews&type=Publishing&mod=Publications%3A%3AArticle&mid=8F3A7027421841978F18BE895F87F791&tier=4&id=5FE465D198254CE8B6495C1596F18FD1
Another bit of info – another reason that city council should be audited!
JUST written just this month: Reporter using the Freedom of Information Act is told by the city that the documents behind the increase in School Board Attorney position monies – do not exist.
http://www.examiner.com/x-23689-Richmond-City-Hall-Examiner~y2009m10d1-Lucrative-Richmond-Schools-legal-contract-in-limbo
Why does it matter if someone seeks higher office as lonfg as they are qualified for the position. it is the American way to work your way up the ladder If you do a good job and can serve the community better from a higher office then go for it!
Bob McDonnell is seeking higher office as did Tim Kaine, Pantele ran for Mayor and a host of others
#5 – It does matter if it’s at the expense and the future of the City and the 7th District, Roc.
The School Board Attorney position is now $291,000. It was around $170,000 in 2008. Why an unjustified/ undocumented $121,000 increase in 2009?
It’s $363,000 in additional tax payer dollars spent in three years. A total of $893,000.
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I managed a financial planning firm for four years. Let’s do the some retirement calculations, Roc.
Fact – Marsh can retire anytime.
If he retires in December 2009, his retirement with the State is calculated on the past 36 months of his Average Final Compensation in the Senate:
$18,000/year = a retirement income of $6,426 a year = $535 a month. Not bad, a bit to live on, fun-money, but not great.
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However, IF he takes the SBA position and retires:
In THREE years with a VSR income based on $291,000 a year he will be given a retirement income of $104,000/year = $8,657 a retirement check a month.
In TWO years that number is based on $200,000 = $71,400/year = $5,950 a month.
In ONE year that number is based on $109,000 = $38,904/year = $3,242 a month.
Regardless of the year, one or three years to retirement, it’s much more than $535 a month on a Senate VSR.
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Working the way up the ladder, seeking higher office, seems to serve something else in this case and it is not the people of the 7th district. It is not a chess board.
The people are voting to elect someone to represent THEM, to work for THEM for the three years left on this term, Not to move up the ladder before the term or the job is done. If this happens what are we left with? Another interium Council person, another year of stagnation in the 7th?
That move seems to serve only ONE person, Henry Marsh and this district is left to suffer again. It makes all the sense in the world. Who’s going to fill our council seat then? Another Marsh pick?
It’s about time we put a stop to this 30 year hold on the district and get someone in office who will work for us instead of themselves. They forgot who they are working for a long time ago. My vote is for Deanna. http://www.deannalewis4council.com