Transparency News 2/27/13

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

State and Local Stories

Daily Press: Tribune Co. has hired two investment banks to manage offers to buy its newspapers, executives confirmed Tuesday afternoon, saying no decisions have been made about whether to sell any properties. (Tribune Co. owns the Daily Press and the Virginia Gazette.)

Free Lance-Star: Spotsylvania County businesses can now legally display up to two banners on their property. The Board of Supervisors approved revisions to the county’s banner ordinance at a meeting Tuesday. Supervisor Benjamin Pitts cast the only dissenting vote.  Just one person spoke at a public hearing on the issue, and he opposed the changes.

Daily Progress: Albemarle County Supervisor Christopher J. Dumler is out of allies among his board peers. "I now realize that this is about much more than Mr. Dumler,"  board Chairwoman Ann H. Mallek said Tuesday. "We have a crisis of confidence in the county ... and I just sense a cloud over the whole operation, and I would like that to be over." Both Mallek, a Democrat, and Supervisor Dennis S. Rooker, an independent, called for Dumler's resignation Tuesday. Their remarks came following a wave of protest Monday night during a public hearing on the county budget. Police escorted one protester from Lane Auditorium in the County Office Building after a profane outburst. Mallek and Rooker dissented Feb. 6 in a 3-2 vote urging the youngest supervisor in county history to resign following his Jan. 31 guilty plea to misdemeanor sexual battery. Supervisors voted 5-0 to censure Dumler.

Herald Courier: "It brings tears to your eyes to be part of something that helps somebody," Del. Joe Johnson said Tuesday. "It's just a great joy and a pleasure for the 28 years I've served this area." Although his handshake remains firm, the Abingdon Democrat will not  seek another two-year term. He plans to serve until Jan. 1.

Northern Virginia Daily: Front Royal Town Councilman Bret Hrbek is encouraging the council to collaborate with McLean firm Kratos Infrastructure to strategically develop a business plan for the town. Several key players in the Kratos organization have ties to the Town Council.

Goochland Gazette: A 16-year-old junior at Goochland High School, Jasmine Coles has been selected as student liaison to the Goochland County School Board.