Tea Party march on Washington DC....

Looking back at one of the original Tea Party marches on DC and how many Americans saw then what was coming our way...

Several hundred Tea Party activists and professionals gathered in Washington on Thursday to celebrate their fifth anniversary.
It was a chance for activists to remember how far they have come and plan ahead for the future, but more importantly, to try to show that the movement was growing and their ranks were swelling into a dominant political force.
http://washingtonexaminer.com/five-years-later-the-tea-party-prepares-for-their-reagan-moment/article/2544856

David Beyeler. My friend and my Supervisor...

My friend and County Supervisor David Beyeler passed away last week after an extended medical battle that he did not let effect his job or outlook for all who knew him...

I spent many days at my County District Supervisor’s home office which was a small room attached to a one time operating dairy barn and learned so much about farming, local history, old bottle collecting (especially Milk bottles), local economy, local politics, and how to read those in politics… A office full of books, reports, artifacts, commemorative items, milk bottles, and old campaign signs. A computer that he would “peck” at and was so happy once he found that with windows he could work on county business while monitoring the status of a bid he made on a milk bottle on e-bay at the same time…

He pretty much knew everybody in his South River district and knew how they were related to each other. Many times he would ask me who I saw at GOP functions, at work, or even just about town.  How did they pronounce their names. Or “What was their “momma’s maiden name” like I would have asked that?...  Over the years I have done many hikes along the Appalachian Trail as well as lesser known trails in the county and he would ask off what road, where did I park, how was the trail, and then tell me local history of that area.

He introduced me to the local “Historical Bottle Diggers of Virginia” club that I am now a member of and have made several valuable friends. This group of collectors has incredible knowledge and research skills in locating and identifying all different types of bottles and presenting this information. Of course having been a dairy farmer in the past he focused on milk bottles and their history. The last time I spoke with him was just after our bottle club meeting that he was not able to attend and the first thing he asked was who was there and how was everybody. He sounded tired but perked up when I spoke about one of our members finding a little known milk bottle for $4 in a local antiques store and after research it turns out to be the only know specimen of a dairy that only operated in Washington DC from 1920-21.      A wealth of information and observation…

He also knew much of the local economic history of the area as well as the State and not just only from being a county Supervisor. He knew the local business owners simply because he saw them grow up in the community and in the business world. Anybody who has spent time at the local farm co-op knows that this is an opportune place to learn who is doing what and where as well as who is planting what. This was always evident the many times I saw him walk the mile long route of the Stuarts Draft Volunteer Firemen’s parade where he was constantly stopped and approached by local business owners usually ending with a pat on the back…

He always made it a point to be in the Stuarts Draft parade for this was not only in his backyard but these were the people he represented and cared for. He provided the wagon and supplies when it was requested and even went along with some of the “Extensive” floats that I put together. In fact the joke often was there could always be more room made in his barn to store some of these “Projects”… I never did see him make it down to the BIG Buena Vista Labor day parade but he was always sure to ask how it went and if I had photos.  But during my “Drill here, Drill now” phase of my “political issue involvement” efforts, it seemed I often got the raised eyebrow response from him… 

He was very interested when a local GOP volunteer and friend of mine Chris Green ran for the Rockbridge County Supervisor seat.  I helped Chris with some of his campaign and worked several voting locations on election day. Chris is a very impressive “Numbers” guy and knows his data. He often pointed out how well Augusta County managed their money and has an impressive debt to revenue ratio. David was always quick to look to how projects would be paid for and how “Free money” from DC or Richmond was never “Free”….

One of the most valuable and treasured things I learned from my friend was how to read those in politics and question their motives. Something that should always happen no matter how much ‘Political coin” they may have built up in the past. Those who know local Augusta GOP committee history know what I mean and many are grateful for his help and knowledge during a very tough time and transition…

 As mentioned by another local GOP member recently, David would often say "Never get into an argument with a crazy person. A neutral person would never be able to figure out which one was crazy and which one was sane."    So true…

I will miss my friend…..

Wait !!, look what we found !!....

First Fairfax county discovered 3,000+ provisional ballots that were not counted and then Richmond found 100+ votes for the Democrat when they found that a voting machine was not counted...

 

You just can't make this stuff up !!!

The Dem-Machine at work once again....

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Choosing to inflict pain when NOT needed....

Why would you close open areas like this that do not need Government workers present? Just like closing Skyline Drive when the open area should be allowed to be used by the people?...

Tile

BOS goes with $.03 per $100

Looks like the Board of Supervisors BOS decided to go with a tax INCREASE of $.03 cents per $100 when all was said and done. It is interesting how one of the local newspapers reported it as the BOS "Slashed" the tax INCREASE to $.03 from the advertised $.05 that was earlier reported but not yet voted on...

It was also reported that Supervisor Willis commented that there is a obvious need for additional revenue from the school board but the tax INCREASE needed to be fair to all of the citizens...

This has become a interesting process to follow in the news as well as conversations with citizen taxpayers. We all agree that we want the children to have everything that they need but what is the correct balance. During this debate there was a incredible amount requested for computer replacement and upgrade but how much of was really needed?
"A New Laptop in every Backpack" needed or just wanted? Several Letter to the Editors asked the question why and how so much money was being spent on computers and at what results? Technology is a great tool but are basics being ignored (math, reading, writing) for the more flashy computer programs?...

Another important aspect of this tax INCREASE was how much of a pay increase will go to the teachers, paid staff, and benefits... It has been a ongoing debate over the years how Augusta pay scales compare to other counties in Virginia but let's face it. It's a whole lot cheaper to live in this area as compared to Arlington, Richmond, NOVA, etc... Sure we want our teachers to be paid fairly but look at what some of them are making as compared to the citizens (Taxpayers) are making. $.03 cents might be a "Slash" but is still a substantial increase at a time when the economy is still barely improving....

It was also very interesting to watch several of the Supervisors squirm & dance on this when considering their past campaign promises......





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Karaffa asks for common sense comments....

Supervisor Karaffa submitted and had his Letter to the Editor printed over at the NewsLeader where he asked some interesting questions. There has been talk in the local media of the BOS raising the County tax rate $0.05 per $100.00 to cover the projected shortage of $250K for County operation and numerous requests from the education sector... 

"A 5-cent tax increase would raise revenue in the tax coffers over $3.2 million dollars. Traditionally, half of the revenue goes to the schools and half to the county. The county is short $250,000 for the upcoming budget, why do we need $1.6 million to cover that deficit?"

Augusta County has pretty much always had a fiscal conservative budget process and spending practices and with that have held themselves to their budgets and don't have deficits, something we could only dream of on someday on a national level.

"Augusta County public schools have asked for an additional 2.86 percent raise on top of the 2 percent raise that is already calculated into their current budget. They would also purchase $500,000 in new computers as well as make up the 100 percent insurance premium coverage for bus drivers and cafeteria workers, totaling $2.5 million in additional funding."

"Education" has always been a hot topic and has also been a common tool of the "Left" to demand more money when it comes to increased spending. If you question these increases you are painted as a greedy person refusing to invest in our children and their\our future. Fact is we already spend a incredible amount of money per student on a national level and the test results are disappointing. Just look at the recent stories coming out of NYC, Chicago, and other cities where over 75% of "Graduates" are unable to read or write to  function and get hired or move on to further education...

A while back I saw a Letter to the Editor where the person questioned why $500,000 in computers. That person provided numerous common sense questions and data to show that sensible solutions could provide needed computer services at a much lower cost. To simply throw $500k at "Computers" would be foolish and should be questioned...


Good move and effort by Karaffa in seeking more info and comments by way of upcoming "Townhall" meetings. I hope he follows through with common sense solutions without specific "past influences" and does what is right for the taxpayers......